We have Isaia (aka Armando Barnaba) on my blog today – the artist behind ‘Unburied Treasures‘ illustrations and my art partner in crime at Worlds Beyond Art. A quiet achiever with complex wisdom and offbeat charm, Isaia prefers to lurk in the shadows, but I got him out finally! And today, we talk about drawing, collaborations, and lucid dreams.
Tell us about you: who is Isaia and why did you pick this name?
I’m a shadow between two worlds. I have lived a thousand lifetimes and seen more things than my heart could contain… too much? :p Yes ok, for the purpose of this interview, I’m just a boy who likes to draw.
I draw to relax, escape this world cause I have better ones inside my head. I feel normal, but I’m not so normal to people, I think. They tell me I’m intense and complex, but really, I just suffer questions for the status quo.
I picked Isaia when I joined Sketch Club…
Wait, for those who don’t know: what is Sketch Club?
Sketch Club is the drawing app you and I used to draw the illustrations. It has a community where we can post our works and comment on others’. When I joined Sketch Club, I wanted to start afresh without limits for and with my art. I believe names tie us and our ideas about ourselves. Armando has one life, Isaia another.
I don’t really know why Isaia, though. The name reminded me of Willem Defoe’s character in the movie Platoon. I like him. He has compassion and stands up for what he believes in, even when it costs him his life.
Of course after naming myself Isaia, I remembered his name was Elias. Well, no matter. It was close enough.
Haha. Well, I do like Isaia, it fits you perfectly. Now can you share a little bit about how we met and how we work together in art? Who does what and who is the boss in the partnership?
And nobody is boss in the partnership. We work as one.
We certainly do. I’m very lucky to have you as my partner in crime. Now tell us about your drawing process. How do you plan your sketches?
Why do you ask this question? You know my drawing process is mess.
Of course I do ๐ But you have a process, just that it’s different than what I know. You always talk about these mysterious lines in art. I can’t see them! Tell us about those. Walk us through your creative process.
Okay, suppose I have a topic to draw, I start with one rough idea in mind then paint the canvas with random colours and shades. I try to find the right atmosphere, the right mood, the right emotions until details take shape and my harmonious lines will appear. I know you cannot see these lines, so it’s hard to explain them. I see them not only in my sketches, in others’ too. They make the shapes inside my colours and help me see the whole composition, what the sketch needs.
I don’t outline. I can’t use logic the way you do. When you’re surprised with my drafts, I’m surprised with you. Things turn out so without plans, born organically the same way a sapling becomes a tree.
This is why it’s always so awesome to watch you draw because I never know where you’re going until all of a sudden a ship appears! So what do you love to draw most and why?
Rocks and trees. They relax me.
Nice. Now, I know you keep a journal where you write all the dreams you remember. Tell us a bit about this exercise and the theory behind it.
I read about lucid dreams many years ago and was attracted to the concept. If I’m attracted to something, usually there’s a reason, so I’m trying it. There are exercises we can do to train our minds to consciously induce lucid dreaming, and one of them is a dream journal. The theory is that this state of mind may broaden our awareness in a way that enhances our overall perception to things around us, even beyond our waking life.
Is this why you often type what I’m about to say before I type it in chat?
You keep thinking I read your mind. I don’t.
Of course not. You just always know what I want to say before I say it.
You are getting better yourself with this skill, young jedi. Keep it up.
Haha. So have you been lucid dreaming since?
I haven’t often and when I did they were very short. But it’s ok, all are part of the process. I’m enjoying it. The mechanics of the mind fascinates me.
No, we didn’t draw together that time. But it was not the hand that drew with us, it was the mind and what we had inside. It was time to experience, to enjoy, to visit places together and get inspiration.
But we did a video together, remember? We used our Ipads and the stop-motion capture app. What happened to that video?
Oh yes, haha! What awesome silliness. Glenn took part in it too! Okay, I have it. Let me share it with the world.
So last question: what are your current projects?
We have Melody-Ann Jones Kauffman’s serial fiction illustrations and Ciara Ballintyne‘s book cover to draw. I’m also drawing that alien landscape for our portfolio showreel… I feel silly typing this because I know you already know my current projects because you are doing them with me.
Sure, but I am interviewing you. Pretend you’re talking to the world, not me.
I just want to say, Lyds, I really enjoy all the projects we do together, everything really, every moment is a blessing for me.
Aw, thank you, sweet. Likewise. I couldn’t have done any of this without you.
Now, can I return to the shadows?
Sure, off you go ๐ Thanks so much for the chat.
Not a problem.
For more about this awesome boy, check out his gallery on Sketch Club or visit our website: worldsbeyondart.com. And please like our Facebook page to receive offers and updates from the desk of Worlds Beyond. Thank you and enjoy your day!
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