Natasha Ringor is a talented artist that primarily practices digital art, but would also like to dabble in painting when she has the time.   She is known on Deviantart (an online artist community) as Muse33, and she also has a Tumblr account where you can find more of her artwork with her musings attached as well as pictures from some of her favorite artists and inspirations.  Ms. Ringor agreed to do an interview to allow her fans to see more clearly into the mind of an artist at work and also to find out who her muses are.

TP: How and when did you first start practicing your art (are you traditionally trained or self-taught)?

NR: I have been drawing for as long as I can remember. I used to draw a lot of Disney princesses and Archie characters, but it was actually anime that encouraged me to draw more. I loved the character designs and the aesthetic so much that I would try to draw them. I’m mostly self-taught, but I also attended some painting and basic art workshops when I was younger. Not going to a real art school didn’t discourage me from trying to learn new skills by myself.

TP: What mediums do you use for your artwork?  Which is your favorite and why?

NR: Mostly digital, but I also use watercolor, colored pencils, and alcohol markers. I love the efficiency of digital media, and the fact that I can make my art look like it was done traditionally when it’s actually digital, but I also like using alcohol markers. If I had more time, I’d probably use that more often too.

TP: What piece of your work is your favorite and why?  Of which are you the most proud?

NR: “Power in Grace”  and “Everything is Still” (the titles are different on my Deviantart page), but these are the original titles.  I really liked drawing “Power in Grace”, because it was a challenge for me to draw muscle-y men (haha).  I also love portraying the blending of masculine and feminine roles, so even if the two acrobats appear well-built, their clothing, expression, and posture show a feminine delicacy.

“Everything is Still”, on the other hand, is something I’m really proud of because it was a very personal piece that challenged me to draw something I’m not too fond of, mainly backgrounds.

TP: When you first started, did you ever hit any bumps in your art process?  What were they, and how did you overcome them?

NR: I was very insecure about my art style since it’s heavily influenced by anime and manga.  I knew that it was a style that some people saw as a lower form of art because of how mainstream it was. Despite this, I learned not to focus too much on style, but the story my art tells. No matter how unique or beautiful an art style is, it only becomes ornamental if it stops at that. Rather than struggling to find a unique art style, I’m more focused on making illustrations with a strong concept behind it.

TP:Who or what are your inspirations and why?

NR: A lot of artists from Deviantart like Kidchan, Bloodypepper, and Bluevenom. What I love about following artists on Deviantart is how I’m able to watch them grow as well, and it just inspires me to improve and try new things. I’m also attracted to the soft delicate style of ’70s shoujo manga and the vibrant colors and fluid strokes of impressionist paintings.

TP: What is your favorite subject to draw and why?

NR: People. I enjoy portraying human emotion and all its subtleties.

TP: If there was any art medium that you wish you could master, what would it be and why?

NR: Painting. I used to paint before, but it was more of my mom forcing me to do it. I never really enjoyed using acrylics and oils, but now I wish I did use them more. I don’t want to be too reliant on digital media for my art.

TP: Outside of art, what is your life like?

NR: I love vintage and retro things, particularly the glam and glitter of the ’70s and the excess of the ’80s. I also enjoy baking and cooking.

TP: Do you plan to continue art as a hobby or make it a career?

NR: I haven’t really thought that far ahead yet, but I do plan on turning my love for illustration into a career. I’d like to work as a concept artist and character designer for a gaming company. I also want to publish my own comic.

TP: Do you feel that your culture has influenced you in some way that makes you different than other artists?

NR: It’s sad to think, but no. I’ve been too influenced by foreign artists. I’m not too familiar with my own country’s art scene.

Image Courtesy of   http://muse33.deviantart.com/

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About the author

Kala Istvanek
Presently, I am attending Carthage College in Kenosha, U.S.A. I will be graduating with a degree in Asian Studies, with a minor in English and Studio Art. I have been a bookworm ever since I could read and I can never turn down a book. Art is also one of my loves and discovering new artists is always a thrill for me.