RavenzCraft Arts Interview Project

Sunday, January 7, 2018

Xander Kent Interview

RavenzCraft Arts Interviews

Presents

Xander Kent of Redgrimrune

RavenzCraft Arts welcomes this amazingly talented illustrator and artist from San Francisco Xander Kent

So first I just want to thank and welcome you to The RavenzCraft Arts Interviews Project,

I thank you for taking the time to participate in this and let us get know a bit more about you.

1.So for all of us who dont already know can you share with us a little bit about where you are from, and how you were first inspired to become an illustrator/artist?

I’m Xander Kent - I grew up in San Diego, California, and got my BA at San Francisco State University. I make all my art in my apartment in San Francisco.

Creativity has been always present in my life – I’ve been drawing for as long as I can remember. My family is creative and crafty in their own distinct ways, and I’ve had the privilege of having an ever-changing but incredibly supportive network of creative people I can constantly draw inspiration from. I am proud to be an almost entirely self-taught illustrator – I’ve had many teachers, and not all of them were in a classroom.

Illustration as a medium appealed to me when I was young when I started collecting newspaper comic books (Garfield, Peanuts, etc). I was captivated by how much story, humor, and thought-provoking punchlines could be told with only a few pen-strokes in 4 panels or less. In my teen years I was part of that first wave of High School Anime-nerds who tried their hand at illustrating in the Japanese Manga style - this phase ended quickly, as my innate tendency to refuse to follow conventional techniques had me almost immediately branching off into my own drawing style.

At the University, I studied Art History and a few Fine Arts, but found a focus in the Digital Arts field. I quickly found ways to blend traditional inking techniques with enhancements from digital mediums. Soon after graduation, I began collaborating with a pair of local writers to make web-based comics. With these as our vehicles, we then threw ourselves into the Northern California Comics Convention circuit – it was then, when I had a booth with my name & artwork on it, that I began considering myself a professional Illustrator.

2. So from the work that I have seen personally, your art is mainly Norse themed, did you have a certain time in your life when you were inspired to research and create art relating to this topic and following?

I’ve always been interested in the Iron-age/ Medieval/ Fantasy genre, and it’s been a constant subject in my art. However, until a few years ago I’ve been very intimidated by the idea of drawing traditional Celtic & Viking knot-work. It seemed to require more precision than I have patience for. I’ve been drawing Viking warriors as characters for a while now, but had been avidly avoiding trying my hand at more traditional artwork. I saw some of the amazing traditional Viking artists on Instagram, and began dabbling in the style, myself. Then I was contacted by the frontman of one of the bands I create artwork for - he wanted commission me for two Celtic-knotwork style tattoos. I couldn’t refuse! I researched traditional knotwork & shading techniques, and began conquering my fears about the style. After a few drafts, I made two designs we were both happy with. I’ve gotten a taste for it since then.

I’ve also adopted the pointillism Viking artwork style recently. A few years ago, I was working with a very talented artist named Joey, and I was awed by the masterful pointillism shading I saw him use in his illustrations. I had been developing shading techniques in my own work, and it was around that time I also came across several online-based artists who were drawing traditional Nordic artwork & tattoos using the same pointillism style. I decided to give it a shot! The reactions from my followers on these designs have been great, so I plan on making more!

3.Was there ever a certain artist who inspired you to start drawing, or creating like them?

Any favorite artists or people you still follow today you can recommend?

I’ve had many inspirations from many great artists, but the ones that inspired me in the most fundamental ways include: Mike Mignola, creator of Hellboy – his inking style and artistic tone struck a huge chord with me early in my creative growth. His influence on my artwork is unmistakable. Alex Pardee, a street artist from the San Francisco Bay Area – his visceral pop-art style and strong business-sense seriously motivated me and gave me a template to model my own small businesses upon. Bill Watterson, creator of Calvin & Hobbes – perhaps the greatest comic strip of all time. This man’s sheer artistic talent, storytelling prowess and comedic timing may be the single greatest creative influence on me.

A few artists I really enjoy watching are: Ben Templesmith, James Harren, Jeffrey Alan Love & Andrew MacLean.

4.Do you also provide tattoo design and artwork? Also can you tell us about the area you live in? Anything fun you like to do around there?

Yes, I’ve had the honor of designing a number of tattoos for some amazing clients. I also have a few fairly large tattoo designs currently in progress with some new commissioners I’m very excited to work with. Someday I would like to learn how to tattoo, but I’m focusing on my technique first.

That is one of the things I love about the San Francisco Bay Area – there are tons of amazing tattoo shops with many talented artists. I try to get at least one tattoo per year - most recently by Joy Shannon of Sacred Rose tattoo in Berkeley (a knotwork design of Jörmungandr. My first leg tattoo!).

I live across the bay in San Francisco, on the southern edge of the city. I love that I can step outside my door and have so many options as to where to go, what to eat, and what to see. I can walk to a forest in the middle of The City, then go 8 blocks in another direction and end up deep in an urban neighborhood, eating Dim-Sum. Every district has something different to offer, and if one is too crowded, you can walk a few blocks to another one. The bars are amazing, and there is always something happening, if you know where to look.

5. With your skill I’m sure you could draw some pretty amazing Galdrastafir or Runic designs, are you familiar with this type of visual graphical art?

Are you familiar with or interested in any type of Norse magic?

Yes, I’ve had a long relationship with The Runes for a long while now, and they’ve appeared frequently in my artwork. Norse magic definitely interests me - however I mostly prefer to keep a respectful distance. I’ve had good and bad experiences with it, like any part of life. It is something I like having orbiting around me, but not a thing I avidly rely on.

I am indeed familiar with this style of artwork! It also interests me, but like I said before, I avoided drawing more traditional artwork until somewhat recently. Part of that is that I want to fully understand the meaning of a traditional symbol before I start drawing it or incorporating it into my illustrations. I definitely believe that symbols hold incredible power (you don’t have to believe in magic to see that), and I want to ensure that I am using them appropriately and respectfully. It helps that symbols, symbolism and symbology are major points of interest to me. I really enjoy cracking open my books and researching them! I am proud to be an illustrator of symbols, sigils, signs, glyphs and marks, and humbled by the people who commission me for original ones. Hence, my handle – Red Grim Rune.

Most of my tattoos are derived from Runic and Nordic artwork, and I have plans on many more. I should get researching!

6. So if you dont mind me asking, drawing takes up a lot of free time, what do you do for a regular job?

Do you have any other hobbies or interest?

Drawing does indeed take up a lot of free time. I consider myself a full-time artist, and I split my time between 3 jobs. One job I currently work as a production assistant for a group of professionals. I facilitate large-scale printing jobs and ship them to various event spaces across the country. My second job is as a graphic designer & sign-maker for an art supply retail store. Lastly, I consider the time I spend on my freelance art commissions another entire job. In addition to putting pen to paper, I utilize the skills I use at my day-jobs (communication, shipping, branding, production, etc.) to deliver my commissions to my clients with artisan-level quality. Tax season is a headache, but it’s worth it to have carved out a schedule that works for me and my life.

When I’m not behind my drawing desk, I make time to enjoy the city I live in with my fiancée. We take hikes together through both natural and urban trails, and try to find which of our favorite cafes have survived the latest round of rent increases. We always find something – whether it’s a tiny neighborhood we’ve never explored before, or a new mural on an old building, just stepping out the door can become an adventure. We have lots of friends and family in the area, and we try to see them as much as possible. We also make frequent trips up to Lake Tahoe – it’s heavily forested and a great place to reconnect with the natural world.

When I’m at home with a free evening, though, I mostly play video games. I’ve been playing them since I was a kid, and they’ve been one of the major ways I unwind. So many new games lack 2-player modes, so we just bought an old Nintendo. Sometimes, you just need some Mario Kart!

7. If the opportunity would come up in the future, would you be open to submitting some illustrations or art work for an upcoming book project or presentation on Norse themed topics?

Definitely! I’d be honored to be included!

I was once commissioned to draw artwork for a set of Viking-themed playing cards for a client’s Kickstarter. It was early in my career, and the artwork didn’t come out very well. Communication broke down over time, I didn’t receive payment and client never launched the campaign. I truly don’t mind this job being a wash - I didn’t have to see those awful designs get printed, thankfully!

This was several years ago, and my skills and understanding of Viking artwork has definitely grown since then – I’d be much more confident to add my art to something like that now.

8. Do you have any favorite stories or topics from norse mythology/folklore?

I’ve read a number of books that covered the more well-known Norse myths – Odin’s sacrifice, Tyr & Fenrir, and, of course, Ragnarok. However, my favorite is the tale of Baldur & his death by the arrow made of mistletoe - It being a tool for understanding the origin of earthquakes for ancient peoples fascinates me from an anthropological standpoint. That, and it’s just a good story! I am a big fan of the Beowulf epic, and am currently reading through Egil’s Saga.

9.So what does your art/illustrations mean to you? what do you wish to express to the world?

My art is a meeting point between what I see in my mind, and what my hand can make on the paper. I put a lot of myself into each of my illustrations and designs, and it’s not entirely intentional. When I get into the rhythm of a given piece, I become obsessed with developing & finishing the design. It’s when the creativity takes over, and I enter a sort of meditative trance where I make the small details in the shading and repetitive patterns in my illustrations. Then, I wait for the moment when my gut tells my brain that the piece is done. I think creatives and crafts-people know this feeling well. I consider myself an Art-Berserker, and my brushes and pencils are my tools.

My creative drive is a very intrinsic part of me. Harnessing it and building a business around it (no matter how small) is my own way of hoisting a black flag. My way of standing tall & planting a banner against a world that seems determined to strive for mediocrity. While I enjoy creating aesthetically pleasing images, I truly aspire to have my artwork be thought-provoking. I want my artwork to make the viewer blink, even for a moment, and have a genuine thought. It’s my way of making the world suck a little less. I like this planet – it’s the only one with beer! It’s why my battle-cry is “For Midgard!”

10. So this last question is open for you to say or mention anything you want to say to all your followers, fans, and inspired creators/artists out there? Any words of advice or encouragement?

To all my fellow creatives, here are some of the words that have helped me along my journey:

Don’t ever stop creating. Find what medium works for you, one that feeds that fire in your belly, and keep at it! Because, if you stop, when you pick it back up again, you’ll only be as good as you were when you last stopped.

It’s ok to have a bad day. Don’t sell yourself, or your work too short. Remember where you come from. Thank the people who support you. Copyright your work (it’s easier than you think). And, don’t make any big decisions on an empty stomach!

Lastly, I want to thank the incredibly supportive network of craftspeople, artists, barbarians, actors, heathens, witches, cosplayers and overall weirdos I’ve found myself surrounded by. I would not have come this far without their help. Our Shield-wall is strongest together! Create & conquer!

Thanks again for doing this interview. Your art is awesome and we are honored to have had this opportunity to speak with you!

Thank you very much!

Follow Purchase and see more artwork from Xander Kent at:

http://redgrimrune.wixsite.com/xanderkentart

https://www.facebook.com/RedGrimRune/

Special Thanks to Xander Kent and all the followers and supporters out there!

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Saturday, December 30, 2017

Hildr Valkyrie Interview

RavenzCraft Arts Interview with

Hildr Valkyrie

We are Honored and Excited to get to talk with Angela-Kelly Antoniou/ of Hildr Valkyrie and learn more about her career as a solo musical artist, she has collaborated and worked with many other great artists creating a history of legendary Nordic themed and inspired music

1. First off I just want to thank and welcome you, It is always very interesting to get to know more about amazing creative artists like yourself,, For those of us who don’t already know, can you tell us where you are from, and a bit about your childhood, where you grew up?

I came from Hellas (Greece), with origin of half Cretan and half Peloponnesian. I grew up in Hellas with my family. As for my childhood, let’s go to my music memories when my grandfather understood that I had a music talent, (he was a violin player and my grandmother was as singer, both of Folk Cretan music) he was trying in his own way to learn me the basics since he was a self-taught musician as I am, I remember him teaching me the meters, 1-2-3-4 and 1-2-3-4. He was “pushing” me (for a child could think in the time that wants to play games with other children) to listen to Maria Callas, so to take good bases and start singing in the right way and tone.

I remember also the time, when he took me to a music shop to buy me my first keyboard, testing all the instruments to find the one with the better piano sound and wrote me to a local conservatory when I was 5 years old, but stopped me within few months after he realized that the voice of the piano teacher was out of tune and was afraid that this would harm my talent.

2. Can you tell us how you came up with and the story behind the name Hildr Valkyrie?

I will get straight to the point dear Tim, I am an Odinist, a Heathen, believer of the Old Faith, so when I wanted to find a name for my band, I wanted something really strong to present it so I chose the Valkyrie Hildr, Hildr means Battle, and for all of us and each one separately we faced a battle in our lives.

I have given an Oath to the Gods, to fight for them in any kind of way I can. My biggest “weapon” is my faith and music. When I write lyrics for Odhinn, Thor etc it is not for trend, it is my Hymns to the Gods and I do it with much will and care. A song is like a beacon that carries a message and can travel to any soil upon the earth, can touch the heart of the listener, and maybe, maybe to wake up their spirit and for us, to gain another warrior for this battle against monotheism.

3. How do they/your family feel about your music career? Was there anyone in your family or a close friend that pushed or inspired you to become a musician?

I believe that all are happy with that, we are a family that the one supports the other in things we love to do, from my parents to my husband. One thing that I regret, is that my grandfather is not in life anymore, and he did not had the chance to see my first release as musician neither listen to it.

4.Can you share with us what music you listened to as a young child and teenager?, it seems a lot of our inspiration and creativity come out of these early years and play out to inspire other great music, is there anyone in particular that inspired your interest in the metal music genre?

Yes, indeed! When I was in the age of 11, when you start making your musical identity, I was listening to Alice Cooper, Michael Jackson, Scorpions, Guns and Roses, etc, music that it is way easy to listen to and find.

Later on, in the age of 13 I went to a school party and listened for the first time metal, the song was from Iron Maiden “The Number of the Beast” and it was the first time in my life that my whole body started to shiver, from that time and on, I am a faithful and devoted metal fan.

So, later on in the age of 16, I had the luck to touch and listen the first release of Falkenbach - ...en their medh riki fara... it was not mine, it was owned by an older friend of mine who I forced him to write it on tape to listen to it day and night as I had been addicted to this album! Back then there was not the term “Viking metal” and I only could explain this genre as Epic black metal when someone asked me what I was listening to; also I consider Vratyas Vakyas as my mentor too. The very first song I composed on my keyboards was the cover “Baldurs Tod” and send it to him, I got a very positive feedback for this cover, so I took strength by this and started to compose my own music.

5. So if you don’t mind me asking, where you always a follower of pagan traditions? I myself was born into a catholic family but never felt comfortable, and soon realized it wasn’t for me, was this the case for you as well?

Yes, of course, we are in the same level. I was also born in an orthodox x-stian family, but from my childish years I was tend to think that something was really wrong with this religion. I remember sitting with my grandmother asking her questions about and she couldn’t find a good answer to tell me.

Later on I was considering myself as agnostic till I found out about Odinism. In the very beginning I felt strange and alone, but this did not bother me at all, since I felt complete inside. You will ask me and logically, why not just Hellenism? And the answer is that in our schools (and this is caused because the state and the orthodox church are connected, mainly in Greece, the church is somehow the state) we learn that the Gods are… a fairytale, or (as now they present it) a dead religion, that Paganism or Hellenism is “satanic”, “evil”, and the only true god is the one of the x-stians, so if you take such bases you feel incomplete and that’s why I was tend to be an agnostic.

I remember myself in the age of 14 when we have to go to the police station to make our first ID, I was asked which was my religion and I said, that I do not belong to any kind of religion but if it is necessary to write it down, please add Hellenism, the answer I got from the police officer was that “if I add this kind of religion, in the future you won’t be able to find any job because they will think that you are a lunatic”, so, I let the police officer to add the x-stian religion with a black heart. It is not an easy task for me to read about Heathen Gods, as all the books are not written in my main language, so it is twice as hard, but the thirst is more..

6.So the name Hildr Valkyrie is obviously a Norse inspired name, do you have any favorite literature or stories from the eddas or mythology that you really enjoy? Any favorite deity, god or goddess you really connect with?

Yes, I do! One of them is the Orkneyinga saga which this one I have it in physical book as well, gifted by an Odinist Brother, my Brother Pinlighter, who is not in life anymore, but he is inside my heart and always will be! Hail!

I think it is very obvious! I am more connected with Odhinn, He is my Guider. There are so many things that I want to say, but for a reason I really can’t describe them by words, the connection I feel is higher than any kind of simple word that can be written.

7.So it seems you have traveled quite a bit for performances and other events, have you ever been to or performed in the U.S? if not do you ever plan to?

No, not really, everything I do with the bands I collaborate with are through internet, I do not have to be there to record. So actually I have not traveled a lot. In my life I have been out of Greece just 3 times, one time in Germany and two times in Italy. If there was a chance to visit the U.S. of course I would love to go, I have brothers from there, who I would be very glad to meet in real life!

9. So just curious, from your recent posts and sharing It seems you are open to being aware of the spiritual world, What are your thoughts about paranormal topics such as ghosts, spirits or energies that are said to exist all around us? Have you ever experienced any type of haunting or presence that you could not explain?

The more I felt was in my child years, back then you are more “open” to this kind of connections. Now I feel the energies for example when I practice a Rite out in the country side or while visiting an archaeological monument.
Unfortunately I live in a city, this means that it is very hard to be connected with the energies without having any interference, also it is the way of life that it doesn’t let me to considerate and clean my spirit as much often I want.

10. So I notice there was a slight break between your music creating career, did you need a break from everything or where you possibly deciding on a different career path? If you did what career would you be interested in?

Actually was not a brake as it comes to singing, in all these years of “silence” I kept the flame by singing for other bands as a session or guest, but, I admit, it was a “kind” of break from my one-woman band if you say so, because I gifted my time to our Oikos instead of Hildr Valkyrie. I can’t give all myself in two different things at the same time, so that’s why you recognized a long “brake” in-between the two albums.

11. I noticed you have collaborated and worked on many projects with a lot of great people, is their anyone out there today that you are interested in working with someday? and would you be open to collaborating again with someone in the future?

Yes, of course there is. My biggest dream as musician and singer is to sing one day for Falkenbach, but this is just fiction! Of course I am open for collaborations, this is my (how to express it) let’s say it a “reward”; it is the Honor I receive from other musicians who actually enjoy what I do and what to share their world with me, this is something really big and great if you get my point of view, I do not see it as a just collaboration, I see more than that! I see emotions, I see concerns, I see fears, I see other fantasy worlds, I see power, I see the flame within and the creators, let me to enter and share these all.

12. Can you tell us about your latest released album, how did it feel to come back and create again? Do you feel you have a different view or approach now?

Every time you create something it feels wonderful, either this is a draw, or a sculpture, or an article, a poem; it feels you have completed a goal, in my case speaking, this coming back for Hildr Valkyrie, is something that I wanted it pretty much! I wanted this album to be better than the first one and I think I succeed this aim. After all, time (my good friend) helped me to improve my skills in a level that I am very happy with for my standards. I am a self-taught musician as I mention before, and for persons like myself; to create and finish something from the world of ideas is twice remarkable.

This album has some new features, it contains lyrics in four different languages such as Ancient Hellenic, Icelandic, Norwegian and of course English. My session guitarist Jan twothousandarrows brought a new fresh sound to my composes, my sound producer Patric from WSL studio did his best to reveal the sound of Hildr Valkyrie, my sister Runahild gifted her voice skills to one song and she also wrote the Norwegian part of the lyrics for the album, and my husband helped me with his bright mind to complete and bring to life better and stronger lyrics than any other time!

13. So other then music do you have any other interests or hobbies? Traveling, hunting, hiking?

Oh, I wish I was lucky to travel, I love to see the Cultures, to see the Traditions and explore the treasures of our Europe or also to being close to nature to find time for a nice walk to the woods. Unfortunately I am a city child that works a lots of hours a day and such activities are prohibited.

As it comes to hunting I would never do that for fun since I respect any form of life upon this planet. Besides that, except the music I have several small activities that comes in the surface from time to time, such as drawing, knitting, sculpturing, making jewelry, but not all together and not at the same the time, just limited and just for my personal use.

Also with my husband and beloved friends we run an organization under the name of Thyrsos – Oikos of Ethnikoi Hellenes, in which members and friends organize and have active practice by having Rites to the Gods, we have done as far European meetings with other members of Heathen organizations, we have presented Hellenism within European Heathenism to other countries, street activities such as raising banners and protest, also we run online publications that has to do with Heathenism in all its forms.

14. So this is sort of a bucket list question, If you had 1 day where you could have and do whatever you wanted, what would some of those things be? Any specific places you would like to travel or things you want to experience in your life?

That’s exactly what it came to my mind while I was reading this question, yes, one of my dreams is to step my feet to Norway, to smell the air, to touch its ground, to taste its water, to listen the breeze, to get warm by its fire and let the pure nature of Norway to heal my soul.

15. This last question is open for you to say or mention anything you may want to all the fans and followers out there, any advice from your personal experiences to other upcoming artists like yourself?

First of all I would like to thank you from the bottoms of my heart for this excellent interview Tim!

It is not a cliché but the true honor for an artist comes from the devotion of those who embrace the art created. To all the hordes out here… Raise the Horns!

My advice for the upcoming artists; Just follow your dreams, be the one you want to be even if you are not perfect, with work everything will turn out pretty better, have faith in you, but don’t except to earn your living from music, this it might take years or never come.