Interview
John Valmeo
John was born in the Philippines and moved to Australia with his family when he was very young. That is where he was raised, educated, and currently resides.
John graduated in arts & design from Holmesglen Institute, after studying for a diploma in illustration at Chisholm Institute.
He is currently a part-time freelance traditional illustration artist and works part-time in healthcare.
John specializes in portrait illustration and uses ink, colored pencils, and watercolor mediums for his work.
What is your background and how did you start your journey?
“My foundation started when I was a child. I’d always draw pictures with any medium that felt natural in my hands. In the school libraries, I loved reading the story picture books from my favorite children’s book illustrations. I also loved drawing characters from my favorite cartoons, anime, games, TV shows, and movies. From there, I found my calling.
In high school, I studied subjects related to drawing: studio arts, multimedia, textiles, and visual communication design, which took me further along my artistic journey.
The arts & design and illustration courses I took after high school helped to further improve my drawing abilities, excelling to the next chapter of becoming an evolving artist.”
What inspires you most?
“What brings out the best of my work are the things that surround me: people and everyday life. Nature itself is one of my greatest tools of inspiration. When I’m around plants, flowers, trees, and animals, I feel the beauty of their energy and life flow into my drawings.
Another instrumental part of my influences is working in healthcare, providing a service and duty in helping people. This is strongly emphasized in every art piece I create and complete.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“Over the years, I’ve developed as a traditional illustration artist. I gravitate towards creating images that send the message of love, happiness, colourfulness, and helping others. Whether big or small, it’s the quality and how it is received that matters most.”
How would you describe your work?
“I present my work in a style that is friendly and childlike. I channel the inner-child within me as an artist, and set the viewer’s eyes on my work so that when they see it, they are transported into a place of light and joy.”
“There is no greater reward than sharing your passions and what you have been gifted with, to give birth to something you hope will make a difference in someone’s life.”
Which artists influence you most?
“Top on the list is book illustrator Beatrix Potter with her children’s book, The Tale of Peter Rabbit. I loved reading her books which I found in my primary school library. I can never forget the heartwarming feelings a storybook can give through illustrations.
My second is Japanese manga artist, Akira Toriyama, whose works I’ve grown up with ever since I was a child. After seeing his work, Dragon Ball in manga books, anime, games, and movies, I fell in love with everything he creates. I’m constantly learning how hardworking an artist must be to achieve the highest level of being a professional in the world.”
What is your creative process like?
“When starting a project, whether for myself or a client, it all begins with the imagination, then the subject and purpose of the desired illustration work that is envisioned to be brought to life.
As a traditional artist, I specialize in pencils, colored pencils, inks, and watercolor mediums that get finalized as an illustration portrait.
I start by using pencils to do my rough sketches, thumbnails, brainstorming, development work, and reference points to create a decisive idea and a design I’m happy with. Then next is my inking process. I trace over my pencil design with ink onto the paper on which the final work will appear. The color palette is instrumental in the coloring process as it will compliment the design. Once the coloring process is finished, I mount and frame the final work piece for a complete presentation.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“We, as artists, must create works of art from what inspires us. It is our responsibility to convey a message that will help make a difference in the world. For this to happen, we must learn and understand each other, whatever walks of life we come from, and pass this onto the next generation for the present and future.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“ArtBoy Gallery - Transformers Exhibition 2014 was my first important exhibition. Unfortunately, ArtBoy Gallery is now permanently closed.”
