@seanfournier

Instagram: @seanfournier

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

Hello! My name is Sean Fournier and I love to draw. Ever since I could hold a pencil, I’ve been doodling and creating cartoon characters. It was a big part of my childhood and I am happy to say that it still is.

2. Tell us about your aesthetic.

I have kind of a messy style. I don’t like getting caught up on making lines perfectly straight - or making sure things are symmetrical. I usually take on the philosophy that the drawings are perfect just the way they are. There are many times where I redraw certain parts over and over to get it right and then there are other times where I know it isn’t exactly how I want it, but it’s perfect anyway. I think I just enjoy the act of drawing so much that I don’t want to spend my time nit-picking.

3. What is your favourite medium and why?

This might sound really silly, but I love to draw in Adobe Flash. I think most artists who I share styles with would draw in Illustrator, but Flash feels more natural to me. I actually used to be an Interactive Web Designer and coded websites in Flash. I think that’s what made me so comfortable using that program to draw. I also carry a notebook with me wherever I go so I can sketch out my thoughts, but Flash is definitely my favorite medium.

4. What is your artistic process like?

I draw right in Flash with a mouse. I’ve tried sketching things first and then tracing them on the computer, but it never felt right to me. I’ve also tried using a Wacom tablet to draw, but it never fully felt natural to me. For some reason, drawing with a mouse just works for me. So let’s say I wanted to draw a raccoon. Usually what I do, if I’m not sure where to start, is look online for inspiration. I like to see how other artists drew raccoon cartoon characters. Or I’ll look up one-color icons to see the simplest way to represent a raccoon. What I mainly look for are the characteristics that make it easily recognizable as a raccoon. So that would probably be pointy ears, striped tail and probably looking like it’s wearing a mask over it’s eyes. I usually try to bring those elements into my drawings, but put my own style and spin on things.

5. Who and/or what inspires your work?

I am on Dribbble a lot. Being able to see that there are so many artists with different styles learning from each other inspires me. When I am looking for inspiration I check out Dribbble. I also really love the artwork of Mike Lowery and Elise Gravel.

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

Art has always played a big part in my life. I draw every day. It’s changed the way I view the world because I am always questioning how I would draw the things I see in my own style.

7. Where did you study?

Well, I didn’t go to school for art. It’s just something that I’ve always done, even at a young age. I went to school for marketing, but drawing has always been with me as one of my favorite pastimes and has just become a big part of who I am.

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

I have always wanted to write and illustrate a children’s book. I have a couple in the works now so in 5 years I hope they are released by then.

9. What about in ten?

I’m not sure, but I hope whatever my future holds, it finds a way to weave in my illustrations.

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

From a personal level, I hope my art continues to be a relaxing part of my life. If my art can inspire others to draw or see things in a different way, that would be very meaningful for me.

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

I love salmon and mashed potatoes… or black beans and rice. And of course ice cream ;)

12. Favourite book?

Well, I bet you would think I would give a title of a novel or something, but since I have young kids and I aspire to write children’s books, I think my favorite books right now are ‘Robo-Sauce’ or ‘I Want a Monster!’ - but that might be more of the illustrations haha.

13. Favourite genre of music?

I am actually a musician as well in the pop/folk category… so I suppose that would be my favorite (http://bit.ly/seanSpotify)

14. What are your hobbies?

Drawing, playing guitar and piano, writing music, coming up with children’s books and of course spending time with my family.

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

Depressed.