Dorian Cleavenger
Fantasy Artist - DorianArt.com

"Although a relative newcomer to the fantasy industry, Dorian has already established himself in a business that would normally take years or decades to achieve." - excerpt from web bio, click here for more.

This is the first interview I've ever tried to tape, so you'll have to forgive any lost words or misinterpreted sentences. So, that said, read on.

figma: So, where did you get your start? I was looking on your website, and it said that you grew up in Massachusetts?
dorian: I was born in Massachusetts, and I lived in New Jersey for a while, and then I moved to Pittsburgh.

figma: Did you go to a school there or...?
dorian: I started at the Newark School of Fine and Industrial Arts, but I was only there for a few months, right out of high school, and then recently, I went back to the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, and took classes there. Basically, to catch up on computers and technology with the art institute. That inspired me to paint again, being around other artists and all that, it helps. After that, then I wanted to get into the fantasy and comicbook industry.

figma: Now, while you were in school, were you shooting for a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree or something?
dorian: Not really. I just wanted to experience what I was meant to do, I was meant to paint. It was pretty much what I thought, they can only teach you so much, then its up to the individual though.

figma: So, where did you get your start? Where was your first big break?
dorian: A friend of mine knew a publisher at London Knights Studios, and he said he wanted to meet, and the guy loved my work, and that was my first comicbook cover. I've done probably about 10 or 15 since that with him. Then I started doing conventions, and really, that's the way you get to meet publishers and show them your work.
figma: And what year was that?
dorian: Last year... I've only been doing this a year and a half. It's my second year at conventions.
figma: Wow.
dorian: Since then, I've been working with Harris Comics, went into Image, Chaos, Top Cow, and then a mag called Heavy Metal, who I'm going to be doing a gallery with.

figma: Before that, what were you doing?
dorian: Commercial art a little bit. Industrial art. I played in a band for 8 years.
figma: There's a big connection with art and music.
dorian: Yeah, it's the same thing. [ed. Joe Jusko walks by exchanging a quick "How's it goin'" to Dorian...]

figma: How would you compare the comics industry and general art industry. Do you prefer one or the other?
dorian: First of all, if by general art, you mean "fine art", with comicbooks you're basically doing commercial art. You're hired to do a job. Fine art you do what you want, and hope it sells. I'm leaning towards fine art so I can paint what I want. But the comicbook industry is a great way to get your work out there, it's like they're basically paying you for an ad for your stuff. So I'm happy with it. Money-wise, its not great, but its the visuals and the advertising.

figma: So, you're more interested in doing your fine art?
dorian: Yeah, I guess like Sorayama, where you just do what you want and people buy it, and it's not for any reason as far as the illustration goes.

figma: How would you compare commercial art vs. comic industry. Doing spot illustrations, magazines, etc...
dorian: For me, I like fantasy work and the pleasures of fantasy work and with commercial art you're drawing refrigerators and cars... and it's not rewarding at all... monetarily, yeah, but not self-wise.

figma: So what do you think is your best work so far? Or can you pick anything?
dorian: I'd like to think my best work hasn't been done yet. But so far, it's kind of hard for me to decide because I'm biased when I look at it. But, I ask people and they can usually pick one. I could narrow it down to about ten paintings, not my favorite, but--

figma: Do you lean more towards science fiction, fantasy, or?
dorian: I think it's hard to describe, but erotic science fiction, fantasy... pinup, you know what I mean? So I can do any of those shows like GlamourCon with playmates and stuff, that have crossed over.

figma: Have you shown your work in traditional galleries?
dorian: Originally... I've got Bane's gallery in LA [ed. Tamara Bane Gallery] They show public pictures for Sorayama, he's picked up my paintings, and he'll be bringing them with him the the San Diego show.

figma: I learned on your website that you do a lot of work in acrylics? Is that because it's fast?
dorian: Fast, yeah. And they're cheap, colors look really brilliant...
figma: One of the things I've always heard [about acrylics] is that you don't get as robust or full colors as oils.
dorian: Well, it takes some work. I actually tried acrylics a long time ago and I was turned off completely by them, and recently I tried them again and I tried to get an oil look to it. It was really difficult.
figma: Do think it helps that you went with oils for a while, and then came to acrylics?
dorian: Sure, you know, you have to try everything.

figma: What projects do you have coming up?
dorian: Covers for Chaos [Comics], Lady Pendragon 24 page annual fully painted, Heavy Metal 12 pages and a cover, doing a calendar poster.
figma: So do you do a lot of sequential art?
dorian: I am, I'm trying to stay away from it, though, maybe I'll do some Vampirella stuff like that for publicity. I mostly just like the covers.
figma: Allows you to focus on the details?
dorian: It's also the resale value too.

figma: Do you do any work on the computer? Are you at all interested in the computer?
dorian: Not really. I've tried, but it takes longer for me, for some people it might not, but I'm more of a hands-on person.
figma: --And you don't really have a lot to show for it after it's all there. (laughs)
dorian: Yeah, you print it out but what else can you do with it? (smiles)

figma: So your website, is that something you put together yourself or a friend of yours?
dorian: A friend who knows how to do it.
figma: Did she get you into it?
dorian: I was looking for someone to do it, I met her and she's local, does it on the side, and does a good job.

figma: Well, my last question is: How do you see the affect of computers on the artist community in general?
dorian: I think it's going to die out a little bit, because it's something new and everybody's doing it, but like anything else they flood the market then it's gonna die down but the few good ones will still be there. But computers are always changing, so you don't know what's going to be the next thing as it gets better and better.

figma: Well, thank you very much. I really appreciate it. Good to meet you!