In January 2009 I was very proud to be a featured Artist in...

Advanced Photoshop Magazine

          

You can download the scanned feature in PDF format by right clicking any image above and 'saving target as'.

Here's the full, un-edited interview...

PM - First up, can you tell us a bit about yourself and the kind of work that you do?

"I’m a biker, artist and natural born worrier. I love life and have a fantastic home and wife who has changed my way of thinking making me who I am today. The art has always been there and passion is my weakness because I find it hard sometimes to deal with the reality of everyday grind. I try to keep myself half submerged in a fantasy world using movies, novels and inspiration to keep me from thinking “is this really as good as it gets”? Life is life and I sometimes have a distorted view of it that distracts me from what’s important. And what’s important is to make the most of what you have and not be pressured by anyone other than yourself when it comes to goals to be achieved. We only get one shot, apparently, but I’m open to suggestions on that one.

In the early days it was all Design theories and CAD. I worked practically on the tools as well as behind the drawing boards. Art was a hobby and pretty much still is. There were times when the Digital Art became the driving force and times when my Engineering/Design/Technical roots had to take over to keep the wolves from the door.

Nowadays I create using 3D packages, Photoshop and plenty of my natural talent to give me a wide range of applications to tackle. I’m not in a dream position and to be honest things have been better apart from the money. The inspirations are still the same and if anything I’m more creative and focused than ever. It’s really just a case of “the right opportunity” and I’ll be back living the dream.

PM - How did you get started in design?

"I kind of stumbled into a job making furniture and Designing “on the fly” as we went. The artist in me was never perfection and still isn’t half as good as I’d like, but it helped me persuade others that I had some degree of talent for creation and that helped. One day another chance event happened to me that involved CAD software and so the union of my creative talents and Computer Aided Design came together for the first time. You could say it was destiny but it also brought its own problems which I won’t go into for now. I’ve spent years Engineering and as a Draughtsman. I never classed myself as expert in anything but I was prepared to have a go at everything".

PM - How did you get your first commission?

"I told everyone and anyone I could pencil sketch their pets. I ended up spending most of my time drawing dogs. Yes, you could say hobby but it was work at a young age. I suppose my first real commission was an album cover design for a rock group I’ve never heard of since I did it. Such is life".

PM - Did you study design, or are you self-taught?

"I breezed art at school going on to a Graphic Design Diploma. In a short period I was learning everything and anything and from when I started my first job it was full-on self-teaching at whatever would help me be thought of and respected as a Digital Artist and Designer. I’m still working on that one".

PM - Do you have any current projects you're working on / projects lined up for the future?

"My ultimate goal is to be my own hub of creation working with other Artists of various styles producing concepts for video games, movies and Multi-Media of all types. The competition is severe and the money required would be huge but I would be doing exactly what I wanted 100% of the time. Like Richard Branson without the beard!!!"

"There are many Projects on the backburner like the work I’m doing for Custom Cruisers which is a respected Custom Biker Store that operates near to where I live. With me being a biker myself I have a passion for this type of artwork. It involves banners, flyers and lots of clothing for shows throughout the year".

PM - How would you describe your style?

" ‘Frenzy’ my Artist signature name originated because it was a suitable description for the music I played as a DJ in College when I studied for my Graphic Design Diploma. I was young, what can I say? Based on the other names I was going to pick like Chaos, Manic, Delirium and Madness etc I’d say anything that describes a ‘creative mess’ then that would be my style. I aim for real with a twist of surreal but then my head takes over my hands and I end up with something that created itself. It’s as if my subconscious mind takes over and produces something I can’t help but hate and like at the same time!!! If I was a teacher it would definitely be a case of ‘must try harder’".

PM - Who are your top favourite digital artists?

"A diverse and truly different bunch of Artists helped and continue to help shape my creativity in many different ways and for many different reasons. Not strictly Digital I admit but nevertheless skilled in a way I can only dream about. Ashley Wood and Brom are my number ones. Truly genius concepts as well as hard hitting visuals. Anthony Robinson, James Ryman, Boris Vallejo, Don Figureoa, Todd MacFarlane, Greg Capullo and especially Ryan Church. He’s an inspiration and then some just for his visual speed and realism".

PM - Is there anything else you would like to pitch?

"Transformers are more than just toys, they’re a way of life. Peace".

All the best, Dan Whetton