Anthony Ventura

Heres a reply from another contact, i love his work although its totally different to mine, i emailed him more to find out a little about the industry abroad, in this case Toronto. This is the reply i got;

Hey Jenny ,
Here's the answers to your questions. I hope I answered them OK.
If you ever have any more questions or need any advice on being an Illustrator, feel free to drop me a line and I'll
pretend to know something ;).
Thanks and best of luck to you with your future endeavors.
Anthony.

1. I love the series of ‘Skullshire girls’, I was wondering did this come from a
brief given to you, or is it a self initiated project? If so, where did the idea
come from, and what is the next stage for them?

It’s a self initiated project. The Skullshire Girls was a result of me wanting to
keep busy and try new things. Sometimes as artists, we hit a wall, and are not sure
of what to do next. I wanted to create something that I always had something to
do a drawing or a painting for in between other projects. Basically The Skullshire
Girls are an empty palette for me to have fun with. The idea and name was a spur
of the moment thing based on a few illustrations I had already done.
As far as the next stage, nothing is really planned for the girls. What I’d like to
see done, is after I have created a large body of work dedicated to them, I’d like to
see maybe a book collecting all the pictures and paintings and whatever else I’ve
come up with for these hags. Ultimately my true dream for the girls would to see
them made into a line of collectable toys, but I don’t even know where to start
with half the stuff I come up with so that’s a pipe dream right now!

2. I love the dark atmosphere in your work, can you tell me what influenced
this style?

Others describe my work as dark, but I have never seen it that way. My style just
came naturally, nothing was ever really preconceived about it. I just kept drawing
and painting and the work kept, and still is evolving. I think artists and illustrators
have to always challenge themselves and try new things, or else what’s the point.
The funny thing is, right now, my favourite art is usually more graphic and
colourful. These days I tend to enjoy the designs of animation and graphic design
more so than a lot of the painting and illustration I see.
There are times I look at others art more than I work on my own, and I really
think it helps to stay inspired and motivated. I like to tell people be influenced by
everything around you, but never copy it. Let it get into the subconscious, and
then it will truly influence what you do.

3. In the last few months, since this global recession, have you noticed any
difference in the design industry, or do you think its over exaggerated by the
media? (Im a little concerned to be graduating in the middle of a recession)

I’ve noticed that when the word recession is used, the work does slow down a
little. It’s usually in the beginning until the media focuses on something else. The
problem right now is, the bulk of good work comes from the US and things are
bad there right now so I have noticed a slow down. After 9/11, it was pretty bad.
But again, the entire art field is a rollercoaster ride. Sometimes it’s way up, other
times it’s way down. You have to be creative in the way you market yourself
almost just as much as you are in your work. I still have problems when it comes
to getting my work out there. As an artist I’d rather be drawing than sending out
promos and making mailing lists. Unfortunately, it is a necessary evil.

4. When (and if) I start working as an illustrator, id ideally like to be working
for clients all over the world, im interested in Canada particularly because I
loved Toronto when I visited, I have family there and would love an excuse to
go back! Do you have any advice on the industry over there?

Most of the work I have done is from the US. Canada is a very small market, with
only about 3-4 major cities and way to many artists, lol. But, it would be the same
as marketing yourself elsewhere, we have lots of Magazines, Ad agencies, Design
studios, it’s just a matter of reaching them at the right time. I think the biggest
problem for me is, Canadian companies tend to pay a lot less than US companies
for the same work. I think that’s why I tend to focus on the US Market. It’s really
expensive to market yourself, so you want a good return on your investment. Pay
attention to your audience too, I’ve notice my work is very well received in
Europe, especially Spain, so I’m trying to figure out ways to tap into that market
too…That’s the thing with this business, your always learning.