Can you share as much as possible about the piece, any inspirations, how you came up with the concept, what you were doing while creating the artwork?
The painter depicted in the design is none other than the man, the legend, and the inspiration known as Bob Ross. When he passed away I thought of how watching him on television actually helped me to become a better artist and pushed me to try different techniques, not only with painting, but with designing in general. The concept of the design is imagining that Bob started out much like I did, drawing cartoons and adding faces to objects. He is depicted as being younger, already rocking his signature hairstyle and coining his signature term “happy trees”.
If you were to describe your work to someone who’s never seen it, what would you say?
It’s a little difficult to describe my work because it is constantly changing. I don’t have a set style and I like to take a different approach to each design. I would say that I like to create funny cartoon-ish designs sometimes and at other times I stick to an image looking sketched out or more realistic.
What’s your creative process when producing a piece of art?
I usually go with an idea that is inspired from something I see or hear or one that just randomly pops into my head. I sketch the idea out on paper in pencil, think of a catchy title, ink the design, erase the unused pencil marks, scan it in to my computer, then get to work on cleaning up the lines, and adding color digitally.
Could you share an image of one of your latest sketches?
http://designgallery.steveorama.info
Would you share three unique things in your workspace that inspire you?
Believe it or not I keep my workspace nice and clean. If I have things laying around it will easily distract me. Having nothing around to look at keeps me focused on the task or artwork that I need to finish.
What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received in response to your work?
I showed a particular design to an online community and one of it’s members commented by saying that he would purchase the design on anything, no matter what it was and when it happened. I thought that was pretty cool, that someone out there liked what I had done that much. When the design was eventually produced on a product I sent him one as a surprise in the mail to show my appreciation.
What’s the art scene like where you live?
It’s great now! I recently moved from Honolulu to San Diego mostly because of the art scene. There isn’t much going on in Hawaii art wise due to the high level of tourism related functions I guess. I had already done fashion shows, booths at trade shows, and presentations at events and it seemed like there was nothing else going on. I needed something new and exciting to be a part of and San Diego seems to fill that void pretty well so far.
What art is hanging on your walls at the moment?
Not much, I need more actually. I have a canvas print of an acrylic painting I completed earlier this year of a sea turtle and some fish, a Nightmare Before Christmas full size poster of the artwork (not a generic movie promotion one), and past event posters that I was a part of.
What are you really into right now?
I’m really into new movies that aren’t about vampires, tv shows on dvd like 30 Rock, Mad Men, Big Bang Theory, etc., discovering great music, and anything that has to do with pop culture.
What would be on your quintessential mixtape?
Some Incubus, 311, Jack Johnson, Bloc Party, Death Cab For Cutie, Jimmy Eat World, and the list goes on and on.
If your art was music, what would it sound like?
All of the above, because that’s usually what I listen to while I’m drawing or designing.
What do you have as your desktop wallpaper?
A black background with the Good Morning Stranger graphic by Nicolas A. Girard in the right hand corner. I went with the black so it doesn’t strain my eyes from being too bright. The graphic is appealing and looks clean too.
What websites do you check out regularly?
Facebook, Twitter, and Myspace (even though it’s fading away) to keep people updated on what’s going on with me and my art. I also go to Behance, Flickr, and Society 6 to check out what other artists are doing and creating.
What are your vices/guilty pleasures?
Movies, tv shows, food, vinyl toys, and clothes. All things that I probably shouldn’t spend a lot of money on but do anyway because it’s fun and I enjoy it.
What’s the first picture you can remember drawing as a child?
The tortoise and the hare. I remember looking through the story book and wanting to draw the hare for some reason. I looked at him and tried to draw what I saw but I made one of his arms too long. I would erase it and then draw the arm again but this time too short. I sat there for a while getting frustrated because I couldn’t get it the right length. I think that’s the reason I am partially a perfectionist with my artwork today.
If you were a dinosaur, what kind would you be and why?
I would be a stegosaurus because although he is slow he has spikes from beginning to end that would be effective if he was attacked. Slow and deadly.
What was your last memorable dream?
I didn’t have one last night that I remember and I can’t remember any from the past. Usually if I have a dream I can only remember it for a few hours and then it’s gone forever because I know it didn’t happen so I push it out of my memory somehow.
If you had to change careers, what would be next?
Anything that is fun to do. I figure if I’m not having fun then what’s the point. I sometimes work part-time jobs while still focusing on graphic design. I usually only hold a job for a few months though and leave on my own. I think it’s good to have something else to do that keeps changing so I don’t get stuck or bored.
Are there any upcoming shows or projects you’d like to share?
I would like to share but unfortunately I’m not at liberty to do so right now. I have to wait for permission to hype big releases. Something that was announced recently though was the limited edition 1800 Tequila bottle project that I was a part of. The bottles should be for sale in stores everywhere in the USA before the end of November. Check http://www.1800tequila.com to find a store near you.
What’s your motto?
I’ve adopted my dad’s sayings over the years as my own because they make sense and I’ve lived my life by them. One that is memorable right now is “Do it right the first time so you don’t have to do it again.” That will save you a lot of work in the long run.
SteveOramA
