Deckmaster

Il cunoasteti, il iubiti, a ilustrat carti de la Alpha pana in prezent – am placerea de a va prezenta un interviu in exclusivitate pentru Deckmaster cu the one and only Christopher Rush. Domnul Rush a avut bunavointa de a-mi raspunde la intrebari si, pe langa asta, mi-a oferit cateva din ilustratiile sale pentru a le introduce in articol.

I was born in southern California, moved to Washington state as a teenager. In high school I discovered I had a passion for drawing. I was told by many people that that was not a proper career and should consider something more respectable. I met a recruiter for the Art Institute of Seattle, and decided to attend. A couple years later I dove right into the crazy design world, or better known as taking any odd job I could find while looking actual design and illustration work. Some of the things I did included selling shoes, books, making surfboards, roofing tar and property maintenance and management. I found work with Nintendo of America (not doing illustration or design, but fun nonetheless). A friend and I started a software company called Q Studios. We developed a game called Blood for Apogee. Q Studios was later bought by Monolith Productions. By this time though, I was already working for Wizards of the Coast.

When did you start providing art for Wizards of the Coast? How did you link up with them?

Jesper Myrfors and I had been friends for years. We are both very creative at heart and enjoyed playing all kinds of games, most fantasy related like Dungeons and Dragons or miniatures. We would hang out with our group and kick around ideas for games and worlds. He discovered a small local company that made supplements for fantasy role playing games. That company was Wizards of the Coast, and we were beginning to develop Magic: the Gathering as I joined them as a contractor doing illustrations for the cards. Shortly after that I joined full time as a designer. Jesper and myself are the only two with art on every card. Together we designed the logo for Magic: the Gathering, and I designed the mana symbols.

What aspect of your work do you enjoy the most? What gives you the biggest satisfaction?

I love the actual process of creation, taking concept and turning it into something amazing. I also tremendously enjoy the fact that such a creation, whether it be a design or illustration can be enjoyed others.

Who are your favorite artists? Which artists influenced your work?

I have many favorite artists, but let me list a few of my favorites that have either influenced my work or influenced my desire to be an illustrator. The brothers Hildebrandt, Frank Frazetta, Don Maitz, J.C. Leyendecker, Alphonse Mucha, N. C. Wyeth, Maxfield Parrish.

What is your favorite painting?

One of my all time favorite paintings is Ecstasy by Maxfield Parrish.

Of all the cards you provided art for, which one is your favorite?

My favorite card painting tends to change over time, but I think the Rathi Dragon and Circle of Protection: Black pretty much top my list.

Which card art, except your creations, do you like the most?

That is a tough one, there are so many. Perhaps the Fallen Angel. I like the versions done by both Anson Maddocks and Matt Wilson.

Who is your favorite Magic illustrator?

I actually know, like and respect many of the other artists. So I wont pick a single favorite. Based purely on their art and nothing else, there are a few whose work I always look forward to seeing; Quinton Hoover, Brom, Jim Murray, Scott Fischer, Kev Walker, Mark Zug.

What type of cards do you feel fit your style best? What type of cards do you enjoy illustrating the most?

That's an easy one, I enjoying painting characters and creatures. I like to keep the art for the card simple with a single focus.

What inspires you?

Many things, it could be artwork, movies, books. But most importantly inspiration strikes when you least expect it. It could be the look in a stranger's eye, the way the light filters through the trees on a summer day. You can find inspiration in the most simple or mundane places or situations. That is the true magic of inspiration.

Could you talk a little about the techniques and medium you use in your work?

I love drawing in pencil, it feels very natural. For painting I prefer acrylics, they dry quickly and that fits my tendency for procrastination when I need to finish a project quickly. I have also done much of my work digitally. One of my priorities when working digitally is to do my best to make it NOT look digital. There is a drawback to painting digitally however, there is no original. I did come to a compromise. For some paintings I do all the preliminary work on the computer. The layout. composition and background colors. I then print it out on archival paper, seal it to illustration board and finish the painting with acrylic paint.

What are some other places where your work can be found (other games, magazines, comics etc.)?

I have worked on many other products from Wizards of the Coast, including Net Runner, Robo Rally, Dungeons and Dragons, Mechwarrior card game. I worked on the Pokemon trading card game doing packaging design, and was the first (and possibly only) artist outside of Japan to illustrate a card for the game. I have done work on Clout, a game from Hidden City Games. Most my work lately has been conceptual for computer games and television shows. Unfortunately, due to non disclosure agreements the bulk of that work may never be seen.

What are your hobbies?

My time for hobbies is limited, but I enjoy playing World of Warcraft.

Do you play Magic? Do you collect cards?

I do play Magic, though not so much lately. I like playing booster drafts. I do collect the cards, though also not as much as I used too. I collect the cards for the art now.

Ever thought of visiting Romania?

I have, and though I have not yet had the opportunity, would still love to visit.

Do you have any advice to give to aspiring artists?

Practice! You have to start with the basics, the more you practice the more natural it will be come. You will want to draw or paint enough to train your muscle memory for it to become natural. The saying "It's not what you know, it's who you know" is somewhat true, so you'll want to develop contacts. But your work will speak for itself. Be passionate about your art and it will show.

A few words for your fans at Deckmaster...

Thank you all for the opportunity to share some of my experiences. When we first started developing Magic, we were all very excited. This was something we had never seen before and we know others would like it as well. We weren't quite prepared at the time for just how big it would be, but it's a testament to how good of a game it is that it is still going strong today.