Hailing from Hiroshima and now living in Yokahama, Japan, our August 2024 Artist of the Month is Mine33. She has settled into life as a working mother of two sons who became interested in 3D imagery when she was in a junior college graphics class.  

She had been in a near-death experience and was in search of something to do when she became attracted to Shade 3D software.

“I thought someday I would like to make pictures of my way of life.”

Q&A with Mine33

 Where do you find your inspiration?

I get inspiration from the movies I watch. In Japan, I replay movies that were popular in the past. Recent examples include Iron Man, the Harry Potter series, Batman, and a movie starring Jackie Chan. I love Star Wars, so I wanted to paint something related to that.

What were the first programs and tools you used to create your art and what have you graduated into now? At first, I started with Shade, then moved on to Doga, Vue, Poser, and Terragen. Right now, I’m currently learning Blender. However, what was once 3D has now become 2D, and I've started using AI. Now, I only use Photoshop. I want to apply effects to images generated by AI.

What was the process like moving from getting a feel for the tools and software to creating images you were pleased with and wanted to display?

The process was a trial-and-error, using it as a model since I had a picture I wanted to create anyway. It was no ordinary process, though.

How would you describe your style?

I want to draw! They let me dream! I draw what I feel like, and the people who see it feel the same way. That is my style.

Watching them, my intervals are sharpened and if there is something I want to draw, I will give it shape. That's part of my style, too.

What do you really get immersed in?

I love music. When I'm writing a novel, I become completely immersed in it.

My own feelings are put into all of my works.

Is/are there other artists that influence you, or do you have a mentor that has helped at any point? 

There is no one artist or mentor who influenced me.

If you could have dinner with any artist, living or dead, who would it be and why?

I'm not an artist, but if I could, I'd like to have dinner with George Lucas. I'd like to talk about Star Wars with him. I wonder how Star Wars ended in his mind. Also, can I watch George Lucas' movies?

What tips do you have for those who are just getting started in 3D artwork?

To all those who love 3D art, I don't have any advice for you, but I want you to draw what you like. If you have something like that, I think you should use it as a model and draw it. Any software is fine.

Go for your dreams and make your presence known!

When it comes to design production, if you get stuck, just do something else.

It's good to immerse yourself in the work, but it's also important to fantasize.

Fantasy and immerse yourself in that world. Just by doing that, inspiration will come to you. That's what I do.

Last comments?  

Thank you so much for choosing me as Artist of the Month! Several of my dreams have come true at this point. I hope that in the near future, my paintings will become known around the world. To be recognized for doing what I love. It's truly the best time ever.