H+ Q&A with Jason Ebeyer

H+: Tell me about your history. Have you always worked with digital art, or did you start off creating with other mediums?

Jason: I didn't start off in digital art. I originally started off with more traditional styles of illustration. I was really influenced by artists like Camille Rose Garcia and pin-up artists like Gil Elvgren. It wasn't until after high school that I really embraced digital art and I went to university to study graphic design. While I was at uni I felt really frustrated and bored with the projects we would work on, because I felt like it was too corporate. It didn't feel creative enough for me and that was when I came across 3D software and art and it all just blew up from there.

H+: From when you started creating, to now, how has your style and process developed?

Jason: My process is still pretty similar to when I first started. I still sketch out incredibly terrible roughs of what each piece will look like and then use that as a loose guide. But it's my style which has grown the most over the years. When I began working in this medium I was creating work which fit in with what everyone else was doing at the time. It was very vaporwave/tumblr inspired. It was great but it didn't feel like me and I knew that I wanted to create work that really felt like me and that is how I started to develop my style which I work with today.

H+: Three words to describe your current creative output.

Jason: Glossy, Erotic and Futuristic

H+: What kind of music are you into? Did you ever think you would be translating your art into music videos for top musicians today?

Jason: My music taste is such a roller coaster. Sometimes I'm really into chill, moody music like Lana Del Rey and then the next second I'll be listening to something more heavy like Cradle of Filth. I don't really have a set genre, if I vibe with it then it's good with me. I've always paired my animated work with music, so I feel like full music videos were a natural progression. In saying that though, I don't think I could have imagined being able to work with some of the musicians I've done projects with this early in my career. I'm very grateful!

H+: Is there any artist or artists you dream of working with?

Jason: A visual artist I would absolutely love to work with would be Hajime Sorayama. Another dream collaboration project would be Lady Gaga. I know this sounds super cliche, but I don't think I can ever forget her performance of 'Paparazzi' at the VMA's where she bleeds to death onstage. After seeing that, I've always had this dream to work on something with her and her team.

H+: You've mentioned that today's subcultures influence your art. Could you expand on that? Which subcultures in particular and how would you say they affect your imagery?

Jason: My personal work really draws a lot of influence and imagery from Gothic and Queer culture mixed with elements of BDSM and Futurism. These subcultures and ideas have impacted my work the most because they're all areas I can relate to. Growing up I was always interested in taboo and occult topics, and my love and appreciation for these themes and aesthetics has grown ever since.

H+: Do you feel you have a relationship with the characters you come up with?

Jason: I wouldn't necessarily say I have a relationship with the characters, but more with the work. Each personal piece I make is an opportunity for me to explore and play with specific ideas and thoughts I have.

H+: Tell me about the cyborgs versus more literal human beings- what is the appeal in that to you?

Jason: It's more of a social commentary. I mean I have friends who I've made online but never actually met. Like real relationships with people but the only way to connect is through technology and a device.

H+: What do you think about cyborg and human relations? Is that where the future is headed?

Jason: I find something really interesting about how when I was young there was always this, "Don't talk to strangers online" mentality versus now, when it's encouraged. Personally, I feel as we get more and more integrated with technology and our devices, the lines between human and cyborg will get really blurry. I know it sounds like something out of a sci-fi novel but crazier things have happened.

H+: Do you see yourself still living in Australia in the future, or do you hope to be somewhere else?

Jason: This is literally a conversation me and my partner have so often! I love Australia and it will always be home, but I'm really aiming to set up base overseas at some point. I'm working towards being able to live and work from either New York or Japan (My favorite place in the world).