Hello everybody, how ya'll doing ?
Welcome to another edition of the Hidden Talent news series. How are you all, hope yo'ure ready because today we have a roller coaster !
She is extremely nice and very energetic (hypa !) She is not a Scientist and lives with her husband ... Yes you found out (from the title ) It's the one and the only ...


Enjoy!


What is your name ?
Katherine Cheng Franke, though everyone, and I mean everyone, calls me Katie :B

What is your alias and why you choose it ?
My alias is (obviously) snowmask and it came from an acronymic poem I wrote many years ago.

Could you tell us a bit about yourself?
I paint, love my husband and cats, travel frequently, enjoy good food and wine, and bake delicious cakes and pies.



Just found that you're from Hong Kong ! (a bit late) Is it cool there ? Does it help with your career?
Hong Kong is without a doubt one of the most awesome cities in the entire world. A magnificent centre for trading and finance, thus a pearl unto itself. Actually I don't work with any clients from Hong Kong, and neither does my husband. Rather, it's another home to us, somewhere to get away from it all.

Do you get loads of support from family/friends ?
Sure, and I'm always grateful for their presence.

Have you done any previous studies before getting yourself into Traditional Art ?
Strictly speaking, no. I've never studied academically for Art. Only took creative art classes from the age of 3 to 11, and just did my own thing.



How long does it take you to get into the feel of creating something new and stunning ?
There's never an estimate for that

You are really well known over DA, is it the same case in real life too ?
I'm not an international celebrity, if that's your meaning. Hopefully when all the cards are played right, fame will be achieved in the right circles for me.

Do you plan your images before doing them, or make them up on the spot ?
I don't plan them, nor do I "make them up", so to speak. I'm merely a tool for my inspiration. I bring to life images that come to my mind.



What does your work represent to you?
Thoughts and feelings.

Who will be your favourite artist at this moment ?
At this precise moment, it's Jan Asselyn, a Dutch painter from the Baroque era. I'm completely enraptured by his piece "The Threatened Swan". Have been for a little more than a month now I think. This changes from time to time.

We see that you balance your work between Traditional Art : Oil Painting and Digital Art. Is it easy ? Which one is your prior style ?
Traditional was the medium I started out with, and I was curious to try digital art a few years ago. It's fun, though the process is not even half as enjoyable as working with real mediums.

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 in a studio. Sometimes I paint for myself, most of the time I paint for clients. Usually with both, they are documented for computer storage, then they are stored in a climate controlled warehouse along with my husband's work (he does traditional glass plate printing for photography), until the latter is ready for shipment. Sometimes for personal work, we have them hung up in the studio.

What software do you use and what is your favourite tool ?
For digital art, I prefer to use Corel Painter IX. Oils/camel brushes are probably my favourite tool.



Is there any tips for other Digital Painter or Painters you would like to share ?
Not really :B I don't really believe in "tips". Everyone has their own way of doing things and I certainly haven't the right to dictate other people's preference with creation.

Do you work with commission, if so is it enough to make a living out of ?
Certainly.

Do you usually have a message to send through your work ?
Nope. Just stuff I see in my head.

What would be your casual routine like ?
My daily routine? In the mornings I do usual household stuff while my husband is off to work, and this is when I tend to dA as well, and mess around with our cats. The afternoons are when I prefer to paint. Night time is for reading to my husband, and generally just spending time together.



What are your other hobbies, when you're not drawing or sketching ?
I love to bake, and am very fond of French and German wines. Actually most everything interests me. Books, films, opera, orchestras, Ballet, shopping, travelling.

What is your ultimate goal in Traditional & Digital Art ?
I don't really have a goal other than to keep doing something new. I hate boring myself.

Where does your Inspiration source come from ?
Everywhere.

What would your top 5 tips be for anyone that is starting to Paint ?
Well I shall try to be most careful with this, as I already mentioned my thoughts on "tips". For someone just starting to paint, I would say:
- Experiment between different types of medium
- Keep intuitions as open as possible
- Never be limited to anything
- Try combining mediums
- Stop being afraid



What do you think of today's Traditional Arts levels and amount of work ? Digital Arts' levels and amount of work ?
In all honesty I'm rather depressed by the current state of Fine Art, where all the talents are scattered around all over the world in small pockets. There have not been any revolutionary art movements in so long. It seems to me as though "Design" has taken over, and the accessibility of digital art furthermore creates possibility for mediocrity. There are of course always exceptions to everything.

You have achieved a staggering number of 5 Daily Deviation over DA, how do you feel ?
I'm honoured to have received recognition for my work and as a very new volunteer Gallery Moderator for dA I hope to bring that same attention to amazing talents throughout the site.

And if that wasn't enough you also won the prestigious "Deviousness" how did you feel when receiving it ?
Again, most honoured. I was actually more delighted to know that so many of my friends and acquaintances were happy for me.

What do you think DA looks out for when rewarding "Deviousness" ?
Genuineness. Warm, giving personalities who contribute in many ways towards the site.



What type of music do you listen to ?
Mostly Classical.

What is your gear like ?
my GEAR? As in my work station? I have a nice dark wood easel, a well-stocked tool box, not ever enough paint brushes, and lots and lots of towels, if that counts for anything.

If there was another software you would like to master, which one would it be ?
Probably Maya.

Your popularity over DA is ever so increasing, I mean how do you feel, going back to your first day, this is impressive !
Everyone has to start from somewhere. I wouldn't have stayed on and interacted with so many people if the site were not awesome to begin with



How did you come up with the "Titty Slappers" crew ?
LOL. First of all, they are not the "Titty Slappers" crew, although they might like that name! I suppose you are referring to the nude avatars, which I have many more to make actually. It started one when I made myself a nude avatar 5 years ago, and then I made some for my friends... other people saw them, and asked for me to make them... and the rest they say is history.

Did you had to go through some very challenging task in your Digital/Traditional career ?
Definitely. I have no idea how I would have managed if it weren't for my husband, who is very well acquainted in the Fine Art Industry.

What are your future plans ? Where would you see yourself in 10 years from now ?
Hopefully to have a child with my husband, and to move to both Hong Kong and Northern Japan.



If you could, you would ...
That's between my husband and I

What is your favourite piece, that you ever created ? And why you chose this piece ?
It's very difficult to say, as this changes all the time. For now, it will have to be "Dance Of Same".

Mostly because of when the visuals occurred, and how I have absolutely no understanding towards the piece. It somewhat fascinates me.

What are your favourite pieces on DA, could you share them ?
"Chater House" by my husband ^zerocomplex
"Zero DB" by my good friend `sphilr
"Sleight Of Hand" by =lolitaAgogo
"It Blows My Mind" by ~pewxi

If you had to sum up all your work into one sentence, what would it be ?
Never the same.

And to finish it off, What would you like to say to your fans out there ? And what did you think of this Interview ?
I have fans? I don't think of the people who support me as that. All I can say, and all I can ever say, is thank you, and stay classy This interview was a lot of fun! Thank you so much, it was a pleasure.



And that is for today
Hope you all enjoyed ! It was a great pleasure interviewing her, she is very fun and be sure to check her gallery, go her work and for more works !
Tis was my pleasure, hope you enjoyed the read ! Stay tuned for much more

Regards,
Your interviewer

=Sangiev