I decided to do something a little different at this year’s Anime Expo. I’ve always been a fan of the Artist Alley, so I decided to check out the scene and interview some of the artists who impressed me with original work.
Mai Van has two distinct styles. When she works in 2D, she draws dinosaurs, dragons, and kaiju. Of these works, I Am Fire is the one that sticks with me the most. However, it was her 3D work that blew me away.
I asked what convinced her to change careers.
The complexity and range of color in Pui Che’s work is noticeable, even at a distance. I haven’t seen anyone doing anything else like this, so I decided to ask for a bit of background.
In terms of specific artists who have inspired him to work harder, Che mentioned Vonn Art, Gawki, and Gavin Gray Valentine.
You can find Pui’s work on his website. His prints are available via his online store.
Walking around Anime Expo you will see a lot of anime art. However, very few pieces will be done in traditional art styles. Christian Angel was an exception and I decided to learn more about his art background.
You can find Christian’s work online at artstation. You can find his prints for sale on his store. It’s worth checking out to see his take on Chun-Li.
Yep, someone took Pokemon and made them high-def realistic. I spoke briefly with RJ Palmer.
Thanks to Mai Van, Pui Che, Christian Angel, and RJ Palmer for speaking with us.
Anime Herald:. How did you first become involved with AX?
Lynne Schaffstall: I first learned of AX easily by its reputation and standing in the convention community before I even manned my first table. I always thought, if I wanted to be anywhere near the industry or get noticed, AX was the place to be. Due to the talent and high standards of such a large con I held out on pursuing space, until I had more artistic skills and experience selling at conventions. By chance, an exhibition booth became available in 2018 (a corner for two artists to split) and I took the chance.
Anime Herald: Was this your first year showing there as an artist? If yes, did it exceed your expectations?
Anime Herald: You work in multiple forms of media, including little cat pins. Is this because you just want to go where your muse takes you? Do you have a preference between working digitally vs. with watercolors?
Anime Herald: Are you working as an artist full-time? If so, are you independent, or working in the industry (game studio, advertising, etc.)?
Lynne Schaffstall: I am a full-time, independent artist that attends conventions all year round. So far I’ve been able to survive for 2 years and hope for many more to come.
Anime Herald: Are you attending any other cons this year?
Lynne Schaffstall: I’ll be at Anime Weekend Atlanta, Youmacon, and then Daisho con to round out the year.
Anime Herald: What was your first con and how did it go?
Lynne Schaffstall: My first con was a Mighty Con in Wisconsin, Mighty Con Milwaukee I believe? I showed up with a small showing of fan art paintings I had gotten at a local Staples. I didn’t know anything about making a table display, so I had a plain tablecloth, and put all the prints on the table with a small cardboard sign. Probably less than 150, if that. For the entire three day event, I was just shy of $80. $20 went for gas, $20 for the table, and then the rest was hotel and the bill for all the prints, so really I was still short to even break even. But you know what? It went great. It was the most stressful, anxiety ridden activity I subjected myself to and I managed to walk away with $80? I was proud I could do it.
Anime Herald: What advice would you give to aspiring artists?
Lynne Schaffstall: There are a lot of ‘talents’ in the art world. We have talented minds, colorful art, sculpt well, create beautiful melodies, have gifted hands, or just born with it (don’t worry, it’s not Maybelline). But one talent doesn’t get recognized enough, and that’s persistence. You will seemingly have more failures under your belt than successes, fall down even though you know how to walk, drown into the deepest art blocks, worry how you stack against your peers, and have to bear thru the harshest of words. But you WILL stand up over and over again. Our talents aren’t measured by the universe or given to us by chance – they are the product of unfaltering persistence when others would have walked away. So, my advice to you is to turn the page, and don’t give up.
Good kitty! Thanks to Lynne Schaffstall for chatting with us.