Who is Mr Codini? I live in a once rural suburb of Los Angeles with my wife and son, 2 catahoula attack dogs and several fish. I have a degree in Film/graphics and have worked in the post production end of the entertainment business for over 20 years, in features and television, music videos and documentaries... I was part of the Visual FX team on Star Wars, the first Star Trek movie, Blade Runner and Altered States , to name a few of the bigger ones. I have been doing art since I was ten and I am still constantly amazed that I have been able to make a living from it. It's been an interesting trip and sure beats working at an accounting firm. How long have you been rendering/doing computer graphics? For about 10 years. I first got my digital feet wet working on the Avid non-linear editing system.When a friend showed me Photoshop 1 the whole concept came savagely into focus. It's been a long slippery slope since then, and I only hope I can keep my eye-sight long enough to see where it's going to end up. The stuff you can do now on desktop systems is really amazing What are you currently working on? One of my greatest accomplishments! a piece I call the "Almost Blue Dress". I hope to become Mac Arteest of the Year with it. If that doesn't work out I'll probably stamp my feet and scream for a while in an impotent, petulant frenzy , but I'll get over it. I have to remember to chant "we're not in Kansas any more". What software do you use? and Why? Photoshop, After Effects, MojoWorld, Final Cut Pro, Poser, Lightwave,...various sound apps, etc. I use both Windows and Macs and have absolutely no interest in the highly charged "which is better" issue. When it comes to computer platforms I am bi-technical. What inspires you? Small, hairless, mexican dogs for the most part. Besides that, I would have to say that the phrase "Final Wisdom, Total Conflict" has always haunted me. While I take no real comfort in the fact that I am becoming old and even more crazy, that's life and I might as well face up to it. Of course, I am tormented by the knowledge that I may never be capable of telling the whole truth about what inspires me and that you will ultimately find out that these are only flesh wounds.. How has this online community (Renderosity) enhanced your work, relationships, and learning? There is a lot of great art work here, and there are some truly great people. Unfortunately, there is an element on these boards that seeks to ridicule and defame anyone who does not fit their flimsy definition of "art". They rush into most situations like viagra-charged hogs at a nunnery and insist on ramming their views on art, however narrow-minded and stunted they may be, down everyone's throat. As vicious and petty as these individuals are, they are at least a small percentage of the larger Renderosity community who genuinely care about their fellow artists and realize that there is a greater goal than one of shallow, petty insults and infantile derogatory statements. They get the joke, and more than that, they realize that the joke is what's important. What advice would you like to give other CG artists? Don't take yourself too seriously, don't worry about "not fitting in"; the most interesting art has been made by weirdos and freaks. Originality counts for a lot in my book. Bizarre, brutal times are upon us, and things are only going to get worse, take my word on it. Art may be the only salvation, since there really is no bedrock validity to the American dream , no matter what "they " tell you. Kids, use your art, gather evidence, take the beating and play counter puncher. ~Champion "Jack" Codini Congratulations to Mr Codini for being voted Renderosity's Artist of the Month!