Name: Andrei Feheregyhazi
Age: 33
City/Town: Saskatoon
Country: Canada
Places Lived: Japan
Traveled: USA, Japan, Korea, France, Italy, Germany, Netherlands, Hungary, Austria
Loves:
Graphic Novel: Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, by Hayao Miyazaki
Film: Mononoke Hime, By Hayao Miyazaki
Television: Doctor Who
Place: Japan
Teachers/Education: BFA in Painting at the University of Saskatchewan
Occupation: Filmmaker/ Artist
What would one find in the pages of your Paperblanks journal?
I use my Paperblanks journal mainly for designing and figuring out characters and elements for my films and upcoming webcomic “Heart of Steam.” I really enjoy the way Paperblanks’ paper holds the watercolor. It allows me a level of control as well as letting the random characteristics of watercolor shine.
Do you have any specific themes you refer to frequently?
I seem to often come back to the anthropomorphizing of inanimate objects. I’m fascinated by the soul and character of the objects in our daily lives. I find it interesting that people seem to find it so easy to self identify with an object, and it seems to increase their ability to sympathize with the point of view expressed in the film.
No matter what type of creative art you make, what or who first inspired you to make it an essential part of your life?
I don’t know what first inspired me to create, I’ve always been doing it. But there was a moment that made me realize I had the drive that is necessary to be a full-time artist.
During a period when I lived in Japan I was working full-time, had just finished a painting exhibition, and was putting an average of 5-8 hours a day into my art. I was thoroughly exhausted. So I decided to take a few months away from creating. About 4 months after this decision, I encountered the first depression of my life. I didn’t know what was going on and could not figure out why I was so miserable. This went on for a couple of months until I picked up a sketchbook and started to draw again. Very quickly, the joy returned to my life and I was the happy-go-lucky guy I had been before. From this experience I realized what I wanted to do with my life, and have been making a living as an artist ever since.
How did you find Paperblanks?
While looking for a new sketchbook I found a Paperblanks notebook that was beautiful and exactly the right size. Since then I’ve been in love.
What sets Paperblanks apart from other journals you’ve used?
The main thing is actually the paper. It responds so well to the way I use watercolors, offering both control and a unique flow that I haven’t been able to find in any other paper. The designs are also great. When I pull out my Paperblanks notebook in public I’ll often get a comment like “woah cool book…how old is it?” People often think it’s an antique book, so it adds a sort of legitimacy to my work in their eyes. Which, I have to admit, my ego likes!
Do you have a favorite Paperblanks design?
I really like the handstitched books with the exposed spines.
Do you have any advice for other creative people?
Never forget your audience. Ask yourself these questions:
How do I want them to move through this piece?
How do I want them to react?
Where do I want them to feel this? (ie. Throat, Heart, Stomach?)
What do I want them to take away from this?
Creative Works:
http://fajigajiga.tumblr.com/ and http://vimeo.com/andreif
