Profile interview with very talented artist, Keith Rosemond.

Keith Rosemond II 22yrs old, Double major in Illustration and Graphic Design, Senior at Savannah College of Art and Design, www.keithrosemond.com

A.A.C.: When and how did you discover that art is what you wanted to pursue?

Keith Rosemond: Like a lot of artists, I’ve been drawing ever since I can remember, so I guess it was always assumed that art was going to be my profession [in] some way or another. My father is actually the person who started my interest in drawing because he would sometimes sketch and doodle in his free time.

A.A.C.: What kind of art do you do?

K.R.: It’s really hard to separate different types of art, so I guess the best way to describe it is to say I create 2D illustrations using traditional mediums such as watercolor, ink and pencil. I also create more text-based graphic design artwork using computer programs such as Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign.

A.A.C: Who and what influence your work?

K.R.: I absolutely love comic books and cartoons; they are where I find a lot of motivation to create artwork. I think it’s simply because they really stretch the imagination of the reader and viewer. In these forms of artwork, anything is possible, and I love that. More traditional forms of artwork that influence me are African Art, African-American art and Japanese prints. These last three influences are very evident in my style of illustration.

A.A.C.: Who in the art world inspires you?

K.R.: In the world of comic books and cartoons: Eichiro Ida, Masashi Kisimoto, Ikeno, Arthur Adams, Lesean Thomas, Eric Canete and Bryan Hitch are a few artist that stick out in my mind. In the illustration world: James Jean, Yuko Shimizu and Sam Weber are great! Fine artists Maurice Evans and Kadir Nelson really inspire me, and Japanese printmakers Kuniyoshi and Hokusai are simply amazing!

A.A.C.: What is it that you ultimately want to achieve?

K.R.: That is a great question, which I don’t know the answer to, even though I feel I should. In the grand scheme of things, I guess it’s to use my gift to fulfill God’s plan for my life.

A.A.C.: What has been your greatest accomplishment(s) so far?

K.R.: Probably this interview (lol) I don’t think anyone has ever wanted to ask me questions about myself to put on the Web from everyone to see, so this is pretty cool.

A.A.C.: What have been some obstacles you've faced?

K.R.: Finding my market and audience in the art world and being able to attack successfully.

A.A.C.: How did you get through them?

K.R.: I’m currently sending out postcards with my work to potential clients to see who I get a response from.

A.A.C.: What advice do you have for aspiring artists?

K.R.: Keep creating and make sure you have the big three: Talent, Tenacity and Targeting (the ability to find you market).

Check out more of Keith's work at www.keithrosemond.com