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Artist Spotlight

Posted By Dustin on January 24, 2009

We've revamped and are officially re-opening our Fan Art Museum here at TheForce.net. You can check it out right here. Also if you are an aspiring artist and want to add your artwork to our museum for other fans to see, click here and scroll to the bottom for specific sending instructions.

Our new Fan Art department staff member Steve C. deserves a huge round of applause for his countless hours he's put into bringing this section back up to par. We hope you enjoy the results. Recently Steve has been working with Karen Hinson and had the opportunity to do a quick interview with this awesome Star Wars artist. Below is the interview...

"Having had the fine pleasure of speaking with Karen over the past few weeks, I took some time to ask Karen about her work and Star Wars.

She has been a Featured Artist in the TFN Fan Art Museum for quite awhile, and has been submitting some new pieces now that the new Museum has been launched. Karen hails from the lovely state of Tennessee. She also has a Web Gallery right here at Deviantart.com.

You can view her work on TFN in the New Fan Art Submissions for now, as well as her own section under the Featured Artists area.

Tell us about your background and what made you become an artist?
I have to say my drawing had to be a God given gift as I�m not really from an artistic family. I�ve just loved to draw since I can remember. Before Star Wars, I�d draw fairy tale Princesses and different people sitting in an easy chair. Thank heavens Star Wars came along and gave me something much more interesting to draw!

Could you tell us about your work style and process?
I�ve never had any formal artistic training, so I�ve always just had to figure things out as I go. Fortunately I�ve had a few friends that have given me very helpful technique suggestions over the years. Each artwork either starts from an idea in my head for which I look for reference pictures or from a reference picture that just grabs my attention. It usually is the latter. I�ll do the line drawing and then start shading generally from the background forward. An average drawing will take me anywhere from 25 to 35 hours. I work almost exclusively on 9 x 12 Bristol Board.

Who your favorite Star Wars character?
Han Solo is my favorite character to like, but Padme and Leia tie as my favorite characters to draw.

What has been your favorite project thus far?
That would be hard to say. If I had to pick, I�d say my favorite projects have been the few original Star Wars drawings I�ve done. The ones that aren�t copied strictly from reference pictures.

What would be a dream project?
If I were a formally trained artist, working on an official Star Wars project would be my pick. Especially if it were a Padme or Leia project. I�d do that for free!

What artists have influenced you, and how?
Even though my work looks nothing like his, I�ve always admired Norman Rockwell. If I could draw/paint like him, I wouldn�t be working as a chief accountant right now! Also Drew Struzan�s art has inspired me as well. Then there is my friend, portrait artist Kim Schultz, who has given me many helpful drawing tips via e-mail over the last few years. She�s the one that has really encouraged me to try a broader range of pencils which I think has drastically improved my drawings.

What do you do for fun (besides art)?
Basically I just spend time with my husband and family when I�m not drawing. I do like watching movies and sports in my spare time. I also love to play ping pong when I can con my husband into playing with me!

When did you discover Star Wars?
I discovered Star Wars at about 6 years old when my sister brought the Star Wars storybook home.

How did you find out about TFN?
I really don�t remember now how I found it, but I�m been a faithful visitor since around 2000.

What is your favorite color?
Blue

What is your favorite and least favorite thing about your art?
I�d have to say the eyes and hair are my favorite things about my artwork. The way I do skin shading would be my least favorite part.

Coffee, beer, wine, soda, tea... it�s Friday night, what�s in your glass?
I really have a thing for Sonic Coca-colas.

What advice or tips do you have for beginning artists in general or fan artists?
Draw what you love and it will show in your work. Be patient and don�t expect your first attempts to be perfect. Don�t take criticism of your work personally�just let it make you a better artist!"

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