@alexdimella

Instagram: @alexdimella Twitter: @alexdimella Behance: www.behance.net/alexdimella Website: www.alexdimella.com

1. What's your story? Where are you from?

I grew up in Dania, Florida. About 45 minutes north of Miami. It’s a nice little beach town, like something out of “JAWS”. I was an adventurous punk kid who hung out in muddy mangroves, swimming across shark infested waters, and an old abandoned theme park located in the middle of a pine forest along the coast. Always daydreaming and goofing off with friends. Did a lot of Skateboarding throughout middle school and high school. Experimented with psychedelics. I’ve always felt very close to nature and loved science. I graduated from the International Fine Arts college in Miami for design. After working in the industry for a few years, I became co-founder of “Electric Sheep” a motion design studio in the heart of Miami Beach where I worked with clients such as- Mtv, Nickelodeon, Discovery Channel, and a film with Eddie Murphy called- “The Holy Man”. Currently, I’m an Art Director at 3rdeye.tv , a BDA and Emmy award winning post & motion design studio where I have been for over 15 years. I now live in Coconut Grove, Florida my wife who is a Burlesque Artist/Producer from Canada.

2. Tell us about your aesthetic.

Dark, and atmospheric. Sometimes abstract. You might see a little bit of sacred geometry nods here and there. I love to play with light. I sometimes tinker with really bright compositions to break the monotony. I am most happy doing sci-fi themed works.

3. What is your favourite medium and why?

Digital. I'm a 3d generalist, so I do a bit of everything from design to motion. Whether it is abstract or hyper-realism. I love the medium because it allows me to be a director, designer, editor, animator, and vfx artist. It is a very powerful thing to use almost everything a full production studio has. You can even use the same principles of lighting and cinematography. I also love photography and I am a bit of a camera geek.

4. What is your artistic process like?

Sometimes it is a very methodical process, sometimes experimental with a new tool, and sometimes I start with nothing. I could daydream my way into an inner journey playing with a shape or light, and see where it takes me. Then an idea starts to form- and it takes me where I would have never expected. It feels like a visual meditation. You start at a zero state and things will sometimes come.

5. Who and/or what inspires your work?

Nature, Science, Space; and Films by- Hitchcock, Jodorowsky Tarkovsky, Kubrick, Ingmar Bergman, David Lynch, John Boorman, Ridley Scott, Katsuhiro Otomo, Mamoru Oshii, and Akira Kurosawa. 2001 A Space Odyssey was an absolute spiritual experience to me at the age of 5, it made me cry with joy. Ghost in the Shell was another one that touched me deeply, the mood was so perfect. I lean towards artistic/poetic science fiction, post apocalyptic themes, and dystopian futures. On the fine/commercial art side- Vermeer, Klimt, Dali, Rembrandt, Sid Mead, Doze Green, Stephan Balleux, Josh Keyes, David Ellis, Smithe, Lee Griggs, Dan McPharlin, Mobius and many more.

6. What role does art play in your life? How does it change the way you view the world?

Self expression, and meditation. Art is the science of my soul. I live in the grey area thanks to it.

7. Where did you study?

I studied at the International Fine Arts College in Miami, Florida. I was originally going for commercial art since I was heavy into character design, abstract art, and typography. Then I saw the computer labs... and was so blown away that I changed my major. At the time it was called, “desktop publishing” in 1995. It was one of the few schools that offered a 3d program. Even the teachers and students were learning together. At that time, it was a state-of-the-art Macintosh computer lab with various 3d, desktop publishing, design, and editing software. We’re talking way back in 30mhz Photoshop 1.0 days, haha. The glory days of Apple’s first Power PC.

8. Where do you see yourself in five years? Working in an agency?

I am a bit of a late bloomer as an artist, but I’ve always been honing my creative/technical skills in the commercial field. I’ve only recently expanded my horizons, getting back in touch with my art, without having to rely on much commercial work as a creative outlet. I’ve been really ramping things up in the past two months, my exposure has gone through the roof and everyone has been so incredibly supportive and interested in collaborations. Amazing how fast things can change. So maybe in five years I would expect my art to be more at the center of my career.

9. What about in ten?

10 years is a long time and a lot could change. Hopefully to have made a few short films. I’m working on one now actually.

10. What do you hope to achieve with your art?

A deeper inner journey, furthering self discovery. Learning something new with each piece of work and never stop discovering. Only good things can come from that.

11. Now, tell us a little more about you as a person: what is your favourite food?

It’s a tie between Thai and Korean.

12. Favourite book?

Cosmos

13. Favourite genre of music?

I can’t say just one… Early Punk, and Electronic music- Television, Sonic Youth, My Bloody Valentine, Cocteau Twins, Casino vs Japan, Boards of Canada, Brian Eno, Kraftwerk, Freescha, gescom, Autechre. I also like Ethiopian jazz, old-school ska, and 90s Hip-hop.

14. What are your hobbies?

Photography, Cooking, and learning new 3d techniques almost daily.

15. If you weren't an artist, what would you be?

An industrial designer for SpaceX. I’m a big fan of Elon Musk and where he is going with rocket technology.