Sandra Dieckmann

Ziggy's down in England today meeting great and interesting artisans and he's been chatting to Sandra Dieckmann and finding out about her amazing work.  As always, a great big thank you for taking the time to answer these questions Sandra.  I really do enjoy finding out about the person behind the work!

Describe yourself in five words!! (I just asked my best friends to do that!)

Extrovert

Enthusiastic

Relentless

Very Loyal

Honest / Open

(they also didn't want to leave out bubbly, fun, friendly, beautiful, striking ....arrrghh ...too much already!)

Where does your inspiration come from

 

From everything around me. The green trees, the flowers that are out now ,the streets, peoples faces, the sky and London life. Rubbish on the floor and stains on the asphalt, things that noone else has time to look at any more.
Then there is my love and my cat Little Crumb and my friends and other creatives that I’m connected to.
Anything by David Attenborough. Nature books and google images searches for animals! Touching and watching animals and the natural world. Bus dreaming! Music! I think that is only the beginning! These questions are not fair you don't want to read 10 000 words! Tell me what I missed.

In your portfolio what are you most happy with

 

I think I'm never happy with anything. I'm really excited while having the idea and creating a piece but as soon as it is published it's forgotten and I think about another million things. If I had to choose it would probably be the Wolf face I use in my logo or the Panda bear I created for mine and Jamie Mills Endangered Animals series.

 

What’s your ideal working day

 

A clear, bright happy mind. Fresh fruit and coffee and a bit of time out while a friend comes to visit. The days when the ideas flow and I'm feeling on top of the world and my workspace is relatively tidy for a change!

Who influences you creatively

 

 All the things I mentioned in Answer No. 2.

 

What’s your PLAN B

 

There is no plan B. I know I'll be ok anyway it goes. Optimism please!

What’s next in the pipeline for you

 

I'm working for someone (don't want to say yet) which is amazing. There is quite a few interviews, some front covers and upcoming commissions and I have tons of plans.

I write a new list every day and it is just getting longer and longer. I'm just way to excitable!

Apart from that I'm really enjoying running my three illustration projects: Haus Stories and If I Was You and the new Creature Curiosity project. All are currently open for submissions.

If you could be any animal what would you be

 

A bear or a wolf. They are just too beautiful for words but I do love ALL animals ;D

 

Any advice for Ziggy 

 

Always smile while hopping and keep your ears stiff and upright.  Stay away from the fox and the farmers. Keep away from rabbit pie and dirty rabbits with Myxomatosis.

Who should I interview next

 

Jamie Mills @JamieMilk. He is absolutely brilliant! I'm working with him on our Endangered Animals Collaboration.  You can view some of our images here already: http://www.society6.com/studio/endangeredanimalsseries

For further information about Sandra:-

http://www.sandradieckmann.com/http://www.etsy.com/shop/SandraDieckmann/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sandradieckmann/

http://www.society6.com/sandradieckmann

http://twitter.com/sandradieckmann

Creative Interview : Andrew Joyce

Ziggy's been out and about scouting for creative people as he wants to find out all about who's behind the great work he's been looking about. He's also delighted that these talented artists, designers and makers have taken the time to answer a few questions. To start these weekly process Ziggy's delighted to introduce you to Andrew Joyce.

OK Andrew here goes .........


Tell us a bit about yourself and how you got started?   Well, I’m a freelance illustrator based in Bath and recently graduated in Graphic Communication from Bath Spa University. I guess that like most illustrators, I’ve been constantly drawing and doodling ever since I can remember. After finishing college though I wasn’t 100% sure of what I wanted to do I ended up going traveling for a few years. I eventually settled in Japan and it was during this time that I became fascinated with illustration and other illustrators work.


I would constantly look at websites and search for briefs that I could complete in my spare time.It quickly dawned on me that illustration was what I wanted to do and so, after a recommendation from a fellow illustrator, I decided to apply to Bath Spa University.I travelled back to the UK, pulled together a very dodgy looking portfolio and went to an interview. Luckily, they accepted me and now here I am three and a half years later!

What item could you absolutely not live without as far as your work goes?   I’m afraid it is something quite practical and boring......my scanner. It’s as essential to me as a sketchbook and pen.

Are you an early bird or a night owl worker?   Both! Right now I have a day job so I am finding myself starting a project first thing in the morning, going to work and then continuing it into the wee hours of the morning. It’s a bit of a groundhog day situation but I still love it. Being at work gives you time to think of new ideas and makes me want to rush back and get illustrating!


This might be difficult to answer but, right now, who is that one particular person who inspires you?  It’s difficult to nail it down to one person. I’m constantly bookmarking websites of illustrators, designers photographers etc. that I find interesting and inspiring in some way. (I’m always on the look out for new people so please contact me if you fancy a bit of networking!)

I suppose the latest illustrator I’ve come across is Murray Somerville.  He always seems to be busy working on projects and if you end up visiting a website with a call for submissions then you’re more than likely to find something from him!! His work rate and constant enthusiasm for illustration is nice boost after a long day working on a project.

What do you love most about what you do?  Probably the fact that I am able to constantly work with subjects that interest me. I remember a tutor telling us that, “What you put out there is what you’ll get back”. i.e. If you’re interested in city scapes and architecture (like me) then include that type of work in your portfolio and that is the kind of commission you’ll receive. It sounds simple but I’d never really thought of it that way before. It’s a way of guaranteeing that the work you’ll have coming in will interest you and keep you motivated. It’s rare to have a job that gives this kind of opportunity.


If you didn't do what you do what else would you be?  Working in Blockbusters?... I honestly don’t know....I have no plan B!


3 wise words to help new talent out there?   Exhibitions   Twitter   Blog


Andrew Joyce

www.doodlesandstuff.com

www.twitter.com

www.legionofdune.blogspot.com

www.flickr.com/photos/doodlesandstuff/


Thanks Andrew - wishing you every success for the future and look forward to seeing more of your amazing work! Cheers!

the first ziggy

And here's my first print of Ziggy.  He's almost 2 years old and sucks his thumb (which he's not that bothered about)! He's a little shy but has a few friends that I"ll introduce to you all over the next few weeks.  If you choose to send Ziggy as a greetings card, don't forget to tell the lucky person you send it to to keep it afterwards and then get it framed.

This is a limited illustration print run of only 40 and will be accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. Each illustration will be numbered, signed, titled and dated on the front in pencil. Size of card front - 12.5 x 17.5 cm (5 x 7 inches) I print my reproductions with gorgeous Epson inks on smooth bright white card.

Ziggy will be safely placed unfolded (with an envelope) inside a rigid acid free clear sleeve and be carefully packaged into an unbending mailer for shipping.  Pop over to Etsy to buy

All images copyright by we3 collective. Copyright does not transfer with the sale of this artwork.