Every year I attend Fan Expo Canada™, I try to spend a good amount of time in the Artist Alley. It is a place where local and international artists hang out sketching, mingling with fans, and showcasing their works. It is my favourite place to be, as I not only get to see friends in the industry, but also discover new artists. This year, I met Aunfin a.k.a David (pictured left) for whom this was his first year at the Expo.

His style drew my attention, and thus, I perused over his portfolio. His X-Men illustration of Wolverine and The Phoenix (pictured below) stood out, especially because I’m a big Wolverine fan. I liked the minimalist approach in it. From there on, I’d decided I wanted to know more about this artist and his work. Here is the result of our e-interview post Expo.

HM: As an introduction, could you please share something about where you live and how that has influenced your work?

Aunfin: I grew up in a rundown mobile home outside of Edmonton that didn’t have running water for seven of every twelve months of the year. I did not know the difference, however, so grew up as normal as can be expected. And when my father died, I grew my hair as long as possible and abandoned art for a decade. After that was over I shaved my head right to the skin, created a beautiful family, and moved to a small town just outside of Calgary, AB, where I suddenly began creating art again. Perhaps it was the mountains… or maybe the copious liquor.

HM: You have different artistic styles. How long have you been drawing, sketching, practicing photography, and sculpture? Do yo have any formal training?

Aunfin: I have been drawing since I was a kid like most kids before me, but I kept it up through school. It became a way to concentrate, and even today, I find it hard to retain information without doodling on something. When I was younger, it was my way of being noticed, it was the one thing I seemed to be good at, and so I used it to try and belong. It didnt work that well back then, so I’m hoping this time will be different.

I have no formal training, unless you count high school. I do subscribe to the school of thought that enables me to believe that I can learn how to do anything I want whenever I want. Within the last ten years, the entire knowledge of all of humanity throughout history is available in literally seconds, and all it takes is a little bit of time and intelligence and we are capable of anything. I have always wanted to go  to art school, and I still plan on it someday, but all of my current skill has been developed alone or through observation and imitation. I owe debts to innumerable people before me.

HM: Are there artists who are of major influence in your work?

X-Men Illustration Photo: Aunfin

HM: Any preference of working with pens/pencils versus an iPad? I noticed you use both.

Aunfin: I always prefer to draw with a good old fashioned pencil.  My current process is to pencil everthing, then scan and color/shade on iPad.  I do draw directly onto the ipad on occasion, but nothing beats pencils and paper for me right now. I use a $5 app called Procreate for all my color, which is amazing, and some free vector app I can’t remember the name of right now, when I do vector work.

I would like to upgrade to a Wacom Cintiq one day, but I need to sell a lot more art to make that happen. Until then, I do love the portability of my iPad for color, and also the ability to erase. That’s the most important part, because I can’t color.

HM: What are your favourite comic books or perhaps favourite characters, of any genre (book, film…)?

Aunfin: Again…theres so many!! I love Sandman by Neil Gaiman; pretty much everything he does is brilliant. But I’m reading a lot of new comics that are brilliant as well:  Saga is amazing, art by Fiona Staples from Calgary hooray!  Also Sex Criminals, I am really enjoying… Super. Just can’t get enough Sex Criminals. Mike Mignola‘s Hellboy, that guy is some sort of god, him and his ungodly talent.

My favorite book of all time is The Road, by Cormac McCarthy.  It won the Pulitzer, and I reread it all the time. I usually have a copy of it on me where ever I am. Can’t get enough. If I ever create something that perfect in this lifetime, I can die in peace knowing that I have hit the pinnacle of human achievement. I do not expect this to happen, but I am still hoping.    

HM: Are you working on any special projects we should be on the look out for?

Aunfin: My biggest project right now is myself. I am trying to not be fat and lazy and I am also trying to drink less because drinking is a lovely habitual way to procrastinate on all of life.

Those things are both going very well I think. Lots of time in the gym and less full cups going into my mouth.
I am also slllllloowwwwly working on a kids book called NICEBERG™, which is pretty much done except for all of the art. So….not even close to done. I am also toying with starting a web comic before the year is done, so fingers crossed I pull it off. I also have a few more conventions this year:

 – Calgary Red and White show – Sept 14th
 – Saskatoon Expo – Sept 20-21 
 – Edmonton Expo – Sept 26-28 
 – (Possibly) C4 Winnipeg- Oct 31-Nov 2
 – Lethbridge Expo – Nov 22-23

See you then, or tell your friends. I will tell all my friends as well.

There you have it friends, if you are near any of these events/Expos make sure to stop by and check out Aunfin‘s work.

I extend a huge thank you to David / Aunfin for taking the time to answer my questions with such honesty and candor. If you’re interested in purchasing any of his works, or view more of his profile, visit his website aunfin.com.

Walt from Breaking Bad by Aunfin Photo: Trevor Sherwin/Worldwide Nomad