Reignited His Fire For Drawing And Awakened His Artistic ‘Force’ Within.
Independent Artist XtrospectivArtcore on why it’s never too late to reconnect with what makes your soul come alive.
BY: JONATHAN LEONG
HEAD OF CONTENT
Alter your perspective. Elevate your mind.
These words, along with arresting illustrations - remixing some of pop cultures greatest hits, spring out towards me as I browse through the striking collection of works by local artist, father and Star Wars fanatic XtrospectivArtcore.
His youthful works and sense of visual flair belie his seniority and life experiences. He creates with the vigour and style of a younger man - while channeling cutting edge pop culture references and the fan fanaticism of an experienced JEDI.
I sat down with the artist to find out what makes him soldier on, in his own self styled quest for artistic nirvana and some might say - the purest of joys: to bring to life and cement one’s ideas visually.
Q) When did you realise you wanted to pursue the path of an artist?
I didn’t realise I had the desire to be an artist until I was in my mid-30s, about ten years ago. My journey began when one of my kids asked me to assist in rendering a cartoon character for their school project.
As my hand put ink to paper I was transported back to my own childhood when I was about 4-5 years of age. I remember asking my Dad to draw Spiderman for me after watching the character on tv. Subsequently I would mimic what my Dad drew with gusto.
I recall watching Spiderman repeatedly, and would keep adding details to my Dad’s Spiderman sketches with each successive viewing. I was obsessed with drawing Spiderman everyday - I was so obsessed I eventually ran out of drawing materials.
I remember tearing up when I realised I had exhausted my art supplies. My dad was my superhero, he began to bring home recycled paper from the office to help facilitate my obsession with drawing. As I grew up and the responsibilities of life, work and family began to creep in, I gradually stopped drawing and my passion faded into the background.
Helping my own son draw, just like my father had helped me all those years back, reignited the fire within me - the fire that had been buried and drowned out by the winds of life, and I have been doodling and sketching again every since.
Trending Goods From The Singaplex Store - Products For Woke Singaporeans
Q) How has your style and process evolved to what it is today?
Drawing is like my therapy, it is an outlet I use to experiment and explore different styles and ideas. I like to use different tools such as pencil, pen and markers on paper. I also draw on my Samsung Note 9, because it gives me the ability to draw whenever and wherever I want - the freedom to be mobile and creative is not only liberating…it is empowering.
Before I drew on my Samsung Note 9, I had doodled a lot on my Samsung Note 5…till the point of mechanical exhaustion, that resulted in its demise. With digital illustrations the flow and process is different from drawing on paper…you are dealing with glass, so the feel is different from traditional drawing - but to me it doesn’t matter what medium I’m using, I just go with the flow and see where my ideas take me, having the technology and means to create and share my work on the go is a very empowering thing - especially in this digital age.
“I’m fortunate to have a supportive family and awesome friends around me who encourage me in what I do. Having a support system is good.”
Sometimes I’m pleasantly surprised by the outcomes. It brings me great joy.
Q) What were some the the initial challenges you faced in making your art and your career?
Criticism. Sometimes it motivates me and sometimes it becomes hard to digest. I’ve learned that you can’t please everyone or let comments get you down, especially on the internet - this is the same for any medium or art form. There is a line that separate the doers from the talkers.
Most people know me as a self taught artist, but I was working as an interior designer before embarking on this journey. The switch was jarring and not without challenges, it stretched me mentally and financially.
Frequently Shared Articles On This Site:
BY: JONATHAN LEONG
However I’m fortunate to have a supportive family and awesome friends around me who encourage me in what I do. Having a support system is good. I still work on AutoCad drawings and perspective illustrations on the side for clients and ex-colleagues on top of my illustration work. I’m fine with switching gears once in awhile - so long as I get to pursue the things I love to do. I feel fortunate to be able to dabble in both art and interior design. I’m very grateful.
Q) Outside of art what are some of your obsessions?
I’m not a collector but I love toys. I Also Love Music, PopCulture and Of Course, Star Wars. :)
Q. Do you have a dream goal or project that you want to accomplish?
I Just Go With The Flow. Wherever It Takes Me. 😁
Q. If you weren’t an artist what would you be doing?
If I'm Not An Artist, I Would Still Be An Interior Designer.
ADVERTISEMENT:
Complete the following sentences:
1. In the future everyone will be:
Zombies. 🤣
2. Your living / working space is:
Anywhere and Everywhere Under The Sun, The Moon and The Sky 😁
3. Mobile phones are in need of:
Stylus! Definitely! 😁
4. The Internet is one big:
Mess 😁
5. What the world needs now:
Droids Living Among Us. 🤣
JONATHAN LEONG | HEAD OF CONTENT
Jonathan Leong a.k.a The Cyborg Samurai is a creative director, internet culture aficionado, and co-owner of the Alien Space Crab gallery. A lifelong sneaker enthusiast, he is also an advisor and creative content contributor to OxStreet.com an early-stage streetwear marketplace. His first paid gig was writing horoscopes for the back page of a movie magazine, proving that there is yet hope for all of us.
