Theo Aartsma Interview

Chapter XXX: Empire

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Posted by Justin Maller \

@justinmaller

justinmaller.com — on June 24, 2007

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Theo Aartsma

Groningen / Netherlands

www.sumeco.net

My name is Theo I'm 25 years old and live in the north of Holland. Not much to say really. I'm just a regular guy to be honest, with a regular life apart from the hours I spend behind my computer. My daytime work consists out of creating new media, mostly corporate web design. In my spare time I do my own thing; the complete opposite.

Justin Maller

Take us through your design process, how do you get from concept to finished piece?

Empire

SOLO WORK

Theo Aartsma

Starting with concept, sometimes I work out a concept from start to finish, sometimes I improvise a lot. Improvisation is often seen as a negative thing. But I like the way it makes art less science and more alive. Life has a lot of unexpected surprises, so why would art or graphics be different? Whenever possible I at least try to listen to the way the work speaks to me. The biggest thing it depends on is the fact how predetermined the brief or idea is. The more I get from that the more I conceptualize, and the less I improvise. I love to do both complete concepts as more freestyle.

After I have a worked out a complete concept or just a general idea I usually start sketching the old fashion way. Nothing beats a traditional build up; using composition sketches, color studies, etc.. Its a phase a lot of people don't bother with in the digital scene, but I really think it gives my work more depth. I also decide which mediums will be best for the task. In the past couple of years, I've learned quite a lot of mediums, so I have many at my disposal.

Next I create and sometimes search my material. Creating vector illustrations, taking or searching for photos, messing around with 3d apps, pen and ink drawings, or trying out something completely new like fractals or painting. I have a lot of material lying around waiting to be used, so I can pull stuff from there as well (this consists mostly of half finished illustrations, abstract renders, (tribal) ornaments, etc) I try to create everything I use myself. I only ever use small stuff like plants or machinery from stock resource.

Putting everything together is what I really love the most of the whole process. Creating the foundation for my scene or collage. I love it the most because this the phase where you really start seeing results with everything you do. This also the phase where I rethink my choices, I can even go so far to throw everything up side down and start over.

After that part has been completed (when I have the feeling that everything is right and nothing can go wrong anymore) I start finalizing the composition and all its elements, fx and typos in Photoshop. This task is the most time consuming. To get everything right I usually have to push myself a bit. Its not really in my blood, but I know its necessary. I think my talent lies more in seeing and working fast with sketches and composing. But it is something that needs to be done and the results are very much worth it.

Guardians

SOLO WORK

Justin Maller

What kind of artistic education have you received / are you pursuing?

Theo Aartsma

I don't have any artistic education. I'm self-taught. I do have a Bachelor in Multimedia Design. But that was more scientific on design for new media then it was for creating creative graphics and illustrations. I might be doing a master in graphics design starting September this year, but I'm not sure about that yet.

Justin Maller

Although it's a tired question, I'm curious as to what inspires you?Your work has a very unusual aesthetic to it, what sparks your creativity?

Loosing grounds

SOLO WORK

Theo Aartsma

Well a tired question asks for a tired answer! My inspiration comes mostly from everyday life. But there are some parts of that which inspire me more then other. I always liked the resemblance of technology to nature. This inspires me greatly. Just looking and analyzing the wonders of nature always does it for me. Apart from this, I have a background in tattoo designing and graffiti. These influences are still, though masked a little, recognizable in my work. I love lines, form and composition above all. I see lines and composition in everything, and I try to take it all in. Apart from that I must admit I'm also inspired by other people in the (digital) art/graphics scene, especially the graphic styles brought forth by the electronic music scene in Europe; these have been a great influence on my work.

Justin Maller

Is art just a hobby for you, or something you can envisage yourself doing as a job?

Theo Aartsma

I'm starting to get more and more offers as we speak. I hope to one day be able to live of my work although for now I am more than happy to keep it as a hobby. Those things will come if they are meant to be. All I can do is my best. We'll see.

Justin Maller

Where do you see your personal work going, stylistically and/or professionally?

Theo Aartsma

Professionally I would love to do work for the entertainment industries, especially music. That's what I love most and what I've always wanted to do. Stylistically I don't know yet what I'm going to do next. One of the foundations of my work is combining things that haven't really been combined before. I want to do more with something I call digital tribalism; combining one of the oldest forms of art with the newest forms of art. There is a huge amount of creativity that can still be derived from that.

Justin Maller

Do you enjoy working in a collective environment like dC? How does it effect or change your artistic experience or process?

Theo Aartsma

I do enjoy collective environments very much. They really push me to become better. Most of the times I already have it in me to grow. But it doesn't seem to come out if I don't have people backing me up, and giving me constructive criticism and support to help me improve. Often they say artists should follow their own way completely and not listen to other people; as long as they think its good themselves then it is good. I don't think this is true, art or graphics should be liked be as much the artist himself as the public he presents them too. Call me insecure but I need the affirmation sometimes.