Welcome readers and friends. This month’s blog I’m going to interview an artist. I usually interview writers, authors, and editors. But I wanted to do something slightly different this time. We all have ways to express our creativity in writing and stories, but not all stories have to be written in words. Do you go to museums and look at famous paintings and other forms of art? Do you see a story there? I believe art has a way of telling a story through simple sketches of a character or scenery. I’m an artist myself and like to imagine my characters through drawings. Good example is one famous artist I admire, Andrew Wyeth. He had drawn many famous artworks, including “Christina’s World.” I was so captivated by his sketches I saw a story. I even wrote a story fiction about him, imagining why he drew these drawings. Between 2019-2020, I submitted to several online magazines and got it published in LitStream Magazine in 2021. You see what I’m trying to say? Artists have a story to tell through their artworks. Now it is time to welcome our guest, Hex. Can you tell us about yourself?
Hex: “I’m Hex. Of course, that’s not my real name, but my author/artist pen name. On most of my social accounts, I go by Hexa. It’s short for Hexahedron, because in the past I had an obsession with drawing cubes. I’m completely self-taught when it comes to creative endeavors. I live and grew up in the Salt Lake valley in Utah. It’s a beautiful state if high mountain pine forests, red rock deserts, and much wildlife inspires you.”
That’s cool. I never heard that name before. Yes, I agree when you’re surrounded by nature and the creation; it inspires you. I’ve seen pictures from western areas like Colorado and other states that have beautiful mountains and meadows and small towns. I have a thing for small towns in different locations across the states and creating a fictional town within that state. It is a lot of fun. In fact, when did you draw?
Hex: “I cannot quite recall when I first started drawing. It must have been when I was very young. For most years it’s been mainly a hobby. That was until four
years ago when I decided to pursue it more sincerely and started studying the
works of my favorite artists. Namely, Nicolas “Sparth” Bouvier, John Wallin Liberto,
Wlop, and recently, Andreas Rocha, as well as Anato Finnstark.”
It looked like you have made a lot of improvements. You do a great job of creating the scenery. I like to draw people and not a lot of scenery. I don’t have a lot of patience with drawing backgrounds. You have a good eye for fine details in that field. So, that is pretty exceptional. I am not sure I’m familiar with those artists, but I’m sure I have come across their artworks in my life. Though, I want to know who inspired you to become an artist?
Hex: “I don’t think any single person inspired me. Though there have been many people who have. Authors, both fiction and nonfiction, and artists, as well as friends and family. My mother and also my fiancée give me the most support and inspiration. My mother, through the years, has always loved my creative side. She pushed me to sell oil paintings back in high school, and even attended my concerts back when I was in a band. And of course, my beautiful fiancée, who is also an avid artist and poet. She helps critique both my art and writing. It also helps that she speaks three languages and is just a thesis paper away from having a Bachelors in English. There are things she tells me about English that go straight over my head ha-ha.”
I’m glad you’ve a supportive family and friends to encourage you to continue to follow your dreams and passion in art. And your fiancée to help you with your writing and give you tips to improve your craft and storytelling. I have seen many artists heading into digital style instead of traditional drawing. Which do you like better in drawing—traditional or digital?
Hex: “Definitely digital. I feel that digital as a medium offers
you more tools at your fingertips than traditional. And if you have a good workflow and separate your layers well, it is also more forgiving.”
Interesting. I’ve dabbled in digital myself. But I didn’t have the right equipment to do it for the money to spend on those things. Plus, I don’t know if I’ll stick to doing it all the time. I’m used to doing old fashion. Markers, ink and gel pens. Maybe in the future I’ll try to get into more of that. Now, you’ve mentioned you like to write. What made you want to write stories?
Hex: “It sounds strange and maybe a bit cliché, but I had a dream that I was in an alien spaceship. I was looking at some weird tech made entirely out of glistening crystal. I assumed it was the ship’s drive. I turned around and realized I was on an observation deck of sorts. Out a pane glass window was earth far below. Then sudden and swift I was transported in a blink. Now I was floating in space facing a different planet half burnt and glassed, and half green and lush. That dream was the most vivid I had ever dreamt. It hung on my mind for weeks. I started to daydream about space and sci-fi constantly after. And eventually I felt an unquenchable thirst to write up a story with art based on my daydreams. That became my work in progress sci-fi novel. Since then, I’ve rewritten and revised the novel numerous times.”
Ha-ha, it is not cliché at all. I had dreams before and I wrote them once or twice. They were short. I still have them. There is no right or wrong way to write your own stories. Based on your dreams; it sounds like you like science fiction and fantasy. Why?
Hex: “Those two to me are the most fun to read and write. You
can put so much into the world building and characters since the boundary lines
stretch as far as the imagination can comprehend.”
You are right. There is more freedom to create something different or whimsical. I like to create a fairy world (I used to write fairy stories). I haven’t done that for a while. In fact, the one novel I’ve been working off and on is medieval, but they set it in a different world. It has some light fantasy elements. I’ve to say creating a world building and characters can be complex and challenging. But it is fun too. Since you draw a lot, do you write stories based on your artwork?
Hex: “I feel the two go hand in hand. Sometimes a drawing I make inspires a story and sometimes it’s the other way around. I’ve played with the idea of drawing a handful of works then using them as a base to write a short story from the artwork. That should make a fun project in the near future. And I’d like to find a free platform to share them on. Perhaps Wattpad would be the best platform for that.”
I totally agree with you. They do both work hand in hand. I started drawing before I began writing stories. So, I get what you are saying. That would be a cool idea. I think you should definitely share your artwork on a couple of platforms. Are you planning to publish your book and add your artwork to the book?
Hex: “For my current project I’m wrapping up, I plan to go the self-publishing route. It’s an illustrated fantasy novella. Given that it is so small in word count, I figured self-publishing would be the best option. Though for my illustrated sci-fi novel (which is my personal opus if you will) I want to try my hand at traditional publishing. Unarguably yes. I want to contribute to filling a niche in the story world by producing illustrated stories. Not graphic novels but stories with included illustrations. I love such books and it saddens me to see so few out there. When I get to the end of a chapter and see a beautiful picture it hits me different than a book without
one.”
Sounds exciting! I can’t wait to see your final product. After you published your book, are you going to start a business with your artwork?
Hex: “I do. As I wrap up my novella, I’ve been studying cover design. I want to branch out into that market and help other author’s by offering my illustration skills as a freelancer.”
Super. Maybe I will hire you to do one of my projects in the future. I think you will do great to capture the scenery. I hope this new business will open new opportunities for you. Before I close in the interview, what advice would you give a new beginner in art?
Hex: My best advice is, don’t give up and study sincerely. Become inspired by other artists and reach for the mountains they stand on. Always stay hungry for more improvement. Looking back on my old art has made me appreciate how far I’ve come. I still have some ways to go but the journey is a good one. Unintentionally backwards or intentionally forwards, it is worth
every step.”
Thank you Hex for joining me on this blog and sharing your journey becoming an artist, writer, and opening a business in your artwork career.
Hex: “It was a pleasure being here and having this opportunity to be a guest. Thank you again, Havelah.”
Hex's Stunning Artworks
You can follow him on social media to see more of his artworks: Instagram @hexa.art, Facebook @HEXAArtMusicStory, Artstation @hexairtis or listen to his music at Soundclou
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