Featured Artist for the Week – Mary Graham

Dec 15

please tell us a brief info about yourself.

My name is Mary Graham. I was born in California, where I have lived my whole life. (Exciting… I know)
A lot of people ask “When did you know you wanted to be an artist?” and as corny as it sounds, I have to answer “always”. I asked my mom, since it has felt like forever, if she knew when I wanted to be an artist, and she told me ever since I could hold a pencil. Its just something I feel I need to do, and I enjoy doing. Wanting to become a professional artist is a little different. I had wanted to be an animator or puppeteer when I was younger (and if you offered me a puppet right now I’d probably make a grand fool of myself and not be able to help it XD) and actually went to school to become a traditional animator. I found out that unfortunately, that was not for me. I was truly more into the concept art aspect of animation, and should have went to school to be an illustrator. Oh well, live and learn, I don’t think I turned out too bad.

What are your tools of the trade: mouse, tablet, brush or pen and ink or pencil? and why?

I mess around but tend to stick to Pencils (mechanical and non) and Photoshop. It took me a while to get used to Wacom tablets, but I finally did and enjoy them. I’ve been working on a Cintiq tablet screen this last year and that has been fun too. Both have their up and down sides. But I always do my linework by hand with pencil on printer paper (which i go through a ton) then scan it in and do the coloring and touch up in Photoshop.

Who or what gives you inspiration?

Inspiration comes from a ton of places. Myself, not to sound like the biggest egotist, is actually a huge one. When an idea for a shape or movement of a creature pops to mind, I run with it. I think that is the biggest asset to most artist, their personal self. Nature is another huge one. Though it has done a great deal of the work, so its more of a puzzle and challenge of how to make something come across as ‘natural’ while still looking unique. I always love looking at other artists work as well, you never know what you will take away from it, and this includes more childlike art too. I’m always sad when someone won’t share their art because they are embarrassed or don’t think it is good enough for some reason. I would rather see someone’s scribble creation any day of the week over some traced fan art they thought looked better. A living artist I particularly enjoy is Yoshitaka Amano. I was fortunate enough to catch him at San Diego Comic-con a few years ago, and was pleasantly surprised to find out he was a rather nice fellow. Its so sad when you get to meet someone you admire from afar only to find out they are a jerk. I was glad that wasn’t the case. ^_^

Is your artistic background self-taught or did you go to college to study?

I’m a mix of self taught and schooled artist. I went to the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. However, that is very much one of those ‘You can lead a horse to water…” things. In that respect, what I know is what I practice and work on every day. You can be taught how other artists do things, but no one but yourself can teach you how you should do your own art. That is something you learn your whole life.

What are some of your current projects?

Current projects Im working on right now include a fantasy cat breeding sim (PocketPumaPets.com) where I’m working with some really great and wonderful nice people. We are currently in beta testing, so it isn’t open to the public for a wee bit longer, but there will be a waiting list you can sign up for. And if breeding sims are your type of thing, you will want to get on that list! XD I mean, why wouldn’t you want to look at my art every day? I’ve also been toying around with making a movie pitch involving my Falcon and Minotaur fellows from a well received illustration. While I seem to be focused on animal and animal people, my real passion is creatures and monsters. So I’m always trying to sneak those into my workload between that and private commissions.

Which of your works are you the most proud of? And why?

Picking pieces of art to be most proud of is very difficult. I strive to make each piece I do important to me in one way or another.

This piece I’m proud of because it was a random commission at a convention, pretty much my first one, and the client loved it. It was such a thrilling feeling. I love when people are happy, and this gentleman was very polite and nice, which made it all the better. I always worry what I do won’t be good enough, and thats something I’m trying to break.

This piece I’m proud of because I drew it fairly quickly and was happy with the results. It also let me know personally I could draw animal people and not feel like I had given up on making more interesting creatures. It also helped teach me to have pride in my art. I had people say some very nice things about this piece at Wondercon last year, and its sadly very nice and validating feeling when a complete stranger looks at your work and genuinely smiles and just loves to see it.

This piece i’m proud of because I spent a long time coloring it and figuring things out. I had worked on it a little bit before sitting down a few days later and working 12 straight hours to finish it. I’m proud I was actually able to do that. I’m more into sketching and working with pencil. I’m also proud my eyes didn’t fall out.

Are there any areas, techniques, mediums, projects in your field that you have yet to try?

there are many mediums, techniques and projects I would love to try. I’d love to be patient and skilled enough to do watercolor as well as 3D. Unfortunately for creature and character design in video games, it seems you not only need to know how to design, but more importantly know how to work in 3D. I’d love to get better at sculpture. Its something i’ve always enjoyed but just never find the time to do. I’d love to work on a fantasy movie, which is why I thought I’d work on making one someday. I enjoy trying new things. … never tried acrylic ink either, that I hope to too…

What do you do to keep yourself motivated and avoid burn-out?

Hmmm… way to avoid burning out. I wish I had mastered that. How I like to handle it is always keep a project that doesn’t matter on the back burner in my mind. I write stories and make up characters and the like just to fill that. That way if I’m getting frustrated or can’t focus, I just try focusing on them instead. Then i tend to come up with a scene or image i enjoy, and that makes me happy and remotivates me. Failing that, playing a video game and/or taking a nap helps. Sometimes working on completely different things helps… like if you are drawing some busty cute chick, drawing a horse monster pealing apart like an onion just seems to help. As for longer burn outs… I really don’t know. I just hope they pass fast.

When you’re not in front of your canvas, how do you spend most of your free time?

hen I’m not in front of my clipboard or monitor, they are usually beside me. How sad is that? So with my free time I’m usually playing a video game… things like Animal Crossing and the like (I enjoy tedious games), pestering friends, cooking, going to the gym (something i’m not super in to, but you know… should do XD) and just other little things. Occasionally I paint little tabletop miniatures… more just because they are something very different and fun to do. I don’t play. But really, all those things kind of blend together. I don’t really see it as ‘free’ time, so much as ‘in between’ time ^_^

and finally, What advices/tips can you give to the novice designers/ illustrators out there?

As for advice and tips to other artists, I’d say remember why you do what you do. Its so easy to get sucked into just doing what makes money, don’t forget to do what makes you happy as well. If you are lucky, they will become one and the same. ^_^ Also, don’t be a dramaqueen. Acting all proud that you couldn’t handle something, especially say… art school, is pathetic and sad. I don’t know how you think you can deal with an art director or commission from the internet. If you get upset or frustrated at school, understand thats normal and you should feel that way. Part of art is learning how to deal with yourself in those situations and learning when to pick your battles. There is also no shame in commercial art. None. If you think you are ‘better’ then anyone because you don’t sell your work outside a small circle, then you are missing out on so much. Selling is not the same as selling out. Always put pride and love into everything you draw… and… I shouldn’t even have to say it, draw all the time and try new stuff.

Oh, and lastly on advice, I have only ever truly met one person who cannot draw. Chances are… you CAN draw or color. And you know what? That person who couldn’t draw… does fantastic 3D work. So, if you feel like you can’t draw, remember, that doesn’t mean you can’t do art.

~Mary “Kipestshin” Graham

For other information, please contact her at:

website: Kipestshin.deviantart.com

Wanna be a featured artist and get your art some exposure?

email me at: mcedesigns@gmail.com
with the subject: interview request

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Featured Artist for the Week – Mary Graham

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