Wednesday interview - Kitikhun Vongsayan

Today we present you Kitikhun Vongsayan, illustrator and painter from Thailand, currently living in San Francisco. Take a look at his answers and great work, enjoy:
......................................................................................................................................................................

Have you always wanted to become a artist/designer?

Yes, I guess. I always love to draw and paint, and one day, Bam! before I know it, I just can’t stop doing it. Art becomes a huge part of my life.

Which project has given you the most satisfaction?

It depends. Each project comes with uniqueness, so in return, I’d say it gives me back in different way of satisfaction.

What types of books are on your bedside table?

Anatomy book, I believe. Right this moment, I’m trying to learn more about it.

What is the best moment of the day?

The moment I lying down on my bed.

What would be your dream project?

I’m trying to do my best in every single project, so let say before I start any projects, they all are my dream one. 

Can you recommend some movie you've watched recently?

It’s kind of “old”, but “The Legend Of 1900” is the best in everyway. I just watched it a few days ago.

Who is your hero at the moment?

My brother, and not only “at” this moment, but all my life, he’s always the one.

Cat or dog?

Only these two? I’m a bird person, so…. dog.

Do you experiment with different media a lot and whats your favorite media?

For me, I try to dig deeper in what media I like instead of try different things because I don’t think media makes much difference, but idea is what matters.

If you were a character from a cartoon, which one would you be? :)

Swee’Pea from Popeye! Of course, no one can hurt him!

If you could do any other job what would you choose and why?

I really have no idea! I gave all my life to what I’m doing now, and never think of any other choice.

Where could we find you on friday night?

In front of my laptop.

Pepsi or Coke?

Coke!!!!!

Favorite blogs/sites etc.?

Honestly, there are so many, I don’t think I gonna name them all. But “behance.net” is one of the top. 

How would you define your personal work-life balance in terms of ratio (50/50 70/30 etc)?

80/20

What brings you joy? 

Happiness of people, I love to feel the feeling of joyful/ happiness/ love/ etc., by watching them share those feeling to each other. 

......................................................................................................................................................................

Thanx a lot Kitikhun for your time. We wish you all the best in your future projects. For more info about Kitikhun, you can visit his Facebook, Behance, Instagram

Wednesday interview: Jorge Arbelo Cabrera

Today we present you Jorge Arbelo Cabrera, technical engineer in industrial design and post graduate in product conceptualization. He is mostly focused on industrial design, product design and furniture. Here is his answers for our blog, enjoy :)

Have you always wanted to become a designer?

Not always, when I was a child I wanted to be a forest ranger but since I remember, all my childhood I was always with a screwdriver, disarming all the stuffs of my house. I enjoyed a lot, the process of discovering the details of the objects like its engines, mechanisms, etc. But I started studying industrial design because it was the only engineering that didn't have chemistry. I'm lucky to work in my vocation by accident.

Which project has given you the most satisfaction?

The most important project for me is the "tubh chair" because it was the begining of my new carrer as industrial designer. Currently I am focused on industrial design, furniture and product design, but I started as a graphic designer. The tubh chair gave me the confidence to development my skills as an industrial designer.

What types of books are on your bedside table?

I enjoy reading books that can teach me something new. Now I am reading "A New Earth" by Eckhart tolle and a "Arduino programming" book.

What is the best moment of the day?

All the moments are the best. 

What would be your dream project?

Work in a huge workshop with all the machines, tools and materials that I could imagine and just fly with my creativity, without the pressure of time and money.

What type of music do you play while creating?

When I'm brain-storming, doing a research or I´m thinking in general, I prefer work without music so I can concentrate beter, but when I´m working with tools or drawing I listen to Jazz, rock or electronic music.

How important is craftsmanship in your design process? 

For me is the most important. The part that I enjoy the most in my job is when I work with my hands. There is a great phrase from Metropolis that says "The mediator between head and hands must be the heart!" and not the machine. I want to come back to the artesian way because nowdays it looks like if you want to produce a product you have to make more than 200.000 pieces in china, I believe that this idea is in crisis and we are coming back to the origins with the phenomenon "maker" doing you your own objects fitted better to your needs, for example with the 3d printers. I love the concept technology artisan.

Who is your hero at the moment?

My Hero is my Grandfather, who taught me to love handcrafts.

Cat or dog?

I love the dogs, all my live I have been living with dogs, currently with Lope

If you could do any other job what would you choose and why?

A survivor on a desert island, I think is a very poetic life, living easy in calm, fishing, building my stuffs with nature materials, sending messages in bottles and maybe some fights with unkonwn creatures.

Where could we find you on friday night?

Having dinner with friends or reading a book in my house. 

What is the most inspiring pieces of furniture for you to design and why? 

I don´t have one favourite piece of furniture, I like changes and I always do different things. I think that I can´t focus my inspiration in one piece, the inspiration has its own life and it's always changing. In my case the inspiration comes when I´m thinking of something new and different. Currently I´m studying arduino programing because I want to mix the electronic whith my ideas, I don´t know the solution but the way is very inspiring.

Favorite blogs/sites etc.?

Mocoloco, Designboom, The Creators project, Makezine...

How would you define your personal work-life balance in terms of ratio?

33/77 I spend more time in my personal life because is the place where I recharge the bateries and learn how to work with creativity and love.

What brings you joy? 

:) the joy comes easy, sharing with friends, living with love and didn´t putting off.

Thank you Jorge for this lovely interview, we wish you all the best in future projects. For more info about Jorge's work, please visit his web

Angie Hoffmeister - Wednesday interview

Today we present you a lovely lady from Germany. Her name is Angie Hoffmeister and she is an illustrator, painter and comic book artist. Here are her answers:

...........................................................................................................................................................

Have you always wanted to become a artist?

This was not a decision I made, things just naturally went into that direction. I began to draw when I was 16 and over the following year I spent more and more time doing it, and so I went to an art school. There was no question about that.

Which project has given you the most satisfaction?

I think the book I am working on will give me the most satisfaction once it’s done, but there are still a few months of work left, so we’ll see.

What types of books are on your bedside table?

Some Graphic Novels like ‘Portugal’ by Cyril Pedrosa, ‘Wildwood’ by Colin Meloy and Carson Ellis and a John Irving novel.

What is the best moment of the day?

The ten minutes before falling asleep at night.

What would be your dream project?

I would love to make a full color book all alone, something between a comic and a novel, with no time pressure and all the freedom I want.

What type of music do you play while creating?

That depends. I like Korn just as much as Alt-J, Chamberlin, Damien Rice, the Foo Fighters or Nick Cave.

What do you love the most in your work?

The soft and quiet drive in the lines.

Who is your hero at the moment?

In literature it’s John Irving and in art it’s Sandra Vásquez de la Horra.

Cat or dog?

Cat

If you were a character from a cartoon, which one would you be? :)

Possibly Enid from the Ghostworld comic, but I’m not sure.

If you could do any other job what would you choose and why?

I would want to do something with the books. Maybe writing, maybe translating, something like that.

Where could we find you on Friday night?

At a friend’s house cooking or watching movies – or at home, working.

You also do comics and graphic novels, can you tell us a little more about that?

I've been working on a book for three years now, and it’s going to be finished next spring. It’s a 450 page Graphic Novel called ‘Nocturne’, written by Anne Opotowsky and illustrated by me. This book occupies me for most of the day, it’s something like my personal Mount Everest, but I’m glad that the finish line is in the sight. It’s tough work because you have to go back and forth all the time, do revisions and talk things over many times. I had to draw the first two chapters completely anew because my lines had gotten so much better over time. But it’s a beautiful project and I can’t wait to hold my first book in hands next year.

Favorite blogs/sites etc.?

Sobadsogood.com

How would you define your personal work-life balance in terms of ratio (50/50 70/30 etc)

80/20

What brings you joy? 

Looking at a piece I've just finished and that I’m satisfied with.

Thank you for you time and answers, we wish you success with your future projects. For more info and work from Angie, please visit her site here

Wednesday interview: Jennifer Davis

Today we present you an excellent artist Jennifer Davis. She was kind enough to answer a few questions for our blog:

Have you always wanted to become an artist? can you tell us about your first experience with art?

I took on mandatory art class in high school. I enjoyed it but I never dreamed art was something I could “do” and it didn't really spark any interest anyway. In college I took a drawing class to fill a creative credit requirement and feel deeply in love with art school. I changed my major to art and took every kind of art class offered- painting, ceramics, sculpture, photography, all sorts of print making, etc. I loved all of it. I found my calling over halfway through my six years at the University of Minnesota.

Which project has given you the most satisfaction?

My show at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts- a beautiful museum in Minneapolis- in 2010 was definitely a highlight. I am most excited about a couple of upcoming projects though- a show at the Devos Museum in Michigan in Sept and a solo show at Public Functionary in Minneapolis later this year.

What types of books are on your bedside table?

I am an insomniac and I read a lot during the middle of the night- mostly contemporary fiction. Just finished “The Round House” by Louise Erdrich, Now reading “The Burgess Boys” by Elizabeth Strout, next up, “The Dinner” by Herman Koch.

 What is the best moment of the day?

I am an “early bird” and love early mornings. I usually try to leave a painting well underway but unfinished on my desk at the end of each day so that I am excited to get back to work n the morning.

 Who is your illustration hero at the moment?

I am always swooning over the paintings of Jennifer Sanchez: http://jennifersanchez.info/2013-panelcanvas/ . I have a lot of “favorites”- it is hard to chose. I keep two running lists - http://pinterest.com/jennniferdavis/art/ and http://pinterest.com/jennniferdavis/fellow-minnesota-artists/

Cat or dog?

Cat. I love both but I am a definitely a crazy cat lady for life. This is my 18 year old cat, Nudge.

What would be your dream project?

I have recently received grant funding (from the McKnight Foundation/Metropolitan Regional Arts Council) for aproject that I dreamed up earlier this year. I am am taking a road trip to research the dozens of vintage carousels along the US East Coast and then I am going to make paintings about the animals.

 Where could we find you on Friday nights?

Last night (Friday) I was in my studio painting. Most Fridays I prefer to go out and see some art and/or go to a bar and drink beer with friends.

If you could do any other job what would you choose and why?

I have a lot of day-dream jobs. My friends call me Detective Davis because I like to investigate. I also think it would be fun to be a Mail Carrier. (It probably isn’t fun but I love walking and I love the Post Office.) Something on film sets would be fun for me too…

Pepsi or Coke?

Beer. ;0)

What type of music do you play while creating?

I prefer Minnesota Public Radio or National Public Radio.

If you were a character from cartoons, which one would you be?

I am not a big cartoon person but how about this guy- “Toughy”: http://www.milkyelephant.com/karl/toughy/episode1/

Favorite blogs/sites etc.?

I have a lot of favorites but this one has recently sucked me in for extended viewing: http://www.nellarmadio.com/

How would you define your personal work-life balance in terms of ratio (50/50 70/30 etc)?

I do not have very good work/life balance. I work at home which means I never really “shut it off.” I think about “work” almost all the time. I think that is why I read during insomnia and watch a lot of films- to help shut off my brain. I’m pretty obsessive. Work=life for the most part…

What brings you joy?

Films (most horror, documentary and weird/arty stuff), cats, friends/family, art, painting, bike riding, spring/summer, travel, food/drinks, adventure, adrenaline…

Thank you very much Jennifer :) For more info, please visit Jennifer's blog and site

Wednesday interview: Sandra Juto

It's really hard to define Sandra with just one or two words. She's an illustration/graphic designer, she does beautiful crochet stuff like her wrist-worms and Buttcracks character. Also, she make excellent photographs about her everyday life in Berlin, and you can see it all on her blog. Here's the interview, enjoy:

Have you always wanted to become an artist? can you tell us about your first experience with art?

As a child I was taught that being an artist is not a profession, so I didn't even think in that direction. instead I studied lots of different languages. my first experience with art... that's a tricky question.

Which project has given you the most satisfaction?

It has to be running my online shop because I am 100% in charge over my time schedule. of course it's a lot of administration like wrapping products, going to the post office etc - though I think the diversity is good for me. and it makes me so happy to know people decorate their homes with my prints and their hands with my wrist-warmers :)

What types of books are on your bedside table?

Only one book at a time; always a novel.

What is the best moment of the day?

Waking up early, taking a walk/going to the gym with a coffee break afterwards and then go home, where my studio is, and work work work.

Who is your art  hero at the moment?

I would love to have one - but i haven't found her/him.

Cat or dog?

I love dogs, but if I was to choose a pet, it would be a cat though I would feel sad for keeping it indoors ( as i live at a very busy street).

What would be your dream project?

Making books, don't know what kinds of books yet - but I keep thinking about it.

Where do you search your inspiration? How's Berlin energy different from Gothenburg's when it comes to your creativity?

I find inspiration during my morning walks; in Berlin I see new stuff and new streets more often than I did in Gothenburg - naturally because Berlin is much much bigger - and that's what keeps me going - seeing new things (one of the reason I moved to Berlin, it's a city in constant change).

Where could we find you on Friday nights?

At the bar with my friends sipping a couple of dry martinis.

If you could do any other job what would you choose and why?

Author. I am extremely unsocial when I'm working so working as an author would suit me pretty well.

Pepsi or Coke?

No thanks. I prefer sparkling water at any time.

What type of music do you play while creating?

No music at all as it distracts me. I like to listen to the sounds from the street outside; people passing by, ambulances, trams, dogs barking...

If you were a character from Star Wars, which one would you be?

Chewbacca

How would you define your personal work-life balance in terms of ratio (50/50 70/30 etc)?

It's impossible to define, they go hand in hand.

What brings you joy?

Taking pictures and keeping my blog updated. it's such a good way of communicating, I see my readers like my colleagues in a way because it's my window to the world during work time.

We thank Sandra very much for her answers and her time. For more info make sure to visit Sandra's site and blog

Wednesday interview: Anna Emilia Laitinen

Today we have an interview with lovely painter and illustrator Anna Emilia Laitinen. She does beautiful paintings, all very carefully designed with such a lovely atmosphere. 

Have you always wanted to become an artist?
What I always wanted to do is something by hands and connected to the nature around me, so probably yes, even I did not know it.

Which project has given you the most satisfaction?

Usually all projects bring happiness and satisfaction in some ways. Learning and communicating with new people always brings satisfaction.

What types of books are on your bedside table?
There are some travel books and diaries. I seem to enjoy books that were written by men that lived a hermit life in some remote place in the nature. One Man's Wilderness by Richard Proenneke is one of this kind that I hugely enjoyed.

 

What is the best moment of the day?
Early mornings when everything is still silent and just about to begin. 

Who is your art/illustration hero at the moment?

There are not really specific artists or illustrators. There are so talented people everywhere. People that are around me and enjoy what they do give me inspiration and they also teach me a lot.

Cat or dog?

Both please.

What would be your dream project?

Something that would combine different themes and ways of doing together. It is always lovely to work with projects that include music.

Through your blog we saw that you live on a wonderful place that certainly inspire you very much. Do you ever think about some different inspirations, different media etc.?

Everything can be inspiring, so open mind and eyes is a good thing. Nature is very important for me and thinking about different places gives me many ideas. I wish I could travel more to see those places personally.

What music surrounds you while you create?

Lately I have been listening to different radios from all over the world. It is nice to have some different views of life and listen to different rhythm of languages and think those people who are talking on the radio.

 

Where could we find you on Friday night?

Last Friday night from my own little sauna, relaxing and breathing deeply afterwards the cold spring air afterwards outdoors.

If you could do any other job what would you choose and why?

It might be something to do with language or plants or then I might be a kindergarten teacher.

 

Pepsi or Coke?

Green tea, please.

If you were a character from Star Wars, which one would you be?

Oh, I never saw them!

What's your favorite sites/blogs?

Some nice cooking or radio channel sites.

How would you define your personal work-life balance in terms of ratio (50/50 70/30 etc)?

Most of the days are very long by my painting table, but that is what I enjoy. Ideas can come anywhere and anytime, so I don´t try to separate work and personal life too much. Probably 70/30.

What brings you joy?

Slow moments with friends, good food and music. Long walks and changes in the weather and seasons.

....................................................................................................................................................................

Thank you for you time and lovely answers:)
For mor info and art, please visit Anna Emilia site http://www.annaemilia.com and her blog http://annaemilial.blogspot.com/