Simon Lee (Spiderzero) - Monster Maker Interview with the Frazetta of Character Sculpture

TL;DR

Sculptor Simon discusses his fascination with creatures and monsters, his career transition from web programming to sculpting, and the importance of balancing artistry and business.

Transcript

Simon: Well, I was born in China, and lived in Beijing, China for 10 years, and then my family moved to Hong Kong for 10 years, and then I moved to LA at age 21. But ever since I was a kid, y'know even back in China and I've always been fascinated by designs of ancient creatures or monsters and stuff like that. I've always been drawn to it. Those... Read More

Key Insights

• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Simon's fascination with creature designs and sculptures dates back to his childhood, with a particular interest in the Alien and Predator.
• 🕸️ The transition from web programming to sculpting came unexpectedly for Simon, as positive feedback and interest from buyers made him realize the potential of pursuing sculpting professionally.
• 🧑‍🎨 Simon's influences span across different artists and art forms, with a focus on renaissance masters, special effects sculptors, and Japanese sculptors.
• ⚾ Balancing artistic vision with commercial viability is crucial for Simon, as he strives to create artworks that he enjoys while considering the preferences of his fan base.
• 💦 Dealing with criticism and working with directors and clients is not new to Simon, as his previous experience as a web programmer and designer prepared him for the importance of understanding and meeting clients' needs.
• 🈺 Simon advises aspiring artists to keep an open mind, constantly strive for improvement, and balance the artistic and business aspects of their careers.
• 🫷 Simon finds excitement in attempting new and different things as a sculptor, constantly pushing himself to take on projects and challenges that he hasn't attempted before.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Simon's fascination with creatures and monsters begin, and why is he drawn to them?

Simon has been fascinated by creatures and monsters since he was a kid, finding their designs and sculptures intriguing and exciting. He believes there is something innately thrilling about completely alien and never-before-seen creatures that he cannot explain.

Q: How did Simon transition from web programming to becoming a professional sculptor?

Simon's transition from web programming to professional sculpting began when he posted his sculptures on a forum while building a website for two sculptors. People started expressing interest in buying his sculptures, which made him realize the possibility of pursuing sculpting as a profession. Within two years, his side job as a sculptor had picked up enough momentum for him to make the switch full-time.

Q: What influences inspire Simon's work as a sculptor?

Simon draws influence from a wide range of artists, including renaissance masters like Michaelangelo and Bernini, special effects sculptors Brandon and Jerry Shiflett, and Japanese sculptor Nirasawa Takeya. He believes that learning from different disciplines and art forms allows him to constantly better himself as an artist.

Q: How does Simon balance his artistic vision with commercial viability?

While Simon enjoys creating various themes and genres, he acknowledges that most of his fans are monster lovers. Therefore, he tries to create artworks that he likes while considering the commercial appeal and the preferences of his target consumers. He aims to strike a balance between artistic expression and meeting the needs of his audience.

Key Insights:

• Simon's fascination with creature designs and sculptures dates back to his childhood, with a particular interest in the Alien and Predator.
• The transition from web programming to sculpting came unexpectedly for Simon, as positive feedback and interest from buyers made him realize the potential of pursuing sculpting professionally.
• Simon's influences span across different artists and art forms, with a focus on renaissance masters, special effects sculptors, and Japanese sculptors.
• Balancing artistic vision with commercial viability is crucial for Simon, as he strives to create artworks that he enjoys while considering the preferences of his fan base.
• Dealing with criticism and working with directors and clients is not new to Simon, as his previous experience as a web programmer and designer prepared him for the importance of understanding and meeting clients' needs.
• Simon advises aspiring artists to keep an open mind, constantly strive for improvement, and balance the artistic and business aspects of their careers.
• Simon finds excitement in attempting new and different things as a sculptor, constantly pushing himself to take on projects and challenges that he hasn't attempted before.
• Simon believes in combining the knowledge and tools of the digital age with the artistic mentality of older masters, to create something new and exciting in his work.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Simon always had a fascination with creature designs and sculptures, finding them intriguing and exciting since childhood.

• He started sculpting as a hobby and eventually made it his full-time profession, transitioning from web programming to sculpting after receiving positive feedback from his work.

• Simon draws inspiration from various artists and art forms, constantly striving to better himself and balance both the artistic and business aspects of his career.