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The Interview
Mason Noriega, also known as Verve, is a skilled photomanipulator and digital artist. His talent shows through his work as he, despite having practiced for far less time than many, pulls off dazzling works. If it weren't for this interview, many would find it hard to believe that Verve is, in fact, only 15.
Mason's work takes the viewer on a journey through space and time, presenting images which are both immediately familiar, while retaining a hauntingly alien quality. It is with pleasure that Evoke's Stefan D'Allesandro brings you this exclusive interview with this rapidly developing young artist.
Stefan D'Allesandro:
Mason Noriega:
Stefan D'Allesandro:
Mason Noriega:
Stefan D'Allesandro:
Mason Noriega:
Stefan D'Allesandro:
Mason Noriega:
Stefan D'Allesandro:
Mason Noriega:
Stefan D'Allesandro:
Mason Noriega:
Stefan D'Allesandro:
Stefan D'Allesandro:
Mason Noriega:
Member Page DeviantART Page
Mason's work takes the viewer on a journey through space and time, presenting images which are both immediately familiar, while retaining a hauntingly alien quality. It is with pleasure that Evoke's Stefan D'Allesandro brings you this exclusive interview with this rapidly developing young artist.
Stefan D'Allesandro:
Let's start off with a few basic details about yourself - a few details about the Evoke artist we all know as verve - your name, age, hometown, so on and so forth?
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Mason Noriega:
Mason Noriega, I'm 15, born on 8.4.91, so ill be sure to party extra hard for you in about a week. I'm from Long Beach, California, and there's no place I'd rather be. I'll be a junior in about a month, so that should be pretty cool. As of now though, I'm just enjoying the summer!
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Stefan D'Allesandro:
I've noted that you've only got a year's worth of 'experience' with digital art under your belt, which, in correlation with your work, would remind some of a fast tracking process.
Do you have any tips or pointers for other artists out there?
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Do you have any tips or pointers for other artists out there?
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Mason Noriega:
Sure! As much as most of the artists don't like to hear this, learning new programs and such the hard way is the best way to go. I wished so much when I first started out that all the 'good' artists would just tell me how to do everything so I could be as good as them, haha. But of course, I got the same response from almost everyone out there, which is EXPERIMENT, and it couldn't be more true.
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Stefan D'Allesandro:
I'm sure there's a lot of other digital artists out there nodding their heads in agreement with you right now (myself included).
In terms of creating new works, do you have a preset strategy or a final concept in your mind before you begin, or is every piece different and some are created on a "go as they come" basis?
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In terms of creating new works, do you have a preset strategy or a final concept in your mind before you begin, or is every piece different and some are created on a "go as they come" basis?
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Mason Noriega:
Well, it all depends really. Making art is something i love to approach in plenty of different ways. Sometimes I'll see/hear something that will give me a concept and next thing i know it's all just flowing out on an empty canvas. other times, ill fall back on digital art as a cure for boredom and start some freestyle shit, which might end up being something i like so ill try and build a concept off it.
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Stefan D'Allesandro:
As a person who's gradually watched your styles develop, evolve and change, i've notice that more recently you've incorporated a lot more photography into your work, while other pieces have remained strictly digital.
Do you have a preferred style that you like to work with? Also, do you have a preferred medium(s)? Or are you fast becoming a fan of mixed-medium work?
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Do you have a preferred style that you like to work with? Also, do you have a preferred medium(s)? Or are you fast becoming a fan of mixed-medium work?
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Mason Noriega:
i love making all sorts of art, from drawing on a piece of geometry homework to incorporating results from illy, c4d, and traditional art all into one piece. it all depends on what im in the mood for, but lately i really like the photomanip style. theres endless possibilities with it, and executing concepts is just so much fun. but i also love throwin shapes and colors together, and building composition, to me it’s all good.
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Stefan D'Allesandro:
Let's talk influences. Who, or what is it that influences you the most in making your art? Are there other artists out there who push you to continually create? Perhaps a few musical influences as many other artists out there have?
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Mason Noriega:
(laughs) I was expecting this question to pop up soon. There’s so many things that can inspire me it's impossible to list 'em all. Music of course plays a huge role in my art, from lyrics to just the overall flow of a song can spark something and ill just open up PS and get to work. I'm also inspired by different cultures, I think it's so amazing that there all other people all around the world that live completely different that I do. Smoking weed always gives me crazy ideas, not to mention it can make the shittiest piece of art look amazing to you, so it's always fun to play where you're high.
Also, artists such as abstractmix, hejz, ethernity, ikaruga are constantly making art that blows me away, and makes me strive to get to their level. Keep doin' what you're doin' guys ;]
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Also, artists such as abstractmix, hejz, ethernity, ikaruga are constantly making art that blows me away, and makes me strive to get to their level. Keep doin' what you're doin' guys ;]
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Stefan D'Allesandro:
Tell me about what is' like to be in artgroups. Do you feel collaboration is a helpful thing in digital art? You certainly have turned out some jawdropping pieces by working with other artists.
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Mason Noriega:
Well thank you sir! I love collaborating, it's one of the main reasons I love artgroups and art projects in general so much. You get to meet new artists, make friends, mix styles which leaves you with endless fun. It was great working with Jonothan, which was the first time I've got to share that experience with him. Me and Guilherme have collab'd many times before, haha. We have a similar abstract style, so every now and then we'll hit each other up for shapes, and start havin' fun. I look forward to collabing with other artists from evk, and I'm always up for one so if anyone's interested hit me up anytime! Same goes for you dalla, haha, we've yet to collab!
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Stefan D'Allesandro:
I'm the hooker in the business who's number everybody has - if ever you want me, you know where to find me, son!
Mason, thanks for your time - before I wrap this up, there's just one more gauntlet i'd like to put you through - a ten question pop quiz - ten random questions that'll give us a bit more information about the man (or boy) behind the art!
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Stefan D'Allesandro:
1. Favourite food?
2. Do you think you're sexy?
3. Pepsi or Coke?
4. Favourite band or musical artist?
5. Blonde or Brunette?
6. Finish this sentence. The most used program on my computer is....
7. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?
8. Favourite sport?
9. Mac or PC?
10. What is your home page?
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Mason Noriega:
1. Thai food
2. you know it!
3. Dr. Pepper
4. Sublime
5. Brunette
6. PS CS
7. as long as i live ima live LB go!
8. skateboarding. nothing better.
9. Mac
10. Google!
2. you know it!
3. Dr. Pepper
4. Sublime
5. Brunette
6. PS CS
7. as long as i live ima live LB go!
8. skateboarding. nothing better.
9. Mac
10. Google!
Member Page DeviantART Page