Featured Artist:
NIZANOO
www.nizanoo.com
1. When did you first start making art and what lead you to dolling?
I can’t really recall exactly when I started doing art. I think I was about 8 years old, when my Mom brought home a pack of plasticine and I started making little Mexicans with oversized sombreros. My mom’s friends loved them, and so I started making whole scenes of them, donkeys bottles and all. Then I moved onto painting and drawing, I redid my entire bedroom with a cloud/heaven montage at the age of 11. I went to an English Boarding school, and my art teacher Ms Stevens (never forget her name) really guided me in painting technique and taught me how to use colour and what she called my inner eye. University came next and while I truly wanted to go to Art school, my Mom urged me into Business Commerce. From there, I started doing artwork more as a hobby and therapy than anything serious, I concentrated on doing batiks, African masks, and ethnic pottery even branching into clothing at one stage. One evening my sister and I were sitting on the internet, cities and countries apart when she showed me a doll. I can’t recall whose it was, but I was amazed that something like this could be done on a computer. I found a base, downloaded PSP and tried. I sucked! My doll was horrendous, I had no control of my mouse, and she ended up looking like something the cat dragged in. But I persevered and continued until I felt that I had mastered it somewhat. I then decided to join a forum and officially become apart of the dolling community, a move I have not regretted in the least!
2. How old are you? Married? Significant Other? Children? Pets? Tell us a little about you.
I’m 35 years old, blonde and green eyed. Average height compared to the rest of my family, who are giants. Oldest of 6 children. My mom is from South Africa and my Dad from Brazil, so it makes for an interesting combination. Born and raised in South Africa, I’ve traveled extensively and have now made my home in Santiago, Chile. Here I met my significant other Juan, a real hot blooded Latin, who literally makes my toes curl in pleasure and…aggravation sometimes. We’ve been together for 8 years now, and he is my best friend, my rock and centre. We don’t have any children “yet” though the clock is ticking and we’re planning. We live in a lovely ground floor apartment with a glorious garden, where “two ton tessi” my turtle has free reign.
3. Where do you go to find inspiration and what are your greatest artistic influences?
Funny enough most times a base will inspire me, or if I am having a spate of no inspiration, I tend to look at designer labels, like Dior, or Givenchy, even Dolce and Gabbana, I look at the folds on a dress, or the way natural hair falls. Sometimes, I’ll take something like that and just build a doll around it. Sometimes, I’ll come across a picture and literally “see” a creation. There are so many wonderful artists out there, that it would definitely be unfair of me to name only a few as most of them have inspired me in one from or another. I think it was Picasso, who said (paraphrased) “that artists receive inspiration from an array of objects…that they are recipients of emotions that may be from the sky, earth, shapes and even a spider’s web”.
4. What are some of your favorite hobbies besides pixel art?
I love decorating, yip I spend hours upon hours searching for perfect ornaments, fabrics and trinkets. I love all water sports, including water skiing which I’ve done since I was a young child. My work takes me abroad a lot, and so I get to cater to my other hobby which is collecting ethnic art. I’m a collector of sorts I guess, not sure whether that qualifies as a hobby. LOL
5. What is your favorite food?
Ohhh tricky question! I adore Sushi, first and foremost. Nothing like a rainbow roll, smothered in soya sauce, some wasabi…and bang that burst of flavour that rises to your nostrils. Then there is Peruvian food, my favourite dish is cervichi, once again raw fish cooked in lime, sprinkled with red chilies, corn and abundant garlic. Delicious! Then there is Indian food, Curry…with its exotic scent and perfumed undertones. I adore ethnic food, though loathe and detest any kind of fast food or big heavy meals. To me eating should be a brief intoxicating experience that leaves one…literally breathless and mouth watering for more!
6. If you're into reading, Who are some of your favorite authors? What are a few of your favorite movies?
I’ve just finished Dan Browns “Angels and Demons” which I thoroughly enjoyed. Wilbur Smith is another author I love. His description of the African bush, is spot on. He captures her true spirit. John Saul is another author I’ve enjoyed reading, when I want a true psychological thriller. I also enjoy the works of local Chilean Authors like Pablo Neruda, for his poetry and Isabel Allende for works like her “House of Spirits” My Top favourite movies are “Mission” “Fragile” and “Beloved”. Other movies would include LOTR trilogy, Shawshank Redemption…way too many to list.
7. Name a few things that make you smile.
Juan, when he concentrates (he has the tendency of flicking his tongue out his mouth) too funny. All my family members, when I speak to them over the phone which is always long distance, we always end up laughing and then crying, and then laughing again. Which makes me smile when I hang up. Seeing young innocent love and then old couples still together.
8. Name a few things that really piss you off.
Hmmm let’s see, procrastination, indecisiveness, excessive bad language, I’m not a prude, I use a few f-s here and there too, but too much is just crass, drunk people (annoying), bad drivers, unscrupulous people, people who make a mountain out of a mole hill, make my blood boil. Another trait I call “Hounding” meaning a person who hounds me, or goes on and on and on, aka nagging. I loose my cool.
9. If you had a chance to change one thing about you, what would it be?
Hmm I deliberated this question the most, and finally came up with one. I would change my career and study something that required less “work” and more “time” for me and my family.
10. And finally, what is your favorite piece of artwork that you have made to date?
This is my all time favourite creation. Just everything about it, makes me smile. I even recall the movie all over again. I think that even though my technique has changed since doing this piece, it still embodies what I set out to do. It’s the only doll, I would never re-do.
Past Featured Artists: