- Tell us a bit about yourself and what inspires you to create?
I’m an illustrator from Ukraine, known as Tony Kei. My full name is Anthony.
It’s pretty hard to explain what exactly inspiring me to create. It feels like an inner desire to create something, doesn’t really matter what sort of. It can be drawing, painting, sculpting or tattooing.
2. Did you study illustration or are you self taught? What are your thoughts on art education?
I’m self taught artist. I think proper art education is a good move if you want to improve your skills and learn something new. For example you want to study concept art for game designing or movies, it would be wise to find concept art classes for this kind of purpose.
3. What is the most challenging aspect of being an illustrator and how did you decide that illustration was the right medium for you?
Probably the most challenging aspect is when you decide to feed yourself and your family by making art. It stressful sometimes, it requires self dedication and consistent working. But it also add some sort of “wings” when you have the opportunity to do what you truly love all the time.
I think I like an illustration for a long period of time, I just been scared to start, scared to make mistakes. But it’s very dangerous thoughts, because they are going to ruin your dreams. Time is the only thing that matters, you can’t start doing what you love tomorrow, you should do it RIGHT NOW.
4. Do you find social media helpful to your practice and is it something you enjoy? How would you promote your work if social media no longer existed?.
Yes and no. Let me explain. Nowadays it is much easier to express yourself and what you create around social media and networks. And this is definitely a plus, but there are downsides as well. Social media are quite too big already, some of the truly great artists who produce quality art pieces still stay in “shadow”, because of people over hyping someone else.
If there is no longer exist social media, I’d be travelling around the world, painting canvases and murals, taking a part of art events and galleries. Tattooing as well. I can’t imagine my life without art anymore.
5. Can you talk a bit about your creative process of an image, from concept to completion? How long does it take you to create an image and how do you know when it is finished? Also, do you post work as soon as it’s done or do you ever sit on images and consider the sequencing of your work?
There are two ways how I start: with the concept in my mind or doing “research” by sketching on paper. Fully completed illustration can be done in a matter of few hours or couple of days, depending on complexity. I spread process of work in stages: sketching, lining, “blocking” dark parts of image, texturing, working on halftones, light, glow elements if it’s neon. Sometimes I instantly post what I just draw or sequencing images, depends on my mood and actual images.
6. As a freelance illustrator, you currently accept commissions. Can you talk a bit about the kinds of commissions you’ve done, perhaps your favourites, and how your commissioned work differs from your personal work?
I’ve done logotypes for musicians and brands, single / album covers for bands, merch and packaging designs. The only difference between my personal work and custom work is that people come to me with premade ideas / sketches. Sometimes people don’t really have any ideas, they just want me to make something cool. In this situation we discuss what they love and like to see and move from there. Not sure which ones are my favorites, because I like them all 🙂
7. Additionally, Is it important for a freelancer to produce personal work and what do you think are the benefits of such work?
I produce personal work, because I love to draw, illustrate etc. More actual hours of working helps to improve and develop your skills and style. But it’s also very important to stay healthy and filled with energy, so it’s also important to have a rest. Push wise, not hard.
8. What kind of themes do you currently explore through your work and are there any themes that you’d like to transgress into?
I’m currently researching some new theme combinations. I like to mix themes, it helps to create something brand new. I don’t have an exact answer, because I’m still searching 🙂
9. A lot of your imagery involve skulls, which I see as an interesting subversion of the human condition, as your skeletal figures are doing things that ‘live’ humans do. Is there any particular reason you have chosen this particular motif in your work and do you ever consider that people might not like your work because of it? Should art challenge the viewer?
Probably I liked skeletons and skulls since I was a kid. I had comic books and a bit of toys with skellies. Not only human skulls and bones, but also animal skulls and skeletons. I’m into anatomy, I studied a bit of it and wanted to become a surgeon.
I know there are plenty of people who don’t really into dark sort of art. But there are also people who like it. Art might challenge a viewer if there is some sort of a message, but it can also be just a beautiful painting of mountains or anything else.
10. In your opinion, what makes a good piece of art? What was the last image/piece of media that captivated you and what was it about it that left an impression on you?
I’m always excited to see quality artworks of my favorite artists. Recently I’ve been very inspired by Renaissance artists. Aesthetic, iconic artworks. They’re eternal and very beautiful, there is a lot of things in these paintings you can learn from and get inspiration. Most of them left an impression on me.
11. What is your favourite image you’ve produced so far and why? Do you create work for yourself or others?
I like almost all of my finished illustrations, but one of my favorites is one I did as a part of “drawinyourstyle” challenge hosted by my good friend and awesome artist Rodrigo Zúñiga known as Rodtten. It was some crucial moment when I started to work more on details, textures and background.
You may find this artwork by link below
https://www.instagram.com/p/BzgJUtHo789/
I also like a lot all the collaboration artworks I have done with my friends artists.
Firstly, I create my work for myself, I love it, people love it, everyone is happy! What can be better?
12. Are you often satisfied with the work you produce and how do you stay motivated to keep creating?
Yes, I do, but sometimes I dislike some of my sketches, but I never focus on that and just move forward, no reason to stay with one ugly sketch if you can draw better 😉
People overestimate meaning of motivation. You can stay constantly motivated when you want something very much. In my case with art, I love to draw, I want to improve, I want to be a better version of myself every day not only in a matter of art.
13. In this current society, do you think that art is important? can anyone be an artist and is there such a thing as bad art?
I believe that art is a very important part of our lives. Because art isn’t tied only to drawings and paintings, but also to music and anything created with love and imagination. I have no idea where I’m going to end up without art. For some people it’s the same.
I remember one case, when I uploaded artwork with skeleton guy smoking a cigarette with a broken heart symbol on his sweater and nuclear exploding on background, some person contacted me and thanked for what I’ve created and shared. He said that this artwork saved him from suicidal thoughts. To be honest, I was crying, when I read this. But it was a tears of happiness. I was very glad that I was able to help someone.
I’m not sure if everyone can be an artist, you need to ask yourself what you like to do, what you’re chasing in your life and what you want to reach.
I don’t classify good art and bad art. It’s much simpler for me, I’m just looking only for an art I like, that’s all.
14. Copyright, especially in the technological age, is a huge problem. What actions do you take to ensure that your work is not being used without your permission, and have you had any experiences with plagiarism? Is this an issue that you think about and what are your thoughts about intellectual property rights for artists?
I’m usually ask these persons to take down my artworks or properly mention and copyright me. But most of the time I just don’t care, they don’t have access to the original files of my work. I had experience with plagiarism, but I’ll tell you what. Art stealers are ALWAYS stay behind, because creators continue to improve and move forward, while plagiarism just a copy of someone’s work. I believe every artist must be properly copyrighted.
15. What are you currently working on at the moment, and where can people find more information about you and you work?
I’m currently working on a long term project which is going to be an art zine, but it’s a little secret yet, shhh. Also couple of commissioned projects.
|You can find my work via Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/tony_kei_art/
There is also links that leads to my merch store and canvas prints store.
More sources with my work still under developing. Stay tuned for more information 😉