[Digital] Smashmethod

[urbancinderella]

Interview with `smashmethod
deviantART - Digital
Administered by urbancinderella

Tell us the basics:
Name: Dan Meyer,
Age: 22
Sex: Male
Occupation: Student / Freelance Graphic Designer / Artist
Your Website (if any): smashmethod.mg2.org/ (Normal Website)
smashmethod.deviantart.com/ (DA / Store / Prints)
www.sxc.hu/browse.phtml?f=profile&l=smashy (My Free Stock Photos)
www.soundclick.com/bands/5/smashmethodmusic.htm (My music, also available on my normal site)
What you enjoy doing for fun: eh.
Your favorite website to visit (you don't have to own it): www.hybridized.org
Guilty pleasure: ?
Any juicy details of your life that we can taunt you for: I have a schizophrenic thought and mood disorder.

How did you first get interested in digital art?
Hurt my knee / growth plate on a BMX biking accident, and was kind of forced to pick up a "less active" interest, so I picked up the computer.

Was it easy for you, or did it take a long time to get comfortable working digitally? I notice you seem very comfortable with drawing on paper, was it just as easy to draw on a computer screen?
All the drawing stuff I do is still by freehand, then I scan it into the computer. I can't draw to save my life normally, let alone with a mouse on screen. The other digital work is all program based, so it kind of has to be digital.

I always assumed you had a graphic tablet. Have you ever worked with one, or been interested in using one? Or do you prefer to just stick to freehand + scanner?
Never seen/tried one, so I can't really say I have a preference. I just use what I have.

What do you feel are your strengths and weaknesses as an artist?
Weakness: I'm not ever able to create what I'm thinking... what get's produced is like 5% of the original idea. Strengths: Who knows, I don't really have any.

What artist do you most admire?
Todd McFarlane or Joe Madureira

If you had to choose one piece for everyone to remember you by, which would you pick and why?
Eh, they're all the same, it doesn't matter. I'd rather be forgotten if it were up to me.

Do you enjoy working freelance?
No

I remember seeing that you are studying at Kendall College of Art & Design. Do you enjoy it?
No, I dropped out for "medical reasons" beginning of last year, have yet to go back.

I know that you seem to experiment with many different mediums. Is there one you have grown particularly fond of?
I'm not a big fan of anything I do. I'm fond of comic book illustration, which I can't/don't do.

Personally, I think music can be a strong influence in creating art. Do you agree with this? If so, what music influences you?
I alwasy have music on, and usually use whatever is on when I save something as the name. But as far as putting something on to influence what's being made... that doesn't happen. You have to have an idea before you start, regardless of what you're listening to.

Would you classify it as inspiring you, then? If not music as an inspiration, what other sources inspire you? Do you have a favorite place to visit that inspires you?
No, Not Sure/Nothing, & No.

I've always found your music interesting. How did you get started?
Just messing around in Cakewalk (a midi composition program) at a friends house.

You work with other artists to produce the compilations you release, yes? Does this make it easier, or do you prefer to work alone?
Aside from the "quadrophonix" releases, which were made about 6 years ago with a friend, all the music is done solo.

Is there an album of your making that you would consider your favorite?
No, I don't listen to my own music.

Last question then. Do you have any suggestions/advice for budding artists out there?
"Find something else worth doing."

[Signore Kai]

I must say, this sounded exactly like the smashmethod.

He's a bit of an ass, but I quite like his works.

[Kay]

Almost sounds like something James would say if he was an artist.

Anywho, I enjoyed this interview. I must admit, I've never seen any of his work, so I'll have to take a look.