> Please introduce yourself, in your own words. What are your interests?
Hi. My name is Steve Jones, and I live on a small island off the south coast of England. I love sport, music, and sunshine. I also like the feeling you get when life throws you a sense of realisation and creative emotion. I enjoy living by the sea.
> Where did you begin with artistic endeavours? How did you come across Abstraction or Surrealism?
I stumbled upon collage art a few years ago, having previously had no practical art experience, other than the occasional bout of creative writing through prose and poetry. I don't really consider my work to be in any artistic bracket, other than being a type of collage that other people are free to categorise.
> How would you explain the concept of Abstraction or Surrealism to someone with no experience with the genre?
I would not be able to describe the differences between, or the concepts of, Surrealism and Abstractionism other than they have a different 'label' but they are both valid examples of fine art styles drawn from creative states.
> What inspires you to use Abstraction or Surrealism in your work?
I am fuelled by emotion and the every-day workings of Being. these are both my tools and my inspiration.
> What do you want to express with your artwork? What is the idea you're trying to put across?
I try to put across a sense of 'mood' and 'feeling' in my collages; there is never really any explicit message that I am trying to translate to an observer through my work, just the hint of a feeling or an emotion.
> What are your 'tools of the trade'? How do you create your art?
Tools for me are the every-day interactions between people. I love the sense of community and I try to use that to fuel my creativity. It's a little bit like you are recycling what you see and find around you, and re-presenting it to your surroundings in a new form.
> Do you think the quality of a piece depends more upon technical perfection, or the message contained therein?
The quality of any art is in its ability to impact upon the observer... there are no other factors that come into consideration, for me.
> Who are your favourite visual artists, and why?
I like Rene Magritte, mainly for the way he creates light in his works.
> Which dA Groups would you recommend to someone looking to get involved with abstract and surreal art?
I would recommend groups that best suit your own style: there are thousands to choose from; have a look, there is really a group for every style of art here on deviantART.
> What advice would you give to an absolute beginner in the genre?
Follow you instincts! That's the best advice I can give to someone just starting out.
> Any final words on abstract and surreal art?
Keep it surreal, and keep it abstract.
> In conclusion, pick nine works from your Favourites that you particularly enjoy.
