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ExploreIt’s Friday and we’re starting our interviews once again. This time I had the pleasure to sit and chat a little with a great artist from TeePublic. She’s gorgeous, she’s extremely talented and she might teach you a thing or two about art. She’s Medusa Dollmaker, one of the best illustrators I’ve had the honor to interview. Check out what she had to say and make sure you check out her art!
1. Who hides behind the name Medusa Dollmaker?
Asunción Macián Ruiz, illustrator, mercenary and part time gorgon from Valencia, Spain.
2. When and how did you first start getting into design?
Into art, forever. Into design itself, about last 10 years of my life. It’s something that was growing inside to bloom later sharing the seed of art!
3. Do you have any formal background in graphic design or are you a self-taught artist?
I’m a self-taught artist, in not much into graphic design but art and design applied to apparel. I miss sometimes the chance of having studied something to improve my work, but I’m trying my best to improve by myself, learning from others, studying art books, tutorials and such, and practicing a lot.
4. What does it take to be a good designer? Do you recommend going to school to learn art and graphic design?
I don’t know if I can call myself a “good designer“, I’m still learning even working as a professional, so I will skip that. I always recommend to learn something in school or things like this, but I suggest as well to follow inner urges when working art. Art has much to do with passion and instinct. If you aren’t able to study something, keep growing by yourself, it’s important to follow your urges as well as LEARNING and PRACTICE a lot. You can’t only trust your hand and fate in art, you must evolve and practice. Art is about passion, practice, experimentation, observation, learning.
5. How long did it take to start getting noticed and actually selling your artwork?
It took a lot. I wasn’t able always to put all my attention into my own work to evolve my art career, but I finally did it, and it started to give fruits. I tried to make my best the last 10 years of my life in growing my career, with commissions, practicing a lot, trying to find my place to live as an artist. Last 5 years I aimed to point my work in a more commercial way not only making a living from commissions, but participating as well in daily tee sites, contests, and marketing my designs online. I love to work commercial and less commercial artworks, both make me happy and both are part of me. And both can be sold as t-shirts so others can wear what they feel. Whatever I do, I try to do it my own way, so I always enjoy my work.
6. Do you design full time or do you have a day job?
Now I’m finally able to make a living of my art work! It’s still a humbly income, but I’m working hard to increase it, growing my portfolio, working hard on commissions and trying to improve with new designs as well as managing my online stores.
7. If you were to pick a favorite design you have created, which one would it be and why? ( show us some pics )
Invictus – Strength allegory inspired in the breathtaking poem by poet William Ernest Henley “INVICTUS”, and a very special piece for me.
Gamer Nouveau – Nostalgic gamer design for “children” grown up on 80’s and 90’s
Titania Stigmata – Sometimes nature bleeds to death, sometimes bleeds to grow stronger
Medusa Imperatrix Mundi – My version of my favourite greek myth, Medusa, with a baroque feel
8. How do you get inspiration for your t-shirt designs?
Pop culture, inner urges, art, music, nature, mythology, poetry and tales, other artists such as Klimt, Mucha, Miguel Angel …
9. Describe the general process you go through to design and realize a piece of work?
I usually sketch it on pencil (or finish the lineart on traditional) so I can scan it when finished and work it on Photoshop, inking it in Manga Studio 5. When I work a full piece in traditional I always edit and adjust it on Photoshop (I suck into scan original art).
10. When you aren’t designing t-shirts, what are you up to?
I’m into commissions, personal art pieces or managing my online stores, as well as promoting my work. I’m into handcrafts as well, and I like to read, watch Indian movies and taking care of my plants. Ah and I do yoga. I love to take photos as well, stupid photos hahah but I love it.
11. Do you have any wisdom you’ve learned along the way you’d like to share with other aspiring artists?
Keep working. Keep learning. Love what you do.
I told you guys she’s awesome! Not check out her website and social media and show this girl the love and appreciation she deserves!
