Renderosity Artists at ARTronica - Interview with Roland Millington [artroland]

The Orlando Science Center, in Orlando, Florida, held a ten day video game and simulation extravaganza, Otronicon. The January event also included a juried digital art exhibition, fittingly called ARTronica. Guest Columnist, Jennifer Jonas [MorriganShadow] caught up with two of Renderosity's artists whose works were selected for the exhibit. This week she presents an interview with Roland Millington [artroland].

Wow first off, I just wanted to say thanks for interviewing me. I cant tell you how much I appreciate it. It is truly an honor. How did you get started in 3D? I got started with a trial version of Poser, because I was tired of hand-painting images, and wanted the freedom to get the poses I want and create a piece based specifically on something I envisioned. When it came down to choosing a 3d program to purchase, I went with DazStudio, after seeing an ad for it and trying it out. Ive been using D|S ever since. The fact that it is tellware helped out too, but it is a spectacular illustration program if you take the time to really develop and hone your skills in it. Are you a professional artist, or is this more of a hobby for you? I am a professional in the fact that I am an art director for an agency. And while my work isnt exactly burning up the print-world, it does provide me a nice little additional income, and helps pay for hosting, figure purchases, software licenses, etc. So it is its own little business endeavor. Do you create art in other media? Yes I do. I work in watercolor, ink, acrylic and colored pencils. Some photography and some sculpture. I rarely, however, display those works. You have to keep something for yourself, I always say. What do you like most about 3D art? At first, it gave me the freedom to create something and explore yet another creative voice. Now, it is the main medium I work in, simply because it really suits who I am artistically. The way I think, and the way I create is really a smooth flow in a digital medium. And it involves aspects of sculpture, photography, painting, illustration and more, all of which I find to be greatly enjoyable on their own. What is your typical subject matter? That REALLY varies greatly. Ive done cars, World War II tanks, pinups, sci-fi, it really does vary. I would have to say that my most popular stuff is science-fiction illustration. Thats what got the folks at Artronica at Otronicon in Orlando interested in me. The shows curator, Traci Yeager commented that the jury was looking for a fresh take on digital illustration, and that their mission in the process was to find art they felt really stepped outside the stereotype of digital and pushed the medium. Who or what is your inspiration? My inspiration wow never really thought much about that. I would have to say that I am inspired by so many things. Good photography, good 3d modeling, a good movie. Just taking some time to clear my head and focus while Im riding my horse is often very inspiring. Separating the wheat from the chaff is important in the creative process, and sometimes you just need to step away from the search for your muse in order to find it. What do you hope others take away from your art? I hope they find something of themselves in it. Most of my imagery, especially of late, has dealt with trying to find some identifiable emotion within the main subject that I can express to the reader. Exhaustion, for example, is something everyone has felt. Its something they can identify with, and I hope that its something they can really connect to in that piece. And thats what I try to accomplish on some level with every image that I do.
Roland_Exhaustion Image What do you think you'd be doing if you weren't doing 3D art? Wow. Tough question. I would likely still be doing something artistic, so probably just what I did prior to 3D. My music and scoring would probably receive a lot more attention too. What was your initial reaction when you found out you were accepted to be in the ARTronica gallery? Shock! Frankly, I entered more or less on a lark. There was nothing risked, so I thought Why not? And when the notification deadline of January 3rd came and went, I figured it was no big deal. I knew Otronicon was big and so I thought there were likely some huge names and well-known, very talented artists entered into this show. When Traci Yeager emailed me to let me know I made it through the jurying process and into the show, you could have knocked me over with a feather. I had been talking to my mom about it, and mentioned that I likely wouldnt get in because those big-name talents enter shows like this. And she told me, when she found out I got in, See, maybe now youll believe you can be one of those big-name talents. You just have to love mothers. Did you enter, or were you "discovered" by the Otronicon? To be honest, Im hoping some buyers will "discover" my prints at Otronicon. LOL. What advice do you have to any budding artists, or artists who are hesitant to enter their art into big contests? Enter. Every one you can. Every time you can. You never know what will happen. But at the same time, dont set yourself up for a fall. Not all shows, especially juried ones, are for you. Art is and always has been subjective, and a juried show your work gets into under one jury panel could be quite different from a different juried show. In the end, enter as much as you can, and keep trying. And never miss an opportunity to network while you are at it. Every exhibition of your art, whether its an Otronicon 100,000 spectator type of event, or a local hometown gallery show, is an opportunity to further your career. But you cant get there if you dont take the chance and try. We invite you to visit:

All supporting images are copyright, and cannot be
copied, printed, or reproduced in any manner without written permission from the artist.

A special thanks to contributing columnist, artist, MorriganShadow [Jennifer Jonas], for taking time out of her busy schedule as Renderositys DAZ|Studio, Poser, and Printing/Publishing Moderator. We invite you to view:
MorriganShadow's Gallery MorriganShadow's Free Stuff

March 6, 2006