Hello everybody !
How you all doing ?! Awrite, so following *Rahll’s interview, I thought I just needed to interview his love/hate buddy ! You know who it is and I do too, but here we go for a bit of suspense He lives in Hollywood, an amazing Digital Painter, one of the best … He goes by the name of Shinoda spelt backwards, it’s the one and the only …

So hope you’ll enjoy ! Have a nice time reading and let’s get it on !!

What is your name ?
Dan LuVisi

What is your alias and why you choose it ?
Adonihs. Ugh, this is really lame..but I made this account, at least 6 years ago, and during that time I was REALLY into Linkin Park. I really liked the main singer (because he was white and rapped), Mike Shinoda..so in a spur of the moment situation..I flipped his last name, and made it Adonihs.
A lot of people think I named my user name after the Greek god..and then think I'm pompous. I don't know whats worse, that..or the fact that they don't realize he was the god of love makin'.

Tell us a bit about yourself Dan?
I'm 23 years old and I currently reside in Santa Monica, Ca with my loving girlfriend Phu and my cat Gizmo. Other than that, I'm just a normal guy..I love films, graphic novels/comics, jamming to music and playing video-games.
Oh..and I kind of like art. A little.



Do you get loads of support from family/friends ?
Of course, I couldn't ask for more. My girlfriend and my brother's support are what mean the most to me. My family, I feel like I had to prove to them that this was possible for me to do, once I got out of high-school. But I have to say, it was the same with everyone.
There's that whole cliché about 'starving artist' and now a days, unless you have a college degree you're almost certain to "not make it". So my friends were all going to college, and I was drawing every day, working my ass off to get ahead. It paid off, and I think they all see that now.

Have you done any previous studies before getting yourself into Digital Art ?
Nope, self taught. Took some ridiculous art classes in High School with some cynical teacher who hated me, never learned a thing from her.

How long does it take you to get into the feel of creating something new and stunning ?
I just kind of do it in an hour or so, whatever.
Ha, no..it takes days, weeks or months. It all depends, I can't just pull my art out of my ass. It's a process of dozens of thumbnails, research and music. Lots of music. I'll go through handfuls of ideas before I get one pictures. It's a tedious process, but once I NAIL that picture...It's seriously like I'm high.
High on art. It's an amazing feeling.

You are really well known over DA, is it the same case in real life too ?
No, I wish. I'm still a no body out here in Hollywood. It's a long process, and I think I may be too critical on myself. I feel like I could be years ahead right now in my game, but I'm still in the shadows. I always feel I can improve and need to work even harder to get to that point..but again, that’s me.
My manager always tells me to feel fortunate for what I've gotten so far for my age...so I don't know. It'll all come, but it's not about that. I just want to get to that level of being at the top, so I can put out work that I feel is right, create my own studio and hire brilliant artist to pack it.



What does your work represent to you?
Fun. Takes me away from drama and stress. I feel it's the only thing I've ever been good at, so it's a talent. I wouldn't give it up for anything. So my art represents who I am, cheesy..but true.

Who will be your favourite artist at this moment ?
So many..but I'd have to say Ryan Church.

How do you respond to change in trends in this "digital" world ?
You mean like anime and fan art? I've been victim to it, but I try to stay out of that now. It won't get you anywhere. It's a fun time-waster, but I feel everyone should break away from trends. Be a leader, not a follower.

So where is your working place, in an office at home ? Once you're finished with your pieces where would you post them ?
I work at home, which I call my office..which my girlfriend calls part of the kitchen/living room.
And I'd post my pictures on DeviantART and CGHUB.



What software do you use and what is your favourite tool ?
Photoshop CS3 and CS4. Wacom Cintiq.

Is there any tips for other Digital Painter or Illustrator you would like to share ?
Yeah, same tip I give everyone. Never stop or give up.

Do you work with commission, if so is it enough to make a living out of ?
No, definitely not. I'd love to do commissions, but for the amount of work I do and the time I put into it, I'd have to charge a somewhat hefty amount. I can't do a huge painting for 100 dollars, I'd lose a lot of time in that. In a perfect world, sure...but right now, Bush screwed us. So I'm hankering for some chedda.

We also heard that you left DA and now are back? What was the problem ?
This problem is known as: THE INTERNET. Some people just use it as a mask and say stupid things without thinking. I get bitched at for not responding to someone's question, because I didn't see it. Then bad mouthed in a journal. Or someone leaves me a nasty comment and I respond to it, and they go "Ha, you only respond to me when I'm being negative?" As if I sit around waiting for that comment.
It's just ridiculous sometimes, I really have a hate/love relationship with the online world. But that’s mostly the reason, needed a break from the users that have nothing better to do with their time, then talk smack.
I apologize to the watchers!



Is Rahll one of your friends or enemy, you always seem to be “dissing” each other ?
Oh god. Wait..Rahll? Who is that?
You mean Brett Michaels? The lead singer of Poison?

Do you usually have a message to send through your work ?
Totally. I have to say, I'm a sucker for hero poses. Well, first...I'm a conceptual artist, I'd like to think. So I love to do single shots of characters, just being bad ass. And in that image, it's usually a good vs. bad type image...I feel that the good always prevails, whether that’s in trying to get a job, being cool with others..etc etc. So I try to show that message.

What would be your casual routine like ?
9:00 AM: Wake up, eat.
9:15 AM-12:01pm: DRAW
12:01-12:30pm: Eat lunch.
12:30-6:30pm: DRAW
6:30-8: Eat dinner/watch TV/hang with the lady/play Call of Duty
8-2am: DRAW/Answer an interview

Repeat.

What are your other hobbies, when you're not drawing or sketching ?
I like to call myself a reader..but I seem to collect books, and never read them. I do love graphic novels though..such as Y:The Last Man, Ex Machina, Dark Tower, Old Man Logan, KICK ASS! and others.
Love music..and I love video-games. Call of Duty 4, Call of Duty: World At War, Left 4 Dead, Fallout 3, and Little Big Planet. Movies...I can't get enough of movies. And I'm a sucker for reality shows. Sue me.



What is your ultimate goal in Digital Art ?
To inspire. Seriously. Money is amazing to do one thing. Keep you feeling secure. I just want others to break out of their shell and become huge. Hopefully I inspire one kid to do that.

Where does your Inspiration source come from ?
My dad, he busts his ass off. And underdog stories..like Pixar.

What would your top 5 tips be for anyone that is starting to Paint or Illustrate ?
1. Don't be cocky. Be confident.
2. Have ADD.
3. Learn, learn, learn. Research is everything.
4. Invest some money in an iPod/mp3 player, you're going to need it.
5. Do. Not. Give. Up. Unless you're on your death bed. Anyone can be successful.

What do you think of today's Digital Arts levels and amount of work ?
I think it's amazing, the more the better.

You have achieved a staggering number of 5 Daily Deviation over DA, how do you feel ?
You know, a DD is whatever. Obviously it's awesome to hear great things about yourself, and have others show appreciation for your work, I could never say anything negative towards that. But, I mean, you don't need an award to know you did something you enjoy. You should feel the same way about it, without that award. Though I do think DA's mods need to start re-thinking about what they put up for DD's.



And if that wasn't enough you also won the prestigious "Deviousness" how did you feel when receiving that ?
Okay, that did feel very nice. Whomever wrote it, really brought a tear to my eye. Very kind things were said, was pleasantly surprised. Since I thought I was such an ass.

What type of music do you listen to ?
All, besides country. My fav artists are Muse, The Killers, Mozart, Philip Glass, Hans Zimmer, James Newton Howard, Lupe Fiasco and others.

What is your gear like ?
I'm poor and don't have a camera...but I have:
23 inch iMac
Wacom Cintiq 12UX.
80 gig iPod.
15lb Grey Cat, named Gizmo.
I'm a Mac whore.

If there was another software you would like to master, which one would it be ?
ZBRUSH!!!!!!



Your popularity over DA is ever so increasing, I mean how do you feel, from what we can see on your stats we see that you get per average approximately 2000 pageviews per day. Going back to your first day here on DA, how do you feel achieving such impressive stats ?
Again, it goes back to the DD question. Sure, it's awesome..but I think some people, not trying to pin point you, but others, rely too much on pageviews. They will never get you anywhere and some need to realize that. I've had people go "Ugh! I don't have any page-views!" And sure, it sucks to be unnoticed..but again, work your ass off to get there. I was a nobody until about 3 years into DA. After I did the VENOM/Spider-Man picture, only then did I become what I call "popular".
But, it's just numbers..I'm amazed that so many people come and look at my stuff, sure. But it means more to me to hear someone say something really kind or nice about my work, then a silly number.

Did you had to go through some very challenging task in your Digital career ?
Of course. My first two years with it were awful. I didn't give up like that loser you mentioned..what was his name? Raoull?
But it was tough at first. It was a long struggle, but for some reason I just never stopped, and I'm glad I didn't. Because there was a certain artist, whom, I won't mention, who I always felt I was in competition with. I thought the artist was so talented and I kept on trying to get to their level..but then stopped, and just tried to do what I do. And now I feel I've advanced ten folds over that artist..and that’s the main message I try to give. Just keep doing it, never stop. You can only get better, not worse.

What are your future plans ?
Well, first I want to work on a grip-load of movies as a conceptual artist, put out some art books/graphic novels that I'd like to get published by next year. Then would be nice, by 30 to become a Production Designer on some films, then by 35, own my own workshop like WETA, ILM or Stan Winston Studio (R.I.P). By 40, I'd like to be one of the most well known guys out there in the business, so I can then watch all the fun happen and hire other artist and just relax and have fun.



If you could, you would ...
Go to Italy, London, Germany and France, right now. And just draw.
And eat.

What is your favourite piece, that you ever created ? And why you chose this piece ?
Cheesy, but Bonnie and Clyde: 2666.
It's kind of how I feel with my girlfriend, Phu. I've been with her for, what I think (she's going to kill me) 4 years now. And even though I can't express it in words that well, I'd do anything to protect her and keep her happy. And I kind of had that idea and tried to put it into a picture...
except I'm not a bad ass armor-touting grunt and she's not a big boobied robot. She's hotter than that.

What are your favourite pieces on DA, could you share them ?
Not so much pieces, but here let's do user's.

Rahll [link]
One of the most hard working guys I know right now. Keep your eyes on Reid, because I guarantee, as long as he keeps his head on his shoulders and doesn't let the stupid shit block his way, this guy is going to be huge. Mark my words. Him and I will be working big time, in the coming years, I'll guarantee that. Great guy, funny, and a very talented artist.

Pearl Phoenix [link]
Marissa is a total sweetheart. A great listener, also very talented and kind. Just like I said about Reid, as long as she'd let me..I'd love to work with her one day as well, major potential. She just NEEDS to get her ass into this business, before I kidnap one of her hamsters.

Omen2501 [link]
Another class act. One of the best digital painters I've seen in awhile. We were just talking recently, and I was telling him it's a goddamn shame he doesn't live in Hollywood. This guy would make BANK. Amazing sci-fi work, can never get enough of his work.

There’s a lot more, and hopefully no one will kill me for not mentioning them. But those are three of my favorites.



If you had to sum up all your work into one sentence, what would it be ?
Story-telling. I cheated.

And to finish it off, What would you like to say to your millions of fans out there ? And what did you think of this Interview ?
I'm glad you ask.
My fans, or what I'd like to call..my friends,
By now, if you're reading this-you're probably already half way asleep and I'd like to thank you for getting this far. See, I don't know you personally, and you don't know me. We may never meet, or we may one day at Comic Con, and only then will you see how much of a nerd head I am.

But until that day, I want you to know that you keep me here. You guys are the reason I keep on trucking and pumping out work. You guys are the reason I wake up, and even before I brush my teeth or take a piss, begin drawing.

You guys are the reason I go to sleep, dreaming of new ideas, new creatures and characters. You guys are the reason why I never give up, the reason I keep on telling myself even though this road is hard, there has to be something good waiting.



You guys are the reason I know I can succeed, the reason that keeps me feeling secured and keeps me steady. Even though we'll never meet, hopefully I can inspire you to work, not only for yourself, but for those that watch over you. Whether it's your family, friend, or someone you may never meet. I hope, or at least wish that I can change someone's life, to make someone quit sulking every day and pick up a pen and work.

You guys are my inspiration, and I mean that at the bottom of my heart. Like I said, money pays bills, pays my for my movies, games and food. But it doesn't buy people's love for your art. You guys are the reason why hopefully one day, I can accept an Academy Award for my art on a film (hey, it's a child hood dream) and I can thank you all again.

I can't say enough about how much I appreciate everyone’s support, no, undying support for my work. The fan art that you guys put out, or the supportive notes. Everything means so much to me, and even though I can't thank each and every one of you, please, take this as my apology.

You guys keep me going and I can't thank you enough.
Great interview man, my hands are about to fall off...but loved it. Thank you so much.



And unfortunately that was it ! Hope you still enjoyed it ! Loads to learn from, (I most certainly did) It was a great pleasure interviewing such great minds in the Digital Industry. Hope you guys enjoyed too, go visit his gallery if you haven’t before (where have you been throughout your DA stay ) and be sure to his work !


Hoping that you guys enjoyed the read, to show your support, and thank you ever so much !
Thank You Very Much,
Kind Regards,

=Sangiev