This Artist Uses A Wombo-Combo Of Tech & Paint To Make Pieces That Look Like Photographs

I don’t profess to be much of an artist myself. In fact, whenever anyone puts a pen in my hand, even my little notebook doodles consist of the same two things every time: different sized stars and a kangaroo that faces left. You must never ask me to draw one facing right — my entire world would implode.

But I’m in absolute awe of anyone who can whip up a sketch or design in seconds flat, no matter the medium. And illustrators who work on tablets? Incredible. Is it witchcraft? Is it some kind of magic I have not been blessed with? It’s fine, I’m not bitter.

But instead of hanging out in an apartment filled with sketches of my kangaroo, I choose to look to artists who are actually smashing it in the business. Artists like Danielle Cross, whose mix of painting, technology and sketching makes it look effortless (even though my attempts at digital sketching can attest that it isn’t).

We had the chance to chat to Danielle recently about her work and how she approaches art using technology compared to when she uses more traditional mediums.

PEDESTRIAN.TV: How long have you been in the art biz?

Danielle Cross: It is cliché but I have done it forever — just not professionally until about ten years ago. That’s when I did a lot of abstract painting and ink work. That took me into a photography line as well; having a raw file and then manipulating it so it looked like a piece of art on the wall. From afar you’re not sure if it’s actually a painting. I was in interior design before that.

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P.TV: What made you change from that?

DC: You know, it was the universe, really, and I had two young kids. Painting’s always been a bit of a relief for me — it’s always been there. Interior design’s always been a great passion of mine and we were living in Perth at the time, for my husband’s work.

Then I came back to Sydney and was talking to a friend who’s part owner of Mrs Sippy (a restaurant/bar). Over dinner one night he asked if I had enough to do an art collection and exhibition here, and I said, “Yeah I suppose I do.” We pulled it all together and it really, the rest is history. It snowballed from there and I just kept going.

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P.TV: How does technology facilitate your creative process?

DC: I just think technology gives freedom. There’s traditional pen-to-paper, which will always stand, but there’s so much manipulation that goes on with technology. I really feel as though it’s giving you the freedom.

When people put a pen to paper, people get quite nervous about what you’re doing. It’s not the ‘correct’ way, or you put pressure on yourself. You don’t have that artistic, child-like freedom that you did when you were younger. I think that technology is giving that to adults now. Especially with the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 tablet, I’ve played around with that so much.

Because it’s so easy to undo, or move around and manipulate, you become a lot more free when doing those processes. With the tablet, it has a sensory noise function where you can hear the brushstrokes when you use the pencil. And that I reckon reaaaally sets it apart because you still have that traditional feeling coming through it.

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P.TV: What’s the biggest difference in your approach between using conventional pen and paper and using technology?

DC: It really depends. Sometimes I just love throwing down some sketches on the Samsung tablet, which will then cross over to my journaling and traditional work. So I think they both work hand in hand, it really depends on what mood you’re in or what you’re creating. Obviously the photography side is a lot more technology-driven.

But if you want to get your hands dirty in the brainstorming part, you can then very easily move that over into the technology form. It’s a mood thing, it’s an emotive thing. I will do journaling, brainstorming, concept briefings and all that sort of stuff, across both.

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P.TV: What tools, gadgets or apps do you most enjoy using for creating your content?

DC: I probably can’t go past my new Samsung Galaxy Note10+ for so many reasons. Considering business in 2019 can be run on the go and from anywhere, it’s been a game changer in assisting creatives like myself. The ability to draw and sketch ideas and concepts while hearing the feel of a pencil, and knowing that I can create as well as connect with my clients in a seamless manner, all on my phone, is what helps drive the brand.

Then when editing my raw files for the art photography print collection, having platforms like Adobe Photoshop allows me to take a photographic image and edit it in such a way that you’re not sure if you’re viewing a photo or a painting. That’s what makes my art photography aesthetic so identifiable.

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In any case, it’s clear that technology could be a really viable medium for me to translate my terrible kangaroo sketches into workable pieces of art. With more and more artists turning to digital mediums to create their pieces, it stands to reason that it’s worth a shot.

And with technology on hand like the Samsung Galaxy range, it makes it a lot easier for you to start sketching.


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