Cat's Corner of Montana

So like a lot of artists, I would assume, I get a certain number of questions and such in my inbox from time to time. Thought it might be time to create an "official FAQ" of sorts that people can browse through in the future, since I seem to get the same ones over and over.

How long have you been making your art? Have you had any official training or schooling?

I have been making art literally for as long as I can remember... early childhood. Of course, I became better with time, but that is when I started churning out my first drawings. I first started with graphite and colored pencils, and then later on when I began to take art classes in junior high and high school, I branched out into painting with oils, watercolors, and acrylics. After high school, I continued with my art classes and eventually earned an associate degree in the arts, specializing in painting. I didn't start working digitally until the summer of 2005 though. I had recently relocated to Connecticut from California and found myself temporarily without most of my supplies. I had access to a computer, plenty of stock photo sites via the internet, and a Wacom drawing tablet though, so I taught myself to work with Photoshop. I liked it so much, I just kept on doing it... even after I had access to traditional supplies again.

How do you create your visual art?

Most of the artwork in my gallery at this time, with the exception of a couple of traditional graphite works that can still be seen in my gallery, are digital in nature and can best be described as "digital mixed media", which in my case is most often some combination of digital painting and photomanipulation. How much of each was involved depends entirely on the piece in question, but it's always a combination of the two. The program I currently use to make my digital art is Photoshop CS, and I utilize a Wacom drawing tablet to help me with the drawing and painting portions of my works.

Will you teach me how to make art the way you do, or at least teach me to use Photoshop?

No. I, like many artists who get asked this question, do not have the time to be anyone's personal art teacher. I taught myself how to paint, draw, and work with Photoshop on my own through countless hours of practice. I feel that other people should have to take responsibility for their own artistic growth in the same way. However, I do not mind giving people tips here and there on how to use certain settings or achieve certain effects. In fact, I'm happy to. Just, much like God, I only help those who help themselves. That seems fair to me.

The best things about your work are the stories and concepts behind them. Where do you get all your ideas?

My ideas and inspirations come from absolutely everywhere. For me, it isn't so much about going out and looking for inspiration as it is keeping my eyes open so that I recognize it when it passes through. Many of my ideas are inspired by things I read or see on TV, or by isolated images from movies or maybe even from real life. Still others are inspired by vivid dreams I've had, or conversations with friends. The stories behind my pieces tend to weave themselves while I am in the natural process of working on a piece. I tend to let the characters I create tell me their stories in their own words while I'm bringing them to life, and then I simply repeat them to you.

Where do you find the stock photos you use to help create your work?

A lot of my stock, especially the figure stock, comes from the stock gallery on Deviant Art. I've been to lots of stock sites, but Deviant Art still has the best collection of stock and resources I've ever stumbled across, so it has become my mainstay for the most part. I also regularly use stock from other sites as well (most often either clipart.com or sxc) especially when it comes to backgrounds, skies, and isolated objects like furniture or candles. I am always careful to choose stock from DA models that don't mind if I print work that uses it, or from outside sites that are 100% royalty-free.

If there's something I'd really like to see you paint a picture of, or write a poem or story about, can I request it?

I don't do artwork or creative writing by request. If there is a specific piece you'd like me to create for you, you must be willing to pay me for my time. No exceptions. However, I do take requests and suggestions in regards to blog entries and articles. If there is a specific subject you'd like me to cover, feel free to submit a request to the suggestion box and I will certainly give it full consideration for a future post.

Do you sell any of your work or take commissions?

Yes to both. Most of the personal artwork I upload to my gallery is available as prints and art products through my print shop at Deviant Art. I also take commissions. Pricing is assigned to projects on an individual basis, so people interested in something like that should visit my commission information page to learn more.

What kind of work can you/will you do for commission clients?

I am willing to try to do pretty much anything a client requests, as long as it is something that suits my style. I'm not good at mimicking styles that are drastically different from my own, and I can't do anything that's a completely different animal, like cartooning or very abstract art. I'm an artist, not a magician. The types of things that I do best are fantasy or dark work similar to what you see in my gallery or traditional portrait work. I am able to do both digital paintings/photomanips as well as graphite pencil drawings. If you are unsure whether or not I can make what you want, you're always welcome to write to me and ask to make sure.

Is there any way I can get you to autograph a piece of your work for me?

Absolutely! If you already possess a small print or a book that you would like me to sign for you, you're welcome to mail it to me along with a self-addressed, stamped envelope of appropriate size. I will happily sign it and mail it back to you the very same day I receive it. Just shoot me a quick e-mail and I'll give you my mailing address if you don't already have it.

If you don't already have something you'd like me to sign, you may purchase what you want directly through me, as neither of the print services I use to distribute my products currently offers autographed merchandise as an option. I'll have it shipped to myself, sign it, and then mail it to you personally for an appropriate additional fee to cover the re-shipping expenses. Anyone interested should e-mail me personally for more information.

Can I use your artwork to make a background or icons for my blog?

I used to freely grant permissions to use my artwork for non-profit purposes, but I am no longer doing so. Recently I have begun receiving way too many requests for things like that, and while I didn't have a problem granting one or two here or there, I do have a problem giving what seems to amount to the entire planet permission to use this site as a stock resource. From now on, you must purchase a license to use my work from me for non-profit or personal use the same as you have to for work you intend to make a profit from. Please contact me personally for estimates.

Do you ever allow people to use your existing artwork on things like CD covers, book jackets, t-shirts, or anything else that people might want to sell?

As with permission to use my work for blog layouts or icons, I will occasionally grant individual permissions for uses like this. However, since these are all things that will potentially make you money, I will most likely require you to purchase a license to use my work from me. I feel that's more than fair since the art will be key in selling your product. As with commission work, any price quoted is dependent upon the individual project. Feel free to visit my commissions and licensing page for more information and then e-mail me with any further questions you might have regarding this.

Can I get a tattoo of one of your images?

Sure... do it! A bunch of people have actually asked me about that, believe it or not, but I actually have no idea if anyone has ever gone ahead with it. If you do decide to do it yourself, do send me a photograph of the finished work, as I'd really love to see it. My only condition with this is that it's a one-time job for you specifically. The tattoo artist is not allowed to keep the design and offer it to other customers unless he or she is willing to discuss it with me personally and pay a licensing fee.

Do you ever do any kind of work free of charge?

Short answer -- no. If you like my work enough to want a piece of it for your own, especially if you want me to devote the time and effort necessary to produce a custom piece just for you, please have enough respect for my work and for me as an artist to expect to pay for my services and products.

So what I really like about your site is your writing. When and where can I purchase some of that?

Currently, the only item I have out for sale that features my writing is Cabbages and Kings, my collectible artbook. It combines my artwork with some of my poetry and a few excerpts from my personal writings. However, I have written two novel-length manuscripts which I am still in the process of editing. I will be publishing both of them at my on-line book shop as soon as they are ready. I also plan on publishing a couple of collected volumes of my short fiction, and perhaps a poetry book at some point in the future as well. I'm sure I'll be making announcements in regards to each release, so be sure to check back often or subscribe to the site's feed to make sure you don't miss them.

Those are probably the ones I get the most often. If you have a question that you don't see listed here or would like more information about anything, feel free to e-mail me and I'll get back to you as soon as possible.