Reina Cottier

 

 

 

Ambrosia Arts – Tell us how you got into this style of art and how long have you been at it?

I started painting about 3 years ago after not doing any art since high school. (and that was very many moons ago! ) This style has evolved over that time, however from the very start I was obsessed with color and shapes flowing together.

 

Ambrosia Arts -  Who was it that introduced you to art originally? Do you still know them?

Well originally it was my mother, she was, and still is, the most craft obsessed person I know, :) but 3 years ago I decided to take an art class with Maria Fowler, called “Awaken the Artist Within”, a class which did not show one how to paint, but more how to bring out what was inside and express that onto the canvas. I still keep in touch with Maria, she is ia good friend.

 

Ambrosia Arts – Do you have any current muses or mentors? What inspires you?
Not currently, I have been too busy, but there have been plenty over the last few years.
Life inspires me, different experiences, cultures, vibrancy, colour, energy,  the ocean, nature, mother earth in all her glory.

 

Ambrosia Arts – What was your first medium in the world of art and how have you progressed from there?
Pencil drawings was my first big thing, at school. I never painted at school. There is no progression, more like a leap sideways :) Now, I dont sketch, maybe only very occasionally to make sure an idea will fit onto the canvas proportionally.

 

Ambrosia Arts – Can you describe the feeling behind your work for us- How it drives you and why?

I had to really ‘think’ about this, its difficult to answer with words, when its all about feeling,  a creative feeling, I want to create something beautiful, something, that to the viewer, prompts some type of connection within. For me its about aligning with an inner quest for a greater understanding of life  expressed with amazing colours and flowing shapes. It always starts with colour, I then get inspiration for the shapes to follow from that... I never know what is going to happen.

 

Ambrosia Arts – When did you first realize that this was more than just a hobby of sorts? Or do you still feel that way?
When I had painted 30 paintings I thought, hmm Id better start getting rid of these, Im running out of room! - so made a Facebook art page and website, started selling them, and the rest is history.

 

Ambrosia Arts – What all mediums have you experimented with? Is there anything you want to try next?

Have used, Paint, Pencil, Crayon, Ink, (crayon & ink together-love!), chalk, collage.

Would like to try more mixed media, only problem is I am such an ‘immediate results’ person, Im not sure I can be bothered with all the fiddly-ness. lol!

 

Ambrosia Arts – Is there a certain feeling or message you want portrayed in your art that you would like to share with us? (closing question)

Well I would like my art to evoke inspiration and positivity in the viewer. If they connect to something within that makes them feel good, then this is why I paint. There is no ‘message’ as such, more an experience of being uplifted, or pulled in, its a feel good thing! :)

 

A little about the artist… (bio)

I was born and raised in beautiful New Zealand feel totally blessed to be a part of this amazing land. I have travelled extensively over the years which has had a huge effect on my creativity. Im deeply influenced by different cultures & how they interact with our Mother Earth. in particular our oceans.  As a mother of two vibrant and feisty girls, I’m kept real and grounded every day. . I also do a little hairdressing (this was my career of choice when I left school and I owned my own salon for 9 years). But my first love is art, and this is what I prefer to be doing as much as I can, and with the total support of my wonderful partner, I am able to do this almost every day. Lucky  me, living my dream. :)

 

Please provide any links you wish to include.

Facebook Page:  www.facebook.com/reinacottierart

Twitter:  www.twitter.com/reinacottierart

Instagram: www.instagram.com/reinacottierart

Blog: www.reinacottierart.wordpress.com

Website: www.reinacottier.com

 

Aaron Hazouri

Ambrosia Arts - Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Well, my name is Aaron Hazouri, and I'm a freelance illustrator. I am also bald and I enjoy cheese and coffee, though generally not at the same time.

Ambrosia Arts - What inspired you to become an artist, how did it come about in your life?

My dad is an artist, and I've been drawing since I was a kid (like most artists, I think). I've always liked drawing more than things like watching TV, socializing with other humans, and so on...

 Ambrosia Arts – What would you call your style?

I tend to vary my style, depending on the job, but when I'm drawing for fun or for my own projects, I have a very broad cartoony style. More than a few people have said my style looks like something out of an old Looney Tune (which I THINK is a compliment!).

Ambrosia Arts – Where all have you had your work published, use commercially? What kind of art was used?

I've done freelance work for a wide range of clients, from large corporations to small start-ups, and I've produced art for everything from animation art for television commercial producers to t-shirt designs for small family reunions. Most of my pro work is cartoon illustration though I have done a bit more realistic-style work lately. Years ago, I had a comic strip running in the University of North Florida newspaper. All I remember about it is it was late every single week.

Ambrosia Arts – Is there a message in your art? What does it mean for you?

I don't think of what I do as "art" so much as "craft." The artwork I create is generally to serve a purpose, so if there's a message present, it's something the client is looking for. My personal work usually takes the form of comic strips or graphic novels, where the message is one of anger and frustration at the ultimate futility of life... I guess!

Ambrosia Arts – When you draw comics, are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

Every comic story I do is at least semi-autobiographical. I don't think I can help it.

Ambrosia Arts - What are your current projects?

Currently, in addition to freelance work, I'm self-publishing The Strange Adventures of Toaster Guy - a four-issue miniseries distributed across three continents with a fan base numbering into the dozens! I'm also working on a short story for a horror comics anthology, Skin Crawling Comics, featuring a number of other writers and artists. My story, "Wesley," is by author Sabrina James Riley and it's fantastic!

Ambrosia Arts - Who is your favorite artist and what is it that really strikes you about their work?

My favorite artist is the famous cartoonist Chuck Jones. In his prime, he was probably the greatest animation artist who ever lived. One of the only artists I know of who can elicit laughter with a rough pencil sketch of a cartoon duck's twisted beak.

Ambrosia Arts – What is your favorite piece and why?
 

My favorite piece is a cartoon, The Rabbit of Seville, directed by the great Chuck Jones. The drawing, the posing, the writing - everything was top notch in this cartoon.

 

Ambrosia Arts - What made you fall in love with drawing?

In school, reading comics during lectures was forbidden. Sleeping was frowned upon. But drawing looked enough like note-taking that I was able to get away with it! Until instead of having notes to study for tests, I found myself staring at a misshapen Ninja Turtle scrawled all over a crumpled sheet of notebook paper.

 Ambrosia Arts - What do you do when you are not drawing?

I weep for myself and my lot in life! No, actually, I watch cartoons and eat unhealthy cereal. Frosted Flakes are like crack.

Ambrosia Arts - Is there anything that you would like to say to your fans?

 

I don't think I have any fans, but if I do and they're reading this, send boxes of Frosted Flakes!

Ambrosia Arts – What’s next on your agenda?

Next is wrapping up Toaster Guy and Wesley and working towards the next gig!

 Aaron Hazouri lives and works out of his small studio, where his wife and dog occasionally open the door and allow him the sweet taste of sunlight." I can be reached at cartoonistaaron@comcast.net or on Facebook. Pricing is on a per-project basis, depending on the complexity and timeframe.

 Aaron Hazouri

Cartoonist • Illustrator

www.aaronhazouri.com

cartoonistaaron@comcast.net