Artist Interview: Eddie Rivera

What is your name: 

 Edward or Eddie Rivera

Do you have a formal art education or are you a self taught artist: 

I am a self taught artist. I get little ideas here and there mostly from comic book artists.

What is the style of your pieces:

Comic book/fantasy style art. I love to sketch and drawing men and women. A lot of times its an over exaggeration of the body.  

What is the medium in which you work: 

 I never went to any type of art school or took any classes, so I only worked with what was around the house. That meant pencils and regular blanks sheets of paper.

What started you on your path as an artist: 

 I remember my very first drawing! I was 2 or 3 years old, my aunt and my grandmother were sitting around me at the dinner table and they were showing me how to draw a house, a tree, and birds. From that point on, I was drawing all the time, constantly getting in trouble in school for drawing on my desk.

What is one of the most important things that art has brought to your life: 

 Art has always made me feel special. Even when I draw something I feel looks like crap, people will look at it and say they love it. I love being able to bust out a simple pencil and a sheet of paper and make something people appreciate.

What is your favorite genre of art besides the one you work in:

I love portrait artwork, but the pencil only kind. Tattoo artwork I believe is incredible. However I have to say that I'm a lover of every type of genre. Regardless of the genre you can tell if the artist put his heart into the piece.

Do you have art showings, and if so what are they typically like: 

 I have never had an art showing. The only people that have seen my artwork is my family and friends. Everyone is always telling me that I should sell my art. My response is exactly this: "When is the last time YOU bought a piece of artwork? Theres a reason there is a term called STARVING ARTIST!"

Do you have a certain set of clothes you make art in:

Whatever I have on. Wether I'm in my boxers or in a suit, when the mood hits me thats what I'm drawing in.

What has been the most frustrating part of being an artist?

 The drawing your working on is not coming out the way your picturing it. Halfway through something your working on, you suddenly lose interest and it never gets finished. But the biggest frustration for me is patience. For example I know what I want, but sometimes I tend to work on it too fast and of course it doesnt come out the way you envisioned it. But my patience is getting much better, and learned a long time ago to pull back and take a break. Even if its a day or two.

What is your favorite sandwich of all time: 

Sandwich?? I hope this isnt some type of art lingo, because I've never heard of it! My favorite sandwich is a simple ham, mayo,mustard, lettuce and tomato on whole wheat.

Has this year brought about any changes in your work, and if so what are they: 

 There are ALWAYS changes in my artwork. I will look at another drawing or what have you and get an idea. I believe your artwork is alway evolving even if youve been doing it for 50 years.

Who is your favorite artist alive or dead: 

Frank Frazetta is my all time favorite artist. Other artists are Boris Valejo, and Todd McFarlane  just to name a few.

What is the most moving piece of artwork that you have seen in person:

I'm not sure who the artist is, but I love this piece of a sad clown. I think the artist really captured the sadness in his eyes. Here is the link of the artwork I'm talking about:
http://www.crunchgear.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/sad_clown.jpg

Do you have any animals, and what do they think of your work: 

Well, all I have are fish, (african cichlids) and to be honest I dont think they give a fin about my artwork.

Do you have any upcoming exhibitions you would like to share with us: 

 I have never exhibited my art.

            

Eddie_rivera4040@yahoo.com 


Art Links

http://a2.l3-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/140/acb3d534d7bf4407b5ccf0ee5e276596/l.jpg

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