An interview with Lilian Carmine.
Lilian Carmine is an artist, specialized in (digital) illustrating. We’ve been friends for a few years now, and it was very interesting for me to get to know her on this level and talk with her about something that interests us both: art.
How do you define art?
I suppose that, and this is really fast thinking, you can say that art is something created by mankind. In other words: it’s human made, something that is basically a form of creation of rational thinking combined with emotions that we construct in our minds, or even rational thinking transformed into emotions that we can perceive by our senses, which include touch, sight and hearing. So you can have art in pictures, sculptures, paintings, music, videos, theatre, movies, performances etc. So, if you ask the next question that comes with this: no, I don’t believe that animals can make art. It isn’t something rational with intellectual purpose, something created through their perception of thoughts.
How and when did you develop your interest in art?
I’ve been interested in art since I was born. It sounds like a joke, but I’m serious. Since I was very, very little, you could always see me hunched over a paper, drawing something. When I got older, it was all I ever did during my spare time. I would read and draw and write, all very creative activities. My teachers were always very supportive of my artistic abilities and gave me high grades and rewards, so that motivated and encouraged me to spend more time drawing. I knew it would be something I would want to do as a profession, because the feedback I got from adults and friends was always good. I was lucky to have parents whom were able to see that illustration could be a valid profession, as opposed to the ones who push for law, administration etc., the more safe career choices. They never underestimated my profession and have always been supportive of me. Once a teacher did mention that I should work with writing, be a journalist or something like that, because that was also something that I have always loved to do. I’m walking towards this writing path now in my life, and it seems to be turning out quite well if I may say so. I don’t think I would ever completely abandon my art, it will always be with me one way or another whether I’m making posters for my books or drawing characters. It’s a good combination, writing and drawing!
If someone asks if the encouragement I have been given as a child would have been towards writing would have pushed me more towards writing than drawing, I would say that I think it would since both activities were about equally loved by me. So the adult feedback swerved me more towards art back then. I think it’s important that teachers and educators are aware of the impact they have on children and how they will perceive their career choices in the future by what the adults give them as response, encouragement, praise or compliments.
So I guess I don’t have to ask how important art is to you.
Like I said before, it is very important. It is part of my life like waking up, eating, drinking and going to sleep. I wouldn’t be happy if I couldn’t have art, make art or be around art. The same goes for writing and books. They are both very vital parts of me. Always has been, always will be.
Did you study art?
Yes, I am a graduated Bachelor in the Visual Arts.
And for how long?
I studied Visual Arts at the university for four years. Since then I’ve been working as a freelance illustrator for various art studios, publishers and magazines. I also work on animation with the Birdo Animation Studio Team from time to time, and I have dabbed into the digitally colouring of comic books once or twice.
