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 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 |
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.

A special thanks to contributing columnist, artist,
Comments