Art Dept interview

As the winner of your category in the 2007 International Art Contest, being selected by such a diverse group of artists from all around the world, how do you feel?

I feel very proud , this is a great honor for me, and not only for me, but, as a beta-tester for the software I used for this design (Xenodream) I feel this is an honor for the creator of this lovely software as well, so... I thank Garth Thornton for his wonderful fractal-program Xenodream

Please describe your current works and any plans for forthcoming exhibits.

Most of all I create Fractals. Some exhibits are coming in the next months at the University of Jaén (Spain) in Februari 2008 . Another exhibit will take place in my hometown Arnhem (Netherlands) 4 may 2008. My current works are fractals , and more fractals, as well as creating an informative website about fractal-art. This website is still under construction and for now, it is only in Dutch, but when finished, it will be completely translated into English and published as well. For those who are interested: www.denederlandsefractalsite.nl

If any, in what ways have you seen changes in attitudes towards "art"?

Maybe because of internet, but what I see is a continuously growing diversity in Art and Art-works.

Do you think that the fine artist will survive as technology replaces our skills?

Oh yes, I am sure about that. I can tell you a little story about that. On an exhibit in my country, my friend an I had a lot of visitors. One of them asked me how I create these fractals, so I gave her any information I could. Her response made me smile: “Oh I will ask my daughter to create one for me… she got a computer last week…” My friend reacted a little different from me… she answered “ Dear Madam… she will have to practice for about 14 years day after day, before she can do something like this !!”

This story shows that people may think that digital art can be done by anyone who owns a computer, but…. I know better than that. In my opinion, digital art is a New Artform, but cannot be done without any artistic input

What advice could you give to those embarking upon a career as an artist?

My answer would be very simple… practice, and practice some more

Why did you enter the Art Dept contest and what decided your selection for entry?

I did enter the contest just because I thought it would be nice to show my work, and make people interested in Fractal-Art, and I chose this one, because it is not a fractal with a spiral-shape ( as most fractals are)

Is there anything about being an artist that you do not like?

No, I am completely happy with what I am doing.

Would you sell your most favourite artwork, or keep it?

Well, this is some of the pleasant things about digital art. One can sell and still keep the file on computer, or print for oneself an extra

How important was education and training to you?

My complete education as well as my life story brought me to this point.. it was all important for me

Is there anything in your art career that you would have changed?

There would have been only one change… I would have finished my education ( Art-Academy Arnhem) instead of skip it in the third year

If you were invited overseas to exhibit your works, where would you like that to be?

Oh my... it would be an honor, but I don’t think I could manage that without any help, but I sure would love to, and probably my daughter would be willing to help.

Are you looking forward to entering the contest for next year?

Yes, I sure do!

Do you recommend use of the Internet for an artist's publicity?

Yes I do recommend using the Internet, but I would recommend watermarking with it

Would you change anything about how the contest is organised?

It is perfect in my eyes, except for one thing: it would be wonderful if there was a possibility to edit after the upload… because the sizes of my work were not correct.

How can the Internet be made better for working artists?

Artists just have to learn all there is about internet, so they can create there own chances.