Interview with Alexander Gustafson, Illustrator, Marquette Sculptor, and Art Director
Alexander grew up in Essex Junction, and had his love of art enriched by the local schools. When he wasn’t drawing or sculpting, Alexander could be found playing Dungeons and Dragons and other role-playing games with a group of friends-many of whom he still plays with to this day! After high school, Alexander attended Savannah College of Art and Design where he obtained a Master’s degree in Illustration.
Alexander is a freelancer whose specialty is creating images for the gaming and entertainment industry. This allows him to combine his love for role playing games and his passion for art. As a non-artist myself (unless you count stick figures) it was very interesting to hear about the process that goes into creating such detailed images. Alexander first brings the concepts in his head alive in the form of quick sketches, and later develops them into finished images. He also spoke the research that he conducts to ensure that the images in a drawing are as close to their real-life inspiration as possible.
Last month, Alexander won the Illustrators of the Future contest-competing with artists all over the nation for this honor. Best-selling author Kevin J. Anderson, who will be presenting Alexander with his award, described the prestige of the contest: "What’s amazing to me is that a good 60 to 70% of winners go on to successful careers.” Alexander will be traveling to Los Angeles in April to receive this award.
View more of Alexander’s art and learn how to get in touch with him on the web: http://www.illustratedpixels.com/.
Why Essex? “Being back home in Essex is like coming back to my power base. It is settling for the soul.” –Alexander Gustafson
Why Essex? is a weekly(ish) column highlighting the people and places that make Essex an interesting and special place. Have an idea for the column? E-mail Darby Mayville at darby@essexjunction.org.
Photo Credits: Alexander Gustafson