What is the best thing that I love about my work as a storyteller? Being able to tell stories no one has seen before, especially those that resonate & connect with people. I enjoy connecting with people on an emotional level through images. To create something that doesn’t exist & turn that idea into an image is fulfilling for me. I love telling stories about people who’ve overcome difficult hardships only to emerge successful in the things they love doing.

What is my idea of happiness? To emotionally accept yourself & your flaws while creating a better environment with the people and things you love. It can be difficult to love life and the wonders it gives you if you can’t learn to love yourself first. But if you do, you can love and be closer to the people you care about. I also love being able to laugh & smile. It makes me feel amazing inside. Because even in hard times, there’s still room for a smile. And sometimes, I just feel like playing video games- they make me feel good.

What is my greatest fear? Being held back by fear to become a better artist.

What is the trait that I most deplore in myself? Sometimes I beat myself up when I don’t meet my goals. It’s damaging internally. Then it leads me to not make enough time for myself and the people I care about. It’s hard for me to focus on self-care & letting go of my fears. But I’ve been taking much more time this year to focus on myself & it’s been improving all aspects of my life!

Which living persons in my profession do I most admire? For starters, I’d have to say Tetsuya Nomura. He’s the director of the Kingdom Hearts series and has worked on some Final Fantasy games. His art first inspired me to take part in the art and video game industries I love. His unique style and character work heavily influenced my environment and character designs. It was my first introduction to concept art for videogames. After looking at his art, I knew I wanted to become an industry artist. Another one of my favorite artists is George Hull. He’s a designer on my favorite film, the Matrix. I love the intricate detail in his work. He creates stunning realism & moods in his pieces, with his use of dramatic lighting & color.

What is my greatest extravagance? My love of video games, in every aspect. I love making them, learning the development process, & of course playing them, haha. I have a dedicated collection of my favorite games with their respective art books. I always go out of my way to buy physical copies of games I want, often shelling out more for the collector’s editions. I even make functioning real-world prop replicas of my favorite items or clothing from games I love. To make a tangible item from
something completely imaginary, is beyond incredible & fun. Video games are such a huge part
of my life & career. Honestly, if it’s a good game, I can’t pass it up.

On what occasion would I lie? It depends on the situation. But to be honest, I don’t think I can anymore. I’ve learned that being honest ,especially with the people you love, solves more problems than not. I remember holding in how I felt before in certain situations, & it made me feel terrible inside. Not to mention, it didn’t solve anything for me. If anything, I would dwell and waste time on those thoughts. Through my experiences, I’ve learned being honest has a lot of positives. It earns you respect from your peers & loved ones, it allows you to be vulnerable, and can be quite charming to other people. I also don’t have time to deal with the guilt that comes with lying.

What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work? Probably that it’s not as dynamic as I would like. Since I usually draw a lot of environments & boxy shapes, it’s a bit harder for me to draw things that are more expressive & natural. I’m not as super skilled in figure drawing or character design as other artists. Sometimes my figures end up looking more static than I like. But I feel I’ve gotten that bit of drawing up to a decent level. It’s something I’m constantly working to get better at.

When and where was I the happiest, in my work? I’d have to say now. There are so many things I’ve learned throughout my professional career that have helped me grow as an artist. I’ve learned new drawing techniques I was unaware of when I started my career. I’ve also learned how to manage my work mentally, keeping myself focused & from burning out. These were things I wasn’t really taught in art school. I can definitely say now is the happiest I’ve been with my work. It’s because I feel extremely confident with it now. I conquered fears with my art and worked out issues that prevented me from becoming a better artist. I’m much more efficient with my work & design process now – I can pump out a finished painting in a few hours.

If I could, what would I change about myself? My fear of not being good enough in my work. There is so much competition in the art industry that it can be a bit overwhelming. Honestly, it does get to me at times but I’m confident in my design process and my ideas.

What is my greatest achievement in work? My Drawism blog. I have experienced a number of emotional obstacles throughout my art career. They weren’t easy to overcome. But they made me an insanely better artist. Although, I did wish I had someone to relate to & seek advice from. Art has been so positive in my life, that I want to give back to the art community & share my experiences. To help other people who are or might be going through similar situations that I’ve been through; that’s Drawism’s purpose. Being able to use my knowledge in art to help others succeed, is priceless. I don’t think I’d be able to make this blog, if it wasn’t for my experiences, failures, & successes.

Where would I most like to live? New Zealand, definitely. I’ve always wanted to visit there. It has so much wildlife & nature. Looking at pictures doesn’t do it justice. I love the pastoral, natural setting; it’s gorgeous and very calming. I’m also a big Lord of the Rings fan, so visiting Hobbiton would definitely be a plus for me.

What is my most treasured possession? The times I have spent with my friends & family. The memories & bonds that I have created in school & my career. Those are all irreplaceable to me. They signify bonds that will last & will support me through my tougher moments.

What is my most marked characteristic? My willingness to not give up on the things I want in life. I extend that to believing in my family & friends to succeed, wanting the people around me to accomplish their goals & happiness in life. I’m hopeful and confident in the things I want in life, but I don’t let my desires keep me from enjoying what I already have.

What is my most inspirational location in my city? Dr. Strange Records. It’s a punk record store and label. It has a very DIY feel to it, with patches stapled to the walls, records hanging everywhere, and a small clothing shop towards the back. When you walk inside, it feels like you stepped into the 80s. Punk music & punk culture has been a huge part of my life, influencing me to do the things I want for myself and chasing the dreams I want. It was a big part of me not caring about what other people thought about me. Punk helped me learn to not sweat the small stuff. It paved the way for me being comfortable with myself & my fashion. I love making my own clothes, patches, studs, & all, and Dr. Strange helped inspire me to do that!

What is my favorite place to eat and drink in my city? To be honest, it’s difficult for me to say because where I live, the Rancho Cucamonga/Ontario area, things were and still are constantly changing. New businesses & restaurants keep popping up. I guess that’s one of the things unique about it, it’s still developing after 20+ years. Before then, it was literally a few small shopping plazas and a civic center and that’s it. But if I had to choose, BJ’s. Love the atmosphere.

What books influenced my life and how? The Hobbit & the Odyssey because of their epic fantasy, limitless worlds, & unique characters. These stories transport you to other worlds & inspired me to make fantasy worlds and tales of my own. I loved the fantasy, the magic, and the stories. Another one, is Captain Underpants because it’s funny, comedic, witty. It was my first introduction to a funny book when I was child. It’s a hilarious series that was completely imaginative, out-there and different. Dav Pilkey’s books always stuck in the back of my mind because of their humor. I love designing wacky & funny images. It’s so much fun to put in a bit of humor in my work.

Who is my hero or heroine in fiction? Frodo Baggins from Lord of the Rings. He’s so small but can do immense things. I admire his drive to do the right things while taking on a burden no one else could understand. His lifelong friendship with Sam was a driving force that led him to push himself to do wondrous things. He gives me hope that I can conquer challenges. I feel I can overcome these obstacles both by myself & with my family & friends.

Who are my heroes and heroines in real life? The creatives before that paved art as a path to a career like Dali, Warhol, Patti Smith, and Gerome. Their work was incredible & each a master of their craft. Also, I’d add the comedians Gabriel Iglesias & Wayne Brady. I need laughter in my life & they do that for me. They’re some of the funniest, most unique and humble comedians I’ve seen. For music, it’s the punk bands that wanted to just create good music only from their garages & the things they had.

Which movie would I recommend to see once in a lifetime? I’d highly recommend the Lord of the Rings Trilogy for all the reasons I talked about before. The amazing fantastical world, the endearing and inspiring characters, and the stories that teach us and make us better. They’re about friendship, overcoming unbelievable obstacles.

What role play stories in my life and work? Both fictional & real, stories form the basis of how I create, emulate, and innovate. Whenever I design, I create a story first, then I draw. Some of the best, most meaningful art and designs start with a story. They form the worlds and characters I create. Stories also give me hope. They give me a place to belong and thrive creatively without judgement. I see stories as an endless landscape of fantasy and imagination. If it weren’t for stories, I don’t think I’d be as creative and happy as I am today.

What do the words ‘You are the storyteller of your own life’ mean to me? You’re in control of your life’s story. You are the creator of your greatest adventure. But as a storyteller, you also have the power to inspire and be inspired by other people. You can create a story that lasts for decades, one that can push others to do extraordinary things.

Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime? I’d have to give this honor to Brandon Wilhelm, my phenomenal friend of 11+ years. We met at UCI & have been a part of each other’s personal & professional lives since. They supported me through my most emotional times as an artist and a human being, and always pushed me to be my best self. They’re a fantastic listener, always willing to lend a hand. Brandon doesn’t see helping a friend as an inconvenience and has time for the people close to him. Whenever I call they’re willing to help and, more gratefully, to listen. They pass this question with beyond flying colors!

Which people or companies would I like to work with in 2021?
People:
Jarrett Camp – Stipple & fine artist that I met through a friend. His work is insanely detailed &
packed with ideas. He has a great understanding of art fundamentals & his unique style gives a
flair to his projects.
http://www.jarretttcamp.com
Zach Aguilar – Voice actor from one of my favorite anime, One-Punch Man. He has such an
energetic, fun, humorous personality that would bring life to any project he works on.
http://www.zachaguilar.com
Nicole Ales – 3D artist & classmate from my VFX school, Gnomon. She has imaginative designs
& is skilled at 3D art.
http://www.nicoleales3d.com
Companies:
For games, I’d love to work at Blizzard and Super Giant Games. And on the animation side,
Dreamworks, Cartoon Network, & Nickelodeon would be amazing to work with.

Which people in my profession who can make a real difference in my creative career would I
love to meet in 2021? Ed Li – His environment work is stunning. I took one of his classes some time ago and loved the techniques & style that he taught.

What project, in 2021, am I looking forward to working on? The Drawism blog. In my years working as a professional artist, there are obstacles you’re not taught how to deal with while in art school. Obstacles like burnout, imposter syndrome, or even dealing with friends & family who might not support your creative career. These can be challenging to overcome and I have experienced many of those challenges. But these are the challenges I want to explain and help others master using my blog. Drawism is made to help people understand and overcome mental obstacles a creative career may present. I’m excited to share my knowledge & experiences with other creatives who are or might be going through these challenges. I also plan on sharing some of my useful art techniques & tutorials I’ve recently created.

Where can you see me or my work in 2021?
My art portfolios:
http://www.n-adamson.com
http://www.artstation.com/level-7
Drawism Art Blog:
http://www.drawism.com
Linkedin:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/n-adamson/
Instagram:
http://www.instagram.com/artwielder

What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me? Don’t stop loving life. Surround yourself with the people and things you love. Keep learning, keep discovering. Your passion, shown in the work you create, will continue to thrive & inspire people.

Which creative heroines should Peter invite to tell their story?
Yuo Tengara – 3D Lighter & Texture Artist that I’ve known since our days at UCI. Her work is
cinematic & stunning. http://www.yuotengara.com

How can you contact me?
Feel free to contact me by email or phone!
email: ncladamson@gmail.com
phone: (909)717-4726