1. For those people who do not know of you, can you tell us a bit about yourself? (background, education, work, etc)

Ok…My name is Cristiano Siqueira, I’m 25, I was born in 12/12/1979. I live with my wife (Glaucia) in São Paulo - Brazil. My educational background is a “High School Technical Course” of Design (like a medium course) but I learned illustration and design by myself. I started my career working on theatrical scenery (drawing some parts of scenery), after this I went to an Animation studio, working in an Animation Movie as a cleaner. I worked with graphic design since 1999, starting as a trainee in a small studio, working with art books, cd covers, catalogs, visual identity and a little bit of illustration. After this I was work to a bigger studio, working as Art Director for package design, (Toy’s packages) and illustration. Now, I work in my home office, with Illustration as a freelance artist.

2. You are from Brazil, how do you like living there, and are you a football fan?

Yeah, I like living here….Brazil has always had some problems (social, money, unemployment, and corruption) but I like the people from here…:) Well, I haven’t lived in another country, still… I like São Paulo, I like the “gray” aspect from São Paulo (yeah, a bit different to the other tourist points from Brazil).

As many Brazilians, I LOVE Football, when I can, I always try play a little. Football is in the Brazilian blood. The first gift to a Brazilian baby is a football…:D My favourite Brazilian team is Palmeiras…

3. What got you interested or started in vector art?

The vibrant colors, drawing precision and quick drawing. I did my illustrations (before starting in vector art) using the conventional way: drawing a pencil sketch, finishing by inking and coloring in the Photoshop. With the vector wayI could make the same work in half the time, with more color and drawing precision. And I wanted add the “vector style” to my works. I like clean lines, flat and vibrant colors and a great detail precision. Really the vector style fits very well in the type of work that I wanted.

4. What or who inspires you artistically?

Many things inspires me… Music, Dreams, Life, Games, Internet, peoples on the street, the city, works from good artists, Graffiti, Anime / Manga. I think that I’m like a sponge….absorbing all influences. I never discard good visual information. I’m always trying to incorporate all these things into to my work. My favourite artists are: (traditional art) Dali, Picasso, Miró, Gaugin, Toulouse-Lautrec, Klimt, Audrey Beardsley;. (vector art) Jason Brooks, Monsieur Z, Jordi Labanda, Ippei Gyoubu, Fee Bee, Kirsten Ulve… (brazilian) Ziraldo, Maurício de Souza, Laerte.

5. You have a great illustration style, what type of artistic influences have you had?

As I said….I’m always trying to incorporate all influences (that interest me) in my work. Fine arts, Urban Style, Comic Art, Anime / Manga…

6. What vector illustration program do you use the most frequently, or prefer and why?

I just use Illustrator from Adobe. I like it because it’s the most professional and precise vector-based software that I have tried…

7. If you could give a beginner just starting out in the design and illustration business any advice what would you tell them?

Don’t stop practicing, studying, looking for good references, or reading the news all day (because you must translate the actual world to the people)

8. What was the toughest illustration you have attempted that you can remember?

So many…..:) I don’t want to be unfair….but, I remember a work series (of CD Covers) by Jason Brooks…when I saw those covers…I decided that vector art will be my way…I still don’t know if Jason did all those illustrations in vector, but I loved the style…

9. When you are not illustrating or surfing the net, what do you like to do for relaxation and recreation?

To be with my wife, Listen to Music, Play games, Play football, watch a good movie, read a good book or comic (with good illustrations). walk in the city, and go to night parties…

10. Is there a favorite shortcut or handy tip in Illustrator that you could share with us?

Yeah!…In Illustrator….Always use the “smart guides” to drawing.

11. What are your goals in life for instance where do you see yourself in 5-10 years artistically, or professionally?

I want to be a great graphic artist…A great illustrator. I want to be in great projects, work on a social project maybe. Work in a comic book (a graphic novel.:)) In 5 years I want to be established as a professional illustrator. (I started as professional just this year) Work in good projects. Start possible projects of illustration. Write and Illustrate a children’s book with my wife. In 10 years I want to travel around the world, knowing all cultures and people…maybe develop a graphical work with each culture…

12. Do you work purely in vector or do you occasionally have to open a program like Photoshop for raster work?

Purely vector, I just open the photoshop to “save for web”:)

13. What are your thoughts about large art communities like deviant art? Do you think they are helpful to artists starting out, or artists trying to promote their work, or are they just too big?

I think that large communities (like Deviant Art) are a good way for new artists, apprentices and old and experienced artists to show their work…The artists need people to say something about their work. The artists really need all feedback. In the large communities, you can find any style of art, you can find your place and become better in your own style. Some experienced artists can find other people in the world that produce a style of art like their own. It’s because of this that I’m writing here…:D These people can meet other people and start new projects, working in different places around the world. I hope more communities like Deviant Art can appear, and I hope that these communities can help break the barriers of language, distance, culture, in the name of art.

14. If a genie gave you one wish and it could be anything what would it be?

Peace in the world.

Thanks Cris for taking this time to do the interview and for this wonderful insight into your world. :)