In this third interview of *Critique-Central we interview ^manicho, Gallery Director of the Skins & Themes gallery. He tells us about his art, dA and critique.


Hi! Could you tell us something about yourself?

Hello

I'm Mauricio Alexis Estrella, known all over the internet as "Manicho". I born in Galáagos Islands, but live in Quito- Ecuador since I was 2

I'm a Creative Director for Prodigy CP Studios and work freelance stuff over the internet. I've been designing for several years, and right now it's pretty much what's gives me money to survive: eat, party, drink, eat, sleep. I started doodling stuff when I was 13yo, now I'm proudly a recognized designer here in my country and many people all across the planet cheers me up each day, giving me compliments, complains, suggestions and work!

My to-do list for this life is: Live.
You all should do the same

How were you first introduced to the style(s) of art you create?

I've been trying a lot of different styles since the begginin. I've come across Illustration, Photography, Vector, Pixel-art, Icons Design, Web Design and even some 3D stuff. I gotta recognize that a big influence in my personal interest for wallpapers was $zilla774 and DigitalBlasphemy.com

What made you come to dA? (and why did you stay?)

Hahah This is the most weird answer you're gonna read.

I had a deviantART account back in 2001, but I completely forgot the nickname -and the password lol- and I first came in to comment on an amazing photography I saw. That was my first intention. Some months later, I forgot I had an account here, since I wasn't really aware of my capabilities for design (yet).

I came back some years later, and joined it under the alias ^manicho which now is really hard to forget.
Why did I stay? Because simply this is the best art community in the planet. The most open-mind, the most "free" and the most friendly all over the net.

Do you often receive critique? Has it always been like that?

I used to... Now I rarely receive critique on my works... Many times I get a rush of favs or comments but only 2 or 3 real critique. Critique always helped me to improve and enhance the quality of my public works, and It's really necessary to achieve your artistic goals among a varied community like this one.

How do you handle the critique you get?

I love when someone points me to another direction and gives me a new point of view. The art itself can be really subjetive, but there can be always good points to measure and really useful feedback on certain types or art. I think on my art -most of the time- I spend enough time thinking about the concept that not too many people dissaproves it.

I LOVE CRITIQUE. So if any of my loyal watchers and friends is reading this... Spam me with critique plz

Are you part of any community here on dA? Why (not)?

I'm part of 3 big communities here, the first one, and I think the most important: The Artist Relations Team, which gives me the chance to be creative and push up the skinning community.

The group *ecuatorianos is a community of ecuadorian artists on deviantART. It's really great to be in touch with cool people like all of them, and it's always a pleasure to be part of it.

My 3rd group was created by my friend *mrrste, the ~DeskModders club. It's about skins, icons, wallpapers and community projects involved with that nature. My favourite skinning group on dA

Do you have any advice you could offer to those starting out?

Don't copy styles.
Don't be a "tribute-to-x-person" submitter.
Don't become a "fan-art god".
Don't stay behind the line of creativity.

The most simple and useful advice would be: Be yourself. Do what you want, the way you want. If people like it, great! If people don't, great! It's still your art, your way to express yourself.

Is the cake a lie?

Of course. Poop is also a lie.
The only truth is 4 8 15 16 23 42.
screw 24. Lost owns.

^manicho