I am very please to present this interview with the Ukrainian Artist: Igor Glushchenko also know as: MonteR or depart. (Over the past two years I have become friends with MonteR and have worked with him on a variety of projects..not only is he a great artist, but also a really great guy…I look forward to the time when we can meet in person.
So MonteR Where do you live?
I live in Mykolayiv, Ukraine. I was born and raised here…
How did you get started as a designer and artist? I remember you telling me that your background was originally as a programmer?
My father was a painter. Not a famous one, but one of the many Soviet artists. As a child we went together to make sketches of scenery, but mine were ugly – I did not like painting at that time. My parents were divorced, and when I was just 8 my father left our world, so my learning with him was ended. After that all my drawings were stick men, square cars and caricatures of my school teachers. My sister was much more interested in art at the time than myself. She was drawing and painting very-very good, my father would be proud of her.
When I was 16 I saw the Fractal Painter computer program (it was not even owned by Corel then, it was Metacreations Painter 5). I was so excited with its ability to simulate organic brushes and especially the watercolor palette. I then bought my first cheap tablet computer and started creating digital paintings. This was initially just a hobby, as I was enrolled in the university to become a security engineer. It was hard to find work as an engineer here in Ukraine, especially when you are a student with no diploma. When I was in my 4th year of university I accidentally got a job as a vector graphics designer.
I began to learn CorelDraw and working with digital artwork. I never studied to draw, I learned everything by myself, just pressing buttons and watching the results. This way I got a unique understanding of different tools and techniques. I don’t like reading tutorials and books, I like to discover new ways of creating by myself. I tried lots of different styles from comicbook art, through to photo realism and combining various styles. Now I work as a vector artist, web designer, UI designer and a concept artist for various Canadian and US companies.
What has been your favorite project?
I can’t tell you what project is my favorite, because I love to draw, and take only projects that I really like; projects that inspire or challenge me.
As an Artist where do you see yourself in five years?
In 5 years time I want to be a lead designer for a great game development company, I want the freedom to travel and work at the same time. The global wide-spread use of the internet and online communications allows me to bring my dreams and ideas to life. These opportunities do not exist for me in the Ukraine.
What is it that makes Russian Artists so talented?
I think Russians are good because we have to fight to get the work. We have to be the BEST , it is a competitive world. In Russia we also have many good scientists, programmers, and engineers…lots of talented people. Many are forced to leave their post-soviet countries due to lack of work, financing and opportunity.
How has the internet changed your business?
The internet has given me the platform to showcase my skills and to get work. I am working on foreign projects, use foreign hardware and software. I get lots of ideas watching and reading through the internet.
If you could work for anyone, who would it be?
It will always be me. I have always wanted to work for myself, but I can’t pay myself for the work, HA! So for me I like to work for people who understand me and respect me as an artist and designer.
What tools do you use to make your artwork?
Now I’m using my new HP tm2 tablet and different graphics software. Mostly I use Adobe Illustrator for drawing and Photoshop for coloring and Sketchbook Pro for concepts and design sketches.
Where do you get most of your work from?
I don’t look for work – work finds me. I have been lucky to work with, and for some great people. I get referred by other artists who I like to work with.
What are your work habits like…what is your typical day?
I have no habits like that. I even sleep each day at different times. I start when I want to, and finish only when I feel I need some rest from work. Some days I can work for 8 hours and others for 16. The same for having rest: sometimes I need to sleep for 8 hours and other days I need just 3.
Who have been your clients?
I had lots of clients from Russia, Canada, US but no one from Ukraine.
How do you get inspired?
I don’t really know how… Maybe it’s a combination of music I’m listening to; things I see when surfing the web, movies I watch, people I communicate with…
What do you do for fun?
I draw for fun so I can say I work for fun. It’s great when my hobby is the same as my work. Also I spend time with friends playing Monopoly, visiting cafes or just walking the streets. Sometimes I play video games, but not very often. I try to have breaks from computers and the internet.
How old are you?
I will be 26 years old very soon – on 29th of May.
Do you have a portfolio on-line?
I have only the page on deviant art. Almost nobody knows my real name. I am known as MonteR or depart.
Well MonteR, Happy Birthday!!! Thanks so much for taking the time to do this interview. I am very honored to show your Vector work on PixelSteam.
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[...] are your mentors? I have learned so much from Tasha Drik, Tatyana Prokofieva, MonteR and Ilya X m, they made a huge contribution to the development of my creativity, and understanding [...]