Meet the Artist ~Abian~
header is courtesy of our very own Abian!!
Ladies and Gentlemen, foxes and left-handed mail-carriers…
Amelia Grace Art is proud to present…
*drops interview microphone and chases it under a couch while knocking over three vases and scaring a cat*
whoopsy…
PRESENTING…
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Abian van der Meijden
Welcome, it’s lovely to have you here!
Thanks Amelia. I appreciate your enthusiasm and willingness to bring artists together in a way like this. Its a honour that you're willing to have me!
Why don’t you tell us a bit about yourself?
So I'm born South African, learnt to crawl in its dusty soil, and play barefoot on the golden-dry winter grass. I've lived in the same house all my life and its becoming a tiny colony with the addition of my grandma's cottage and my father and I applying our trades next door. I still remember making my first drawing when I was about six. It fascinated me. It's probably because I love thinking about things and interpreting them. Lego was the same. Spreading the Santa-Clause-sized bag of tinkling blocks on the carpet (I still remember how the parts imbed themselves in your knee skin when you kneel on them) and scratching around for new characters and machines was somehow magical and felt just right. And then there was running through the garden with a stick; making up stories—man, I just wanted to draw the characters and gear, and make them real.
I do much the same now, designing products alongside my father, illustrating, and telling stories.
What or who inspires you artistically?
Wow. There's so much inspiration going around! I don't like going on social media. There's so much good stuff, but I think the real challenge is getting quiet enough to actually listen for yourself and not just be a composite for what you see. So the infinitely-detailed-art- piece we wake up to every morning is a crazy inspiration. We live in a world where mammals the size of cottages filter microscopic sea creatures through their teeth for food. Come on! And creatures with skeletons on the outside?! Chickens can make dinosaur sounds and almost look that scary when they're protecting their eggs.
I love symbolism too. Like the fact that trees represent kings (read about Nebuchadnezzar) who connect heaven to earth and produce shelter and fruitfulness. So yes, Creation's Artist makes my fingers itch daily.
Besides that, seeing talented artists at work inspires me as well: Marco Bucci; Justin Gerard; Glen Keane; Arron Blaise; Schott Robertson; John Nevarez; Doug TeNapel.
Reading books inspires me. Movie 'art of' books are such a great source of fantastic artwork and design too.
Are there any classical artists (old masters) that you draw inspiration from?
Rembrandt. I mean, the man had an unfair amount of talent. I've always loved Leonardo's crazy designs and his insatiable pursuit of understanding the human body. Picasso's early works are insanely good (just have a look at Science and Charity (1897), which he painted at age 15! I struggle to relate to his later work, though I appreciate his fearless experimentation). As we're getting to the more modern artists, I'd like to add Singer Sargent as well as Andrew Loomis; both for their rigorous ability and study of improving their craft. There's also the more obscure A. J. Casson, who's shape design is wonderful.
What do you consider your greatest artist project?
I'm in the process of writing a young fiction book and I'd say the maps and illustrations I've done for that are some of the best I've executed (by God's grace). I've also done some medical illustrations for Gyropod. I enjoy the stylized accuracy of the anatomy for that.
Have you sold any artwork or has your work been published anywhere (if so, would you like to link to it?)
I have done illustrations for Josiah DeGraaf's short story series, Visions of Grandeur. You're welcome to view them on my portfolio or on his website.
I have also done illustrations of Gyrapod. Easiest would be to view them on my portfolio as their website only allows access to registered Podiatrists.
I've also done a cover design for Noah J. Matthews (Crawford: Tales of the North), which is in line for publishing but isn't out yet.
What’s your favorite color to work with?
Aha! Grey. That is, I don't really have a favourite colour. I love the interplay between them and the greyish side of the colour pallet is fun because it allows for more subtle interplaying of colour. That being said, my watercolour's cobalt blue pan needs the oftenest replacing.
Is there a favorite book/ movie/ TV Show whose style you’d like to emulate?
I like this question! If there was one book I hope my illustrations will emulate, I think it's Psalms, or maybe the wild imagery of Revelation. Aside from that, most of Disney's earlier animations (I hold that their last good animation was Tangled) have incredible design and colouring, the Asterix (and Obelix) comics, Dr. Seuss kids books, and the craziness of Where's Wally? (Waldo). I'd like to emulate their quality and potential for sparking imaginative creativity in people, but in a reformed way.
Where do you usually sell your artwork?
I am not currently selling my artwork, but I do work on commission or contract for illustration, character design or cover design, particularly in the children section. You're welcome to have a look at my website where I show my upcoming personal projects and keep the clan updated with a newsletter.
And finally,
Is there any advice you’d want to give beginning artists?
Keep your eyes open. Never stop. Widen your tastes—a sign of maturing is not a loss of joy but the appreciation of fruit juice, water, wine and a respect for the yet unacquired tastes. Take the joy and craft of what you do seriously. Don't hold back for fear of 'how bad it looks': just keep working your hardest at it. That being said, don't get too distracted by other people's stuff and what you 'should be doing'—worship your Maker by doing what you've been given as humbly, as honestly, as creatively, and as best you can. Do your best knowing that it's only grace that will take it anywhere anyway and be thankful for the skills and the art you already have. They could also not have existed, you for that matter as well. But you do, so you might as well give it your best shot. Never allow your passion to turn into an excuse to neglect the little things. Chores. Loving your neighbour. Being truthful. Artists inspire people to goodness, but we have to be humbly perusing goodness ourselves. Get good artbooks. Loomis has good ones on people and perspective. Scott Robertson's How to Draw and How to Render are fantastic technical resources. Stay hungry for learning. Meet other artists and go to conferences if you can.
But I'd say most of all, renew your mind and get your heart right with God. You can't do anything meaningful without Him.
Thanks for your questions Amelia. They've gotten me thinking about a couple of things. This has been a really fun, contemplative exercise!
Thank you for joining me!
Did you all enjoy the interview? (I certainly did) If you want even MORE awesome content, check out some of Abian’s artwork below!
What about you? What’s your favorite art style in a movie or book? Do you have a favorite color you like to see in artwork? Let me know in the comments below!!
…Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go watch Tangled because Abian reminded me that it’s my literal favorite movie in all the world and three planets.
Until next time, dear readers…
