02.02.13
Sketchbook: April Solomon
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02.02.13: Interview: April Solomon
April Solomon is a freelance artist, illustrator and muralist. She currently has work in AIR Laguna, in Laguna Beach, CA, as well as art in galleries in Vancouver, Canada. Her illustrations have appeared in many publications over the years, including The Mt. Simon Review of Interesting Places, Birks & Fellings Momentous Occasions (vol 1 and 2), Big Literary Review of the Blue Sky, and Nook Corner Digest. She lives in Laugna Beach.
Marguerite Avenue: Talk a little bit about what you are doing with your art.
April Solomon: Currently I am progressing in my mediums of choice such a gouache, acrylics, and colored pencil. I am planning to jump into oils, just not right now! Drawing and painting fantasy and visionary pieces are the bread-and-butter of my existence. I am hoping to submit my artwork in the Sawdust Festival of the Arts, which will take place in Laguna Beach, California, in the summer of 2013 next year. Overall I'm feeling good about what I'm doing with my art, and myself in general. Life is perfect when I'm developing and maturing alongside with my artwork. It only makes me want to create even more when I feel it is a "win-win" situation.
MA: What are your preferred mediums?
AS: When I was a little girl, pencil was the first medium I gravitated towards. Pencil was my first love, and I never imagined I would ever use color! Eventually I found and understood the world of colored pencil, and I've never looked back since. Using colored pencil taught me how to layer color extremely well, from there I tapped into acrylics and gouache which only enhanced the quality of realism in my work that I try so hard to achieve.
MA: Do you alternate between mediums?
AS: Occasionally I will alternate between collage and stencils -- I'll also create miniature models for reference. I've been using heavy acrylic mediums for funky textures. I'm fond of patterns from old discontinued wallpaper books, I'll use hot glue guns, spray paint, whatever I've got kicking around to supply the dance of creativity. If I really want to play and simply let go of all control, I will push the boundaries of what I believe I can do. I'm usually amazed with the results when this technique kicks in full gear.
MA: Are there any artists you can't ignore that have influenced your work?
AS: Oh my word, where do I begin (big breath in) okay, here it goes...When I was a little girl, some of my earliest inspiration came from the comic book world, National Geographic, dinosaur books, and the gaming world. I was so inspired and captivated by the illustrations that were created for companies such as Dungeons & Dragons and Magic the Gathering. Here is a list of a few artists that have inspired me intensely: Drew Struzan, James Gurney, Paul Bonner, Brom, Jeff Easley, Daniel Merriam, Terryl Whitlatch, Donato Giancola, Dan Dos Sosantos, Julie Bell, Crash, Todd Lockwood, Brian Froud, Ciruleo Cabral, John Howe, Boris Vallejo. I could increase the list indefinitely!
MA: What does the world of fantasy creatures symbolize to you?
AS: The world of fantasy represents a free untainted world that can be expressed however the viewer of that world desires. I really like that! A place where innocence runs wild alongside with its most treasured companion...Imagination. They play and dance well together. In short fantasy creatures symbolize a far more exceedingly beautiful and strange world so un-like the one we know, and yet I know it more thoroughly than the one I exist in. Pure freedom, no boundaries -- no limits to what I can create from the world of fantasy.
MA: Do you ever get stuck on a drawing or painting? When/how do you get out of that creative block?
AS: Yes I most definitely get stuck! It's a part of the process and it sucks when it happens. I always like to have a creative flow going all the time. When my creative flow becomes frozen...I am no happy camper! Fortunately I have tools to work with. Sometimes I'll focus on smaller projects instead of the bigger ones, or visa versa. Or I'll go to a gallery and check out new works to inspire me, or I'll take a totally different approach such as going to the gym, running outside, go for drive while I blast my music. See a movie, be with friends making healthy food etc. When all else fails... I jump in bed and sleep off the frustration and remove myself from the situation altogether, this would be a last ditch effort.
MA: Describe how you work on image. How do you solve or enhance concepts of the reality, the textures, or physical constructions of the image?
AS: Whatever it is that I have chosen to create, dictates the "How" and the "Where" to begin, and what mediums I will be adorning the surface with. One way of approaching the project will begin with a small sketch in my sketchbook. If I see potential in the sketch, I will use that as a blueprint for my painting or final drawing. Once I've completed the final drawing, I'll search for interesting textures, references in nature -- or take photos of exactly how I want the reference to appear in lighting, cast shadows, color. This stage is very important for me. If I hope to achieve a very realistic look and feel to my fantasy creatures, I must be aware of the rich, bold, and beautiful resources I have around me. It can be very cut-and-paste at times with the references I have chosen. For instance, I can use the entire body of a greyhound dog for my dragon body reference, or it's a Frankenstein approach -- head of a vulture, eyes from a wolf, scales from a tortoise, stripes from a zebra, wings from a lion fish, colors from a guppy tail... I will combine all these elements to make the final dragon or other fantasy creature. The possibilities are totally endless!
MA: And then what happens?
AS: As I progress, other important details are factored in such as, where is my light source? How warm, or how cool, is my subject matter in comparison with the background? How dark, or how light, are my figures? All this I have to be thinking about. Sounds confusing, but it really isn't. This description is the overall outline of where I start, and how I can finish the final drawing, or painting.
MA: What kind of things / objects do you like to have on hand when you create?
AS: I like to have a very diverse collection of objects around my studio. I keep on hand skulls of wolves, plants both living and dried, feathers from peacocks, pheasants, crows, and falcons. I also make hand-made models of dragons, and monsters. I have posters of human anatomy taped up near my drawing table for further reference. I also use seashells, crystal balls, and stones. You can find just about anything you'll ever need for great drawing references if you open your eyes to the everyday stuff!
MA: Are there particular times of the day when you feel most creative?
AS: I'm nocturnal by nature, so I would have to say as soon as the sun sets and nighttime rolls around, that's when my creative juices start rushing in full force!
MA: Where do you think creativity comes from?
AS: I haven't the foggiest idea. I could say from "God" but that would be a short-siding answer with no depth or imagination. That would be an amazing question to know the answer to, no doubt.
MA: Are there any misconceptions about your work, or what you do as an artist?
AS: It all depends on the viewers own belief system, and how narrow, or wide their own really tunnel takes in the information. But to really answer your question, no, I haven't had to explain myself or my work out the hole titled "misconception". Thank goodness.
MA: Do you like to draw fast or slow?
AS: I like to draw fast if I'm in a rush to meet the deadline, or while I'm listening to techno house or rock music. I draw more slowly if I'm very engaged in my creative process. From there, I will listen to classical jazz, or soft trance music, to help guide me through the slow steady process of creation.
MA: What is your favorite work you have done?
AS: My favorite piece can be seen on my deviant art page atomsanddust, titled "Gold and Jewels". The drawing contains a half profile of the tiger's face, with large wings sprouting up from behind. Stones and jewels are adorned within the wings to give the background more interest in design and flow. I've also encrypted Art Nouveau within and around the piece. Within composition, and by design, I've also called upon the rule of the golden ratio, for added effect. I love how this piece came together -- because it reflects all the things I like to see arise from my work. Fantasy, nature, textures, color and Art Nouveau -- all coming together in one beautiful harmonious atmosphere.
MA: What has been the most challenging?
AS: Enhancing my time management skills has been the biggest challenge for me. I'm still in training. Please email me if you have any suggestions!
MA: Is there anything about your work that surprises you?
AS: The direction a finished piece can lead me is always a surprise. I do not always figure out my entire "game plan" when I begins painting, so you can imagine there is plenty of room for surprises and happy accidents. And just plain "do overs"!
MA: Do you ever try to draw things that are inherently unseeable?
AS: Oh yes! All the time. Most of my dragons, werewolves, monsters etc. are unseeable. Drawing from my imagination has always been something I can do.
MA: What are you working on now?
AS: Dragons, dragons, and more dragons! I'll be posting more photos of recent works on deviantART.com very soon. Come check it out and see what fantasy is all about.
MA: What comes next?
AS: Hopefully in the new year my art will grace the Laguna Beach Sawdust Art Festival 2013. In the meantime, I will be focusing my energy into a new portfolio of fantasy work. That's as far as I'm looking into the future. It's working for me -- that's all that counts.
Marguerite Avenue: Talk a little bit about what you are doing with your art.
April Solomon: Currently I am progressing in my mediums of choice such a gouache, acrylics, and colored pencil. I am planning to jump into oils, just not right now! Drawing and painting fantasy and visionary pieces are the bread-and-butter of my existence. I am hoping to submit my artwork in the Sawdust Festival of the Arts, which will take place in Laguna Beach, California, in the summer of 2013 next year. Overall I'm feeling good about what I'm doing with my art, and myself in general. Life is perfect when I'm developing and maturing alongside with my artwork. It only makes me want to create even more when I feel it is a "win-win" situation.
MA: What are your preferred mediums?
AS: When I was a little girl, pencil was the first medium I gravitated towards. Pencil was my first love, and I never imagined I would ever use color! Eventually I found and understood the world of colored pencil, and I've never looked back since. Using colored pencil taught me how to layer color extremely well, from there I tapped into acrylics and gouache which only enhanced the quality of realism in my work that I try so hard to achieve.
MA: Do you alternate between mediums?
AS: Occasionally I will alternate between collage and stencils -- I'll also create miniature models for reference. I've been using heavy acrylic mediums for funky textures. I'm fond of patterns from old discontinued wallpaper books, I'll use hot glue guns, spray paint, whatever I've got kicking around to supply the dance of creativity. If I really want to play and simply let go of all control, I will push the boundaries of what I believe I can do. I'm usually amazed with the results when this technique kicks in full gear.
MA: Are there any artists you can't ignore that have influenced your work?
AS: Oh my word, where do I begin (big breath in) okay, here it goes...When I was a little girl, some of my earliest inspiration came from the comic book world, National Geographic, dinosaur books, and the gaming world. I was so inspired and captivated by the illustrations that were created for companies such as Dungeons & Dragons and Magic the Gathering. Here is a list of a few artists that have inspired me intensely: Drew Struzan, James Gurney, Paul Bonner, Brom, Jeff Easley, Daniel Merriam, Terryl Whitlatch, Donato Giancola, Dan Dos Sosantos, Julie Bell, Crash, Todd Lockwood, Brian Froud, Ciruleo Cabral, John Howe, Boris Vallejo. I could increase the list indefinitely!
MA: What does the world of fantasy creatures symbolize to you?
AS: The world of fantasy represents a free untainted world that can be expressed however the viewer of that world desires. I really like that! A place where innocence runs wild alongside with its most treasured companion...Imagination. They play and dance well together. In short fantasy creatures symbolize a far more exceedingly beautiful and strange world so un-like the one we know, and yet I know it more thoroughly than the one I exist in. Pure freedom, no boundaries -- no limits to what I can create from the world of fantasy.
MA: Do you ever get stuck on a drawing or painting? When/how do you get out of that creative block?
AS: Yes I most definitely get stuck! It's a part of the process and it sucks when it happens. I always like to have a creative flow going all the time. When my creative flow becomes frozen...I am no happy camper! Fortunately I have tools to work with. Sometimes I'll focus on smaller projects instead of the bigger ones, or visa versa. Or I'll go to a gallery and check out new works to inspire me, or I'll take a totally different approach such as going to the gym, running outside, go for drive while I blast my music. See a movie, be with friends making healthy food etc. When all else fails... I jump in bed and sleep off the frustration and remove myself from the situation altogether, this would be a last ditch effort.
MA: Describe how you work on image. How do you solve or enhance concepts of the reality, the textures, or physical constructions of the image?
AS: Whatever it is that I have chosen to create, dictates the "How" and the "Where" to begin, and what mediums I will be adorning the surface with. One way of approaching the project will begin with a small sketch in my sketchbook. If I see potential in the sketch, I will use that as a blueprint for my painting or final drawing. Once I've completed the final drawing, I'll search for interesting textures, references in nature -- or take photos of exactly how I want the reference to appear in lighting, cast shadows, color. This stage is very important for me. If I hope to achieve a very realistic look and feel to my fantasy creatures, I must be aware of the rich, bold, and beautiful resources I have around me. It can be very cut-and-paste at times with the references I have chosen. For instance, I can use the entire body of a greyhound dog for my dragon body reference, or it's a Frankenstein approach -- head of a vulture, eyes from a wolf, scales from a tortoise, stripes from a zebra, wings from a lion fish, colors from a guppy tail... I will combine all these elements to make the final dragon or other fantasy creature. The possibilities are totally endless!
MA: And then what happens?
AS: As I progress, other important details are factored in such as, where is my light source? How warm, or how cool, is my subject matter in comparison with the background? How dark, or how light, are my figures? All this I have to be thinking about. Sounds confusing, but it really isn't. This description is the overall outline of where I start, and how I can finish the final drawing, or painting.
MA: What kind of things / objects do you like to have on hand when you create?
AS: I like to have a very diverse collection of objects around my studio. I keep on hand skulls of wolves, plants both living and dried, feathers from peacocks, pheasants, crows, and falcons. I also make hand-made models of dragons, and monsters. I have posters of human anatomy taped up near my drawing table for further reference. I also use seashells, crystal balls, and stones. You can find just about anything you'll ever need for great drawing references if you open your eyes to the everyday stuff!
MA: Are there particular times of the day when you feel most creative?
AS: I'm nocturnal by nature, so I would have to say as soon as the sun sets and nighttime rolls around, that's when my creative juices start rushing in full force!
MA: Where do you think creativity comes from?
AS: I haven't the foggiest idea. I could say from "God" but that would be a short-siding answer with no depth or imagination. That would be an amazing question to know the answer to, no doubt.
MA: Are there any misconceptions about your work, or what you do as an artist?
AS: It all depends on the viewers own belief system, and how narrow, or wide their own really tunnel takes in the information. But to really answer your question, no, I haven't had to explain myself or my work out the hole titled "misconception". Thank goodness.
MA: Do you like to draw fast or slow?
AS: I like to draw fast if I'm in a rush to meet the deadline, or while I'm listening to techno house or rock music. I draw more slowly if I'm very engaged in my creative process. From there, I will listen to classical jazz, or soft trance music, to help guide me through the slow steady process of creation.
MA: What is your favorite work you have done?
AS: My favorite piece can be seen on my deviant art page atomsanddust, titled "Gold and Jewels". The drawing contains a half profile of the tiger's face, with large wings sprouting up from behind. Stones and jewels are adorned within the wings to give the background more interest in design and flow. I've also encrypted Art Nouveau within and around the piece. Within composition, and by design, I've also called upon the rule of the golden ratio, for added effect. I love how this piece came together -- because it reflects all the things I like to see arise from my work. Fantasy, nature, textures, color and Art Nouveau -- all coming together in one beautiful harmonious atmosphere.
MA: What has been the most challenging?
AS: Enhancing my time management skills has been the biggest challenge for me. I'm still in training. Please email me if you have any suggestions!
MA: Is there anything about your work that surprises you?
AS: The direction a finished piece can lead me is always a surprise. I do not always figure out my entire "game plan" when I begins painting, so you can imagine there is plenty of room for surprises and happy accidents. And just plain "do overs"!
MA: Do you ever try to draw things that are inherently unseeable?
AS: Oh yes! All the time. Most of my dragons, werewolves, monsters etc. are unseeable. Drawing from my imagination has always been something I can do.
MA: What are you working on now?
AS: Dragons, dragons, and more dragons! I'll be posting more photos of recent works on deviantART.com very soon. Come check it out and see what fantasy is all about.
MA: What comes next?
AS: Hopefully in the new year my art will grace the Laguna Beach Sawdust Art Festival 2013. In the meantime, I will be focusing my energy into a new portfolio of fantasy work. That's as far as I'm looking into the future. It's working for me -- that's all that counts.
About the Author:
![]() April Solomon is a freelance artist, illustrator and muralist. Find more of her work here. She lives in Laugna Beach.
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