Who is 'hobbit'? Hobbit is Andy Simmons, living and working in the UK. My daytime occupation is in the electronics industry, working in a research and development group. How long have you been rendering/doing computer graphics? This is my 4th year of serious computer graphics work. I started in 1997, using my first copy of Bryce, with the intention of creating fantasy landscapes to transfer onto canvas as oil paintings. I ended up getting so absorbed for 3 years that I bought a wacom and Photoshop and started to blend 3d with 2d painting techniques. I haven't painted upon a canvas since. Do you have traditional art experience? Yes. I am self-taught from 1993 and I have studied landscape and seascape painting in oils, plus pastel portraits of animals and children. This essential part of my learning process helped me to make the transition so much easier from the traditional painting techniques to working in digital. What are you currently working on? I have recently finished a tutorial for a new book called 'Digital Sci-Fi Art' which is due out in the spring of 2004. I'm currently re-designing my website and working with a printing company to get my work onto canvas. This last month I have been designing 3D models and presentation layouts for electronic components, hence my gallery has been lacking in updates. I hope to be back on track soon and re-fuelling my gallery. What software/equipment do you use and why? I'm still faithfully using Bryce 5, Poser 5, and Amapi 7 for 3d work. I like all of these programs because of their simple learning curves and intuitive interfaces. I have several other 3d packages, like Terragon and Vue, all of which I like, but find myself spending too many hours trying to get what I need and time is important to me as I have none. Photoshop 7 is still my main tool for postwork and 2d painting, although I'm tempted to move to Painter 8 soon for 2d painting, when my budget allows. I tried the demo and like the natural brushes feel over Photoshop. As for hardware, I use a 19" monitor, Athlon XP1800 with a gig of ram and, of course, my trusty wacom 5x4 (yep, that's the smallest one), the Wacom Cintiq 18SX or A3 tablet which is still on my wish list. What do you think your best piece of work is and why? Of my current work I would say 'Stormy Seas.' which took only a couple of hours to paint, after rendering the Victory model in midair with no other objects, in Bryce. I set myself the challenge of painting the atmosphere and waves and was pleased with the result. Because I just love the sea because it evokes so many different moods and emotions and is a great challenge to paint, I just enjoyed this one immensely. Other favourites would be 'Abborlon' and 'Isle of Oric' as milestones for me pushing Bryce and 'Edgewich' for complete 2d painting. Why do you like to work with 3D software? I find it an invaluable tool for creativity, and the way it seemlessly blends into todays media makes it hard to see where reality stops and fiction begins. I'd like more time too explore 3D's full potential. Who/what inspires you? I draw inspiration from almost anything, but more so from my son and the landscape. When I first started in digital, I always made a few stops at Clay Hagebusch's and Martin Murphy's sites for Bryce, and for 2d work, of course, the great Craig Mullins, who is always a good source of digital inspiration. How has this online community (Renderosity) enhanced your work, relationships, and learning? Renderosity has been with me since I started digital art and I, like many others, have sought knowledge through the many talented artists who reside here. It has always been a buzzing community full of great people and I'm glad to be a part of it. Parting Comments / Advice to other Artists? If asked to sum up my development and success over the years, I wouldn't necessarily credit the latest software or tools, since I am generally using the same ones now as when I started. I would, rather, put my growth and achievements down to practice, study and a little patience. So, my advice is to not stop creating and painting!! Lastly, thank you to everyone who voted me into this spot and to all the comments and support over the years. See you in the galleries. Andy

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Be sure to check out hobbit's gallery! Click on 'AOM 2004' on the sidebar to learn more about Artist of the Month and to view our past winners.