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WEBSITE AND LEGAL ISSUES:
Q: Can I use your images on my website?
A: It depends. I'm usually quite reasonable. However, thievery, lies and unwillingness to cooperate don't work well with me. They don't work well with anyone. Don't claim my work as your own, don't post it anywhere without permission, don't use it for profit, don't use it as your "RPG character portrait", don't use it as a logo for your company, don't use it on hate/porn sites, and so on and so forth... All I ask is that you use common sense. Respect the artist, any artist and his hard work as you would respect your own hard work.
If you want to use them non-profit, you're welcome to, but please always contact me about it beforehand. The above applies: please do not take my images apart or direct-link, and do provide credit in the form of a copyright notice and a link back to this site. Also, please pay attention to the URLs and names. My first name is Maria (not Marie or Mary), my last name is William (not Williams), and the site URL ends with .net (not .com).
Q: I've made a graphic of your images and want to use that as a web design/cross-stitch pattern/etc. for sale. Since I'm creating my own original work it's legal, right?
A: Wrong. Even thought you are, technically, creating your own original design, it's still based on original work belonging to someone else. You're creating what's called a derivative work, which is a copyright infringement. You're not doing me any favors by "advertising" me via your products. I do legally license my images for products, so please do contact me about it if you have an idea for a project.
Q: Can I have a tattoo done based on one of your images?
A: I'd be honored. And I would love to see an image of your finished result, if possible.
Q: Hey, wasn't there more stuff on this site, like writing and movie reviews? Where did it all go?
A: The site has been around since the late 90s, under many a different name and layout. I pulled the plug on all other sections in around 2001, for many reasons. One, I was going pro full-time, and wanted the site to pertain to my work only. Two, I could hardly find enough time and energy to deal with fan/hate mail about my art; the prospect of a career in social commentary eventually lost its appeal. Three, writing has simply stopped being my priority. I don't really have the time to do it anymore.
Q: Whatever happened to the photography gallery?
A: See previous question. As much as I love photography, and regardless of the quality (or lack thereof) of my photos, I do not do it professionally, and at this time don't plan to.
Q: I saw an image on your website that offended me, and I would like for you to remove it!
A: If something doesn't please you or even offends you, please understand that it isn't my problem. My art is what it is, and if you don't like it, you're free to click the "back" button.
Q: Can I link to your site?
A: You're welcome to. Below are some banners you can use. Please do save them locally.
ART RELATED:
Q: Why fantasy?
A: I tend to answer this sort of question about anything the same way: "why not?" I'm bored just copying life, and fantasy is what comes naturally. It's the most versatile genre, because there are no rules or restrictions (I don't like either).
Q: What inspires you to do art?
A: My family. Writing. Dreams. Books. Music. All things Asian. The city. Urban decay. Dystopia. Computer games. And of course, art. Not necessarily in that order.
Q: What process and mediums do you use to create art? And what brand art supplies do you use?
A: You can see and read all about it in the Tutorials section.
Q: How long does it take for you do complete a piece of art?
A: It depends on the size, the level of detail, and the medium. Anywhere from 8 hours to a few weeks.
Q: What art school did you go to, and would you recommend it?
A: I am for the most part a self-taught artist. I've never gone to an art school in the true sense of the word, but I've attended some life drawing sessions at the Art Students' League of New York, which is an excellent school with a traditional approach to art and schooling. A lot of art schools (if not most) are still restricting and close-minded, but things are getting better. Many now offer illustration and computer art programs. It all depends on the school. Just do thorough research before you commit to one.
Q: Who is your favorite artist?
A: Too many to list. If I had to pick just a few... Bouguereau, Godward, Ingres, and Brullov when it comes to classics. Michael Parkes, Brom, Jia Lu, Boris Vallejo and Julie Bell when it comes to modern art. To find links to more of my favorite artists' websites, please visit the Links section.
Q: Can you give me some tips on how to draw?
A: There's only one way to learn how to draw: practice a lot. Patience is an artist's best tool. Take an art class if you can. If not, get friends and family to pose for you. Don't be afraid to experiment, and get used to the thought that sometimes a drawing won't work out the way you've planned - even seasoned pros sometimes have to deal with this, and it's not necessarily a bad thing.
Q: Why do you draw lots of Asian people? Are you Asian?
A: No. I don't really know why I do it. I've harbored a love for the Far East, its cultures and peoples since I was little. Maybe that's where I lived in a past life... who knows. It's what comes naturally through in my art, so I just let it.
Q: Why would you draw a samurai in European armor with a Celtic tattoo and tribal face paint? That's wrong!
A: The short answer is, again, "why not?" The longer answer is, I consider my work fantasy, not history. In my world, Asian warriors wear European armor, geishas get inked with Celtic symbols, and samurai carry Chinese swords. It's not wrong; it's intentional. It's why it's called fantasy. If you're looking for historically accurate pieces of art, please visit a museum instead.
Q: So many of your characters wear tattoos. Do you yourself have any?
A: Yes, three. I would probably have more if they weren't so darn expensive.
Q: Your drawing looks like you/my best friend/Buffy the Vampire Slayer! Is it intentional?
A: No. If you see <insert real-life person> in my drawing(s), it's either your imagination or a coincidence. I generally don't draw myself. If I do, I call it a self-portrait. Occasionally I might use a model or celebrity as reference (as is the case with this painting), but if that's the case, I always make a point of mentioning it in the description.
Q: I saw a book The Retrieval Artist by K. K. Rusch with your painting Who We Are on the cover, but on the inside the art is credited to Ken Barr. What's up with that?
A: Yes, unfortunately it was an error on the publisher's part, and it doesn't look like a reprint is due any time soon.
Q: I'd love to buy The End Of Infinity book, but it's so expensive! Do you offer any discounts?
A: I would if I could. Believe it or not, I hardly make any money from my books. It's for the most part a labor of love, and I publish them because it's important for me to share my visions with the world. The price is something I have very little control over, and is mostly production costs. Unfortunately, such is the book business. At this time I'm not offering book sales directly through my site, but it's certainly a future possibility.
Q: I want you to draw something for me, but I can't pay you. Can you draw it anyway, since I'm such a huge fan of your work?
A: While I appreciate the fact that you like my work, it does not feed me and my children. I don't work for exposure, on spec, or without a written and signed legal agreement. No exceptions. Please understand that it's nothing personal. And do read this.
PERSONAL:
Q: Did you want to be an artist while growing up?
A: No. I wanted to be everything from archaeologist to rock star, but never an artist.
Q: What do you like to do for fun?
A: That's implying I have a life. ;) I'm actually quite boring. I'm not into spirituality or activism or traveling or the great outdoors. I'm quite shy and take a while to adjust to people, so I'm not really a social butterfly. My home is my castle, and being out of it knocks me off kilter. Most of my time is spent either with my totally awesome family, creating art, or in front of the computer. I work out three to four times a week; it's a form of stress relief. Playing lots of videogames is another. I enjoy cooking and scrapbooking, but that's the extent of my homemaker finesse. I'm a total tomboy. I love gory horror movies, violent videogames, roller coasters, knives and other "guy things". And yet I still love wearing makeup and skirts. Just call me one heck of a walking paradox.
Q: What kind of music do you listen to?
A: Pretty much anything that has a good melody. My playlist includes Travis, The Decemberists, Belle And Sebastian, The Shins, Guster, Mohair, Supergrass, Death Cab For Cutie, The Beatles (in particular Paul McCartney), oldies (blame Fallout 3 for that), some 70s and 80s music (I'm a closeted Pet Shop Boys fan), Bach, Mozart, and lots of J-pop (in particular Arai Akino, Maaya Sakamoto and Ai Otsuka).
Q: Do you ever get creative block? How do you banish it?
A: Well, who doesn't? I'm very affected by the weather, so my worst artist blocks come during the coldest days of the winter, and the hottest days of the summer. When I do get it, I just go with the flow and completely distance myself from all my art supplies and do anything but art - read, write, watch a movie, take a walk...
Q: What are your favorite books?
A: Two books that had most impact on me as a kid and still remain my favorites are Tolkien's Lord Of The Rings, and To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. My third favorite book is Memoirs Of A Geisha by Arthur Golden. Other than that, I like to read sci-fi, horror and "weird" fiction. I would have to say China Mieville and Stephen King are my two favorite modern authors. I also love Dan Simmons, Octavia Butler, Jeff Vandermeer and Jonathan Lethem, to name a few.
Q: Do you have any guilty indulgences?
A: Video and computer games. I began playing in 1994 and never stopped. Shooters, RPGs, adventure - you name it, I play it. I must own close to 200 games... And yes, I've played them all. Twice.
Q: What movies/TV shows do you like to watch?
A: I'm omnivorous when it comes to movies. The only thing I won't watch is "art films", because it's like the emperor's new clothing. I like a story with my movie, thanks. Lord Of The Rings, Matrix, original Star Wars, Goodfellas, Fight Club are just a few of my favorites. As for TV, I love 24, House, Lost, and Heroes, and I'm also a huge fan of The X-Files, Firefly, and the reimagined Battlestar Galactica series.
Q: If you didn't do art, what would you do?
A: Be a full-time professional computer gamer, or course! :) Seriously, I don't really know. There are so many things I would have loved to try, but they all pretty much involve something to do with arts. If I had to pick one outside that domain, I'd say I would have loved to be a doctor. Medicine fascinates me.
Have a question? E-mail me, and I'll try my best to answer it.
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THANK YOU FOR EXPRESSING YOUR INTEREST IN MY ARTWORK!
All website content Copyright © 2010 by Maria J. William
unless otherwise noted. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
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