Carmine Magazine

Carmine Magazine: What drives you to create? Also, what inspires you and your work?
Angie Pasto: I have no idea what drives me to create. I’ve been doing it for so long that it seems unnatural when I’m not creating.
As far as inspiration I gain a lot of it from surrealists and abstract expressionists. I’m a huge fan of guys like Salvador Dali and Frances Bacon.
Cuteness is a big factor in my artwork so I look at my cat a lot and gain inspiration from her. As stupid as that sounds. The eyes on my characters look a lot like hers.

CM: Were you formally trained in art or self taught? Do you think it has helped you or hindered you?
AP: I was born with creativity and the talent to draw well but ever since I was little my mom helped my talent by always buying me sketch books and teaching me how to do certain things. Along with my mom, my grandpa (my mom’s father) gave me drawing lessons. I was about five and I knew how to draw the face correctly (ie. the eyes are an eye apart–that sort of thing)
In highschool I joined the Commercial Art program where I spent a half day for two years at another highschool building a portfolio for myself.
Then, with the portfolio I created I entered the Columbus College of Art and Design where I spent four years and earned my Bachelors Degree.

CM: 3) Do you have a ritual, quirk or superstition that influences you and the way you create? (example: I must where the green underwear when I paint hair or it will look horrid, etc.)
AP: I have to have a clean bedroom or work space before I do any sort of work. Other than that, no not really.

CM: What mediums do you work in the most? Do you have a particular brand that you love working with? Why do you use them?
AP: I work with Pastel on wood as far as my fine art goes. I’m all about Prismacolor anything.
With my digital illustrations I use a Mac (once you go Mac you never go back–I’ve come to realize) and I draw everything in Adobe Illustrator and then take it all in layers to Photoshop and add subtle textures where needed.
As far as every day sketches I only use Moleskine notebooks. I draw with a real light pencil and then outline with a uniball pen or micron. For color I use my beloved Prismacolor colored pencils.
I’m starting to get into making pet toys (in the form of my illustrations) so I’m getting into sewing.
I also will animate my illustrations using Adobe Aftereffects.
Along with all that, I roll with a Canon for my photography.

CM: As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? And now?
AP: As a kid I wanted to be a Paleontologist. I was obsessed with dinosaurs. I had this dinosaur bone kit that my mom bought me and I used to get my dinosaur books out and pretend I was doing very important research and classification.
Once getting into middle school I had a pretty good idea that I wanted to do something with art.

CM: If there was one style of art that you could take up, what would it be?
AP: I’m happy where I’m at to be completely honest. I’ve come to terms that I can’t be perfect in every type of art out there. Everyone has their little niche and that’s what makes art so great.

CM: Do you think the internet, technology, media, etcetera are helping or destroying the art world?
AP: No way. A lot of people who have never done art on the computer may think it’s easier than doing it “the traditional way”. In some ways it can be easier like the erasing factor but I assure you–it takes just as much time and effort to create something digitally as it would if I were to paint or sculpt something.

CM: How do you deal with creator’s (or writer’s) block?
AP: Lately I’ll just let it run it’s course. I take a break from what I’m doing and then I find that I’ll go back to it with new improved ideas as long as I don’t rush myself too fast. I find that magazines such as HiFructose help as well.

CM: How do you prepare for art shows where your work will be shown?
AP: Just be confident.

CM: At what point did you realize that creating was going to be a large part of your life?
AP: I think part of me has always known.

CM: What was your worst experience with art?
AP: College. There were times where I was so sick of doing what I was being told to do that I almost quit. I’m glad I stuck with it though because even with the worst of projects that I had to do–I learned a lot.

CM: What was you best experience with art?
AP: College. The last two years of college where I really concentrated on my own work was just amazing.

CM: How would you define your style? Is it an extension of yourself, or something else entirely?
AP: Oh, it’s definitely an extension of myself. I guess you’d have to get to know me but everyone can just see my art and be like, “That’s Angie’s, right? …I knew it!” It’s a good feeling to to recognized by my style of art.

CM: What does your workspace look like? (Pictures or a description work for this one)
AP: Usually it’s my bedroom. I like to work on my floor near my bed. It’s just always worked for me.

CM: Aside from art what do you do with your time? Is there anything else that drives you or that you’re passionate about?
I love to travel and document my travels with photography. I love film and good beers and wine and summer nights. I also love animals and am utterly obsessed with my cat. I can totally see myself at 60 years old with a few cats and having a bird watching group with my old lady friends where we sit around with cameras, binoculars and coffee and just enjoy the days.

Find Angie’s work at these places on the web:
Flickr
Abnormality World (Official Portfolio Coming Soon)
bloodcurdling on Livejournal
Animation

Some artwork from Angie Pasto: