“When in doubt, go to nature” is the best advice illustrator Jesse Tise ever received. Looking at his psychedelic illustrations, featuring images of mythical robotic creatures running through the jungle, it’s clear he took this wisdom to heart. All of Jesse’s boldly colored pieces – whether they are prints, paintings or 3-dimensional toys – incorporate organic elements with a zany twist. He always pushes himself to explore imagery in new mediums, like the 26-page booklets he created to showcase the his ‘Flora, Fauna, and Freaks‘ series of illustrations or the set of Six Sculpey Figures he created to bring his odd characters to life. Learn how Jesse’s preternatural character designs come naturally in his 10 ANSWERS below.
1. How would you describe your work in three words?
Colorful, bizarre, playful. Slippery, slimy, and squishy works too, though.
2. Who is your creative role model?
Flying Lotus. If I could channel my thoughts and imaginings into music, it would probably sound like this guy’s woozy, electronic / instrumental haze. I always play his stuff while I’m working.
3. If you had an extra hour each day what would you do with it?
Finish reading Roald Dahl’s of short stories. I still have about three quarters left of it.
4. What place in the world most inspires you and why?
The oceans. The flora and fauna of the seas continues to amaze me. So many patterns and colors that simply don’t exist anywhere else on the planet. Its unbelievable to me that so much of the ocean is relatively unexplored too.
5. If you could do a different job for a day what would it be and why?
I actually wouldn’t mind joining the ‘World’s Deadliest Catch’ guys for a day. Hauling in huge netfuls of crabs and slipping and sliding around on the deck of a ship in ice cold temperatures with waves crashing everywhere around – sign me up!
6. What is your favorite homemade gift to give?
I like giving my art booklets and zines to friends and family. They are staple bound with love. I also enjoy making mono-printed cards for special occasions sometimes.
7. What is your favorite object in your home?
A new, full bag of fresh coffee grounds. The day just isn’t complete without at least five to ten cups of coffee.
8. What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
“When in doubt, go to nature.” Best advice I’ve ever received in art school. Changed my art and my whole take on life itself. Thank you, Steve Turk.
9. What websites do you use for inspiration?
I usually keep a reference binder chock full of inspirational images, in addition to a ton of books, but the blogs ‘But Does It Float?” and “Booooooom!” always provide an excellent source of fine art, photography and film works. I try to avoid looking at other illustrators for inspiration.
10. When do you consider a piece of your work complete?
With some exceptions, I just don’t feel right about a painting or drawing if I don’t use every color under the sun in it somewhere. If the color isn’t working for me, I start the entire piece over from scratch. Otherwise, I usually have a pretty clear picture in my head of what the finished piece is going to look like.
RSS - Posts