Mattia Simeoni a.k.a Kowalsky
/
Where did you grow up and when did you say to yourself: ‘’I want to be an Artist’’?
I grew up in a small town in Italy. I've been attracted by visual arts all my life, I think because my father used to work as comics illustrator. I prefer let the other people decide if I'm an artist or not.
Have you always been supported in your artistic path or has it been challenging to let your family and friends understand your choice?
Iniatially my passion was graffiti art and maybe that's why, at the very beginning, my family was a bit against it! My friends instead, were always proud of me and supportive with my work.
What was the strongest influence you had when you were growing up ( artists, movies, cartoons, comics etc.. ) ?
My strongest influence is my dad! He was a comic illustrator and I always watched him work in his studio. My favourite animated films are the Disney’s classics, especially The Sword in the Stone, The Sleeping Beauty and Robin Hood.
Did you go to an art school or are you self taught? What helped you prepare to become the artist we know today?
All my studies are been focused on art. I started my studies in the High School of Arts in Carrara and after that, I passed the selection for the animation course at the National School of Cinema in Turin.
From the initial client idea to the final work: what goes through your mind when you're designing and what is the method you use when starting a project? Could you describe it?
It depends from the client, the target and the type of work. In general, I start sketching to find the inspiration, I try different poses and I create several colour tests. Sometimes when I work on a new project I find the inspiration for another one. Personally, I love to have no filter and fully express my imagination when I'm designing. Working this way makes me find the inspiration for new projects.
What is your process in coloring your art and what type of tools and media do you use?
I mainly use Adobe Flash or Photoshop and I work on a Wacom Cintiq.
What part of the creation process is the most fun and easy and what part is the hardest?
The hardest part is building up in my mind the final concept for a design, the fun part is trying to achieve what I have imagined.
What is a typical day for you, and who are the people you work/collaborate with?
I'm a freelancer. I work by myself in my studio and I speak with clients on skype all day long. At the end of the day, I love to spend time with my daughter and play with her. The weekends are for graffiti!
What are some of the things you have learned from other artists who you have worked with or whose work you have seen?
Strictness and precision. I'm not a strict person and I understand that can be inconvenient on my work.
Is there something that you have designed that you are most proud of?
Not really. When I watch my finished drawings I always find something that I could have done better, maybe be never satisfied with your work is the most important thing to improve.
What is your longterm career goal and what would your dream project be?
My dream is to work in a big animation studio!
Working for a company or freelancing: what suits you best? And why?
I've tried both and there are some positive and negative elements in each of them. Working in a company though, gives you the opportunity to learn from your team and colleagues. Compare yourself with others it's really important to grow up as an artist.
What advise would you give to an artist who is dealing with an art-block? How do you boost your imagination and keep yourself creative?
Maintaing your mind receptive It's the hardest part. If someone has some advices i'm ready to listen!
What’s your point of view about the industry today: what are the expectation for someone who wants to make a living with an artistic career?
It is a difficult field and that's why you need to compromising and work for less artistic but better paid gigs very often.
Who are the artists who inspire you the most today and what are some of your favorite designs?
My favourite artists are Carter Goodrich, Nicolas Marlet, Claire Wendling and Dran.
We have a soft spot for hand drawn animation, what is your opinion about the future of this art form?
I think that hand drawn animation will be always relevant and that it will come back.
Social networks, crowd funding websites, print on demand online service, you name it. New media on the internet are connecting the artists directly with their fans like never before. In your opinion, how is this affecting the industry and what are the pros and cons?
Internet makes you easily access to resources and reference material, but it also makes you deal with a worldwide competition.
Finally, Where can we see your art online and get in touch with you? How can we buy your creations and support your work?
You can find my Facebook page at www.facebook.com/kowalskykwk and my blog at www.mattiasimeoni.blogspot.it . Feel free also to drop me a line at mattia.simeoni85@gmail.com
Thank you Mattia :)
