All images are directly from any/all Jasmine Becket-Griffith and her sites/shops. To view her work or purchase, visit any of the following: Strangeling.com Strangelings on Ebay Jasmine on Deviant Art Strangelings on Etsy | As an artist it is a given that art is important to me, it is my life. In 2001 I joined the website called Elfwood (elfwood.com). My plan was to put my art "out there" and learn new styles and techniques from the other artists. To this day I still follow a select few, one is Jasmine Becket-Griffith. Jasmine has a unique style focusing on faeries in vivid color with child-like features, she also conveys deep emotion through the eyes of her characters. I can only describe her art as "innocent with a dark side." She has inspired some of my own works, although I cannot seem to master the large, round eyes. When Raven asked me to interview a few of my favorite artists, I knew right away that I wanted to share with you an insight into Jasmine and her art. How long have you been creating art? A: I've been painting since I was a little girl When I was five years old I used to go door-to-door trying to sell drawings! I began taking it more seriously when I was about 13 years old, and when I was 17 years old (back in 1997) I started my strangeling.com website. When did you feel you had truly become an artist? A: I think while I've always considered myself an artist, I felt like a "professional" when I was able to quit my job at the restaurant and was making enough money with my artwork to do it full-time. Knowing that I could support myself just by painting made me feel like I had really become an artist professionally. I think I was 22 at that point. Who has helped to inspire you and your work? A: So many people. My mentor/friend artist Larry Elmore first became my inspiration when I was a kid reading a lot of fantasy novels, playing Dungeons & Dragons, etc. and discovered his artwork through those. Later in life I became friends with him and I have learned a lot by spending time with him -both about painting and about living the life of an artist. Artistically & stylistically I'm inspired by a lot of artists throughout history - William Bouguereau, the Pre-Raphaelites, da Vinci, Salvador Dali, the 1960s "Big Eye" movement artists like Margaret Keane and the 1990s movement artists like Mark Ryden, the Surrealist and Pop Surrealist movements, faerie artists like Brian and Wendy Froud -so many! What is your favorite style, (i.e. traditional, digital, sculpture, painting, etc.)? A: The only thing I do myself is traditional painting - acrylic paints on either wood or canvas. As a spectator though I enjoy all media. Who is your favorite artist? A: ME! Which is your favorite piece (out of your own work)? A: It's so hard to say, there are so many! Right now I think my favorite is either "A Certain Slant of Light" or "Microcosm Triceratops" Is there any style, different from your own, that you would like to try? A: Not really - I would just like to see my own style evolve over the years. I'd like to get better at painting and increase the level of apparent realism in my artwork, but still exploring surreal and fantastical themes. What advice can you give someone like me, who is trying to get started in my own art career? A: Hands down my best advice is to paint and explore as much as possible. The only way to make it is to enjoy what you do, paint what you love, and do it ALL the time! |
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AuthorsRaven Dossett- lead blogger Archives
September 2013
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