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

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

I was born in Romania, a very beautiful country, full of great landscapes, from mountains (Carpathian) to sea (Black Sea). One could say that my passion for environment art was fueled to some degree by living in this wonderful corner of nature.

When I’m not working on a project which requires relocation I’m also living here, though soon I will have to move for good…

Are you a full time artist?

Yes, this is what I do for a living and this is what I also like the most.

How would you describe your work?

I am a digital environment artist, that is the guy who creates a virtual scene, in any shape and detail (from full realism to loose sketches), for any purpose (be it a matte painting for a movie or an illustration for a book cover), and any genre (be it sci-fi, contemporary or fantasy etc.)

Being an environment artist requires, besides artistic training, a very good knowledge of physics and light interaction since you have to reproduce very accurately the way objects interact with light and atmosphere in nature and not only (think of alien worlds or space).

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

Most of my work uses matte painting techniques which is a style I’m very fond of. When I’m not doing personal illustrations, I do true matte paintings for feature films.

Digital Matte Painting combines digital painting, use of references and 3D in order to create “virtual sets” that are otherwise hard, if not impossible (and nevertheless not cost effective), to find in the real world. Traditional matte painting was developed initially for the movies and was done optically, by painting on top of a piece of glass to be composited with the original footage, but nowadays, matte painting is done in computers with the use of a tablet as a drawing device and 3d software.

Matte Painting can be used to create entire new sets, or to extend portions of an existing set; It became a true trend of the new century and it has a bright future, together with the relatively new 2.5D and 3D compositing techniques.

What is your style for creating?

When I’m doing a personal artwork I always try to tell a story; That’s why, unlike most people doing art, I use my inspiration step to find such a story, rather then to think to the image itself. When I have that in mind, I begin making concepts and sketches, as many as it takes, until I define what to show and tell. After I’m satisfied with the concept, I begin creating the matte painting itself, trying to stay true to the concept as much as possible.