PROFILE ARTIST:
PRESENTING THE ART OF ADAM VEHIGE aka...(VEGAS MIKE)
ARTIST PROFILE INTERVIEW: ADAM (VEGAS MIKE) VEHIGE.
GRAF-X ILLUSTRATED Was delighted to have the opportunity to ask a few questions of our first issues PROFILE ARTIST, ADAM VEGHIGE in an online interview over the summer months leading into the Halloween season. We hope you enjoy his earnest insights on delving into todays GRAPHIC ARTS SCENE.
1.I initially met you at San Diego's 2008 Comic Con. Have you had the opportunity to attend any other major conventions?
SDCC 08 was my first and only convention. I can't believe how big it is! It's a bit overwhelming trying to see everything...I'm hoping to make it back in 2010 though.
2.Where did you go to school for art? And what was it like?
I've taken art classes all throughout grade school and high school. After high school I took art classes at the community college in North St. Louis for a few years and then transferred to the Kansas City Art Institute to finish my degree. Art school is great...you have to learn the basics first but there's plenty of freedom. I was into traditional illustration back then, using traditional media like water colors, paint, colored pencils etc. Learning the old school methods has helped my transition into digital art.
3.Where did you develop your passion for fantasy art?
I've always enjoyed drawing monsters, aliens and robots. Star Wars had a major influence in my appreciation for concept art whereas LOTR really got me into fantasy. I started to get art books by Frazetta, John Howe, Brian Froud and all the Spectrum issues for inspiration. I love fantasy art because it's a realization of the imagination.
4.Explain how you approach an art project?
For clients I usually get a description and reference material for the art. I try to emphasize the action or main subject for clarity...I'll do a light rough sketch or two and decide on the composition. After client approval I clean up the sketch and start to lay in grayscale values and then color over the top. There's a great book called the Fantasy Artist Figure Drawing Bible by Matt Dixon that's a must buy for any fantasy artist regarding this method.
5.Tell us about your artistic technique when creating a piece like The Decapitator?
The Decapitator started out as a tiny little sketch in my sketchbook. I scanned it in and used Frazetta's Death Dealer painting for color and mood reference. I used Photoshop, Painter and my Wacom Tablet to render the image and add in the details.
1.I initially met you at San Diego's 2008 Comic Con. Have you had the opportunity to attend any other major conventions?
SDCC 08 was my first and only convention. I can't believe how big it is! It's a bit overwhelming trying to see everything...I'm hoping to make it back in 2010 though.
2.Where did you go to school for art? And what was it like?
I've taken art classes all throughout grade school and high school. After high school I took art classes at the community college in North St. Louis for a few years and then transferred to the Kansas City Art Institute to finish my degree. Art school is great...you have to learn the basics first but there's plenty of freedom. I was into traditional illustration back then, using traditional media like water colors, paint, colored pencils etc. Learning the old school methods has helped my transition into digital art.
3.Where did you develop your passion for fantasy art?
I've always enjoyed drawing monsters, aliens and robots. Star Wars had a major influence in my appreciation for concept art whereas LOTR really got me into fantasy. I started to get art books by Frazetta, John Howe, Brian Froud and all the Spectrum issues for inspiration. I love fantasy art because it's a realization of the imagination.
4.Explain how you approach an art project?
For clients I usually get a description and reference material for the art. I try to emphasize the action or main subject for clarity...I'll do a light rough sketch or two and decide on the composition. After client approval I clean up the sketch and start to lay in grayscale values and then color over the top. There's a great book called the Fantasy Artist Figure Drawing Bible by Matt Dixon that's a must buy for any fantasy artist regarding this method.
5.Tell us about your artistic technique when creating a piece like The Decapitator?
The Decapitator started out as a tiny little sketch in my sketchbook. I scanned it in and used Frazetta's Death Dealer painting for color and mood reference. I used Photoshop, Painter and my Wacom Tablet to render the image and add in the details.
6.How did you break into the business?
I've gotten lots of work from people who found my stuff on Deviantart or conceptart.org. I met a good friend online who lives in Korea named Andrew Hou, he got me in touch with the Udon Crew. Most of my professional freelance art has been with Udon with a few side projects to keep me busy.
7.Who are your artistic influences?
There are too many to name! I loved Jim Henson when I was a child and have grown to appreciate any artist who has a love for fantasy and creature design. There are so many great artists now and the internet has exposed them for the world to see. Some personal favorites are Raymond Swanland, Bjorn Hurri, and Paul Bonner.
8.Were you a comics fan, and did you collect comics as a kid?
I got into comic books after Batman (1989)...I love Batman! BTW Arkham Asylum is a great game!
9.So what were some of your favorite titles?
I got into Spiderman and Todd McFarlane's Spawn for a bit, Jim Lee, Joe Madureira. I also loved the early issues of the Tick.
10.Were you into D&D, or more into video gaming? And what is your favorite game?
I love the art for D&D but never got into it. I'm definitely a gamer...had the NES and Genesis and pretty much every console since. My favorite game is old school...Super Metroid for the Super Nintendo!
11.With a nick-name like "Vegas Mike"; where are you from?
Haha well Im not from Vegas...That came from my last name Vehige...it sounds like Vegas but with ee at the end insead of the as. Everyone messes it up so Vegas became my nickname...Mike came from a drunken night in Boulder Colorado. There's a guy out there named Michigan Mike and somehow Vegas and Mike became one. So I'm not from Vegas and my name is not Mike but my nickname is VegasMike...weird! I live in Washington, Missouri at the moment.
I've gotten lots of work from people who found my stuff on Deviantart or conceptart.org. I met a good friend online who lives in Korea named Andrew Hou, he got me in touch with the Udon Crew. Most of my professional freelance art has been with Udon with a few side projects to keep me busy.
7.Who are your artistic influences?
There are too many to name! I loved Jim Henson when I was a child and have grown to appreciate any artist who has a love for fantasy and creature design. There are so many great artists now and the internet has exposed them for the world to see. Some personal favorites are Raymond Swanland, Bjorn Hurri, and Paul Bonner.
8.Were you a comics fan, and did you collect comics as a kid?
I got into comic books after Batman (1989)...I love Batman! BTW Arkham Asylum is a great game!
9.So what were some of your favorite titles?
I got into Spiderman and Todd McFarlane's Spawn for a bit, Jim Lee, Joe Madureira. I also loved the early issues of the Tick.
10.Were you into D&D, or more into video gaming? And what is your favorite game?
I love the art for D&D but never got into it. I'm definitely a gamer...had the NES and Genesis and pretty much every console since. My favorite game is old school...Super Metroid for the Super Nintendo!
11.With a nick-name like "Vegas Mike"; where are you from?
Haha well Im not from Vegas...That came from my last name Vehige...it sounds like Vegas but with ee at the end insead of the as. Everyone messes it up so Vegas became my nickname...Mike came from a drunken night in Boulder Colorado. There's a guy out there named Michigan Mike and somehow Vegas and Mike became one. So I'm not from Vegas and my name is not Mike but my nickname is VegasMike...weird! I live in Washington, Missouri at the moment.
12.What direction do you see your art taking in the future?
I would like to do my own art book, maybe some children's books. I want to learn a 3D program so I can get into some videogame concept design...maybe work for Blizzard!
13.Being that your into fantasy art what are your favorite fantasy films?
Well I mentioned Star Wars and LOTR but some other favorites are, Batman, Labryinth, The Dark Crystal, Never Ending Story, Predator 1&2.
14.What are some of the projects we can look forward to seeing your art on?
I'm working on some Free Realms art at the moment. I have a few side projects for some online games as well.
15.If you were on a deserted island with a wide screen and DVD player,
(and let's not forget an electric generator energy supply). What 10 movies
would you like to have with you? Or would you prefer a gaming console?
I think I would have to go with my Xbox 360 and an Xbox Live life time Gold subscription!
16.What's the food you can never get enough of?
Cheeseburger, fries and Pizza!
17.What would you like the fans to know about yourself, and your art?
I've been through a lot in the past year and want everyone to know I'm rededicating my life to advancing my skills and career to the next level. The best is yet to come!
I would like to do my own art book, maybe some children's books. I want to learn a 3D program so I can get into some videogame concept design...maybe work for Blizzard!
13.Being that your into fantasy art what are your favorite fantasy films?
Well I mentioned Star Wars and LOTR but some other favorites are, Batman, Labryinth, The Dark Crystal, Never Ending Story, Predator 1&2.
14.What are some of the projects we can look forward to seeing your art on?
I'm working on some Free Realms art at the moment. I have a few side projects for some online games as well.
15.If you were on a deserted island with a wide screen and DVD player,
(and let's not forget an electric generator energy supply). What 10 movies
would you like to have with you? Or would you prefer a gaming console?
I think I would have to go with my Xbox 360 and an Xbox Live life time Gold subscription!
16.What's the food you can never get enough of?
Cheeseburger, fries and Pizza!
17.What would you like the fans to know about yourself, and your art?
I've been through a lot in the past year and want everyone to know I'm rededicating my life to advancing my skills and career to the next level. The best is yet to come!