In this installment of getting to know an artist we feature Quinn Rowan Dex an artist, and poet who likes to dabble in a few different genres, often with surreal or horror themes, with a focus on life and death.
Q) What artistic roles do you like to perform (i.e inker, penciler, computer colorer, painter). What styles/ genres do you create in?
The artistic role that I most prefer is to just create full pieces for myself. Creating something that existed only in my head and getting it at least close to my vision is very satisfying. When I am working with or for other artists and creators, I do enjoy colorist roles in particular. I have not had a lot of those, professionally, though I have done a few just for fun collabs in the past. I am a traditional artist, I work most often with a mechanical pencil, alcohol based markers, and colored pencils. I dabble in a few different genres, often with surreal or horror themes, a focus on life and death, etc.
Q) How did you get your start in art, what was the first project you did that made you feel like a professional?
I got my start in art trying to draw like my dad when I was a little kid. He was my first favorite artist. I did not take the act of creating art particularly seriously until I was in my adulthood. In fact, I would go so far as to say that I did not take my art, or myself, seriously until I was in my mid 30s. The first project that made me feel like a professional was a feature in a friend’s indie comic. He featured several of my pieces and a little blurb about me. It was my first time being involved in a comic book or a kickstarter, and while it is small potatoes to some, it was a full meal to me. It made me feel more confident in my work and myself. I have done the back cover of that same comic series twice now, by the way.
Q) Where would you like to see yourself in five years with your art?
In five years I would like to see myself with a more developed portfolio. I also have a list of people I would love to work with in some capacity, as well as a short list of projects that I would love to sink my teeth into. I would love to have something I designed featured in a ttrpg in some way, that is definitely on my art bucket list.
Q) What do you feel is the most important things a person should take from a piece of art?
The most important thing that a person should take from a piece of art is the bit of soul the artist has left there. Take the heart. Don’t just see a pretty picture/sculpture/photograph. See the humanity behind the brush strokes.
Q) Do you have a specific creative process when you are working on a piece of art?
My process is pretty simple. It goes one of two ways. One is that I get a flash in the pan idea that I rapidly scribble on the nearest surface, poorly, and then try and see through development before I lose the vision. This is not always successful, at least not for me. The more successful process is gathering all of my supplies, turning on some music that suits the vibe of the moment (could be anything, lately Rainbow Kitten Surprise is on my list a lot), and just letting art find me. I tend to kind of dance when I work.
Q) What are your primary inspirations when creating art?
My primary inspirations when creating art are primarily emotional, though I draw inspiration from music, life, nature, etc. I find inspiration everywhere. If inspiration lives in people, in others, it lives in my child, my spouse, my dad, and my late grandparents.
Q) Do you have any favorite artists that you like to study for technique?
I don’t really have favorite artists that I study for technique so much as I have favorite artists for the beauty of their work and the clarity of their voice. However, the artist I tried to emulate when I was first trying to make art as a child was my dad. I tried so hard to draw how he did. It took me a while to figure out I was going to be dreadful until I figured out how to draw like me.
Q) What would your dream project be? Are there any mainstream projects you would like a chance to work on?
My dream project if we are talking about working with or for someone else? Working on a cover for Gail Simone, which is very much a pipe dream. A dream project for myself would be finally writing and publishing a book of my own.
Q) If people want more information about you or to request a commission, where should they go?
Final four questions –we ask everybody.
If people want to find me out in the world, there are a few places you can look. My art can be found at http://www.facebook.com/AvivArtistryNY
I can also be found on instagram, youtube, bluesky, and patreon under Quinn Rowan Dex. While most folks know me for my art, I do other things too, so come find me.
Final questions –we ask everybody.
Q) When the zombies take over the world where will you be?
When the zombies take over, I will probably still be here in Queens. If we are in some alternate timeline where I can plan and prep and formulate some sort of advanced zombie survival plan? Probably head upstate and try and just hide from hoards. I am a disabled human and truthfully will probably have better survival odds in the hiding and foraging than the running and fighting.
Q ) What is your favorite Fandom (could be sports, pop culture, favorite director or author)
My favorite fandom? I am a fan of so many things. I am a huge Tolkien fan, and I am also really into Stranger Things. I even like baseball, I am a Yankees fan. I don’t know that I could say I have a favorite fandom.
Paper Phoenix ink 