IA: Can you tell us more about your animal series?

BC: Two of the first four books in our studio's "Sketches" book series are on real and fictitious animals. I love animals because they are so natural and unpretentious. Animals just do what comes naturally for them, they don't pose or preen or act differently because they think someone might be watching. I've always been interested in how they move, eat, survive and communicate with each other. I think observing animals really helped me create interesting and compelling character concepts and designs.

IA: What is for you the key to success for a work of art?

BC: Personally, I think any work can be successful if there's "enthusiasm" behind it. Art is an extension of the artist's heart and soul and, believe it or not, I feel that the viewer can see an artist's enthusiasm for a piece of work in the painting's details. No artist ever said that they weren’t enthusiastic about their masterpiece.

IA: Can you name artists that have inspired your work, not necessarily digital artists?

BC: I have been, and will always be, a big fan of Sargent, Stephen Silver, Dean Yeagle, Craig Mullins, Kei Acedera, and Peter DeSeve. They are all great inspirations.

IA: What would be the first advice you would give to someone who wants to start a career in digital art?

BC: Always look to learn something new. The biggest advantage any new artist has is passion and enthusiasm. Use that to your advantage and try to absorb as much knowledge as you can. Don't be too concerned about developing your style. That will come over time.

IA: Can you explain why you think you are doing art?

BC: I was fortunate enough to discover art early on in my life. I'm doing art today because it's what I love and I'm pretty good at it. Really, if you find something you're good at doing, why wouldn't you want to do that thing all day long?

As for running an art studio, it's the best job in the world! Everything I get out of it has come about because of everything I've put INTO it. Not many people get an opportunity like this; to be fully in charge of their own destiny. Because of this, every success has been extra sweet and makes me want to learn more and accomplish more every day.

IA: How do you see the evolution of digital art?

BC: Digital art will be huge for the art world. The digitization of art will make art more accessible to more people. Digital art will make it easier for artists to share ideas and collaborate. It will speed up the development of new theories, methods, and techniques. Increasingly diverse talents will come to the forefront. A hundred years from now people will look back at this period as a time when art radically changed, evolved and took a huge leap forward.

IA: Any last words?

BC: Art is a form of expression, my advice to the reader is: express yourself clearly and honestly. Do what you love and love what you do. Everything else will fall into place on its own.

Links

Imaginism Studios

Imaginism Studios at Angouleme 2010 - From Left to Right, Bobby Chiu, Kei Aceidera, Stephen Silver

Picture by Patrice Leymarie - IT'S ART