Tomasz Jedruszek is a Polish artist who creates some of the most stunning and beautiful CG works. His designs have been featured in several noteworthy publications. Tomasz was born 1977, educated in math and physics, and has a masters degree in Engineering & Architecture. Since 1999 he has worked as a freelance digital artist.

Where were you born, where do you live now, any other background info?

I was born in very small town in Poland 32 years ago. I spend most of my life at Silesia area where I finished my studies of Architecture. A few years ago I moved down the map to the south of Poland to a place named Bochnia, near Cracow. Our plans are to continue towards the south soon. Nine years ago, during my studies, I realized I needed grow up and take care of my adult life by myself. One thing I discovered I was able to do at that time was drawing. I was quite desperate about making a living from it, but soon realized how many people are willing to pay good money for my work. Since then I am working as a freelance artist. I think that was the best choice I ever made.

How would you describe your work?

It is flexible, both about time and earnings. I am my own boss and deal with my time according to my current needs which is great. I create things from scratch, directly from my imagination which is even more exciting.

What processes and techniques do you use to create your work?

I use Photoshop on a pretty old computer and an even older wacom tablet. Recently I have been spending a lot of time with my son and have gotten back to pencil hand drawings again to make some pre sketches. I like it more than sketching digitally which I normally do for work related projects because it is faster and there are tight deadlines.

How did you get started?

With lot of pain. I started by trying to copy some comics, years of hard work at the desk with pencil and lot of wasted paper. After that it started to look like someting worth  showing publishers. My first job was near my university. A polish RPG games publisher gave me a chance and later helped me find connections abroad such as in Spain, Great Britain and even the US. I then began working for myself and have become recognizable on the market; couple successes and here we go!

Any notable accomplishments?

Many, but recently I most happy with my contract with Wizards of the Coast and Sony Online Entertainment and of course my Digital Painting award on latest CGSociety “Steam Punk ” Challenge.

Where can we find more info and keep up with your work?

Best source for all updates would be my site www.morano.pl. You can also visit my secondary portfolios:
http://morano.cgsociety.org/gallery http://morano.cghub.com/images http://legendsofnorrath.station.sony.com/community.vm

And of course my Imagekind galleries: http://morano.imagekind.com

What artists inspire you?

That’s a very long list! Actually, I’m still adding new names to it all the time. Jjust to name a few from my top 100: Gierymski, Malczewski, Rosinski, Manara, Gimenez, Brom, Mullins, etc. etc.

The conceptual photography of Dutch artist Jacky Groen is both breathtaking and awe-inspiring. As one commenter puts it “Jacky’s work often sweeps the viewer not only into a visual journey, but also an emotional and spiritual one. Inspired by moments that touch us all at some point in our lives, she has the special ability to translate them into images that we all can relate to and find truth in.” We couldn’t agree more.

Where were you born, where do you live now, any other background info?

I was born in Amsterdam, but a few years ago I moved to the South Coast of the Netherlands. I always wanted to live near the sea, and the constantly changing intense skies and the beautiful light that endlessly inspires me.

How would you describe your work?

My work is a blend of photography and digital art, I’ll always love my camera but must admit I’m more addicted to photoshop these days. I suppose it has to do with my personality, I’m a dreamer and an emotional person..I can express my fantasies and emotions in my conceptual work this way. With photography, Mother Nature is usually my inspiration..for conceptual art my inspiration is simply Life!

What are your tools of the trade?

“My Eyes…My Heart….My Nikon”

Are you a full time artist?

Yes I am.

How did you get started?

About four years ago my brother gave me a digital camera as a gift and I was hooked immediately. I used to be interested in photography as a teenager though…ages ago when digital cameras didn’t even exist yet…

Any notable accomplishments?

This year I won an award with my wildlife photography and last year my work “My Way” was published in the online Esquire magazine. Also I’m happy to say almost all my work has been featured numerous times on various art sites.

Where can we find more info and keep up with your work?

Of course all my work can be found at Imagekind: http://photodream.imagekind.com

And you are welcome to visit me at my personal website: www.PhotoDream.nl

What artists inspire you?

Gregory Colbert ~ Ashes and Snow. Such a gorgeous blend of photography and almost fantasy like serenity.

“Gregory Colbert’s Ashes and Snow is an ongoing project that weaves together photographic works, 35mm films, art installations and a novel in letters. With profound patience and an enduring commitment to the expressive and artistic nature of animals, he has captured extraordinary interactions between humans and animals.” www.ashesandsnow.org

Kristen Stein is an award-winning Contemporary Artist living in the Philadelphia Metropolitan Region. Kristen’s works are currently available on a variety of online venues, or through her websites StudioArtworks.com and KristensCreations.com. Kristen’s paintings are in public and private collections within Australia, Canada, Hawaii, Hong Kong, Puerto Rico, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, Italy, Denmark, Japan, Philippines, the United Kingdom, and throughout the continental United States. Her art has appeared in numerous printed media including posters, book cover, CD Covers, calendars and program covers.

Where were you born, where do you live now, any other background info?

I was born in Ohio and grew up in California. I went to graduate school in Virginia and then spent about a decade in Colorado. A few years ago we made a big move to the East Coast and I now reside near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

How would you describe your work?

Some of my works start with detailed sketches while others are created from a blank canvas layer by layer until the final painting is achieved. I like to work in a wide range of styles and materials as this allows me to keep my art fresh and new. I would describe my landscapes as moody, mysterious and atmospheric in nature. They allow me to experiment with color and texture while capturing the beauty of a wide open meadow, field, ocean, or impending storm, etc. Many of these pieces are directly influenced by my time spent in Colorado, California and Spain. My enchanted garden series allows me to capture a world of my imagination where birds, snakes, plants, flowers, trees, butterflies, etc. can be expressed in a wild whimsical way. They are bold, bright and wonderfully fun to create. My art-deco cubist paintings are my story-telling paintings. This style allows me to capture a certain sentiment or tell a story in the painting. Paintings influenced by September 11th, Hurricane Katrina and the deaths of my grandmothers are among the works in the art deco cubist collection.

What processes and techniques do you use to create your work?

My landscapes are created with many layers of contrasting colors working up to the final imagery that I am trying to create with the mood and feel of the particular landscape. I love creating a canvas that looks weathered and worn even though it is brand new. I achieve this through a variety of layers…..sometimes with molding paste, string, tissue, newsprint, sand, grit, flower petals, and a variety of other products added to the canvas (or removed from the canvas) during the painting process.

I daydream a lot! I often close my eyes and picture the painting before it is created. I rarely try to replicate a photograph, but instead use the colors and shapes as a guideline for what I want to create.

Are you a full time artist?

Yes. I am a full-time artist. I feel fortunate to be able to spend my days doing something that I love. I am pleased that my customers, friends and family have been so supportive and have allowed me to pursue my dreams as an artist on a daily basis.

How did you get started?

I remember being passionate about art from a very young age. I started by creating art as gifts for friends and family. Then when I was in graduate school studying for my Ph.D. in Economics, I started painting again as a hobby and as a way to focus my mind on something other than exams. I purchased website domains and listed several of my pieces on major auction sites like EBay. Over time, my hobby grew into a full-time business. I still use a lot of my economics background for the business side of things, but I clearly allowed the artistic side to take over and I haven’t looked back.

Any notable accomplishments?

I have been lucky to have some great exposure for my work recently.

A set designer for Warehouse 13 saw a collaborative work “Spirit of Autumn Fire” that artist Lyse Marion and I did together. This set designer chose the work to be displayed prominently on the Warehouse 13 set.

In addition to the exposure on Warehouse 13, several pieces will appear in an upcoming movie called “The Roommate” due in theaters in 2010, and a new TV show on FOX called “Past Life” airing in January.

A new book “Spirituality of Sex” features my “Shakti: Energy Goddess Design”

The Jazz Club and Angels of September were used as the cover art for the Allied Social Science Associations Annual Meetings.

Here Comes the Sun has been selected for the cover of a Jazz CD due out in 2010.

Mother Nature and Child was used in a logo for a Los Angeles based SIDS foundation:

Lastly, my children’s book “The Vegetarian Lion” was picked up by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) for sale in the Children’s section of their website (also available through Amazon).

Where can we find more info and keep up with your work?

You can learn more about me on my website:  StudioArtworks.com
You can follow my blog: kristensteinfineart.blogspot.com
You can stay up to date on Twitter: twitter.com/kristensteinart
Or become a Fan on Facebook : http://artist.to/kristensteinfineart
I have an etsy boutique that offers originals paintings, handcrafted artisan jewelry and gifts featuring my artwork : http://kristensteinfineart.etsy.com
And, of course, you can find a large number of my prints on Imagekind: http://kristensteinfineart.imagekind.com

What artists inspire you?

I truly am inspired by everything that I see, read and hear. I try to watch and listen to everything in the world around me and incorporate this into my work in some way. There are so many artists whose work I enjoy. It would be hard to choose only a few and I would be certain to leave someone unmentioned. So, I will say that from the many forums in which I have participated, each artist whom I have met over the past 10 years has inspired me and motivated me in one way or the other. As for as the masters, I’d say that artists like Picasso and Gris have influenced my cubist works as well as the fabrics, advertising and illustrators from the art deco period. I have been greatly influenced by the colors and patterns used by Matisse and the geometric works of Rothko and Frank Llyod Wright.

Elena Kalis was born in Moscow (Russia) but has, for the past ten years, lived on a small island in the Bahamas with her husband and two children. She has an education in traditional art, but has recently been following her interest in photography.  Over the past year she has been doing some underwater projects with her children and their friends.  Some of Elena’s images have been used for books, magazines and CD covers, and have also appeared in print magazines and online publications.

Where were you born, where do you live now, any other background info?

My name is Elena Kalis. I was born in Moscow (Russia) and have lived for the past ten years on a small island in the Bahamas with my husband and two children. I have an education in art (traditional paintings and drawings) , but have recently been following my interest in photography. I have been doing some underwater projects with my children and friends for the past year.

How would you describe your work?

Alice in WaterLand.  That’s the name of my recent project and it’s describe my work as well.

What processes and techniques do you use to create your work?

Digital photography. I use Canon 5D with housing and 28 or 50mm lens. Post process in Photoshop.I shoot in pool and ocean.

Are you a full time artist?

I am full time mother and remaining time artist.

How did you get started?

I love ocean and I spend a lot of time in the water (with camera and without) so it was natural thing for me to do.

Any notable accomplishments?

I was doing underwater photography for little over a year now.It’s not that long but I have a lot of response from the people. Some of my work have been used for book, magazine and CD covers, and have appeared in print magazines and online publications. Underwater images are liquid, weightless and have dream-like quality. That’s probably why they are so appealing to many people.

Where can we find more info and keep up with your work?

My personal site: elenakalisphoto.com

Other public places: Facebook Flickr Carbonmade

What artists inspire you?

I recently discovered for myself work of photographer Connie Imboden and it’s changed how I look at the reflections now. However my inspiration is not necessarily coming from the work of other artists. It could be anything really, small things around me…

Pascal Tremblay is a graphic designer / illustrator from Montreal. He has been working freelance for the past 11 years doing work for a wide variety of clients.

Pascal’s work has always been an introspective and personal way for him to express himself. He describes his work as a way to “define my emotions and thoughts in a way that when I look at it, I will know exactly how I felt at the moment I created it, but without making it definite for others.” In other words, though he has strong emotion connection with his work, it’s up to the person viewing it to decide what it means to her or him.

Where were you born, where do you live now, any other background info?

I was born in Germany but I pretty much consider myself 100% Canadian since I have lived here all my life almost. My dad was in the army so we moved around a lot and Germany was one of those places. I currently live in Montreal with my fiancee, Elaine. We’ve lived together here for 3 yrs and prior to this we lived in Malaysia for 18 months.

How would you describe your work?

That’s a good question because I never really think about stuff like that. I just like to start creating a piece and see where it leads me. I don’t really have a plan in what I do, I just let my intuition guide me. I think that, as a whole, my work could be described as a series of vague and fleeting expressions of myself. I like to keep the interpretation to the viewer and not pigeon-hole it into what I think it should be saying and, while it’s not a specific goal of mine, I do hope everyone can see a little something different in each piece. Over time I’ve been more and more abstract in what each art piece represents and my use of type has gone in the same direction.. Whereas before I might have put plainly the words I was thinking about, now they’re represented by a specific color or square, or whatever… So in a way I guess my work is a bit like an emotional puzzle to me. I always put a lot of myself into it and if I don’t feel anything intense I really cannot produce the kind of artwork I enjoy the most. That is probably why I can go for months without doing anything, I don’t force it.

What processes and techniques do you use to create your work?

I like to use a technique I coined “create and adjust”. It’s basically a semi-fancy term for “I just do whatever comes to me and then I arrange it all as I go to make it work together”. I really wish I could describe my process better but it’s really just improvisation each time. I don’t have a plan on and the more specific my concept I start with the more difficult it will be for me. If I keep it all flowing and organic it works much better. When it comes to client work I work differently and I can build towards a specific goal with no problems.. however with my personal artwork, it has to come naturally and on the fly.

Are you a full time artist?

No, I do design mostly during the day but I also have other interests that are taking more of my time these days. I do feel the need to take a break from design recently. I’ve been doing this for almost 11 yrs and I need a break. I’d say art-making is the least time-consuming part of my work. Art doesn’t pay the bills unfortunately. It doesn’t pay anything actually and it’s not why I do it anyway.

How did you get started?

I started by dropping out of college and not knowing what to do with myself. Then I discovered Flash websites and it just gripped me. I had never had any interest whatsoever in art before this (although as a kid I would spend hours re-creating country flags with coloring pencils). I just stumbled into this dormant need to express myself, it was something completely new for me and I had finally found something I was passionate about. From there I kind of shifted from Flash to artwork and into print and web.

Any notable accomplishments?

Being able to make a good living off of freelance for 10 yrs is something I am proud of.. I still haven’t received my medal for it, which is very very disappointing.

Where can we find more info and keep up with your work?

Makeshift.ca is my personal portfolio, and while I don’t update it weekly or anything be assured there’s always something new in the works. Most of my work I don’t even post because the bill-paying stuff is rarely ever too exciting or mind blowing.

What artists inspire you?

David Carson is the reason why I am here today doing what I do. Without him I would have never gone the path I chose. I’ve yet to met him. I do have an autographed Raygun magazine which I keep very dearly. It’s pretty much the only design publication I own.