Chitchat:Ozan Kucukusta
Your Full Name
My name is Ozan Kucukusta
Tell us about you.
I had worked as an illustrator and an animator for children education multimedia sets and educational books for a looong long time….In 2006, I opened my own firm with my partner…..Since then, I’m working for the clients in the day time, and working for my self at nights.
In your opinion, what would be the secret ingredients to become a great illustrator?
At first, willing to create…willing to see your own reality with your own frame…. And of course to work hard to realize them…
Where are you located?
I’m living and working in Ankara, Turkiye.
What is the most fascinating part of being an illustrator?
To see the world as I want to see….And the main reason for me to live….
Where do you get inspirations from?
Almost everything. Like the other art disciplines, also illustration is a reflection of life too.
Do you promote/ sell/ showcase your work? If so, how?
I had joined some mixed illustration exhibitions known as “local illustrators” in Turkiye. I drew for several comics published in Belgium, Greece, Germany, Hungary and Turkiye…I was drawing for a national humour magazine called “Ekmek” before it was closed….
Last year, we published our first collective comic album “Deli gucuk 1” (A hero that brings justice to Anatolia in the 19th century)….And this year we published the second Deli gucuk album. Nowadays (at nigts mostly) I am preparing illustrations for decorative pillows and handbags for the”Bujo” label.
What is your long range goals in your life?
Lots of things……But at last, I just want to be known as a successful and talented illustrator….Being an illustrator is mostly enough and satisfying for me…
What types of assignment/ project are you attracted the most? Why so?
I am not so selective but if they are about comics, my heart starts to beat faster.
Who is an illustrator that you look up to? Why so?
I do not have several favourite names but there are lots of talented illustrators that I am following their work…
Describe a difficult work/ project situation and how would you overcome it?
Generally, making the client happy is the most difficult part of our job….And if you are a professional, you can not have a choice to get mad, to ignore or to regret the work. You have to understand the client….When I have a situation like this, I just try to make some emphathy….
What do you think about the Internet and how it is affecting our lifestyle?
Internet is the best way to show yourself. And it is a great tool for uniting and reducing the world…
If you could turn back time, how would you do things differently?
Well, I don’t know….But if I could turn back time, I’m sure that I would do the same mistakes again….:)
How do you keep your work fresh? Do you need to consciously adapt your style or does it progress naturally?
Especially it progresses naturally for my own style, but I sometimes have to try different styles for the clients or projects.
Name 3 of your favorite (art) books/ magazines.
There are lots of them but, “Heavy Metal Magazine” has set the first fire when I was a kid.
What is your life motto?
“Know yourself” Socrates.
In what kind of a work environment do you do your best work?
In my working room , with a cup of tea, during my cat “misha” attacking my pencil…..:)
What do you like the sound of?,Why so?
Sound of waves and noisy crickets at night….These sounds remind me the value of the night…and give me an unique concentration…
If you have online portfolio, what is the URL?
http://www.ozankucukusta.com
http://www.kusta.deviantart.com
http://www.kamra.com.tr
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