Anabel Martinez is a digital artist and graphic designer who specializes in creating sci-fi and fantasy art inspired by video games and other genre related material. She has been a featured artist in the Scottsdale Public Art Boardroom and has over eight years of professional marketing, graphics and web design experience.
Anabel is a multi-faceted artist who also loves creating (and wearing) detailed and functional costumes. She recently wrapped up a working trip to New Zealand and she shared some of her adventures in the “land down under” with Nerdvana [Read about her Hobbit experience HERE].
Anabel took a few moments away from her busy preparations for the 2012 Phoenix Comicon to answer our Nerdvana Artist Profile questions.
What is your secret origin?
I come from the strange city of Albuquerque (AKA the place everyone knows from Breaking Bad.)
How do you describe your artwork?
I create digital concept art and illustrations of video game, sci-fi and fantasy characters and settings. I’m a huge gamer, and this is my creative outlet for that hobby. I regularly have awesome people passing recommendations on characters they want me to give a shot at.
What is your goal/ambition with your art?
I recently got to watch a concept art demo by a senior artist with Weta when I was down in New Zealand. He used a lot of the techniques that I do (much quicker with years of industry experience under his belt). I sat back and thought, “I want to do that full time someday!” So, I’m working my ass off to improve myself.
What projects are you currently working on?
I’m currently gearing up for summer convention season. Afterward, I’m working on some huge pieces for an art gallery and concept art for some strategy games.
Who/what has influenced you most artistically? Which artist(s) do you most admire?
Artists who can build entire worlds in their head and translate them to a wide audience are hugely appealing to me. Adam Adamowicz, one of my biggest influences, recently passed away. He was basically the heart and soul of the art direction of Fallout 3, and also provided concept art for Skyrim. I’d consider myself hugely fortunate if I could measure myself to a fraction of his ability someday.
Who is your favorite local artist?
I can’t narrow it down, but watching Tony Parker, Albert Morales, or Scott Godlewski sketch in person is meditative for me.
What is your favorite music to listen to while working on your art?
I cycle out my playlist a lot, so I’m taking a quick peek: currently have a lot of Muse, Puscifer, A Perfect Circle, Pogo, Pink, Kasabian, Sigur Ros, Super Smash Bros soundtrack, Sonic Adventure 2 Soundtrack, Incubus, Nonpoint. My “music mood” changes depending on what I’m working on.
What is your favorite movie and how has it influenced your art?
I love so many sci-fi movies. But the art direction, themes and world building in District 9 really impressed me and reassured me that creativity in sci-fi movies hasn’t grown stale. D9 was awesome in integrating some very alien-looking technology (versus recycling more familiar sci-fi designs) and aesthetic to our world. It’s also one of my favorite art book purchases. I’m starting to expand and take more risks with some of my upcoming art.
What are you most looking forward to at Phoenix Comicon?
Meeting other artists and speaking to other video game enthusiasts is pretty much the main reason I grab a table at cons. I also love finding creators who put together awesome booth displays (like the ‘68 comic’s huge horror booth that Jay Fotos & his crew put together, and my partner Allen Amis’s armor costumes at Anarchy Squared Creations.) Sometimes, as a creator, it’s difficult to meet others outside my own circle, and Phoenix Comicon brings so many different genres together that I always walk away with dozens of business cards and new acquaintances. It’s generally just a great flash-bang way of meeting new people. I’m also a fan of the Star Wars Neighborhood, the Art Auction, and the themed parties/bands at the hotels at night.
Are you offering any special exclusives for fans at Comicon?
I’ll have a Phoenix Comicon Edition print available (video game themed) – the standard version will not be made available until next year. I’ll also have a few giveaways for fans on my Twitter feed during the event. I enjoy giving out cool swag for people who can guess geeky video game questions during the event.
What is the craziest thing you’ve been asked to sketch?
I got a request to draw some graphic robot humping that was particularly detailed. I passed it onto another artist. Different strokes for different folks, I guess.
If you had a superpower, what would it be and how did you acquire it?
I really like Hundred’s power in the comic Ex Machina – the ability to talk to, understand and command machines. I’d also suck as a super hero (like Hundred), so I’d just use it to land a comfy job and build myself whatever I wanted – universal translator, robo suit, etc. Maybe help people.
Anabel can be found at the 2012 Phoenix Comic-Con in booth #252, by the Star Wars Neighborhood. You can also see her for Free Comic Book Day, Saturday, May 5, from 12:00 – 3:00 p.m., at the new Pop Culture Paradise location in Tempe.
Arizona catches a lot of heat in the media and from the nation as a whole, but nevertheless our crazy ‘Hellscape’ is proudly called “home” by some of the greatest pop culture artistic talent in the country. So leading up to the 2012 Phoenix Comicon (May 24 – 27), Nerdvana will showcase a series of posts profiling some of the amazing local artists that will be appearing at this year’s convention. Read ALL the Nerdvana’s Artist Profiles!
