Michael Okey is mainly a digital artist who has attended art schools since he was very young and still continues to study today at the Art Center College of Design in California. Michael’s DeviantART gallery has a wide variety of characters to view and enjoy. The color combinations that he creates and the personalities he is able to interpret through the digital medium are astounding. He also posts some of his art on a personal blog along with a bit of commentary for anyone looking for a little more information behind the mind of the artist and his work.

ToonariPost (TP): Who or what are your inspirations and why?

Michael Okey (MO): I’m inspired by so many people and things! My book collection is getting kind of ridiculous. Some of my biggest inspirations though are animated film, anime/manga artists, fashion and the old masters.

Have you ever actually watched a Disney film (before 3-D) and looked at the backgrounds and asked yourself, “How did they paint that?” That moment, is what inspires me. Every time I watch any kind of animated film I constantly look for how the artists used color, composition and lighting, same goes for anime/manga. I own SO MANY compilation books. Apple vol.1 & 2, Girl Illustrated, and Queen of Arts just to name a few and every single one of them inspires me. Whenever I open any of them I ask myself hundreds of questions from, “How did they draw that?” to “Did they start out with line art?” and with every question I get more and more inspired to create.

The same goes for Fashion imagery and the old masters. I think some of the most creative and innovative people in this world are fashion designers. They constantly blow my mind with how they can take something as simple as chiffon and some thread and transform it into something “elegant” or “whimsical”. To express emotion in a drape or a pleat is something that will always inspire me to create. As for the old masters, need I say much? Their mastery of composition, color, depth, lighting…one can only wish to be that good, hence inspiration to push on.

TP: What artists would you consider working with to do a piece? Why, and what type of work do you think would come from this partnership?

MO: Ippus on DeviantArt, hands down. I’ve admired and loved her work for so long and to work with her would blow my mind. I just can’t wrap my head around how awesome she is at skin tone and color. I find that her style is super unique, it’s a mix of anime and realism, which I think my work also reflects. If we were to do a collaborative piece I think the work that would come from it would be super fresh and exciting. I really feel collaboration is the catalyst to evolving as an artist.

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

MO: Oil painting. I feel there is nothing more beautiful and mysterious than oil paint and its versatility is unmatched.

TP: What are your goals in life?  Do you plan to continue art as a hobby or make it a career?

MO: I will definitely be making art my career. As of right now I’m in my third year of design school majoring in Illustration with an emphasis on Entertainment Arts. After school I plan to work for one of the major Animation studios doing backgrounds, prop designs and Visual Development work.

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

MO: Being a Cuban mix and growing up in Miami, Florida has really influenced my work and style. My work is bright, has attitude and the women I draw always have curves. I think being in a highly culturally diverse area such as Miami really opens your eyes to so many inspirations and tastes, as well as people! I think having been exposed to so much growing up really does set me apart from other artists. My work tends to be bolder and louder than others, I have a saturation control problem.

Image Courtesy of  Michael Okey

The article Artist Spotlight: Michael Okey Interview, Part 2 appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

Michael Okey was born and raised in Miami, Florida and grew up with his parents who were extremely supportive of him and his love for art. Since the 4th grade Michael has attended Magnet art schools (schools which have an emphasis on art programs) and was always at the top of his class. He’s won numerous awards, contests and metals throughout his education and is now attending the Art Center College of Design. When Michael was in high school he had his work displayed in numerous gallery shows (and sold work) and being exposed to that kind of environment at such a young age really opened his eyes to what one could do in the art world.  Micheal feels that “art is universal and always in demand, and if anyone tells you you’ll starve being an artist, they’re lying. If art is a dream and passion, go for it. It’s a decision I would never regret. I’m so thankful that I was able to live the life I have and experience life growing up as an artist and never thinking I was going to be anything else”.

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

Michael Okey (MO): I actually started drawing early in my life, 4 maybe? and it wasn’t until the end of third grade that my mom noticed how much I loved art and she made me apply for the top art magnet elementary school in my area. Ever since the fourth grade I have been in intensive art schools. So to answer your question, I’ve been traditionally taught.

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

MO: When it comes to my work on my DeviantART account it’s 98% digital (Photoshop and Painter 11) with a few oil and acrylic paintings thrown in. I love both though, for different reasons. For me, Photoshop and Painter are awesome, they’re quick, easy and super versatile. I love just throwing textures, filters and brushes all together and seeing the crazy outcome, whether I use it or not isn’t the point. I think all digital mediums give artists the freedom to experiment and not worry about the final result because you could always go back in history or delete delete delete!

My true love, though, is painting traditionally (oils and acrylics). There is one thing that traditional will always have on digital, its surface. When you finish a painting, the tangible nature of the finished product always excites me. In my opinion, it’s much easier to get lost in a varnished painting than it is to get lost in a glossy print. There’s nothing like it.

TP: What piece of your work is your favorite and why?  Which one are you most proud of?

MO: To be honest, I don’t have a favorite. The pieces I love the most are usually the ones I work on last. Each piece is a new challenge and for me, the challenge is my favorite part of any and every piece. Not every piece I work on I feel is a success, though, and because of this I find that “If looks could kill”, “Set fire to the rain”, and “Let it Burn” are my best pieces thus far (strictly speaking about digital pieces). They are the most balanced, well rounded (color, value, composition, etc.) pieces in my gallery.

TP: When you first started, did you ever hit any bumps in your art process. How did you overcome them?

MO: Everyday of my life. Artwork is hard. There are so many factors involved, composition, color, lighting, staging, value, saturation, etc., the list goes on and on. Each new piece is a new challenge and like every artist you just have to solve the problem at hand. My key to problem solving, reference. Whenever you’re not sure of what color something should be or how light affects a certain surface, look it up. The information and the answer to your problems are out there, you just have to go and search for them.

Image Courtesy of  Michael Okey

The article Artist Spotlight: Michael Okey Interview, Part 1 appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.