Vin Ganapathy illustrated an article about the evolving world of social business networking.
Vin Ganapathy illustrated an article for column writer Jeff Ruby, on the joys of parenting.
Where do you draw your inspiration?
My inspiration comes from everything around me, events, and friends. I like carrying a sketchbook or notepad when I go out, just to write down ideas. I sometimes take photos on my phone camera as references.
What type of environment do you prefer to work in? At home or in a studio? Listening to music?
I work at home, and converted part of my living room into a studio. I start out listening to music (usually something mellow). But as I get more into the project I’ll have the TV on and change the music to something upbeat, it gets chaotic. I only notice all of the noise usually when I’m finishing up a project. I’ve noticed if I try to do work in silence I find myself being distracted easily.
As a working illustrator, do you still find time to create art for yourself?
Yes, always. I find that when I’m working on a project for a client, I have ideas for personal projects that I jot down, or draw a quick thumbnail in my notepad. If the job has a longer deadline I’ll make my own art just to get it out of my system.
What type of transition needs to be made between creating art for yourself and creating art that is commissioned?
I find that commissioned work will always be the clients final opinion, so I would make it the way they wanted the piece. I usually set up steps for clients to make sure it is the direction they wanted. For my own work, I usually just have an idea of what I want to convey and draw it out. I like the spontaneity of ink drawings, mistakes and all are captured.
When you are creating commissioned work, how do you take yourself out of the project and focus on the idea that needs to be conveyed?
For commissioned work, I focus on what the client is describing. I would imagine a scene or whatnot and try to create it as described. I find that being an illustrator you have to adapt to whatever the client asks for, but also offer alternative ideas that might work better. Usually when a client approaches me for a job and they have a specific piece in mind, I’ll send them sketches of what they ask as well as an alternative (maybe a different style or approach). I try to put myself in the shoes of the clients’ audience, it’s important to try different angles to make sure what would be the proper fit for a project.
Who was the first illustrator that you noticed and admired?
I would say Kent Williams when I was 12 or 13 years old. I remember seeing his rendition of Wolverine (an X-Men comic book character) and it was so different than regular comic book stuff, it was a figurative art painting, that blew my tiny mind away.
What is your favorite way to get out of a creative block?
I like to go for walks around my neighborhood in Brooklyn into Manhattan. I usually listen to music and walk for miles. I like getting out of the house it unlocks a different way to look at a problem I’m struggling with.
If you had to describe your body of work in one word, what would that word be?
Figurative.
Born in southern India, raised in suburban Connecticut and formally trained in Syracuse, Brooklyn artist Vinay Somanna Ganapathy draws on multiple influences that inform his imagery and work. Taking slice-of-life inspiration from the city around him and his crew of oddball friends, his drawings are strangely kinetic and eerily true-to-life.
All images Copyright © 1996-2012 Anna Goodson Management and/or the respective artist, all rights reserved