Each month the Renderosity community votes on The Renderosity Artist Of The Month [AOM] ... September's AOM is John Girouard, better known to the Renderosity community as artist, SkoolDaze! We congratulate John for his outstanding work in the Poser Gallery!

Who is 'SkoolDaze'?

Let me start off by saying how truly thankful I am for this honor and all the support I have received from this community for the last 6 and a half years. It has been one crazy trip... I would also like to congratulate all the nominees for this month. Each and every one of you is so very talented and deserves to be AOM.

Who is SkoolDaze? Hmmm... well, the Skool part come from a nickname I had back in my youth and I think I added Daze when I signed up on Renderosity because Skool was taken. I could be wrong as I am getting old and my memory is not what it used to be, lol...

Anyways, SkoolDaze is an obsessive/compulsive, caffeine addict, bouncing from one theme to the next when working on an image. This tends to end up leaving me with stacks of semi-finished work that I am forever obsessing over. But I love the process of creating and wouldn't change a thing.

East

My real name is John Girouard and I was born and raised in New Jersey, and now live in Las Vegas, Nevada with my beautiful wife of 12 years, Pamelia. My day job is a senior systems analyst in the service industry. When I am not busy toiling at work, I help run a non-profit organization called KenyaKEEP. You can find out more about this organization from a link on my homepage.

How long have you been rendering/doing computer graphics?

I dabbled with several graphics and 3D apps over the years, but it wasn't until I started visiting Renderosity in late 2000 that I started to think seriously about working in digital. So I decided to buy Poser and Photoshop in January 2001 and I was hooked and never looked back.

Do you have traditional art experience?

Many people in my family seem to have a knack for the arts and I was exposed to it very early as a child. I was planning to go to school for commercial art, but things happened and I ended up taking a different road in life and left art behind. However, when I stepped into digital 25 years later I was able to use a bit of my traditional background I learned as a child. My traditional background involves oils, acrylics, pencils, etc... as well as some sculpting and music. Since I started back with art in 2001, I once again sketch, sculpt and paint in oils on occasion.

the Archer

What are you currently working on?

Since I seem to get 2-3 emails a week about this, I am going to start working on a cloth/clothing painting tutorial this fall. Besides that, I am going to keep pushing myself to try new things and do more 2D painting.

What software/equipment do you use and why?

My computer is a quad core PC running Windows XP (it is a monster), dual monitor, with 4GB ram and a Wacom tablet. As far as software goes, I primarily use Poser 6 and Photoshop CS, but I occasionally use Bryce 6, Vue Infinite, Carrara, Silo and ZBrush as well.

continuum

What do you think your best piece of work is and why?

That has always been a difficult question, as my "best work" seems to always be a moving target with me. I can tell you that a few of my personal favorites over this past year are "continuum", "Cyssan", "sentinel", "memoria" and "the Archer". In my current gallery here at Renderosity, my wife's favorites are “Pride” and "East". :)

Why do you like to work with 3D software?

I said it before and I will say it again... Undo!! I also like the ability to set up a scene, and continually make changes to it without having to start all over from scratch.

manipulate

Who/what inspires you?

I know this is going to sound cheesy, but I am inspired by life. What I mean is when I go through my day; I may see something; I may have a conversation with someone; I may receive some good or bad news; I may hear a song, look at another artists work, see a movie, read a book, daydream, etc., etc... and any one or all of those things could inspire me in some way. I have been inspired by a dream in the middle of the night and run downstairs and sketch something out quickly before it evaporates.

So it seems I am inspired by living and all the visceral input that comes with it.

How has this online community (Renderosity) enhanced your work, relationships, and learning?

The obvious answer is I probably would not have jumped back into doing art if it were not for Renderosity. The people here have always been so supportive and kind and have helped me in many ways over the last 6 years. To this, I will forever be thankful.

Pride

Parting Comments / Advice to other Artists?

The best advice I could give to anyone is to never stop learning or be afraid to try new and different things. Because even if you never use what you learn or experience, it is the process which makes you a better person.

And again, thank you...

Peace,
John

Please have a further look at John's Gallery.

Be sure to visit the Renderosity Poser Gallery, and also pay a visit to the Renderosity Poser Forum!

Artist of the Month is highlighting a talented Renderosity artist that has been nominated by mods and admins, and voted by the community. Recognition is given to this member for their collection of works for that year.

Since we only select one AOM per month, it is not about their works for that particular month. Instead, it is about highlighting a talented artist's works for that year, and they are recognized during that month.

To learn more about Renderosity's Artist Of The Month [AOM] award, and to view our past AOM's, please visit the AOM 2007page, which can also be found on the sidebar under Highlights.