Interview with yerffej

Time to get to know a bit more about yerffej. You've seen the work, let's hear a little something about the person.

Give us a short introduction about you.
My name is Jeff,I'm 6'4,I have blue eyes and a killer butt.I like long walks on the beach,unicorns,and rainbows that speak to me.Although,the last time one spoke to me,I think it was drunk.It started caressing my skin and telling me how pretty I am,so I had to get out of there and.....oh,getting off track.

Where did you grow up? Tell us a little story about the young you.
I was born and raised in Chicago IL, for the first half of my life.Then my parents decided to up and move to northern,and I do mean NORTHERN Wisconsin.I mean,even the girls have to grow beards here to survive the cold.^__^

Only because nothing else is coming to mind right now,and I suppose it is pretty little.When I was about four years old,I did a very stupid thing.We had a mix breed dog who never liked children that much,his name was Riffy.One day I was playing with a toy truck,sliding it along the kitchen floor when it slips from my hand and goes under the refrigerater.Riff comes and stands watching my mom make some food in there completely ignoring me.But instead of walking around him,I decide to crawl right under,and things went a little less than okay from there.

The dog had my face firmly in his jaws flailing me about as if I were a ragdoll,and as you can imagine,it didn't feel that great.Being that young,I only remember bits and pieces now,but what's there I think will stay there.The next thing I remember waqs looking into the dresser mirror I still have to this day and seeing my face absolutely covered in blood while my mom is on the phone calling people for help.Long story short,since this is suppossed to be a short one,is I don't have any permanent scars(thank God).I can still remember thrashing about as the doctors sewed my face up though,that's a bitter memory.

So kids,take a lesson from me and don't crawl under dogs....although most people with more than three brain cells already knows this.

What aspect of yourself really stands out? Any peculiar habits or odd fascinations?
People say my ability to play the guitar,like art it's something self taught,but something I enjoy just as much.I'm truly suprised how much one feeds off the other.Sometimes I won't be in the mood to paint or draw,but I'll sit down with the git,and after a little while the inspiration just hits me and I'm ready to go.

I'm trying to think of something odd,but nothing comes to mind.I'm sure I have something(I think we all do)maybe at later point I can add it.

What is that common every day thing that can really make your day?
It's always something little like a song or minute set of circumstances that get me in a good mood.

Is there a typical topic, story or concept that fuels your creations? Where does that fascination come from?
There really isn't,it's usually something I wouldn't normally consider my cup of tea.I find it's usually the things that take more time that are ultimately more rewarding.A song that unfolds slowly,or book that draws you in with the little insignificant parts strewn about.The struggle makes the reward as far as I'm concerned,which is a little odd for me considering I'm not that patient of a person.Maybe it means I'm actually growing up.

Sometimes I'll be in a sci-fi fantasy type mood,and others I'll be steeped in the wonders of traditional music or paintings.I'm not even sure I'm answering the question right here.I guess my fascination is the realization that what comes easy never stays.So working hard at what I'm doing is what rewards and fuels my fascination.

Are you part of a collective or group? Would you recommend it to others and why?
No......I'm just not a group person.One on one,I'm easy to talk to and very comfortable,but in a crowd or group,I'm quite closed up.I honestly don't even care anymore.

Visual artists and music is like cookies and milk, does music do anything for you?
Oh yeah,although I've learned to live without it for the most part while painting ever since my cd player busted.I suppose I could use the computer,but it only holds one disc,and I just can't have that.

I could name names but that would take too long.I have a wide variety of music,but the stuff that influences me the least is rap,it just doesn't do it for me.

Which artists really influence you?
Are you kiddin me?You dont have enough bandwidth to hold all the names I have for you.

Which artists do you consider to be the great ones of this time?
Same as above,I like too many different styles to name just a few.I personally don't need something to speak to me for me to consider it "great".

How would you describe your style?
Bending ever so slowly towards realistic,not photo realistic but close.I dink around with many styles to challenge myself and experiment,but always go back to realistic proportions at the end of the day.

Is there something specific that sparked your creative side?
Nope,I just think for as far back as I can remember,I've wanted to create on paper what I saw.I can recall my dad not believing I didn't trace a picture of Bugs Bunny I drew when I was very young.I'm sure he was just trying to prop me up,but it felt good to be able to say I hadn't.

What's your opinion about traditional media? Is it an advantage to have experience with real pencils, paint or conventional camera?
Naturally! The basics are something I think everyone taking art seriously should know.You wouldn't build your house on something unstable,so why even bother with anything dealing with art if your not equipped with the basics....same principle.

On the creative side, what are you trying to achieve? Is there a reachable goal you've put your focus on?
When it comes to this,I don't think you ever stop learning,it's always a gradual give and take.Materially I would like to be able to do this for a living,never working a regular job again.To do what you love for a living is something not everyone can say,but I intend one day to do just that!

Do you strive to be as versatile as possible or do you stick to one thing?
I don't strive for it,I think it just comes naturally for me.I know my limits and steer away from the things I know aren't possible for me,but I will always give things a try at least once as long as it's reasonable.Don't ever tell me I can't do something though,because I will try my absolute hardest to prove you wrong.

Is there a certain ritual that takes place before you start working on something?
Uh yeah,I wake up.

How do you work? Describe the process you go through.
With the starting process it's simple pencils,2hb,mechanical also,although I'm starting to veer away from using it as much.After I'm satisfied,I scan it to the proper size usually about 600 ppi,(I know it's useless)my computer can take the hits.This way any of my pics could be blown up to poster size if I ever wished it to be so.

The painting is done in blocks starting with the sky(if there is one)first,feeling out colors and working my way through it with refinements.Then...I'm done.^___^ Gawd this is a lazy answer!

What equipment do you use to create your work?
Painter 7 exclusively.Photoshop to size things and that's it.Painter 7 is the last to feel right,the rest started are like Photoshop in feel now and it pisses me off.If some peeps who are all about Photoshop would just sit down with Painter 7 for a little while,they would realize exactly what they are missing....it's that good!

Have you been educated in what you do? Where did you study and how much do you profit from it?
I took a "basics" college cours a couple of years ago,but that's about it.Everything else is self taught.It's just the way I get down,it's definitely not for everybody.I have only been doing this whole coloring thing for about a year and a half now,so I'm still very much in the early stages.

Wich programs do you use and what do you use them for?
Oh,I thought that was what the equipment question was for.Painter 7..............^_^

How do you work on improving yourself? Any secrets you'd like to share?
Practice,if your someone who does people for the most part....draw ar paint them that is.Every day there should be something new coming out on paper from you.I don't care who tells you otherwise,it pays to do so.

It's definitely no secret here,but your skills tend to get a little rusty if left unattended for periods of time.This is how I try to improve,practice,practice,practice.

Do you work in the creative industry? Describe your job or the work you do.
Not yet.

What makes your job so much fun?
I told you I'm not there yet.....sheesh.

What is the most exciting (commercial) project you've worked on? What made it stand out?
I'm not gonna say it again,the next time speaking commences,it will be done with my bat sir!

Describe your dream job. Where would you love to let loose your creativity?
I dunno,guess I've got some thinkin ta do.

Any final words for the readers?
Yeah....never crawl under a dog.Did I mention that already?Okay,but seriously.................don't do it.