EXPLORE Meet & Greet!

[AngelaMorales]

Some of you may be familiar to us, but we've seen a lot of new names this week - so post a little about yourself (and share some of your work!), so we can get to know you!

[John English]

The Illustration Academy and TAD are educational programs that are based around a community and culture! These communities are centered around like minded individuals with a common goal. Life long friendships and relationships have been fostered because of these programs. Explore can be and should be an opportunity to start a journey and develop new friendships!

Thank you all for the interest!

John

[Southern Bell]

Well I´m sure it's too late to reply to this, seeing as this is the last day.
But I'll do a little intro anyway!
My name is Maggie Ivy, I grew up in Fayetteville AR, I'm 22 years old, and this December I'll be graduated from the Florence Academy of Art. I'm applying to TAD for spring 2012, and I'm hoping to go to the KCMO pod.
I haven't taken many photos of my work lately so it's just a transfer drawing and small figure sketch. I'm sorry if the images are too big.
Thank you for your time, I have really enjoyed Explore!

[jsn]

Hey there, and thanks to TAD for doing this, I think it's money well spent!

My time zone doesn't quite match that well, but I've joined in when I could.
Won't be joining tonight(Japan time, morning rather), still happy to know I can play it back anytime.

Nice work Maggie!

My work is in the links below, in my signature!

All the best to you all!
Jason Ferguson

[ninau]

Hi,

My name is Simon Seitz. I haven't been active on these forums before. I have worked as a UI Artist for a games studio for some time. Now I'm freelancing, doing webdesign and little bits and pieces for the company I used to work for.

I'm looking to develop my art skills and Explore was a great opportunity for me to listen to all the fantastic teachers at TAD. Especially since I don't have a sketching group or people interested in art near me that I know of. (I'm in Graz, Austria, if anyone reads this)

Now I just have to go and draw more and apply what I learned about values and composition. Oh, and today's Explore session is just about to start.

[Joe777k7]

Skype:Joe777k7
Email: [email protected]

Hi everyone,
My name is Joseph Church and I just turned 24 years old and I am originally from Philadelphia, Pa. I moved to Fayetteville, NC not too long ago with My Wife Casey Church. I currently work in a hospital and its going good. It pays the bills for now I am obsessed deeply with music and art. I've played guitar and produced music for over 11 years now and been drawing seriously for a year and a half now. Since I was a kid art has been my biggest passion but I never knew what you had to do to improve in it. I knew nothing of things such as perspective and anatomy and what steps to take to progress in them. The first time I heard of concept art was around two years ago. I am very driven to become successful in this career with art and as well as make money selling my music. I hope to one day combine the two for fun or for business. I have been through so much in my life and I want to keep fighting and achieve my dreams. I am also a cancer survivor, I had Lymphoma cancer and went through a rough couple year treatment which took most of my high school years away. So not much room to prepare for college as you can tell. But I'm healthy and driven and will succeed. This week at TAD has been amazing and I hope to find a way to be able to go someday. It's been the most rewarding week since I started this goal for art. I thank you all for the exposure you have given me in this field!

Here is some recent work and studies
The first is a oil painting i did of my wife, then two original character i drew without reference.
Then a hogarth study and three life drawings. I like to draw people using reverse engineering or by adding guidlines to better understand things

[Pedro Cardoso]

Hi there!

that past week was awesome! it was really inspiring and fun!
you gus are great!! master artists and really great people! loved to get to know you!

Well, for those who don't remember me, i'm Pedro Henrique Cardo, from Brasil. I aspire to be an illustrator for the games industry, but, most of all, the best artist i can be! I live in Rio and am currently taking some classes with a great teacher.

here are some works done with him:





There are more things in my sketch book.
Thanks for the atention, it was a great weak! Thanks again!

See ya!

[purplegoat]

Hey,

My name is Guy. I started drawing late in life, taking a few community education classes at the local art college. I am working to master the fundamentals of art making.

My primary interests are illustration and fine art. I've worked mostly with charcoal, graphite and oils. Lately I've been focusing on Loomis studies, plein air painting and figure drawing.

I'm considering taking TAD classes online first and foremost because the quality of instruction seems to be high. I'm a newbie to art but feel that TAD can help me make progress toward reaching my goal of mastering the fundamentals. Beyond that I'm not sure what I want to do but hope that in the process of taking the fundamental classes I can better know what I want to do with this thing we call art.

My sketchbook is linked below which shows my journey so far.

[chawdog]

Hey Fellow Artist,

Totally enjoyed the online session, being able to click on links, see video, see examples as your talking.. good job.

I work now as a previz artist in los angeles, and Im always working to find my spare moments to get better as an all around artist.. I draw during work, usually when my computer starts up or is "saving" a scene file, or has just locked up or crashed.. this allows me to crank out fast little sketches on loose paper right in front of me. Currently I would like to dive head first into more and more painting, and describing forms with light. Im ready for any critiques.. just want to get better.

Totally enjoyed it,

my blogspot lives here

johnwmcinnis.blogspot.com


thanks,
John

[Wheeljack18]

Hey All,

My name is Mike Perry, I got my BFA in fine arts back in 03 and I didn't get a chance to ply my trade out of school. Long and short of it was I had to get a real job to support the family and I ended up being a corporate desk jockey for too long. During the past couple of years I have picked up the odd freelance gig from book illustration, character design, Special effect makeup and mostly storyboards for advertising. I've managed to work on some big name brands such as Addidas, Infinity, Cirque Du Solei, Shell etc so I wouldn't call myself a rookie. I'm looking to get into Concepting/ Story boarding for the entertainment industry and making it a full time career. I signed up for Explore to see what it was all about and also to gain some insight by the professional instructors and guests.

I see that there were a few other Calgarians attending the explore so if anybody wants to get together and grab a coffee and sketch, send me a PM. Calgary has quite the community of talented artists and it is good to get out and network.

Cheers!

[Thyname]

it's great seeing all of this stuff. I can see that everyone is doing their best to learn. keep it up. Don't let that passion flicker. We all had the opportunity to be around some great minds and around a great group of dedicated students. Ride that high and keep pushing yourself,

There is no Plan B,
-evan norman

[Beabs]

Hey everyone!

I'm Luke. I'm for the most part self taught, with a few classes here and there, and a couple figure drawing/painting workshops next semester. I'm working on getting myself some strong foundations, and will be applying for TAD full time fall 2012, and hopefull attending the Kansas City POD. I have strong interests in both Illustration, and Entertainment Design.

Feel free to message me, email me, whatever you'd like, and we can have some awesome art discussions.

[HERNE]

Hey There in the Programm i had my real name Holger Alberty but i am here at this very platform since at least 2 years if i'm right what i am/do or at least some things i have done (no new things lateley sorry !) are to be seen in my folio here :

http://conceptart.org/?artist=HERNE

this is where i've been more often...but also not lately;

http://herne.cgsociety.org/gallery/

I had the great opportunity to be involved in the EXPLORE November 2011 till this very day, for one week and i can only say that it was amazing !!! i had so many good new perspectives on the issue of getting straighter on the broad and illuminated ways of art i really would like to take terms again ( i am already workin but so slow...in germany it seems there's a whole lot of cultural stagnation, cheapheads as head of companies,cheap money and to less jobs in the field except print and that's not of my intrest)...for i have a hunger in doing things in every kind of visual art,or art itself...pitty i live and work in germany -,- ...well maybe i could do some courses. (the 7 month application f.e...anyways not now)...anyhow...if you read this and were in the EXPLORE too,feel very much greeted ))), if you happen to be one of the Teachers i salute you !

Cheers and very kind regards !
Holger aka Herne

[David Keen]

Hi guys,

I'm David Keen, I'm from Adelaide in Australia and am currently completing a BA in visual arts at the University of South Australia. After the last week of explore I'm hoping to put university on hold so I can sign up for TAD next year. It's been a truly inspirational experience and I'm surprised how sad I am that there won't be any more classes (at least for a while).

My sketchbook hasn't been updated for a month or so but it is linked below.

If anyone is in my neck of the woods I'd love to meet some more people with similar interests.

[CrystalAsh]

I just wanted to say that this week has been incredible. I'd always wondered about TAD, but felt skeptical about art education delivered via distance.
This week has shown me just how much real-value information and personal attention an art student can receive across an online platform. Impressed doesn't even begin to describe my reaction to this week.
You all are awesome (students, instructors, participants). I learned so much this week.

I'll work hard to save up for the tuition. Defiantely worth it.

Hope to participate again as a future student.

thank you!

[Yor]

Just wanted to say one word : WOW!
This has given such a good look on how TAD works and I was just amazed with the amount of amazing/usefull information they offer us.
The instructors are so nice and answered all of the questions and even more.

I'm really looking forward taking classes when i'll get the money to do so :p

so a bit about myself, I'm 21 years old living in belgium, but originally from Amsterdam (holland).I did Design at St luc but that didn't turn out the way is was hoping for, so now I spend most of my time painting in the basement. I still have so much to learn but i find that's the most exiting part of being an artist.


Blog : http://versteegejor.blogspot.com/

FB: Jor versteege

mail : versteegejor (at) gmail (dot) com

contact me for work or just to chat about art 'n stuff
















big hug to all!

[jsn]

I've always thought I live too far away but, Explore has shown how TAD has bridged that gap!

Here are some pics of my view right now in Japan, currently 6:35am.

[MoonChilD]

hey all
I'm really not sur to be a TAD student in the future but Explore was surely VERY interresting!

I'm Dave (david demaret) from France, I work in video games for more than 20 years now ,began with old machines like amiga or atari ST if you remember those.
worked as well on huge hits like Duke nukem 3D or Driver...and a LOT of other games too...

I've had the pleasure and privilege to work with friends like Sparth (nicolas bouvier),benjamin carré,hydropix (bruno gentille) or noxizmad (bruno gore) to name a few...and while I was doing 3D models and 2D stuff I looked at their work with envy...because they were doing what I was really in love with:painting and illustration.

It's only 2/3 years ago that with the help of Maxime Desmettre (another fellow artist that turned from 3D to digital painting) I got myself into digital illustration, and man even if it's the hardest thing ever I love it!

you can take a look at my latest works below, and the rest of it is on my blog : http://moonxels.blogspot.com/
or in my thread on CA:
http://www.conceptart.org/forums/sho...d.php?t=155105

take care everyone!

[batang-gala]

Hi! New name here! Hopefully, a future TAD student.(Fingers crossed!)

My name is Ana Carissa de la Cruz. I'm 22 and I live in the Philippines, Asia. Art doesn't really flourish in my country.. very few museums etc. Art lessons are NOT common. That being said, I've never been to an art class in my life. What I've done is observe life and get information from the net, books or anywhere else I can find. I'm sure I'm not the only one LOL.

SO THANK YOU for explore! I drank every bit of information that was so generously shared. It is very refreshing to see there are people who love art as much as I just saw. The experience left me with so MUCH hope!

I like children's Illustrations so.. And as you can see, I really need those foundation classes...XD

[Tyne]

Hello, my name is Tyne Delwiche. I'm 25. You probably never saw me during any of the sessions because of conflicting work times, but I've been with you in spirit, and extremely grateful to have gotten a chance to see what TAD is all about. Its been a dream and a goal of mine to enroll in TAD for years, this past week has only motivated me more to get there.

I'm a graduate of Ex'pression College for Digital Art in Emeryville CA, and I'm currently employed as a sculptor at Carlo's bakery. I feel very lucky to have what I would consider a very creative driven job with steady pay, but I have more ambitious goals for my art. I'm hoping some classes at TAD will whip me into shape.

Some of the delicious edible sculptures I do at Carlo's Bakery:




and some of the stuff I do on the side:

[clezana]

Hi,

My name is Cristina and I am Spanish, living in Munich since 3-4 years. I was simply impressed by the explore program and am seriously considering registering part-time, for one or two subjects, since I don't have that much time now.

I like drawing and am always eager to learn as much as possible about art. I would really like to learn the tools to express myself visually.

If you are also considering registering for the spring semester, I would love to get to know you before the semester begins.

http://www.facebook.com/clezana
FB: Cristina Diaz de Lezana
Mail: [email protected]

[Schneller]

Hi everyone,

I'm a bit late to the party, but figured I'd still introduce myself.

My name is Will Schneller, and I'm a 24 year old from Des Moines, Iowa. I received a BFA in Fine Art from Iowa State University in the spring of 2010 - just after TAD was announced. Even though I was in the Fine Arts program, I was focused mostly in 3d.

Currently I'm the art director for Meta!Blast, a serious game being developed at ISU. I've been on the project throughout my undergrad, and now for over 1.5 years after graduation.

I'm quickly realizing that illustration and concept art is my real passion. I don't go a day without thinking about doing it and looking at awesome work. I've drawn ever since I was a kid and now I'm ready to focus on making it my career. Unfortunately I won't be able to attend TAD anytime soon (I'm on contract until August 2012), but my wife and I are really considering moving down to Austin. I would love to get a spot in the POD focusing on Entertainment 2D. After doing the Explore workshops this past week, I'm even more ready (also the fact that winter is coming makes me wish I was in a warmer climate)! I really would like to work on foundations and make sure they are rock solid. It seems that TAD would allow me to do just that!

Here are a few of my images. More can be found at the links in my sig.

[Elvy]

Hi everyone!

I'm Belle, a 2nd semester student. I checked in on some of the EXPLORE classes on Demand and was amazed by the information that the instructors gave. Some of the information was already taught in our classes, but there is always something more to learn! And it was also a good reminder for some of the stuff that needed reminding!

I was also really glad to see everyone's enthusiasm and so, I wanted to chime into the thread and say Hi to everyone. I am an online student so if anyone who's considering TAD and has questions on what it's like to be an online student, please feel free to message me here or via moodle, or email me at [email protected]

Stay in touch and as Dorian always says, "Droar!!!"

[Schneller]

@Yor

I love that red portrait. Very haunting!

[JamesWintle]

Hello everyone! A little late to the game, but I had the pleasure of attending Explore and wanted to take a second to post about it.

The program was very informative and seemed to provide a thorough description of what a student might expect from attending TAD. Most impressive to me was how everyone involved with TAD, both students and teachers, showed incredible enthusiasm for the program.

I am currently attending courses in community college but feel under-challenged. I need instructors who know how to push a student in order to help them move beyond their current skills, and I feel the sense that the instructors at TAD have much to offer.

My goals are to: 1) achieve the education I need to succeed as an illustrator / Entertainment artist, and 2) Do so at a reasonable expense to myself, both financially and time-wise, 3) Develop my own business plans and hopefully, IP's.

I consider myself interested in possibly attending some part-time courses at TAD. Again, thank you for hosting Explore.

Some of my work.

[marielosp]

Hi my name is Maria Pena and I have been an artist all my life. I live in Australia and I work as a storyboard artist for advertising and film

I have learned mostly from books over the years, I started working as a storyboard artist when I was 20 and it seems time to learn formally passed me by... I am now 47 but as hungry as ever to learn.

Thanks to Concept Art.org I've discovered TAD and took part in Explore which helped me identify huge gaps in my learning, specially in the areas of design, idea generation and idea execution, and here are these people explaining it all! I can see improvements in my work already just from what I have gleaned from Explore. Specially relating to values hierarchy.

I am considering learning part time at TAD. I don't know where I should start but I think Sketchbook might be the go.

Here's a link to my website: http://www.storyboarder.com.au

I would welcome any feedback, be kind xx

[RailsMAN]

any else info about that ?

[DreadJim]

Hi guys great to see all your stuff and I will be recording down some of you guys here for future reference, and possible work collaboration and project collaboration.

Explore is great and we find out alot about all the work and study from the internal students from TAD as well. Really enjoy my time and as well as seen the standards of the Honors Students as well as the lecturers themselves!

Here is a couple of my work, I am mostly self taught, and I look forward to future lessons in TAD...hopefully soon.
Right now Im in Academy of Art...

please add me up via facebook shino hirai ling, deviantart Morgorth if you wish to stay in touch too~~

Cheers to all!

[HannesD]

Hey

Thx again for the TAD classes, they were really fun
Trying to learn to draw lines now
Got a long way to go, but always liked walking anyway
If you ever see this guy,
say hi

[JamesWintle]

It seems my first reply was lost in limbo back in november. I just wanted to add that I thoroughly enjoyed TAD Explore. It gave me a sense of what to expect from the instructors, which is most important to me.