July's Featured Artist!
Sketch cards variety. Markers on post card stock.
Hello and welcome to July’s Featured Artist! Meet Dallas Anderson, an artist who loves drawing and painting popular characters from comics, TV, and movies. Let’s learn more about, Dallas!
So Dallas, tell us about yourself and your artistic style?
I have been drawing ever since I can remember. Even as a kid I was always drawing things from pop culture. Still to this day my favorite thing to draw are things from the early 90's, I guess it just reminds me of childhood, and everything I grew up in love with. My style is always changing. I try to adopt my style and grow with new techniques every day to keep becoming a better artist.
Definitely a great thing to keep in mind as an artist; improvement is almost always in small increments! What would you say is your favorite medium to work in and why?
Visual art, drawing, painting, etc is my favorite by far. This is something I feel I have complete control over. You start with the blank page, and create the world, character, or emotion you want to see. I also love photography, but I always want to get pictures of places, and haven't traveled for some time now.
“Childhood Treehouse” pencil on paper
Yes, the freedom of a clean slate can be terrifying but so amazing :). Who are some artists, photographers or designers do you look up to or aspire to be like?
Oh man, that's a loaded question. Todd McFarlane, Jim Lee, and Scottie Young are my comic book heroes. Bob Marley and NEFFEX speak to my soul. Gary Vaynerchuk is my life coach, and keeps me open-minded. Ancel Adams showed me how amazing beautiful a single picture can be. Thomas Kinkade showed me how amazing colors can blend, and how beautiful art can truly be. Tim Burton showed me that you can not only create your own world on paper, canvas, and film, but you can mold the world around you however you want to see it.
Wow, so many great names on that list! So tell us about your creative process.
Depending on what I'm working on, I go about it differently, but I do draw everyday. I always start with a warm up drawing from a book I created of reference art I love. These sometimes become bigger projects, and sometimes get lost in my sketchbook. I carry my sketchbook, card stock, my inks, pencils, and markers on me everywhere I go. You never know when inspiration might hit you, or when you might be waiting somewhere for an hour and can get some art done.
“Herbert” Acrylic on canvas
Absolutely – always be prepared, inspiration can hit any time! Have you sold any works or done any shows?
Yes, through multiple paths. I have sold to family and friends, this is where most artist will get your first sales. I let everyone that I come in contact with know that I'm an artist, and have sold many pieces and commissions that way. It's amazing how many people need artwork done, but don't know where to go. I am very active on social media, and have gotten many sales that way, and I sell from my ETSY page as well. I have also sold pieces at art shows. I have attended the Conception Art Show in Phoenix, and I plan on attending the RAW art show in Phoenix as well. I am also always looking for other shows I can become a part of.
How about your plans for the future of your skill?
I don't know if I have any plans except to keep doing what I'm doing, creating more and more art, networking and becoming a bigger part of the artist community, and improving my skills daily. I am very excited to see what my art career turns into as long as I keep working on these three things every day.
“The Met” Ink on posterboard
I love it – great outlook, and I’m excited to see where it goes as well. Last but not least; do you have any advice for emerging artists?
Work, work, work. Always draw, paint, take photos, write, sing, whatever your art is. The world will always need art and artist. We are what makes this world beautiful. Just because things don't happen right away, or people are not reacting to your art does not mean you should give up. It means you should work harder, practice more, and see where your art path takes you. The only way you can fail at this game is if you give up on yourself.
To find more of Dallas’ work, visit:
Email | Etsy | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Thank you for joining me for this month’s featured artist! Tune in next month for our next featured artist!
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