This is another art biography for you! His unique style is obvious, and I am eager to share it with you. Dean MacAdam (@ilbruatedean) answered several questions for me.
Me: Can we learn a little about your background? Tell us about yourself!
Dean: Hi, I’m Dean:)
I started painting as a kid and always liked it. Art always plays an important role in my life, that’s how I explain around and that’s how I make my life.
I’m Canadian but I’ve lived in America for years. I originally went to Florida on an art scholarship but also lived in North Carolina, Sweden and the past 12 years in Southern California. My whole career was a free artist who worked at home, a very happy job, and I was very lucky!
Me: How do you start with art for puzzles?
Dean: Official, about seven years ago, RavensburgerContact me to license the two children I’ve done. They are used specifically for children’s puzzles and run for years before being eliminated.
But… The screen has been closedNameComing after a 2016 group art performance. The theme was Alice in Wonderland and I drew a large vertical image of my interpretation of Alice and the characters.
I always liked that art and thought I would approach Ravensburger to see if there was any interest. My contact at the time liked the piece but wanted a horizontal version instead of it had the custom of puzzles. Instead of rushing into art, I decided to pull the cloth horizontally and add new characters. The version is what you see in the puzzle today. “Most people are thousands of pieces.“. The puzzle Alice was really as good as it was released in 2020 during the locked time when confusion became extremely popular.
Me: What other illustrations do you make that are not related to the riddle?
Dean: I have illustrated nearly 30 years, so I have illustrated various things for children, adults, and pets. I did advertising, billboards, books, envelopes, character design, magazine editing, art, game, apps, etc.
Over the past few years, I’ve also had the opportunity to do an interesting editorial on the art of cartooning for magazines, which is to return to my old days slying for teachers… ha!
Me: Can you tell us a little bit about the puzzles you’ve illustrated so far and what inspired your work?
Dean: After the success of the first Alice puzzle that actually created the motion of other puzzles, it was the interpretation of classical stories. The reason is, they’re known to people and they don’t violate any brands because these stories are in the public domain. I also like the challenge of giving the viewer something new, and my hope is that they see something that is still recognized but also special.
Me: How’d you take it? The number?
Dean: It always started as rough lead sketches on paper, which allowed me to get a basic component. My sketch was scanned into the computer and that’s where I created the final art. I work by using laptops, a few screens and drawing boards.
Me: You like puzzles, too? Do you have a favorite brand?
Dean: I did simpler puzzles with my daughter when she was young but nothing more than a few hundred pieces. Until I had my own riddle I tried something bigger. The illustration is really very similar to putting together a puzzle, I put countless hours of work on characters, backgrounds, and all the interesting details. But I have to admit that I’m very slow to put them together, bringing me almost a week, and I’m surprised that the fast puzzlers finish them in just a few hours!
Me: How do you see your work grow and how does it grow in the first place?
Dean: The art of puzzles is very different from the other illustrations I generally take. My other work is often created in a few days, but the puzzle art is thought and detailed, so they can take months to complete.
I’m really trying to make my puzzle art fun and challenge people with puzzles but not just to fill the space, I’m trying to tell a story that might be slightly beyond the original subject. I also want to combine every inch of the puzzle with interesting and interesting things. According to evolution, time would say, I’m still considered a new person in this genre.
Me: What’s next?
Dean: Including Alice, I’ve created 5000 pieces for Ravensburger, 3 of which have been eliminated, Goldilock will arrive soon and another piece will be released next year. I have a few other classic stories that have planned the puzzle but also wanted to create my own subject in the future. I’m also going to the USA Jigsaw National Series this month in San Diego, which will be my first dance event, I look forward to it.
Dean MacAdamQuestion:
- Ravensburger Lions, Tigers and Bears, Oh My!
- Ravensburger estimates:
- Ravensburger most people are crazy.
