Your Full Name
Aaron Jasinski
Tell us about you
I am 35. I work in the casual game industry, I also do user interface design and paint for gallery and illustration. I graduated in 2000 with a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Illustration from BYU. My wife and I are expecting kiddo #4. So the home-life is quite busy too. I enjoy motorcycles, cars, making music, synthesizers, 80’s video games, and kung fu movies.
In your opinion, what would be the secret ingredients to become a great illustrator?
I remember a professor once telling me that a good designer (or artist) asks the question “What If”. That and just working really hard and not giving up. Continually push your self.
Where are you located?
About an hour by ferry boat from Seattle.
What is the most fascinating part of being an illustrator?
When you figure out a solution to a visual problem or come up with a clever concept. Connecting with other people through my art. Seeing my own growth and improvement over time.
Where do you get inspirations from?
All over really. But often times it’s from nothing in particular. At least nothing I can directly identify. A lot of nostalgia from growing up in the 80s definitely bubbles to the surface. Other sources of inspiration that I can identify would be my love of music and science fiction.
How do you promote/ sell/ showcase your work?
I started back in 1998 or 1999 with a simple website. I sell and network heavily through the internet still but galleries now drive my painting schedule almost entirely. I use Deviantart and Twitter to share my work and ‘get the word out’ so to speak.
What is your long range goals in your life?
Currently I divide my time between computer based design work and traditional art. I like the idea of painting full time. But then again, I like the variety that multiple directions afford. For the time being I just want to keep doing what I do but get better at my craft.
What types of assignment/ project are you attracted the most? Why so?
Doing the CD cover for BT’s album “These Hopeful Machines” last year has been a career highlight. I would love to do more album art
Who is an illustrator that you look up to? Why so?
Oh that’s a hard one to nail down. I really like Norman Rockwell. I think he was a master of his craft, had wonderful witty ideas and encapsulated the ethos of his time. Contemporarily, I admire the way Gary Baseman has really made himself and his style in to a leverage-able brand.
What do you think about the Internet and how it is affecting our lifestyle?
I think it’s a two edged sword. It makes researching and referencing wonderfully easy. But I think it disconnects us from the ‘real’ world and ‘real’ people.
If you could turn back time, how would you do things differently?
If I could turn back time, I’d live in the 1910s-1950s. I think there was something amazing about the early 20th century. How would I do things differently? I don’t think I could because I am me and had to learn about life the way I do.
How do you keep your work fresh? Do you need to consciously adapt your style or does it progress naturally?
I definitely experiment with different influences. Though I like to think it grows and progresses naturally as I mature and grow as a person.
Name 3 of your favorite (art) books/ magazines.
Alla Prima, Juxtapose, Communication Arts
What is your life motto?
Do the important things first
In what kind of a work environment do you do your best work?
I am blessed with an amazing studio behind my house. I’d say that’s the best environment for me.
What do you like the sound of? Why so?
I take a ferry boat to my ‘day job’. I love the Puget Sound and it’s particular noises. Gulls, wind, water, boats. And often rain.
If you have online portfolio, what is the URL?
I’ve got a blog up for the time being at www.aaronjasinski.com I also have my deviantart page jasinski.deviantart.com
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