VIVE LA DIFFÉRENCE

Posts tagged artists on tumblr.

Vive speaks with Michael Manomivibul.

Michael is a freelance illustrator whose work ‘thrives on mystery and atmosphere’, He combines the classic narrative with a gorgeously realized illustrative style. Although Michael’s work may at first look unsettling and surreal, those who look at it on more than a superficial level are at once able to relate to the sense of adventure and the unknown- and the buzz that coincides with it.

We asked Michael to further explain the inner-workings of his illustrations:

“I think at the very core of my work is a sense of adventure, of pushing just beyond what’s known. Adventure grand and small, over the next mountain and under the next stone. Over that are layers of atmosphere and ambiguity, a certain open-endedness that lets the viewer fill in the blanks. I push for a sense of wonder and serenity in my work, though this often comes across as melancholy. Along with my taste for adventure I’m also fascinated by the potential for that adventure to consume them, the potential for failure or weakness. I love that cliffhanger feeling. I have a massive fascination with the ocean, it still seems endless in its mysteries. It’s so full of life but can also feel completely alien and empty.

Ultimately I’m just trying to make pictures and stories that are true to me, it’s easy to get caught up in what you think everyone else wants but in the end if it makes you happy then it is likely it will make others happy too.”

You can see more of Michael’s work here.

#Illustration #artists on tumblr #design #drawing #illustrator #michael manomivibul #painting #surreal #underwater #art

1 year ago on April 30, 2012 at 06:25am

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Vive speaks with Jamie Mitchell.

London-based Jamie Mitchell began his working career as an architect, but after deciding that the industry wasn’t for him he made the courageous decision to return to his roots.

Jamie is now the joint founder of Ohh Deer- an established brand showcasing the best in upcoming talent.

We asked Jamie a few questions earlier;

What inspires your work?

Inspiration is a weird one, I’m highly concept based, I deal in the language of ideas - as Illustrators have to, so getting a message across in the most affective or thought provoking way is what I aim for. I love animals, and always have, and don’t really enjoy humans (because of how destructive we are) so there are hints at that theme in my work.

You used to be an architect, why the drastic change?

I enjoyed my degree in Architecture because I was in control of the direction, as soon as I went to work for a practice any sense of self got lost, and I became a CAD monkey. I wanted to get back to what I loved, ideas and drawing.

Tell us about your working practice, what is the key to your success?

The key to success is being busy, if we’re talking about how i work on a micro-scale, you have to be driven, and very motivated. I started a business (www.ohhdeer.com) while working as an architect, and decided that I wanted to do that and freelance Illustration fulltime. When I made that decision I took every opportunity available to me. I’m now doing work for some very exciting projects and my brand has work in the design museum, the millenium gallery, magma books, london graphic centre within 6 months of launch.

Any words of wisdom to other illustrators?

Keep busy, even if you’re doing something for free, it’s still better than doing nothing at all, it gives you the chance to develop and get used to working for clients.

Any work you’re particularly proud of?

I look back at my work as a whole and frown. I’ve started bringing architecture into it though, with textures and whatnot - I’m proud that my work is progressing generally.

Do you try and keep a routine or take each day as it comes?

Everyday is different, and where deadlines are involved, you can’t always predict when or how long you’ll have to work. I go to my studio to work though to try and keep and element of ‘work vs home’, which is important.

You can see more of Jamie’s work here.