Artist Interview #3- Myself

Artist Interview by Myself (Cat Dianna)

What kind of artist do you consider yourself?
            I consider myself an ‘Anime/Manga Artist,’ drawing traditionally with pencil and paper. I sometimes draw in a realistic style, but it’s not my main thing.

What is your favorite art style to use yourself?
           My favorite art style is Anime/Manga. It is the style that flows the best for me. I can just draw and it doesn’t have to be perfectly realistic. It can be anything, and the flaws don’t really matter.

What is your favorite art style to view?
           Mostly, I enjoy the Anime style, but realistic is so beautiful too. I love paintings and sculptures.

What is your Favorite Genre of Literature to read?
            I like fantasy and stories to do with magic or supernatural occurrences. I like there to always be at least a bit of romance in what I read, just because I want to know which couple to root for.

From where do you draw inspiration for your work?
            Songs are a great source of inspiration, but anything can spark a want to create. I get ideas from the oddest things.

When, would you say, did you begin your artistic lifestyle?
           I’ve been drawing forever, and ever since I could pick up a crayon I would draw on everything. I’ve always held a passion for art.

When did you begin to use your current artistic style?
            It was in fourth or fifth grade, when I received a very bad book on how to draw anime/manga style. The book was not the greatest, with art that wasn’t anywhere NEAR what I would today consider ‘good’. Now that I think about it, I wonder why the artist ever agreed to publish it in a book order or at all. But, this book’s amateur style made me feel good about my art back then, because it looked close to the book. I felt it was good, but found later it was quite awful. Despite this, I’ve stuck to drawing, my passion.

Do you think that any other artists have influenced you and your art?
           Definitely. The people who have most influenced my art are my friends from my old home. The place I consider my home town, Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands, holds many memories. Mishy, Jii, and Ali were my best friends there, and we all drew anime/manga style. I love them dearly, and we have all helped each other grow.
I recently spoke to Jii over Webcam, and we showed each other our art. She herself has grown so much. She told me she thought it was cute that I kept my same style, improving it little by little.

Do you have any artistic idols, and if so, who are they?
            I have been influenced by my childhood art-idols, Flame and Arilla, from The Nutshell.

What is your favorite technique to use?
            Probably how I scribble when I draw the eyes, and add these scribbles to the iris.

Are your plans for your future art-oriented?
I plan to be an Art Therapist, combining my want to help people like me with my passion for art.

When creating a piece, do you ever get into a ‘zone’? If so, describe it?
            Yes, always. I seem to have a mode in my brain that hinders me from seeing flaws in my work as I create it. It also calms me. I can just draw and feel and create.

Anything you want to say to an aspiring artist out there?
            If you ever feel you’re not good enough, you’re incorrect. You’re better than EVERYONE who hasn’t tried, and will always be. For everyone who continues, you’re better than those who have given up.

Any last words for the interview?
Thank you for reading, all of you who read this!





My Art