I first heard of your art when I was preparing an interview to Svartsyn. I had already noticed the fascinating cover of the album and it was Ornias himself who gave me your contact. Svartsyn seems to be a frequent client of yours. How do you find the bands you work for?
C. Saint John-Thank you for the kind words. Regarding bands, musicians or labels, I am contacted from a website, or someone sees my work in a publication and then finds contact information from there. Often, someone is referred to me.
Another important client of yours is Arckanum. Did you do the cover for the last album of Shamaatae? I’m looking for the author of that magnificent piece of work.
C. Saint John- Yes. Arckanum was an early supporter of my art and I support Shamaatae and his creations as well. He is a unique musician and I have provided art for several of his albums. The first artwork I did relating to Svartsyn was a split album with Arckanum, titled “Kaos svarta mar / Skinning the Lambs” released in 2004. This cd was released by the great record label, Carnal Records, of Sweden. From there on I have provided artwork for many of the Svartsyn records.
What makes me think that the cover for “Fenris Kindir” came from your pen is the fact that it presents a special feature I found in your graphic work: a sort of “black blood”. Why is there so much fear and “blood” in your illustrations? Are you fascinated by terror?
C. Saint John- I express something which is honest and emotional. I am not sure that fascination with terror is a true explanation, or the term 'black blood' . I would use the word panic, and this can be a powerful source for inspiration, understanding, and oddly enough, inner peace. I suppose I do express a certain feeling of anxiety, fear, or dark perspective, but one which contains sentiment, and emotion. I do not feel I express vulgarity in my art, although some may think so.
The illustrations you see on metal albums are a part of my overall artwork and my past. I also keep certain art separate from each other. Regarding myself, I do not identify with any singular definition, or rigid structures as that can be constricting to inspiration.
Why did you decide to use mainly black ink and pen on white paper? Is it because you work for metal bands? Or is it the more adequate way of expressing yourself?
C. Saint John- I have been drawing with pen and ink for a long time. Metal bands, musicians and fans of the music have an interest in my art because they appreciate the aesthetics and the emotion. The manner of the expression, as well as the themes are often personal to them. Art can have layers of meaning and some of my illustrations, and some of the music have this in common. I suppose, for those reasons, my work is a good fit for the music. There is atmosphere and content all flowing together into one shared theme...which is the shadow.
Although I use other methods and mediums, my main artwork is done with pen and ink. Inkshadows is home for this art. There are artistic and personal reasons for keeping to black and white. In this way, and others, I suppose I am a minimalist. It just came to be that I have created art for some talented black metal bands. So you are right...this is the most adequate way of expression.
Did you study art? If so, what part does that training play in your art? I suppose there are other important factors, because in your bio it’s written that you draw since you were thirteen.
C. Saint John- I have been drawing ever since I can remember, but I was 13 years old when I focused on pen and ink, and knew what I wanted to do. I was first published at age 15. I did not study art in school. I never went to college, nor wanted to.
Do you claim any influences? I generally relate black ink, pen and white paper with late XIX and XX century art. Am I right, in what concerns you?
C. Saint John- Generally, I am influenced or inspired by things such as atmosphere, nature, dreams and experiences in life that are difficult to convey with words. These are important sources for all art and music. I express the energy of the influence with the most fluid method that I am able to. I appreciate all kinds of art, such as the style you mention, as well as many types of music and cultures, but cannot give specific influences on my art. I intentionally kept myself ignorant of rules, art history, and styles for most of my life. Although this took more time and effort to develop the style I have now, I always felt this to be the natural path for me.
I was raised in a religious home, and I was always fascinated by ghosts, demons, the supernatural, fantasy, martial arts, monsters and horror. Certain interests came from some of these subjects being forbidden, or unknown, and some of them are incorporated into religion itself. So you could say there were some personal, non-specific influences that emerged with my art.
In his interview, Ornias declared you drew the cover for “Black Testament” according to a vision he had. Is it always like this? Or do you prefer to be free to present your own interpretation of the concept underlying the album?
C. Saint John- I always present my own interpretation, or I would fail to be an artist.
Ornias mentioned his experience, and so I did what I needed to do, working with the “Pazuzu” theme.
I made sure to channel a special energy for the artwork. I did not want to recreate any known artistic interpretation of Pazuzu, (for example, in the classic motion picture, 'The Exorcist' ).
The cover art contains original mythology from the earliest sources about Pazuzu,
together with what Ornias wanted, and what I do as an artist.
There is often more to the illustrations than what may be obvious.
At the most, I prefer a subject or theme to work with, or simply what the band/writer desires to convey through their music. I then do what I can to create and capture these ideas. I do not work with models, or references. I express what I see inside, and not what I see with my eyes, so it is a personal process. If someone appreciates my art, then I do my best to share something unique with them.
In your official site, I saw covers you have done for metal bands, but also original illustrations that are unsold, therefore available for use. I know other artists who do the same. What is more frequent for you: to sell these illustrations or to be “hired” to do specific drawings for the bands?
C. Saint John- I provide artwork for different kinds of interesting people; bands, collectors, organizations, publishers or whomever.
Usually, I am asked to work on something original. This may be an album cover, a book, magazine, or original artwork for a collector. There are illustrations available online which publishers can use for a fee, granting a one-time right to use the art.
It is not that the illustrations are available because they are “unsold”, but that they are available for a one-time use, and this can be good for publishers.
An original work is more costly and time consuming, and they often need an illustration fast for deadlines. Depending on the individual art or artist,
pen and ink illustrations can often take much longer than paintings.
Do you expose regularly your work offline [e.g. in exhibitions]?
C. Saint john- Occasionally. I show originals to private collectors for example.
Within the last half decade or so, I have decided to sell some of my original art.
With the original illustrations, you can see the unique color of the ink, as well as the texture to the lines, which can be felt with the hands.
From what I’ve seen and read, I suppose you’re a successful artist.
Do you have any special dream?
C. Saint John- We all know that success is inside the heart. I am grateful.
Life is a long dream. We will see where the stream takes me.
C. Saint John-Thank you for the kind words. Regarding bands, musicians or labels, I am contacted from a website, or someone sees my work in a publication and then finds contact information from there. Often, someone is referred to me.
Another important client of yours is Arckanum. Did you do the cover for the last album of Shamaatae? I’m looking for the author of that magnificent piece of work.
C. Saint John- Yes. Arckanum was an early supporter of my art and I support Shamaatae and his creations as well. He is a unique musician and I have provided art for several of his albums. The first artwork I did relating to Svartsyn was a split album with Arckanum, titled “Kaos svarta mar / Skinning the Lambs” released in 2004. This cd was released by the great record label, Carnal Records, of Sweden. From there on I have provided artwork for many of the Svartsyn records.
What makes me think that the cover for “Fenris Kindir” came from your pen is the fact that it presents a special feature I found in your graphic work: a sort of “black blood”. Why is there so much fear and “blood” in your illustrations? Are you fascinated by terror?
C. Saint John- I express something which is honest and emotional. I am not sure that fascination with terror is a true explanation, or the term 'black blood' . I would use the word panic, and this can be a powerful source for inspiration, understanding, and oddly enough, inner peace. I suppose I do express a certain feeling of anxiety, fear, or dark perspective, but one which contains sentiment, and emotion. I do not feel I express vulgarity in my art, although some may think so.
The illustrations you see on metal albums are a part of my overall artwork and my past. I also keep certain art separate from each other. Regarding myself, I do not identify with any singular definition, or rigid structures as that can be constricting to inspiration.
Why did you decide to use mainly black ink and pen on white paper? Is it because you work for metal bands? Or is it the more adequate way of expressing yourself?
C. Saint John- I have been drawing with pen and ink for a long time. Metal bands, musicians and fans of the music have an interest in my art because they appreciate the aesthetics and the emotion. The manner of the expression, as well as the themes are often personal to them. Art can have layers of meaning and some of my illustrations, and some of the music have this in common. I suppose, for those reasons, my work is a good fit for the music. There is atmosphere and content all flowing together into one shared theme...which is the shadow.
Although I use other methods and mediums, my main artwork is done with pen and ink. Inkshadows is home for this art. There are artistic and personal reasons for keeping to black and white. In this way, and others, I suppose I am a minimalist. It just came to be that I have created art for some talented black metal bands. So you are right...this is the most adequate way of expression.
Did you study art? If so, what part does that training play in your art? I suppose there are other important factors, because in your bio it’s written that you draw since you were thirteen.
C. Saint John- I have been drawing ever since I can remember, but I was 13 years old when I focused on pen and ink, and knew what I wanted to do. I was first published at age 15. I did not study art in school. I never went to college, nor wanted to.
Do you claim any influences? I generally relate black ink, pen and white paper with late XIX and XX century art. Am I right, in what concerns you?
C. Saint John- Generally, I am influenced or inspired by things such as atmosphere, nature, dreams and experiences in life that are difficult to convey with words. These are important sources for all art and music. I express the energy of the influence with the most fluid method that I am able to. I appreciate all kinds of art, such as the style you mention, as well as many types of music and cultures, but cannot give specific influences on my art. I intentionally kept myself ignorant of rules, art history, and styles for most of my life. Although this took more time and effort to develop the style I have now, I always felt this to be the natural path for me.
I was raised in a religious home, and I was always fascinated by ghosts, demons, the supernatural, fantasy, martial arts, monsters and horror. Certain interests came from some of these subjects being forbidden, or unknown, and some of them are incorporated into religion itself. So you could say there were some personal, non-specific influences that emerged with my art.
In his interview, Ornias declared you drew the cover for “Black Testament” according to a vision he had. Is it always like this? Or do you prefer to be free to present your own interpretation of the concept underlying the album?
C. Saint John- I always present my own interpretation, or I would fail to be an artist.
Ornias mentioned his experience, and so I did what I needed to do, working with the “Pazuzu” theme.
I made sure to channel a special energy for the artwork. I did not want to recreate any known artistic interpretation of Pazuzu, (for example, in the classic motion picture, 'The Exorcist' ).
The cover art contains original mythology from the earliest sources about Pazuzu,
together with what Ornias wanted, and what I do as an artist.
There is often more to the illustrations than what may be obvious.
At the most, I prefer a subject or theme to work with, or simply what the band/writer desires to convey through their music. I then do what I can to create and capture these ideas. I do not work with models, or references. I express what I see inside, and not what I see with my eyes, so it is a personal process. If someone appreciates my art, then I do my best to share something unique with them.
In your official site, I saw covers you have done for metal bands, but also original illustrations that are unsold, therefore available for use. I know other artists who do the same. What is more frequent for you: to sell these illustrations or to be “hired” to do specific drawings for the bands?
C. Saint John- I provide artwork for different kinds of interesting people; bands, collectors, organizations, publishers or whomever.
Usually, I am asked to work on something original. This may be an album cover, a book, magazine, or original artwork for a collector. There are illustrations available online which publishers can use for a fee, granting a one-time right to use the art.
It is not that the illustrations are available because they are “unsold”, but that they are available for a one-time use, and this can be good for publishers.
An original work is more costly and time consuming, and they often need an illustration fast for deadlines. Depending on the individual art or artist,
pen and ink illustrations can often take much longer than paintings.
Do you expose regularly your work offline [e.g. in exhibitions]?
C. Saint john- Occasionally. I show originals to private collectors for example.
Within the last half decade or so, I have decided to sell some of my original art.
With the original illustrations, you can see the unique color of the ink, as well as the texture to the lines, which can be felt with the hands.
From what I’ve seen and read, I suppose you’re a successful artist.
Do you have any special dream?
C. Saint John- We all know that success is inside the heart. I am grateful.
Life is a long dream. We will see where the stream takes me.
See official digital magazine interview...click on link below
(in Portuguese language)
http://issuu.com/versusmagazine/docs/versus_27/80
(in Portuguese language)
http://issuu.com/versusmagazine/docs/versus_27/80
Svartsyn "Black Testament"
Purchase from Agonia Records (click image)
Purchase from Agonia Records (click image)
Arckanum "Fenris Kindir"
purchase album from Season of Mist Records
click image to visit
purchase album from Season of Mist Records
click image to visit
Patronymicon "All Daggers Towards The Sky"
Carnal Records 2013
Carnal Records 2013
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