Mark Damrel

Name:  Mark Damrel
Website:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/mark_damrel/

What do you do?
During the day I work in architecture.  I basically draw lines and solve complex problems with various computer programs.  At night I make a mess of my garage with paint, ink and wood dust.  I basically try to create art that I enjoy.

Where can we find your work?
Most of my artwork can be found in my garage, at Kaleid gallery, or on my flickr site.  My architectural work for various firms can be seen sprinkled around the bay area. 

What inspires you to create and how do you keep motivated when things get tough?
Everyday things inspire my work.  Traffic, road rage, bad food at lunch, work issues, home issues, having kids, and living in San Jose could be inspirations.  Drawing , or building stuff helps when things get tough.  Like, if I have a crappy day at work, art is an escape.  Although creativity is somewhat required in architecture the truth is about 15% of architecture work is creativity, and the other 85% is tedium and problem solving.  Art is like anti-work for me.

What do you think is more important content/finished product or technique/process?
For me the process is the most fun and therefore the most important.  The actual making of whatever is where the time flies and you learn and explore.  Finishing it means I’m done.  Content sometimes transforms based on the process.  I am loose with content.  Sometimes I have a solid idea that I want to see through a small series or something, but usually the meaning takes shape through time and layers.

Who are some people who influence and/or inspire you?
I’m inspired by my wife and kids, my extended family and friends.  In both fields I’m inspired by so much work that is happening right now around the world that it’s a hard question to simplify.

If you could be any fictional character who would you be?
Phileas Fogg, because I don’t travel nearly as much as I’d like to.

When do you get your best ideas?
Usually at night when unwinding.

What materials/tools do you use most to create your work?
Wood, glue, acrylic paint, ink, pencils, paper, matte medium, spray paint, watercolor, gouache, it’s all fair game.  I dabble in all but master in none.

Are you self taught or formally educated? How do you think that has influenced or affected your work?
I have a BFA in interior design from San Jose State.  In order to get that I took a few art classes like color theory and 2d design which I really enjoyed.  I’ve taken a couple semesters in architectural rendering, which was cool as well.  I learned some technique in those classes.  Most of the ways I use my supplies these days would probably make my past instructors cringe.  One of the biggest things I took away from school was to draw all the time, fill up sketch books.  I also sketch a lot at work to discuss ideas with coworkers. 

What would your creative work taste like?
Salty and crispy.

When you are not creating what do you like to do?
I like to relax with family, hang out at the park, read books to my little girls and eat way too much.

How did you learn to access your creative talents and gain the confidence to put it out there for everyone to experience?
I was working for a firm in San Francisco and at lunch I would walk around SOMA looking at buildings feeling inspired by a lot of the graffiti. I remember being at my desk after lunch one day sketching something for work and thinking – I’m going to start painting tonight. So I went home and pulled together my dusty art supplies to see what I had that wasn’t all dried out and made a list of what I needed.  Then I went to the art store to buy some new brushes and paint, and came home and started painting at night.  That was 2006, and I’ve been doing it semi-regularly ever since.  I don’t do graffiti by the way, but I love it and am inspired by it. I don’t do it because I’m scared of heights and have crappy can skills for now.

What advice would you give others just beginning their creative adventures?
Be yourself and make what you enjoy.

                                     

Rajiv Khilnani

Name: Rajiv Khilnani

Website: www.rajivkhilnaniart.com

What do you do?
I am a water media artist who paints abstract works on canvas and paper.

Where can we find your work?
The best places would be my website www.rajivkhilnaniart.com or my studio in Sunnyvale. I am in the process of finalizing multiple exhibitions for 2013, details of which will be posted on my website soon.

What inspires you to create and how do you keep motivated when things get tough?
My desire to share my creativity and people’s appreciation of what I do are two of the reasons that inspire me to create. As for motivation during tough times, I always remind myself that life is a cycle of ups and downs. Like happiness, struggles are a part of life and you have to learn to accept them, learn from them, and not get discouraged. You need to have the right mindset to deal with those obstacles when you encounter them. Nothing in life is easy so be prepared to work hard without worrying about the consequences.

What do you think is more important content/finished product or technique/process?  
For me technique is the most important thing in all creative pursuits. A sound technique will lend itself to a superior finished product. Learning proper technique is a process in itself. This process will push one to make better choices with respect to content, display, etc.

Who are some people who influence and/or inspire you?
I get asked this question quite often. I wish I had a simple answer because inspiration for me has never come from one person or thing. My parents have been the biggest inspiration because they have sacrificed a lot in life to see me and my siblings succeed. I am also influenced and inspired by my other family members and friends who maintain their individuality and as a result teach me something new all the time. As for art, I am inspired by any and all artists/art works I can relate to irrespective of the subject matter. 

If you could be any fictional character who would you be?
Time traveler-so I could meet the old masters and see them paint.

When do you get your best ideas?
When I am least expecting them. Most times I will see something by chance that might light the creativity bulb in my brain.

What materials/tools do you use most to create your work?
I use wooden blocks and plastic sheets quite often to create interesting textures and designs in my works. Lately I have also been using bits and pieces of some of my old mixed media paintings on paper to create interesting textures on my canvas. I also use palette knives, scrapers and pointy tools to create embossed effects in my works.

Are you self-taught or formally educated? How do you think that has influenced or affected your work?
I am pretty much a self-taught artist. I say “pretty much” because I never went to an art school but I did spend about four years being mentored by a local artist while I finished my business degrees. By not going to an art school I was able to develop my own style fairly quickly, something most artists aspire for in their artistic journey. The disadvantage of not being formally trained has been my minimum knowledge of art history and the many hours I lost not being involved in some form of creative process.

What would your creative work taste like?
Like SPICY Indian Curry as I use Reds and Greens in a lot of my works.

When you are not creating what do you like to do?
I work full time as an events/marketing person. Apart from work I play league tennis, hike from time to time and occasionally act in films and commercials.

How did you learn to access your creative talents and gain the confidence to put it out there for everyone to experience?
I was drawn to art from childhood. Every week I looked forward to my art class in school. Having and interest in art is one thing but being able to reach a point where I can call myself an artist is another. After high school I was fortunate to find a mentor who inspired me to draw and paint. My relationship with my mentor not only improved my ability to create but also helped me to develop a sense of belief in what I was creating. This translated into confidence for me to share my works with others.

What advice would you give others just beginning their creative adventures? 
Enjoy the arts and don’t stress over it. Be open to learning from others and practice, practice and practice, that is the only way you get better at what you do.

Jane Emery

Name:   Jane Emery
Website:  blog:  auntjanescreations.wordpress.com

What do you do?  
Fiber art.  I make folk art spirit dolls and animals from recycled decorator fabrics and trims.

Where can we find your work? 
I have them all over my house, waiting for art and craft fairs in the fall.

What inspires you to create and how do you keep motivated when things get tough?
 I was inspired by some spirit dolls I saw in an issue of “Art Doll Quarterly.”  Mine turned out quite differently, but I was hooked.  The other dolls and animals just evolved from that.  When I start having trouble with a piece, I just set it aside and work on something else for a while.

What do you think is more important content/finished product or technique/process? 
For me, the finished product is what’s most important.  

Who are some people who influence and/or inspire you? 
 I grew up in New Mexico and have always admired and been inspired by Mexican and American Indian culture and art.

If you could be any fictional character who would you be?  
Athena-the Greek goddess who is the protectress of civilized life, of artesian activities, and of agriculture.

When do you get your best ideas?  

Random times.  Sometimes when I am working on a piece, I feel like it is telling me what it wants me to do. 

What materials/tools do you use most to create your work?
 I use discarded decorator fabric and trim samples, all sorts of embellishments, stuffing, needle, thread, and occasionally a sewing machine.

Are you self taught or formally educated? How do you think that has influenced or affected your work? 
 I was taught to sew when I was young, but I have not had any formal art education.  I think being self taught might make a person less constrained and more open to their own ideas and techniques.

What would your creative work taste like? 
I think maybe pizza.

When you are not creating what do you like to do? 
I am a Raging Granny.  We participate in rallies and protests for justice, progressive and ethical causes.  We sing and do street theater.

How did you learn to access your creative talents and gain the confidence to put it out there for everyone to experience?
 I think creativity is something inside that drives a person.  I have always had that creative drive, but not the confidence.  When my friend, Debbie, saw my spirit dolls and birds, she encouraged me to sell them at craft fairs.  I got more confident when I realized that there were actually people who liked my work and were willing to buy it.

What advice would you give others just beginning their creative adventures? 
I would say, just plunge in and do it.  Do what pleases you.  It’s great when other people like your work but if they don’t, that’s ok too.

Alicia Rice

Name:  Alicia Rice
Website: See below

What do you do?
I am an artist!  But I mainly use documentary as my form of expression, as it combines two of my favorite things: working for change and film.  I really like to take pictures of the non-moving variety, too.

Where can we find your work?
http://www.indiegogo.com/khonkaenurbanlife

http://www.youtube.com/user/mayfliesmayfly

http://theadventuresofpbobbie.tumblr.com/

http://theadventuresofpbobbie.tumblr.com/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mayfliesmayfly/sets/72157604812251267/ 

What inspires you to create and how do you keep motivated when things get tough?
I am inspired to create because I have the ability to tell someone’s story when they might not be able to tell it themselves. As far as when things get tough, I was thinking about this just last night.  I have been working on my current project for about a year, and have been here in Thailand for the last 4 months.  Though I’ve been blessed with support from many people, I’ve had to work alone for much of this time.  Add in working in a different culture and health issues, and it’s gotten very tough. But, last night, I went and visited one of the slum community members who has been helping me.  He was someone faced with the threat of having his home away from him, and through that, has grown into an activist and community organizer.  He is generous with both his time and money.  And he has so much excitement when he starts to talk about people’s movements in Thailand.  When times get tough, I look at people like him.  This is a man who has faced more hardship that I’ve ever had and has not just survived, but flourished.  Yes, things can be difficult for me and my work.  But, I don’t do this work for me.  I do this work for people like him.

What do you think is more important content/finished product or technique/process?  
I want my work to help promote learning and create understanding.  Because of that, the end product is pretty important.  Without it, there wouldn’t be any way to reach others about stories and issues that people might not know much about. However, personally, the process is so amazingly important.  Being an introvert, going out and making connections is not something that I am drawn to do.  Making documentaries forces me out of my comfort zone, which is the best place to be.  It’s the place where the most growth can happen.  Without documentary, my ability to challenge myself is lessened.  

Who are some people who influence and/or inspire you?
The seemingly mundane, photographs that can make me cry, people who love me despite my faults, those who can overcome, Michael Whalen and Dorothy Fadiman, great documentaries and the people and stories I film! This might be a really cheesy thing to say, but doesn’t everything influence and inspire us?

If you could be any fictional character who would you be?
Buddy Glass!

When do you get your best ideas?
I get my best ideas when I’m with the people I’m filming.  I always get a rush of inspiration after I go out into the field and am able to see and hear what’s going on.  Sitting around and talking just doesn’t motivate me (though it doesn’t stop me from doing it).

What materials/tools do you use most to create your work?
For me, what I use isn’t very important.  Powerful stories can be captured from any kind of device.  While it’s nice to have shots that are beautiful, it means far more to me to have something that can grab at you and make you feel something.  I’m personally not using film as a way to make pretty pictures (though it is a plus), but using it as a tool to help others experience things they might not get to otherwise.

Are you self taught or formally educated? How do you think that has influenced or affected your work?
My university had a very small video production emphasis, of which I took every class I could.  We got to watch films and talk about them, learn about the basics, and create our own films.  I’m very grateful for having that opportunity. At the same time, everyone’s self-taught if you think about it.  You can learn about techniques in a book or a classroom, but in the end you’re the one who’s shaping your learning.  I think that’s especially true with art.  Every time you create, you’re teaching yourself.

What would your creative work taste like?
I think that it would taste like mashed potatoes and boiled chicken feet.  On the one side of the plate, you’ve got a comfort food that makes you feel nice.  On the other side, you’ve got something new and different that makes you uncomfortable, but isn’t too bad once you try it.

When you are not creating what do you like to do?
 For the past year, nearly all of my thoughts have been on this project here in Thailand.  I don’t think I really stop thinking about it, even when I’m not actively creating it.  So, get back to me in a few months.

 How did you learn to access your creative talents and gain the confidence to put it out there for everyone to experience?
It took me a really long time to call myself an artist.  I resisted in for a long time, feeling like I had to somehow earn the title .In high school, I would watch the KQED local art program Spark! often.  They highlighted dancers, writers, painters, photographers, and everyone in between.  The diversity of the work these people did was truly inspiring.  It dawned on me that art isn’t any one specific thing, something my teenage mind had yet to grasp.  And, well, I’ve been an artist ever since!

What advice would you give others just beginning their creative adventures? 
Failure is your friend, even though it might feel like they’re stabbing you in the back all of the time.

Zoya Scholis

Name:  Zoya Scholis
Website: zoyart.com & artforpersonalgrowth.com

What do you do?
I paint mostly. I also like to dabble in ceramics and assemblage, even some writing. I lead workshops.

Where can we find your work?
I participate in solo and group shows in California and enter national and international shows four to five times a year.  A group I started, abstract7 will be showing at the El Marie Dyke gallery in Pacific Grove in January of next year (2013), and probably at Presentation Center in Los Gatos in the spring or summer. We hope to get a gig at the Toll House in Los Gatos for their Art walks this summer. 
I'll be doing Open Studios at Fort Mason (San Francisco) this year. I've also given interested parties private tours of my studio from time to time. Otherwise, I usually have one large piece displayed at Kaleid gallery, 88 4th St, downtown San Jose. I had a window spot but that may change. Then of course there is my website: zoyart.com. 

What inspires you to create and how do you keep motivated when things get tough?
hmmm motivation. Seeing other art I like is inspiring. I make a point of going to see art in galleries and museums. Lately I really like the Oakland art Murmur. Looking in books, magazines or websites can get me excited too.

What do you think is more important content/finished product or technique/process?
Content and process are inseparable and equally important. One without the other might not even be art. 

Who are some people who influence and/or inspire you?
All the great painters from Velasquez to Cassatt to DiebenKorn, Joan Mitchell, Klee I could go on and on. Lately I'm interested in Jessica Dickinson, Maya Kabat and Howard Ikemoto.

If you could be any fictional character who would you be?
Fictional character? I don't read much fiction anymore except the short stories int he New Yorker. I don't think I can answer that question.

When do you get your best ideas?
My best ideas come as I'm painting. I can start with an idea but it always changes in the process. I welcome that.

What materials/tools do you use most to create your work?
I love oil paint with plenty of stand oil mixed in. It makes a delicious texture!

When I paint with watercolors I like to use atomizers and stencils, and Mop brushes. I wrote a book about it, Tape and Spray Watercolor, available on my website.

Are you self taught or formally educated? How do you think that has influenced or affected your work?
I have a BA in Studio Art from Cal State East Bay. It was a great time but only so much can be taught and I hate being told what to do, especially when it comes to art. This is ironic because I teach art. I think maybe 20% can be taught mostly by demonstration. 60% is practice and learning from ones own mistakes which can be supported by a good teacher, and 20 % is Divine inspiration.

What would your creative work taste like?
Oils, like salted ice cream, watercolors, like water mellon. It occurs to me, in winter I might have a different answer.

How did you learn to access your creative talents and gain the confidence to put it out there for everyone to experience?
It takes faith. Art is my religion.

What advice would you give others just beginning their creative adventures?
Take workshops with artists you admire and remember, copying may be challenging and fun but it is not art.

Andrew Marchbank

Name: Andrew Marchbank
Website: www.2elevated.com

What do you do?
I am a young aspiring artist with a focus in graphic design, painting, drawing and running my clothing brand; 2elevated. 

Where can we find your work?

www.2elevated.com

www.youtube.com/user/IITHINKII

What inspires you to create and how do you keep motivated when things get tough?
I am inspired by the things I see everyday from packaging on wrappers to formations in nature. I am particularly motivated to design for my clothing brand. Everyone’s individual style is expressed in what we wear everyday out into the world. I want to make clothes that express my style and will inspire people to care about what they wear. I have huge ambitions and have always been very self motivated. It is my goals I have set for myself that motivate me. The level of success that I have planned for my brand and myself require me to think big and to work hard at what I do. There is no time to stop when things get tough.

When and how did you first become interested in creating? How long have you been doing it?
I have always had a desire to draw even as a young kid. Things went to a different level for me when my parents gave me a book on San Francisco graffiti for Christmas in 2008. I immediately fell in love with the different styles and color combinations that made up these cool urban works of art. I was intrigued by the edgy artistic expression and the diverse nature of graffiti. I learned everything I could from YouTube videos and books. Graffiti lead me to drawing with a bigger purpose and eventually moving on to more elaborate paintings using oils and acrylics on canvas. From there I launched my brand 2elevated in 2010. I’m a young artist with confidence but humble enough to know that I have a lot to learn and am excited about my future.

What do you think is more important content/finished product or technique/process?  
Both are important however I am more about the content/finished product. I enjoy the process, yet at times I get frustrated, as I am incredibly impatient with my work. I tend toward clean lines and clear messages in my graphic design. My paintings and drawings have a bit more leeway as some of my creations are very imaginative and can be “busy”.

Who are some people who influence and/or inspire you?
Well my favorite artists are Greg Simkins, Alex Pardee, and James Haunt. These artists are extremely unique with their style. Their level of creativity inspires me to dig deep to find my own unique style and creative expression. Scott Sasso (10 Deep), Nick Tershay (Diamond Supply Co.), Jonas Bevacqua (LRG), Ryan Mante and Christian Lilleland (Breezy Excursion), all inspire me with their brands and how they created something so wonderful and passionate out of nothing. I can only hope to reach their level of success.

If you could be any fictional character who would you be?
Tony Stark, a.k.a. Ironman. Just cause who doesn’t want to fly around in a metal suit and fight crime?

When do you get your best ideas?
In class mostly. In fact it was in my sophomore English class where I created the first 2elevated logo and everything developed from there. Doodling on the sides of assignments and back of worksheets is where some of my best ideas are formed. 

What materials/tools do you use most to create your work?
My macbook is probably the tool I use the most. From Cinema 4D to photoshop and illustrator I use it for all my graphic design needs.  

Are you self taught or formally educated? How do you think that has influenced or affected your work?
For graphic design I am self-taught. I started to first work on Photoshop a couple years ago messing around with effects and trying to make logos. Later I started to use illustrator and by looking up tutorials online and through trial and error I have made all the logos for 2elevated, our website, and other local companies. By doing it this way it forced me to find out new things on my own to better develop my style. As for drawing and painting I had two art classes in high school so I got to learn more about colors, values, and more concrete things like that in a traditional way. However, I hate drawing still life and boring things for assignments even though I know they will make me a better artist in the long run. 

What would your creative work taste like?
I would assume like a pear because I like the finished product to be crisp with clean lines. I am also a perfectionist and that can be both a good and bad thing, but it makes my creations come out as clean and solid as possible, like a pear. 

When you are not creating what do you like to do?
Spend time with my friends mostly. Going to the beach, movies, barbeques, parties, or any other social gatherings. I also enjoy snowboarding and biking.

How did you learn to access your creative talents and gain the confidence to put it out there for everyone to experience?
Once I started creating and getting positive feedback my confidence reached a new level and so did my art. Whenever I get a complement on my art or clothing designs it pushes me to continue to create and share with more people. My confidence comes from the people around me and I cant thank them enough.

Murphy Adams

Name:  Murphy Adams
Website:   www.murphyadams.net 

What do you do? 
Primarily I make small, quirky paintings, but I also work in clay, mosaic and make art dolls.

Where can we find your work? 

Kaleid Gallery in San Jose, Studio Gallery in San Francisco, and a number of smaller shops, as well as my Etsy store Murphy Adams Studio http://www.etsy.com/shop/MurphyAdamsStudio .

I've also done several murals and public art projects throughout the South Bay and am currently starting a slab clay and mosaic project at Ace Charter School in East San Jose.

What inspires you to create and how do you keep motivated when things get tough?
I tend to be a bit of a hermit, hiding out in my studio at home, so when I hit a creative slump I just need to get out.  My work is about relationships, emotion, the stuff that makes us human, all squishy and pathetic and ding dang lovely at the same time, but if I don't get out and live it I've got nothing to paint.

I also get inspired when people tell me how they connect with my work, or how a specific piece seemed to be painted just for them. Again, it's tapping into emotion, and you can't do that alone, it would be boring.

What do you think is more important content/finished product or technique/process?  
Well I can't believe I'm saying  this, but the finished product. As someone who sells art, the end product is ultimately more important. Of course  experimentation and process has played a big part in developing who I am and who I continue to be as an artist. I still spend hours testing new techniques and combinations of materials.

Who are some people who influence and/or inspire you?
I love that SJ has this cool little, tight knit art community, it's very inspiring. So many artists here work really hard at surviving making art, and consistently create...friends like Christine Benjamin, Lacey Bryant and Katy Kindig  to name a few.

I'm also really into reading the Etsy Blog "Quit Your Day Job," where artists and craftspeople tell their own personal stories about how they've grown their art businesses and been able to stop working a day job...someday.

As far as influential art figures currently and through history, people like Alison Saar, Squeak Carnwath, Linda Barry, Maira Kalman, Reverend Howard Finster, Margaret Kilgallen, Joe Sorren, Jean Michel Basquiat, Mark Rothko, Frida Kahlo, Henry Darger, Jacob Lawrence... their creative expression always blows me over, makes me cry or just hits me hard across the face, in a good way.

If you could be any fictional character who would you be? Ha! Somebody kickass like Game of Thrones Khaleesi, the one with the dragon babies, Zena Warrior Princess or a Bond Girl.  If you watch Adventure Time, I'd like to be Marceline, but I'm the Lumpy Space Princess.  In other words, somebody completely opposite of my marshmallowy, goofy self.

When do you get your best ideas? Laying in bed in the morning , kind of lucid dreaming, I think about things that I've witnessed the day before, what's been said to me and what was meant by it, sometimes about the underlying meanings of things.

I  also keep a sketchbook in my bag at all times and I'll often sketch a situation that I've seen, or write down a phrase or title that gets stuck in my head. I like to listen to people, things they say when emotions run high are most interesting. I'm especially drawn to awkward and embarrassing situations, the immense power of love and hope and the sad but sometimes funny side of misfortune. Laughing inappropriately has gotten me in trouble more times than not, but it's those situations that provide substance for my paintings.

What materials/tools do you use most to create your work?
I like to start with good thick cold press watercolor paper, then I use a combination of acrylic and colored ink, sometimes some colored pencil and I love Tombow art pens.  I layer multiple jewel tone colors over colors with matte medium. I know, it looks deceivingly simple.

Are you self taught or formally educated? How do you think that has influenced or affected your work?
I started out as a fine arts major in college, but it was the 80's (I'm aging myself here) and abstract, minimal & light and space paintings were what was popular, so I wasn't taken seriously. My art wasn't art with a capitol A; I suppose it still isn't. In any case I got a degree in art history and worked as a gallery director and curator for much of my adult life. I took a few studio classes but I consider myself largely self taught. Overall I think it's influenced me in a positive way. No one got to tell me what to do or how to do it. Of course I missed out on the how to do things part and I admit that would have been helpful. However, I was able to draw my inspiration from the art that was important to me, form my own opinions and discover things outside mainstream trends. Outsider, visionary, and folk art is a big wow for me as is the bravery that children's work possesses, I would have never found that during a  traditional arts education. 

What would your creative work taste like?
Pigs in a blanket and a beer, and maybe some Hot Tamales candy for dessert. Something so bad, but really so good.

When you are not creating what do you like to do?
I sew, I'm a compulsive baker, my extraordinary husband Patrick & I raise chickens and keep bees. I like homestead-ish type stuff, we've been looking for a little farm down in the Santa Cruz/Monterey area where we can do more of that kind of stuff, and my man has promised me goats! I like taking my dogs to the beach, I love music and going to shows, I'm a word game junkie and I like TV, way more than I should. I also love hanging out with my kids Ivy & Kasten who are now 20 and 17; they're amazing, hilarious and creative beyond belief. Ivy is starting her 3rd year of a BFA program in illustration at PNCA in Portland, and I'm sure my son will follow his creative vision. Seriously, they're my greatest creation. Everything considered, I'm living the good life.

How did you learn to access your creative talents and gain the confidence to put it out there for everyone to experience?
Putting your art out there at first is tough. I had tons of support and encouragement from friends and family. The first time I showed my work I made 40 small paintings and nearly all of them sold. It suddenly hit me, after years of working in galleries, teaching art to kids and a multitude of odd jobs in between, I can do what I love doing most of all. It took me a really long time to come to that realization and to feel comfortable enough to call myself an artist. I wish that I made it happen sooner, but I had to get to the "why the heck not," phase of my life where I stopped worrying about failure. I also just think creative people are naturally more fearful & sensitive, and I needed time to get over that.

What advice would you give others just beginning their creative adventures?
It's not easy, but if you're the kind of person who puts creating above all else for all means go for it. Eat it, sleep it roll around in it. Your work should be completely your own, don't  try and be somebody else. Think about content, not just style. Most of all treat it like a business, put some serious hours into it, market yourself,  get yourself out there. Oh and don't be a flake, don't perpetuate the artist stereotype, it makes us all look bad.

Oscar ”OscarLars” Knutsson

Name: Oscar ”OscarLars” Knutsson

Website: oscarknutsson.moonfruit.com

What do you do?
 Artist working with acrylic/watercolor painting and graphite/charcoal drawings. I also do a lot of mixed media artworks example: Communication with tongue cut out (Watercolor and Graphite).

Where can we find your work?
 A lot of my work are entering competitions right now. I also do a lot of commission works and installing them in different places. I recently did one for Hugo Kalm from Sweden, an upcoming DJ and producer.

What inspires you to create and how do you keep motivated when things get tough?
Everything and everyone inspires me. Music is one example of inspiration sources. I almost always listen to music when ideas pop into my head. When things get tough I mix myself a good drink, get a buz and just keep on working.  Eye of the tiger and never give up. I like when times are tough, that makes me feel alive and gives me more motivation to keep on pushing myself.

What do you think is more important content/finished product or technique/process?
 That is a hard question, I think both are very important. Technique makes people see your stuff because I think most people are drawn to things that are beautifully made. But there are millions of people out in the world that can do beautiful things and have better technique than you have. It is then you have to ask yourself, what makes you different  and unique - Your ideas.

Who are some people who inspire you and/or influence you?
 Hellenistic Greek sculptures inspire me a lot. I love the statue of Laocoon and sons. These statues also inspired Michelangelo’s David which is probably in my opinion the greatest statue ever made. I also enjoy Salvador Dalí’s work. All from paintings, sketches, sculptures to photography and clothing.
Inspiration comes more often though from people around me. Four artists that have inspired me a lot since I moved to California are Miha Sarani, JoJo Piera, Patrick “Wädl” Hoffmeister and Erals. R DelaO. These guys’ works are unique and keep pushing the limits every time I see their work. They are amazing artists and also guys I’m proud to call friends.

If you could be a fictional character who would it be?
Batman

When do you get your best ideas?
 Often times when watching movies, listening to music, hanging out with amazing artists or in my sleep.

What materials/tools do you use to create your work?
 My brain, hands, eyes and whatever tools they need to make my ideas into reality.

Are you self taught or formally educated? How do you think that has influenced or affected your work?
I am self taught up until this year 2012 when I started studying art at Mission College under George Rivera and Mark Engel. I have always been hard on myself developing a better technique since that is what gives you the most approval from the common eye. I think what affected me most when I started studying was how important the ideas and “reason for everything” actually were.  I then started to work more with creating mind-maps and brainstorming ideas to make into artworks.

What would your creative things taste like?
The world

When you’re not creating what do you like to do?
 I work out a lot and enjoy playing board games with friends. I love going out to bars and have drink or two but also being behind the bar working and mixing drinks.

How did you learn to access your creative talents and gain the confidence to put it out there for everyone to experience?
 I’ve always been a bit weak for attention I guess. I love to make sure people around me are having a good time, because that makes me smile. My artwork might not make people smile in some cases but hopefully makes them think. As long as I can give to people what people give to me, I’m happy.

What advice would you give others just beginning their creative adventures?

Create so many works that you feel the burning in your hands, the itching in your eyes and you’ll see results. Be humble and invite people into your life. Some will dislike you and some will like you, accept that people will talk trash behind you back and that people will put you on display. This is the way of life as we know it, but as an artist. Often times you will notice it even more.

Rene Lorraine

Name: Rene Lorraine
Website: www.renelorraine.com

What do you do?
The easy answer is simply that I create. The more interesting answer is that I make all sorts of art in different mediums. My work strongly focuses on the human figure, however each series severely varies in theme. I am currently embarking on a new body of work focusing entirely on vision loss associated with migraines and abnormal brain functions.

Where can we find your work?
You can find my online portfolio at www.renelorraine.com. I also have an online storefront at http://www.etsy.com/shop/renelorraine, and currently show at KALEID Gallery in downtown San Jose. You can follow me on Twitter @renelorraine or "Like" me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ReneLorraineArt for pictures of works in progress, updates about where I'll be showing, and things of that nature.

What inspires you to create and how do you keep motivated when things get tough?
Inspiration comes in all forms and to pinpoint what it is for me is nearly impossible. I will say however, seeing another artist becoming successful and "making it" can be greatly inspiring, so I try to go to as many art openings as possible when things get tough.

What do you think is more important content/finished product or technique/process? 
Learning about the technique and process of an artist is very interesting not to mention extremely crucial for the artist and some viewers, however I find them equally important as content and the finished product. Creating the work is about my soul, you having a connection with the finished product is about your soul.

Who are some people who influence and/or inspire you?
As far as artists go I absolutely love Jenny Seville, Lucian Freud, Willen De Kooning, Jasper Johns... But I get more inspiration from regular people who are overcoming hardships of any kind.

If you could be any fictional character who would you be?
Questions like these make my brain go blank.

When do you get your best ideas?
I take the stance of the ancient Romans.

Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love spoke at a TED Talk about nurturing creativity. If you have twenty minutes to become inspired you can find it here: http://www.ted.com/talks/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html

Anyway, she talks about how in ancient Rome and Greece people did not believe that creativity came from humans. They believed that it came from some sort of divine spirit that came to you from an unknown place, for some odd reason that you would never know. In Rome, each person's creative spirit was called your "Genius."

I have found that my creative genius comes to me at the worst times. It joins me as I am sleeping, about to sleep, driving a car, helping someone move, in class listening to a lecture that will surely be on the final, in an airplane for nine hours with nothing more than a cocktail napkin and a pen, etc. My creative genius rules my schedule. She is like that amazing friend who you love like family but who only wants to play and hang out when you are busy doing something else.

What materials/tools do you use most to create your work?
Right now I am really into watercolor and microns. I go through phases where I become obsessed with a particular set of tools, use them until I get sick of looking at them, and move on. I find it very important for any artist to experiment with as many materials as they can. I feel if you get stuck with one set you hinder your creativity.

Are you self taught or formally educated? How do you think that has influenced or affected your work?
Formally educated. If I had not gone to art school I would have never found that I was in love with watercolor portraits. I would not be as skilled as I am. And I would not have learned about all the artists I now find to be most inspirational.

What would your creative work taste like?
Once again another question that makes my brain clock out for the day.

When you are not creating what do you like to do?
I don't really like to do much else, actually.

How did you learn to access your creative talents and gain the confidence to put it out there for everyone to experience?
People find confidence in so many different ways. For me it was the encouragement from my friends and family. And if you don't try, you'll never succeed. So wherever, however, your confidence comes, take it and run with it.

What advice would you give others just beginning their creative adventures?
Talk to other artists. Research other artists, past and present. Travel. Take pictures. Always carry a sketchbook with you. Try new materials. Take classes. Don't get lazy. Listen calmly and openly when someone gives criticism, and then take TIME to decide if you are taking it to heart. There is nothing worse than taking advice about your work, and then regretting it when it is too late. Be true to your art, it is your life's work.

ROMSKI

Name: ROMSKI 

Website: www.facebook.com/romskihiphop

What do you do? 
I’m an MC.  I’m a solo hip hop artist out of the South Bay Area.  Born and raised in Santa Clara on the border of Santa Clara and San Jose near the train station, currently residing in San Jose.

Where can we find your work? 
You can find me work online and in retail stores locally.  You can check me out on facebook, myspace, reverbnation, google + soundcloud.  Also you can check me out on I Tunes and local music shops in the future after the release of the album.

What inspires you to create and how do you keep motivated when things get tough? 
What inspires me to create is my life and circumstances that I’ve had to deal with so far.  I’ve gone through a lot of personal hardships and disappointing moments in my life.  I lived on the east coast a bit and take a lot of inspiration from that time of my life.  I take inspiration from my Mexican American heritage and reference that either in rhymes or the type of music I sample.  I take inspiration from current rappers in the game.  Those that I think are dope and those that I think aren’t.  I also find a lot of inspiration in old school hip hop. I remember the first time I picked up a paper and pen and began to write rhymes.  I was always a hip hop fan first and fell in love with the culture at an early age.  I would listen to my brother’s tapes and write my own rhymes to the beats by Run DMC, The Fat Boys, Kurtis Blow at that time it was just fun and goofing off, just me and my brother.  I took it serious at about 13 years old. I always enjoyed my writing classes and writing stories and being a fan of hip hop during that time, which was about 1991, it seemed natural.  I never told any of my friends because even though a lot of my friends were fans the idea of being a rapper was this crazy idea.  A lot of people though that it was still a New York or Los Angeles thing, but I always took it more serious and thought as long as you’re fresh you can be dope.  To me it didn’t matter where you came from.  In my area we had b boys, DJ’s, and graffiti writers but no one rhymed really that I knew of.  At that time though in other parts of the county there were guys doing it but I didn’t know who they were.  Where I truly came into my own was when I went to college at NYU got involved in that whole creative buzz that lies within the city.  Something just clicked in my brain and I just went on a rhyme writing terror from then on it’s just been non-stop writing rhymes and working with my friend and producer Da Hermit.  More recently I’ve been getting guys from Serbia, Russia, and Mexico City wanting to do work with me.  It can get frustrating at times to come up with new ideas, but it’s the new guys, the young guys that I’ve connected with that keep me motivated.  The overseas love I’ve gotten since I posted music online has really inspired me to keep pushing forward even more.  At the end of the day it just comes down to me doing what I want, working with who I want, and just making the kind of hip hop that I like.  I don’t care if it sells or not.  I give a lot of free music away. I think it’s the best thing you can do to fans.  It’s not a business to me it’s a passion.

What do you think is more important content/finished product or technique/process?  
Personally, I like the process.  The process of coming up with a new idea to rhyme about.  I think that’s where it’s fun for me.  Trying to find a fresh new idea is the toughest and most challenging but it’s the most rewarding.  I write a lot of my rhymes without a beat because I have a ton of ideas going through my head so much that I just write whatever whenever.  I had to start carrying a notebook with me or some piece of paper so I can write stuff down when I think it.  Then I go through a ton of beats and spit a couple of bars to see if that beat and rhyme are meshing  Sometimes it takes a few months to find that write match, but when it matches it’s dope.  I’ve written a lot of my songs without the beat first.  I don’t know if it’s better I just know that’s how I’ve done it.  Before I met Da Hermit and bought my own beat making equipment all I had was my pen and pad and no music.  So I would just sit at my desk and just write and write and write and write with no music.  Even freestyling I would do it alone to no music.  But when I hooked up with Da Hermit in 1999 it just opened up the doors to the next phase of my creativity. That goes without saying the creative process also requires content, I think content and process go hand in hand.   I’m currently working on an entire album where the content is more political but the process that is involved is still the same as far as coming up fresh ways to express this content.  I am not trying to be over the top politically.  It’s just some things I want to get off my chest that I think some folks may have forgot. So with this particular project I want to speak to everybody.  I try to make music everyone can get with and understand.  No matter what the content is I always have to remember that this is music and that it always has to be fun.  I still think you can get your point across creatively without being too serious.  I think it’s more effective that way and more memorable.

Who are some people who influence and/or inspire you?
That’s a long list and I don’t think I could name everybody.  I mean early rap pioneers like The Cold Crush Brothers, Afrikaa Bambataa and The Soul Sonic Force and The Fantasic Five.  Then you got Run Dmc, The Beastie Boys, The Fat Boys, Kurtis Blow, Eric B. and Rakim, KRS-One, EPMD, N.W.A, Ice-T, Kool G. Rap, The Alkaholiks, Rass Kass, Cypress Hill, The Beatnuts, Wu Tang Clan, Redman, A Tribe Called Quest, to cats that be coming hard right now like Sick Jacken and The Psycho Realm, Vinnie Paz and Jedi Mind Tricks, Celph Titled, Apathy, 7L and Esoteric, Ugly Duckling, Jurassic 5 etc….  The list goes on and on and on.  I can just sit here and tell you all the people that influenced me from local South Bay crews like Third Sight to crews like Foreign Legion and The B.U.M’s.  Groups like the X-cutioners and the Invisible Skratch Piklz.  I’m influenced by people that aren’t afraid to try new things.  I also dig folks that take old things and reinvent them and make them knew again.  Probably the biggest influence on me musically out of them all has to be Kool G Rap.  I couldn’t get enough of Kool G. Rap growing up.  His style was so different than anyone else’s at that time.  Kool G. Rap was multi syllable rhyming with crazy visuals.  You understood what he was saying and could picture yourself being there.  Currently one of my biggest influences that I enjoy listening to now is Ghostface Killa.  He’s got such dope style it’s just fun to hear him rhyme, Raekwon also.  Also not only are they dope rhymers, but on stage they are dope performers. That’s another thing for me that influences me is how dope they are on stage.  To me a lot of rappers just get on stage and stand there and just rhyme and get off stage.  They aren’t showman at all.  I like MC’s and groups who actually put on a good show and can come fresh with their rhymes.  Of the people I’ve seen live that are dope in my opinion are Cypress Hill, A Tribe Called Quest, The Roots, Dilated Peoples, KRS-One, Psycho Realm, Funkdoobiest, People Under The Stairs, The Fugees, Common, The Pharcyde, and  Foreign Legion.   Those are groups I’ve seen where I left going that show was dope.  Anyone I haven’t mentioned I haven’t had a chance to see yet.  The stage show to me is what got me to go out and by CD’s on people I thought I wouldn’t be interested in.  I’d see them perform and be like they were dope.  So groups that can put it down lyrically and on stage are big influences on me.

If you could be any fictional character who would you be?
I’d be the Flash because he could run extremely fast.  So fast in fact he can go into alternate dimensions and come back before anyone knew he was gone.  Plus he’s friends with Green Lantern and anyone that can be down with Green Lantern I’d want to be.  So I guess I’d want to be two fictional characters.  But yeah,The Flash.  He makes getting struck by lightning seem cool.

When do you get your best ideas?
I get my best ideas at the most random times of day.  I’ve woken up in the middle of the night yelling, “I GOT AN IDEA”, and ran quick to write it down then went back to sleep like nothing happened.  I’ve gotten ideas just driving, or sitting watching TV.  I find it difficult to come up with something when I try too hard.  My mind gets clouded that way.  When I’m in a relaxed state of mind ideas just come out of the blue.  That’s the crazy thing about being creative.  An idea that seems strange to you could be a work of genius to others, and an idea you thought is genius could be strange to someone else.  It’s how it is, and that’s how it should be.  For me though when I’m working on a project I always have a concept in the back of my mind and I’ll just write 4 or 5 versions of a song and piece it together to see how it flows and how it comes off.  But ideas I’m always getting them it really doesn’t matter where I am really.

What materials/tools do you use most to create your work?
Pen, paper, books, personality, and crazy things I think of.  For an MC as long as you got a pen and a paper and a clear head that’s all you really need.  I use an observational eye as well.  I just look at society and document life as it is for me and what it means to be living in it at this time.  Sometimes it’s good, other times it’s bad, but it’s what is going on at the time and me being an observer by nature it makes it easy to notice things others might not notice.  From there I use a pen and paper as my canvas and let the story unfold.  You can’t forget the beat as well.  The beat is also going to guide you wherever you want to go.  You can have this idea that might sound fresh and put it to a banging beat and it just doesn’t vibe.  Instead the beat gives you this whole new direction.  It’s always a challenge in that sense, but it’s always fun and writing a song is always different for each song.

Are you self taught or formally educated? How do you think that has influenced or affected your work?
I was self taught.  I don’t think when I started rhyming anyone was teaching anyone how to rap.  It was a lot of trial and error.  Lots of failures before anything that I felt was dope could be recorded. For me I think self teaching taught me not to take it for granted and that working on something that you have a deep passion for makes you appreciate your successes more.  It gave me self confidence when I would recite what I had written and got some good feedback and some constructive criticism.  How it affects my work is by always working to outdo what you did before.  I think if you still have that mind set you’ll be successful in whatever you.

What would your creative work taste like?
I think it would taste like home made enchiladas.  Full of flavor and loaded with spice and enough heat to where you can’t take no more but it so good you keep getting some more.  That’s what I think my work would taste like.  I’m hungry now!

When you are not creating what do you like to do?
I like to spend time with my family.  I didn’t mention before but they are another inspiration to me.  We’re so crazy and comfortable with each other it’s like that dinner scene in the Eddie Murphy version of The Nutty Professor.  I like to relax mostly.  I’m a movie guy so I like watching movies, I enjoy reading interesting books.  I like  finding good places to eat.  I like hanging with cool people and checking out live music.  I listen to blues a lot too.  So either I’m watching a blues show or at a hip hop show.  I like to go record shopping and even when I’m not being creative I’m always writing rhymes.  I got so much busy energy when it comes that I can’t sit still sometimes.

How did you learn to access your creative talents and gain the confidence to put it out there for everyone to experience?
HMMMMM, that’s a good question.  My boy Da Hermit told me a long time ago you’ll know when you’re ready.  He was right in that sense because I never had a time table frame where I said such and such has to be put out by this day or that day.  I think what happened was that I was finally happy with my own finished product and let enough people listen to a sampling of what I had to say, you know what it’s time to put this out.  I never wanted to put out anything that I thought sounded bad.  That’s just how I feel.  I probably could’ve released some things a lot sooner than I did, but I wouldn’t have been happy doing so.  So in reality just one day it felt like it was the next step.  So far what I’ve leaked some people are feeling especially overseas.  So the next step is to release an album to a much wider audience and see how it goes from there.  All you can really hope for is that enough people like what you’re doing to where you have no choice but put out another album.  Even if that didn’t happen though I wouldn’t stop because it’s what I love to do.

What advice would you give others just beginning their creative adventures? 
My advice is you don’t need my advice.  You already know what you want to do so just do it.  Go with your heart and your instinct and you’ll be ok.  At the end of the day if it’s what makes you happy and you’re ok with what you’ve created and  you want to share it with the rest of the world then I encourage you to live that dream.  Don’t let negativity bring you down.  Just focus on yourself and your art.