Artist to Artist

Good Morning and Welcome to Artist-to-Artist.

Today we have with us Moondial from the United Kingdom

Aloramyst: Thank for being with us here today Moondial! In your opinion what is art?

Moondial: In my opinion, art is something that enables the viewer of the art in question to feel an emotion, sense the scene you’re creating. This can be anything from music & written to traditional painting, sketching, photo manipulation, anything.

Aloramyst: Who or what first introduced you to creating art?

Moondial: I’ve been sketching cartoons from a very young age, I believe it was my parents. When I was young my father would hand me a pen & napkin while we were waiting for food in a restaurant & off I’d go, doodling all kinds of characters & random abstract designs.

Aloramyst: Why did you choose to create in this choice of medium?

Moondial: I use a variety of mediums, from sketching to watercolours & acrylics to computer modification. I still love cartooning, it’s always been a quick way for me to express an opinion about a person or situation, my second would be fractal work and abstract work designed using the computer because I can choose the array of colours and shapes easier to create the emotions behind the design.

Aloramyst: What software programs have you experimented with? And which is your favorite?

Moondial: I’ve used many, I started with MS Paint, then Paintshop Pro. While I was working as a junior web designer I was sent on some training for Adobe Photoshop (this was in 1999), I got addicted to the amount of features available and the usability of this programme to the point where, when I could afford it, I purchased an Apple Macbook, the 12” screen was a frustration then, and Adobe Photoshop. I’ve since invested in a graphics tablet and a better Macbook so that Adobe Photoshop runs smoothly & doesn’t crash. I have also tried a variety of fractal creating programmes, none of which I can remember the names of as I found this wasn’t quite what I was looking for.

Aloramyst: What inspires and motivates you to create?

Moondial: Mostly nature & life experience. I’ve always been a bit of a nature child, I love some of the ways in which Mother Nature creates things as simple as leaves. Life experience is inspirational for cartooning.

Aloramyst: Who is your favourite artist? What is it about their work that you love?

Moondial: I’m a fan of Monet, the time it must have taken to create some of the more intricate works, and Picasso, for the amazing use of everyday sights & making them juxtaposition.

Aloramyst: Have you set any goals for yourself as an artist? If so, what are you working towards achieving?

Moondial: I find that other people that inspire me tend to set my goals for me. They’ll see my works & ask me to commission them something, which will push what I can do just that little bit more each time.

Aloramyst: Is your artwork for sale? Where can people see or purchase your artwork?

Moondial: I’ve found the Internet the best place for most of this. www.zazzle.com/moondial* and http://moondial.deviantart.com

Aloramyst: What are your recommendations and/or advice to other artists?

Moondial: Do what you enjoy doing, don’t do it for the money & be yourself through your artwork.

Aloramyst: Is there anything about being an artist that you would like to know more about?

Moondial: Anything I need to know I learn as I go.

Aloramyst: Which promotional tools have been the most effective for you?

Moondial: Internet in general. I’ve found www.squidoo.com a quick & easy way to advertise any sites I want more traffic to.

Aloramyst: Thank you for being with us here on Artist-to-Artist, I wish you much success in the future!