@Porter - @Aalasteir (Q) - Index

Q: What do you like about art, and would you say that art is therapeutic? How does it help you, and do you think about art differently than you did before?

I love how there are possibilities in breaking the walls of what was once thought to be impossible and exploring what you can do with the tools that are offered both digital and traditional. It's therapeutic to me because I get joy during the process of making it, and when it's finished, there is always something new to learn from every piece that further advances my skill and could potentially push the boundaries. I think about art and being creative a lot more differently than when I was getting started like night and day.

Q: What advice would you give to people who want to draw but are dissatisfied with their current skill level?

Don't feel let down about not drawing what you want to draw or even feeling unmotivated at some point in life. There are going to be times where you need to take a step back and focus on the things that matter most. When there are times where you feel a sudden spark in making something, write it or doodle it down somewhere to save it for when you're ready to work with it.

Q: What drawing advice has been most helpful to you in developing habits and gaining knowledge?

I can't stress this enough, but, practice. Learn the fundamentals and apply it to simple doodles. Look at art thats good or bad, and think about what makes it good or bad, apply it to your art. Keep doing this and apply a specific style you want to your works to stand out or be a part of an art movement/aesthetic. Practice is key to learning new things, and continuously working with what you're learning is key to building a habit.

Q: How did you get interested in animation?

I got interested in animation since I was a kid watching Disney princess films and reruns of various cartoons all on VHS.

That was all we had until we got cable and full internet access later near my middle school years. When we did get internet access, I had a DSi that had Flipnote Hatena. That was where I really became amazed with every animator on that platform and wanted to be like them grown up. And well, I'm sure 10 year old me would get his pants wet seeing how far I have come.

Q: What is the NG community, and how did you join? How would you describe the culture, and do you have to do something specific to fit in or be called a "Newgrounder"?

A welcoming one for that manner. The community feels like what Flipnote was to me as a kid, a fun and engaging community that welcomes all levels of creatives. I joined at a weird time in 2018 where the great Tumblr migration occurred, which funnily enough, was not the reason why I joined. Eventually, as of recent, this is the only platform I am exclusively posting regularly on. For the last part, I don't wanna determine what makes someone a "Newgrounder" or to fit in, but just be yourself and only make what you're passionate about. There's always an audience that will love what ever it is that you put out and follow you along your journey. A lot of what comes out of this website is from people who are passionate in what they make and only do it because they love doing it.

Q: Can you describe the experience of doing additional animation for Mix 'n' Match?

Fun, easy to work with along with getting feedback from Nine when there came time to work on an episode. I learned a lot of things in each episode and it's great getting the feedback to improve on the next batch of episodes. Hoping to work with him again soon and also potentially work with everyone else here looking for an additional animator for their projects.

Q: What was it like creating backgrounds for Glyde the Dragon?

That was my first experience working with an independent studio and getting to know what it's like having something you contributed to be included in a major piece of media. The backgrounds I made were for the intro video to the indie game of the same name. It felt trippy seeing something I made be in a video game. Wish that there were more I could have made, and maybe some more opportunities for other games/animations would be awesome.

Q: What animation and art inspire you, and why do you like them?

I have so many art pieces and animations that have inspired me over the years, from the Hatena legend BosS to the indie animator Don Hertzfeldt and some animators on this website who are killing it like LiteralHat and ImPage. When it comes to artwork, wish that I had enough room for every single one to mention, but a good few I love are shotty, carmine3, ennuikal, birdblitz, and Wildblur are all that come to mind. Those mentioned or not, I love their art because they're unique from all I have seen be put out as of recent and it gives me inspiration.

Q: Why do you think you don’t get sick very often?

Not eating a lot of crap! I do the best I can to not eat too much while being careful not to eating the same things. Working out too, although I don't work out often, I do my walking and occasional gym visits every so often when time is available. One other thing, two bottles of water and an apple per day keeps the doctors happy!

Q: When did you get interested in glassblowing, and how would you describe your experience?

Right around 2022 and it blew my mind once I found out that there were classes you could take in my area. Enrolled in the classes and it eventually grew with me. Overall my experience has been good, with some good and bad days at the studio, there's always something to learn from every session I partake in. Not the absolute best at it nor have I completely gotten all the shapes down to be perfect, but only with time added in each day I enter the shop, I'll eventually get better with a new understanding of the material and tools to use for the project I want.

Q: How did you get interested in the art aesthetic known as "Metalheart" (also referred to as Depthcore and Trendwhore)? And thank you for allowing me to use your art for the album cover of my royalty-free instrumentals

Not a problem! When I first discovered the internet as a kid, I had kept seeing a lot of it from various websites and short video reels. I was fascinated by the animation and rendered shapes that I wondered how it was done. Now all grown up, I've gotten the time and drive to not only learn 3D modeling, but also replicate what I saw as a kid on the computer.

Q: Do you have any advice on being cool and collaborating?

Super corny but just be yourself. Don't put yourself in a bad group of people who'll take advantage of you. Find something new that you find cool and put some time to get really good at it. As far as collaborations go, I'd find a good number of people that envision your idea(s) and ask around to see if they'd be willing to work with you on a project. Getting rejected is not the end of the journey but a starting point. So keep people on tab, ask friends if they know anyone who'd be down to collaborate with.

Q: What food and drinks do you like?

Just about everything really. I am not a picky eater and will munch on just about anything that's given to me. However, funny fact about me, I really enjoy drinking cranberry juice and it gets people to come up with funny "old people" jokes. The pomegranate or grape variation are awesome and good for your body too, trust.

Q: Games that you enjoy and why?

I enjoy hopping on Terraria and Quake. I have been a die-hard fan of the Portal series and the lore behind it. I love everything about it from the dystopian environment to the gameplay to the characters that make the games shine.

Part 2:

Q: What misconceptions do you see people having about art and animation?

The biggest one that I have noticed is either seeing people feeling bad about using a reference or people getting heated over someone using it during the process. I can see why someone would only trace a reference and not really learn something out of it, but at the same time, some people really need to get angry over other things that are more important. The artist will eventually learn to draw without using a reference, it's all part of their own journey.

Q: What do you enjoy doing when you go outside?

Walking and drawing on my sketchbook with some music playing in the background. It's always a treat when I get the chance to do that once everything from personal to university projects are completed and have nothing to work on. A great way to get out of the little room and think about your surroundings outdoors.

Q: What are some songs you like?

I like just about everything, lately I have been getting back into some deadmau5 tunes and some OSTs from Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross. Classic hip hop and Drum n Bass are also bops to put on while I work on stuff at the studio or in the car. A song I like lately is "Re_Jaded - deadmau5" and an album I listened to lately is "Above - Mad Season".

Q: What’s your opinion on fashion?

An everlasting evolving form of art & design that I could never catch up on nor understand entirely! Only type of fashion I could get myself into would be street wear like baggy jeans/shirts or big sneakers (oh Osiris' when will I ever get you...)

Q: What are some of your favorite dishes?

As mentioned, just about anything, but I do like some buffalo wings and fries. Always my go-to and its enjoyable to eat in any occasion in my opinion. That or spicy chicken sandwiches. Those are the bomb dot com!