Art Licensing Information: Artist Spotlight

Friday, October 2, 2015

Artist Spotlight - Deborah Faenza

Ciao a tutti !!!

Tell us a bit about yourself: Did you go to school for art? Are you self taught?
I frequented a specific Italian High School of Arts where I had the basics on different Art Techniques: oils, acrilics, watercolour, I also learned how to do the “Affresco” paint and Screen Prints.
After the High School I took a really intensive web design course where I discovered Photoshop.
So I tried to focus my attention on melting the two things I liked more: draw and Photoshop (at that time I also developed a lot of really cute Flash ECards and Flash animations for websites).

I think I have found my style just practicing thru the years , have specialised myself on Whimsical recognizable Illustrations.
Now we just have to share them with the world !

Do you work in just one medium? Several?
I’ve gone thru several mediums but the one that had my attention most are watercolour and markers. Now I started working more with Markers.
These are my steps: I always start with hand drawn pencil lines , then I outline with really thin multiliner and to complete, I fill the colour with Markers. Scanned the work at high resolution. I manipulate to the final work in Photoshop.

What inspires you / where do you get inspiration from?
Did I tell you? We live in Italy, on the coast, is that inspiring enough?! Everyday life, nature, pictures, but the deep inspiration are my two Kids. We use to draw a lot together and I have to admit that sometimes I borrow what they draw. When It's time to color my works I use to print out a copy just outlined for them. Some mix of colour or particular in drawings are inspired from an 8 year old boy and a 10 year old girl.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on a Christmas (digital part at the moment) and Spring (still on the drawing table) Themed Collection. It’s very exciting to work on something that I am so passionate about.

Anything else you would like to share with us?
Licensing my art was in my mind before I knew it: When I was six years old I tried to sell copies of my drawings to family’s friends and I remember I also made my Personal Coloring Books (May I be an early TrendSetter?)

Where does your passion for greeting card illustration and the choice to turn it into a job come from?
I spent Four years in Wichita Falls Texas, at that time I was doing most of all, Flash animations as a freelance, not feeling too happy because I wasn’t expressing myself truly. I missed paper and pencil, then, when I had my first Child I was submerged by the cutest Greeting card seen ever. My curiosity has grown about the topic. I start reading about greetings card illustration, still remember the book, Eva Szela “The complete guide to Card Design and Illustration”.
I was Hooked.
It was what I always looked for .

Draw by hand, use sentiments, adjust digitally.

That's why the Texas' years are so important to me, I became a mom and I discovered what I truly Love.
I can say I’m from Italy with TEXAS in my Heart.

Are you an early riser? or night owl?
Definitely a night Owl, some of the best ideas come from a really late night Inspiration.

What is your favorite food?
Can I say Pizza?