— weissesrauschen: Herr Lange

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We’re checking out the creative space of Portland based artist Dominic DeVenuta who recently created some fun animated GIFs with his illustrations for us! He takes us into his drawing and idea zone, which is located in his self proclaimed “dungeon studio” in his home, where his drawings of skeletons, grim reapers, skateboards and motorcycles take life. In our latest In The Studio, we find out more about his ideas behind some of the GIFS, what his typical day is like, and what he’s got coming up for the rest of the year.

Photographs courtesy of the artist.

Can you describe to folks a little about your studio or creative art space?

I kind of spoil myself with creative spaces. My home has a drawing / creepy dungeon studio. It’s full of molds, old fart smells, boxes of books of all sorts, and maybe a half dozen chairs – no one ever visits. L I find a weird sense of comfort in my closed of oubliette amongst the smells and lack of sunshine. Like, I am in some kind of Lovecraftian narrative, manically searching for the tie on our mortal coil.

On the other hand I keep a screenprinting studio at Magnetic North Studio here in Portland, Oregon. It’s a bright vibrant space where there are always tunes playing, encouraging conversations and projects happening. It’s literally the opposite too my crypt at home.

There are times when I need my solitude to focus on my work, distraction free. This is when the home studio is a must and a place where a week can turn into a day. But I also need that team input and community support. It’s definitely healthy to define these times and spaces for yourself and establish the two. I encourage everyone to spoil themselves with creative spaces.

You recently worked on some animated GIF for us, what were some of the ideas behind some of your awesome GIFs?

Those GIF’s came out so fun! Thank you for the opportunity to create them. I pretty much took everything I am interested in and put it into motion. The handrail to hell is my favorite though. I just had this image in my head of a grim reaper slaying it. Like, that dude would get on the gnarliest obstacle simply because he, literally, is death. What’s to lose, other than your shit?

What’s a typical day in the studio like for you?

My day starts at the break of daylight but I get out of bed at 7:30 – 8ish to a hungry cat, a cup of coffee, the news, and maybe a podcast. I like to get my emails and social media out of the way early and then head to the print studio or settle into an illustration project. I am A.D.D. AF and take breaks about every 30 minutes to an hour. The cat is also A.D.D. and distracts me at about the same intervals. The day will carry on this way until late afternoon when I shift into Adobe mode and start pushing pixels and add the final touches to whatever designs I am working on. This is usually the long part of the day that really breaks my back. Thankfully I have beer and CBD’s J Oh yeah, did I mention the cat is A.D.D. AF and I have taken like a thousand breaks and walks in the amazing garden my GF is breathing life into? Anyway, I usually work until I fall asleep on the keyboard… Seriously though, set healthy work hours for yourself and spend time with your pets and people. All work and no play… yadda yadda yadda

What type of things do you keep around the studio to inspire you or motivate you? What’s the most significant piece of wall art or inspiration you have in the space?

Plants!!!! Lush green life keeps me going. I’ll probably bring at least one plant a month. Ok maybe I exaggerate a little but my plants are my source of power. Not only do they liven up the house, they also filter my air and give me ever-evolving things to draw. Another big plus is instead of panicking with anxiety every 30 minutes I have the task of watering them. (I don’t actually water them that much.)

What’s the weirdest thing you’ve seen around your studio or out the studio window?

Uhhh, my cat’s litter box is in the studio. He has to lock eyes with me when every he does his thing… it’s weird.

What cool new projects are you currently working on in the studio?

I have been tinkering with automotive paint and building a few motorcycles in my free time. I just finished the framing of one and will be painting the tank and fender next. I am really excited to be working on steel. It’s a fun substrate.

See, that’s what the app is perfect for.

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