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mercurycode In reply to SnowWhite06 [2016-07-29 18:28:15 +0000 UTC]

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mercurycode In reply to Black-B-o-x [2014-02-25 22:40:04 +0000 UTC]

Thanks, glad you love it

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mercurycode In reply to boldfrontiers [2014-02-24 18:25:40 +0000 UTC]

Thanks... I am not satisfied with it at all, at the moment I don't really have a flow. But I'm making textures anyway because I don't wanna give up the routine :/

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boldfrontiers In reply to mercurycode [2014-02-24 18:32:55 +0000 UTC]

Well I really like it, it's deliciously dark & gritty For me I find it helps to keep a pen & pad close by at all times, even a passing thought that pops into my head for a split second can spark an interesting concept. Now I have literally hundreds of ideas that I haven't tried yet... the ones I haven't typed down on computer are on various pieces of paper and post-its that I try to put all in the same container. Always give me something to do on a rainy day, maybe that could help you too

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mercurycode In reply to boldfrontiers [2014-02-25 12:41:47 +0000 UTC]

That's a great way to capture vague thoughts and ideas... Might have to consider doing that myself Thanks for the tip!

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boldfrontiers In reply to mercurycode [2014-02-25 15:10:47 +0000 UTC]

Welcome Sam For textures in particular I often think about "direction"... factors like portrait format which is often more dramatic or landscape format which is generally more web-friendly (ie wallpapers). Then other things like movement, up or down, left or right, keeping in mind that we're used to reading left to right, up to down, but often worth breaking the rules if there's a purpose to it I also continue to draw inspiration from Sascha as I notice he includes a lot of hidden meanings in his works... and it's nice for me as the audience to try discovering the subtle details

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mercurycode In reply to boldfrontiers [2014-02-28 15:33:05 +0000 UTC]

Yes he does... And when you get to know him in person, it suddenly all makes sense

Usually I never think about it that much beforehand or in the making, I go entirely by what feels good... and then in the end, sometimes it reveals a hidden message I wasn't aware to have put in there

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boldfrontiers In reply to mercurycode [2014-02-28 15:50:29 +0000 UTC]

I think that's your subconscious mind helping you along the way I get that sometimes too and can work on an image for an hour or 2 scrapping everything over saying "no no no, this is no good!" Then I try another process and it's like the excitement builds up inside knowing there is potential, even though it's still very rough & sketchy... and then just a matter of following your intuition along with a little bit more patience

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mercurycode In reply to boldfrontiers [2014-03-02 15:46:24 +0000 UTC]

Yes, that sounds about right So how are you, Nic?

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boldfrontiers In reply to mercurycode [2014-03-02 18:39:58 +0000 UTC]

Pretty much a roller coaster ride these days. Hard to describe in short, but since I'm in the US waiting to sell my place in Canada, I'm both excited and scared at the same time. Good news is I think I finally found a buyer and I still have to spend a couple months to spend here, but always feel the pressure to push the creative envelope and diversify my portfolio... it's like I make one image and 10 other ideas are screaming for attention, but meanwhile real life gets in the way So I do what I can with the free time I can find and essentially taking it one day at a time. Nevertheless, there's always a voice in the back of my head that reminds "Son, there is a solution to every challenge"

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mercurycode In reply to boldfrontiers [2014-03-02 20:54:34 +0000 UTC]

Yay for finding a buyer! Must feel weird to still somehow be connected to the previous/"old" phase of life. And oh, doesn't real life always get in the way of everything Seems to possess quite the talent for that. Taking it one step at a time is probably the best thing to do! So heads up, life can't get in the way forever, it'll need a break sooner or later

And yes, that voice is quite right... It's what my father keeps telling me, too. That is another really reassuring thing to hear, I feel.

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boldfrontiers In reply to mercurycode [2014-03-03 06:55:29 +0000 UTC]

Thank you listening Sam. Just got the offer on my Montreal condo over the weekend, you're one of the very first to know!

My father was an economist and I started by following in his footsteps by studying economics. Didn't really like it, but I ended up getting a university degree in it anyways just to finish what I started. We had one big thing in common though, my father loved taking pictures to document his travels and for the time he was alive he told me he was proud of my work... and now more than ever I still want to make him proud by proving to him I can make a living doing what I love best in the creative arts

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mercurycode In reply to boldfrontiers [2014-03-04 14:53:22 +0000 UTC]

That's great, Nicolas! Happy to hear that. Must be a relief!

Pursuing what you love is really brave, no matter what the motivation is. Especially in arts, there's no guarantee, so one is taking a huge risk by trying to make a living of it. So I admire your drive and I think you are on the best way to make it happen. You seem like the type of person who's working really hard in order to achieve something. 

I've been thinking for years that there are tons of people who are way better than me at what they do... and even trying to apply for an art college would be foolish, because how would I have a chance. But this year, with all the brave changes in life I was willing to take on... I might just feel brave enough to try and finally do something I feel passionate about... you know?

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boldfrontiers In reply to mercurycode [2014-03-07 03:22:50 +0000 UTC]

Very kind words for you to say, thanks again Sam Definitely no guarantees in art and besides my university degree in economics, what I have are less prestigious secondary education "certificates" in graphic design & digital imaging. I never let it get me down though, these are more like plain pieces of paper that describe in short sentences the courses I studied and completed. They do nothing to reveal the world as I see and re-imagine it, where I believe the true merit in art lies in the ability to inspire a wide number of people and not just an elitist group of critics. I see and very much appreciate that inspiration in you and your moon Sascha

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mercurycode In reply to boldfrontiers [2014-03-08 10:33:48 +0000 UTC]

Very nicely put, I see things in a very similar way I once gathered the courage to participate in an art contest from some popular German college a few years back, and sent in one of my works. Looking at all of the entries online, I saw the potential of my work as one of the most creative. Maybe not technically the best work, but it had edge and in innovative way of thinking. In the end, what got chosen was the most sleek stuff that any free lance designer could've put together in 10 minutes. I landed the one-hundredth-and-something place (from a couple hundred) and in that moment I realized... it's like you say: art isn't about being judged by a small group of critics, it really isn't.

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boldfrontiers In reply to mercurycode [2014-03-08 20:40:57 +0000 UTC]

I think you just learned one of my secrets in that I am anti-elitist Many schools of thought concerning what constitutes "good" art, but for me it's more about communicating a feeling others can connect with. I don't think there is any harm to enter contests otherwise, knowing in advance that judges might come with certain biases, but that's fine as long as you're willing to put yourself out there... like I told a judge a couple weeks ago for an offsite HDR contest, I don't have any special expectations and that I entered my images much like I would throw a penny into a wishing well hoping for a small chance to win. Plus I wanted to make him aware of my website in case he would find any of my HDR images useful for his own related website

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mercurycode In reply to boldfrontiers [2014-03-13 18:45:52 +0000 UTC]

Haha, sounds legit The best thing is to have low expectations whenever you present your art in a way that might be important.

Sorry for my lame and short reply, today I feel like run over by a train and I desperate need caffeine!

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