For every album, single, book, or DVD there is a cover or accompanying piece of art to portray what is within and tempt the emotions into the heart of the host. Always looking out for emerging independent artists The RingMaster Review had the pleasure to come across a young artist from Serbia, Anja Tvrtkovic, whose work has already grabbed thoughts and attention. Such the potency of the few things seen we felt the need to find out more about the lady and her work.
Hello Anja and thank you for talking with us.
Hello, and thank you for the interview!
Tell us a little about yourself.
I am a person that likes to do too many things interested in art and music. I am a student of University of Applied Arts studying Animation. In my free time I work art designs for bands, t-shirt designs and illustrations for younger children. I am playing bass and back vocals in an all-female band called Plump (named after a song played by Hole). Two months back I ended up in a band called Jailbait (an all-girl band that is a tribute to the Runaways and Joan Jett and the Blackhearts)! And I don’t know what else to say and not end up sounding like an egoistic person haha :))
When did art first catch your imagination and who were your early influences?
When I was a kid, it was my passion, so most of the time I was watching Flight of Dragons, The Last Unicorn, The Railway Dragon and many more cartoons in that style of drawing! Of course those were the times of VHS so I would record a lot of cartoons and watch them over and over. I can’t say who would be my influence as a person. I was more in my world at the time, with an idea of dragons and dinosaurs in my head.
How would you describe your style of art?
My style? Hmmmm, I always wanted to look badass with my drawings and make people go into “WOAH!” effect, but I would always end up drawing something cute and attractive to a child’s eye. But there are the times when I get into my more serious state, but I never published it.
Is there any particular medium you prefer or find better for your ideas?
Digital art. Definitely. I am too clumsy to work traditional and would always end up all in colours and not satisfied.
What inspires your work and ideas predominantly?
Other people, friends, but mostly artists all over the world. Internet is a great tool in meeting other styles and techniques.
Music is obviously also an important thing in your life?
Oh yes, very! My bass and love for singing also helps and inspires!! Music is a big part of my life, the thing that gets me going. Every time I stay up late, working for my University, I crank up some good old grunge and metal so I could get through.
What bands and genres are your favourites?
There are too many but, there are some times when I am into grunge, rock, sometimes punk, sometimes I end up in heavy, death and some older thrash. Few of the favourite bands would be: Gojira, System of a Down, Black Sabbath, Offspring, Nirvana, Queen, Deep Purple, Slayer, Kultur Shock, Babes in Toyland Hole, L7, Guano Apes….
I have many local bands that I love and support so I would include them too: NoYz?, Hatred, Uneven, Fandango, Seljačka Buna, Cannot and many more!
When and how did the two mediums come together with you designing art work and posters for bands?
When I was in high school. Because it was a school of Design, a lot of projects were designing CD covers and posters. I was always glared down by my teachers because of doing a design for Opeth, System of a Down and a few more local bands haha.
If given just one choice would you choose working in music or illustrating for children’s books etc?
I would probably find myself more in illustrating then in music. Drawing is more my thing, I would leave music making to more talented people 🙂
I believe you are creating the artwork for the forthcoming album from Serbian band Noyz?
Yes! I am doing the cover and booklet for upcoming album. It is a lot of work, but that is a dream of every artist. To work with a band that you love, and gets you easily inspired. So I am the lucky one 🙂
Can you give any insight as to what it will be like?
Well, Sharkey(frontman and guitarist) and I had a long talk about the album, and I know very well all the songs (yeah I am a big fan), so there is going to be greyish, a little bit dark, but with symbolic elements. I will try to keep the grunge spirit that Noyz have!
What other artists have you worked with or are looking at in the future?
I haven’t had a chance to work with other artists, but I hope I will! I like collaborations! But if you think for music artists I worked with tons!
You create music yourself so what do you feel is the biggest similarity between creating pieces of art and making music?
I literally did just one part of a song in collaboration with my friend and Sharkey, as a gift to one dear friend. I always have a blockade in my head when I am starting to do something. Even for this song I had a blockade, I had to make the melody and lyrics and couldn’t do it. Few days later it just hit me, out of nowhere! That is the same process I am having with my art. So yeah there is a big similarity 🙂
Have you an aim or ambition for your art ahead?
I can’t say there is an aim. I am still in the shell, I don’t have goal in my life, maybe dreams, but those are still far away!
Where can people see your works of art?
For now, I don’t have an online portfolio, and my deviant art page is old and hasn’t been updated in a long time, but I am hoping in making a site as soon as possible! Some of my really old stuff can be seen here: http://njanjadesign.daportfolio.com/
Once again many thanks for talking with us.
It was my pleasure! The questions were fun! 🙂
Would you like to end with three of your favourite works of art and three favourite albums?
I would end up with: From Mars to Sirus – Gojira; Bleach – Nirvana; Diabolus in Musica – Slayer.
The RingMaster Review 06/04/2013
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