As many of you already know, I am a huge fan of Super Hero/Sci-Fi artwork, not matter who the artist is. Yes, I have my go to favorite artists that I follow no matter what, but I also love searching the web for amazing art. One of my favorite places to look for amazing artwork is the site Deviantart. That is where I found an amazing artist known as ChasingArtwork. Well, I got in touch with him about his art and asked for an interview and he gladly accepted. In fact, he even gave us a first look to one of his pieces. So, Nerds and Nerdettes, here is my interview with ChasingArtwork aka Justin Currie.
1. Who are you and where are you from?
Names Justin Currie, I grew up on a farm outside of the tiny town of Pilot Mound Mb. Lived there with 5 siblings until Graduating high school and beginning RRC’s Graphic Design course at 17. Been in Winnipeg since.
2. I just love your style! How and when did you discover your art style? What would you call your style of art?
I’ve coined the style “shattered vector painting”. as a graphic designer, my daily projects included a lot of the heavy lifting being done by adobe illustrator (a program that draws with “vector points” most commonly used for logos, websites, etc). Eventually I became very familiar and comfortable with this program, and started experimenting with more fluid and messy techniques – not something usually associated with the program. A LOT of practice later, I found myself with a fully realized style in a medium most artists stray away from.
I get the question often, and used to ask often: “how do I come up with a style?” and the only answer is practice- the more mileage you put on, the more a style will begin to emerge in your work. just keep at it, things will click.
3. One of my favorite pieces is Wolverine Hunting. How did you come up with that concept?
I’m a big Wolverine fan- but because he’s a great character I always feel he’s written a little too untouchable. And on the reverse, always thought Cyclops is written a little underwhelming. I wanted a piece where wolverine is getting owned, and I’m a big fan of silhouette pieces. Wolverine being knocked through trees by an optic blast just sounded fun in my head.
4. What genre do you like to work with the most? (comics, gaming, film, etc…)
I think I keep it pretty mixed between original work, games, movies/TV, and comics. Usually an idea for a piece will pop into my head- and then it just sticks around until I see it finished. If I find I’m pumping out too many similarly themed pieces I’ll make a conscious decision to switch over to robot dragons or something for a bit. Gotta diversify :)
5. Where can my readers see your art?
I have plans for a full site in the near future, but social media has been working great for my purposes:
chasingartwork.deviantart.com/v
www.facebook.com/ChasingArtwork
Store: society6.com/chasingartwrok
6. Do you have anything you would like to promote right now?
Good timing- I got more into the Sephiroth bot lately, and he’s looking good. So, you get an exclusive look at the “Jenova Scion Project”. This matches up with the Cloud robot that I have worked on. It is still a work in progress, but I like how it is coming out.
7. What is your favorite project that you have done?
I think I’m working on it right now actually- I’ve recently left a job at a gaming studio to start my own studio, and my first flagship project is a book called “Cassie and Tonk” about a robot and girl undertaking a journey in a post apocalypse world full of scary robots and adventure! its a cute book, with a similar tone to something like How to Train your Dragon, or Iron Giant.
The book is set for launch this November, and I don’t think I’ve ever been as focused on a project for this long a period- I seem to consistently work through lunches, and am often surprised by 5:00 rolling around. That rarely happened when I worked for other people, but seems commonplace now. good indicator that I’m onto something special I hope!
8. What are your plans for the future?
On the plate for the next month or so, along with the new Cassie & Tonk book, is: Robo Shredder, Robo Sephiroth, Link Vs Dark Link and a more artsy piece with a colorful octopus. When I get worn out on Cassie & Tonk pages, I turn to the ever growing “to draw” list.
The biggest current goal is to get this book to the printers on time, and then see where that can go as far as bookstores etc.- after that, I’m not quite sure what the next big goal is. I have another personal art book on the go, as well as a really exciting colab art book with some massive heavy hitter artists I’ve met on my comic con travels.
9. What advice do you have for aspiring artists to get their work seen?
Biggest one for me, is honestly: get competitive. I think I grew the most as an artist when I felt others were improving beyond me, which made me want to be that much better. I don’t get bitter or resentful when I see other artists succeed, but I do get fired up to out-do them- and I think that’s an unspoken feeling that a lot of successful artists use to their benefit.
The other huge one is just to always be drawing. I’m almost always sketching, or thumb-nailing, or planning out a project. as almost every successful artist will tell you- the best trick is practice, practice, practice, always try to always learn, learn from others, etc etc.
And comic cons. Since I started attending artists alley, my portfolio has exploded in scope and skill set- nothings more inspirational for me than spending a weekend with hundreds of other artists (a lot of them trying to do the exact thing you are). Things really started to snowball for my career when artists alley became a factor.
