Welcome to the eighth edition of the Hatena Featured Artist section of our blog, where we introduce Flipnote creators from around the world.
We post a new edition of the Hatena Featured Artist every week on Wednesday, and hope to introduce a variety of different artists that will inspire and entertain you.
Be sure to check back here every Wednesday to see some of the most amazing artists on Flipnote Hatena. Maybe we'll even feature you someday!
Today's Hatena Featured Artist is Oliver (id:olivercd) from the Europe & Oceania region.
Please introduce yourself.
Hi, my name is Oliver and I live in Málaga which is on the south coast of Spain. I am 28 years old and work as a photographer and a designer. My dream is to work as animator someday!
How do you get inspiration for your Flipnotes?
When I draw animation, I like to create something dynamic with a lot of motion, such as running or jumping. The maximum length of time for a Flipnote is limited, so I try to use the time to show as much as I can! This is the way I usually start creating a Flipnote.
Some of the artists who have inspired me for my Flipnotes are Tsutomu Nihei (I've dedicated three Flipnotes to his amazing manga "Blame!", and I highly recommend his work for all cyberpunk lovers). I have also been influenced by animation studios such as Studio Ghibli, Production I.G., and stories by Neil Gaiman.
I get inspiration from literature, cinema, music and comics. I love working on dark and serious ideas as well as funny and bright ones too. I don't like to draw stuff with always the same style.
When you are not creating or looking at Flipnotes, what do you do in your free time? Do you have any hobbies or things you like other than Flipnotes?
I love photo manipulation! Editing and manipulating photos is one of my biggest hobbies, and I really like and enjoy photography and art. Some other hobbies that take up my free time are music, movies, comics, travel, and video games.
We believe that you have lots of ideas for your Flipnotes. Do you have any plans for a type or style of Flipnote that you would like to create in the future?
Yes, I have a lot of ideas for Flipnotes. All I need is more time to work on them. I will try something different for my next one. The only problem is to introduce all of the ideas in my mind within 40 seconds!
I have also thought to make a "dark" Flipnote without any characters, using only scenery. This is an idea that I have to develop a little more!
Let's talk about something unrelated to Flipnotes. Since you own a Nintendo DSi, we assume that you enjoy playing games as well. Which Nintendo DSi Game have you played recently and which one is your all-time favorite?
I love playing games, and now I am playing the classic Final Fantasy IV. I'm really slow with RPG games, and it takes me months to finish one! One of my favorite Nintendo DSi games is Professor Layton Series, and I adore the design, animation and everything in this series. I hope to see the movie here someday!
As you know, Hatena is based in Kyoto, Japan. Have you ever been to Japan? If you get a chance to visit here, what is the first thing or place you like to check out?
Japan is one of the first places in my list of countries to visit next. I would love to know more about Japan. This has been one of my dreams since I was a child. I've read and seen so many amazing things about Japan. I'll need a year to choose the places that I want to visit, and can hopefully visit there a year after that!
I would love to see the modern streets and also walk on the traditional ones too. I really love the contrast between modern and traditional stuff in Japan.
Thank you for taking the time to answer those questions. Now, one final word. If there is anybody you would like to greet or something you would like to say in the Flipnote Hatena community?
Of course, first I would like to thank Hatena for making this amazing community. Thanks indeed! And thanks to everybody that takes the time to watch my Flipnotes. Every single view is an honor for me!
Thanks for checking out the Hatena Featured Artist, and please let us know any feedback that you have in the box below. Also, please be sure to check out Flipnotes by the creator we interviewed here, and show them your support with your stars and comments!
