Interview With A Pixel Artist Part 15: A Life In Pixels

Who are you? Where are you based?
 
I'm Kelly  based in Suffolk, a 30 something year old who never really grew up. 
 
When and why did you first start making your art?
 
I've been making art since I was a kid but started pixel art when I was in my 20s, can't remember exactly when.
 
What inspires your artwork?
 
I'm inspired by old video games, the NES/SNES eras are my favourite. I often use Super Mario characters and love doing movie crossovers.

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Do you remember the first piece you made?
 
I can't remember my first piece but it was probably just a hama bead mushroom, I used to make a lot of those.
 
What's the biggest piece you've ever made?
 
My biggest completed piece is a rainbow road painting its 26"x18" it's not massive but a lot bigger than I normally do. I also have a larger unfinished project which is a pom pom rug, each of the pom poms represents a pixel and it features Super Mario but it is taking forever to finish.

What is your art workspace like?
 
- My art space is small corner of my flat that often gets very messy.
 
What are the tools of your trade?
 
- I can't seem to stick to one type of pixel art so my tools vary from hama beads to paint to cross stitch supplies.

What's the most time you've spent on a project?
 
I have spent over a year on the unfinished rug but that's because I need to be in the mood to make pom poms and most of the time I'm not. I spent a couple of weeks in total on a Castle Grayskull cross stitch. It took about a week to complete a design I was happy with then another to cross stitch doing a couple of hours a day.

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Can you talk us through your creative process? How do you go about planning and creating a piece?
 
When I create something I make a list of what I want to make and then would make a quick sketch. I would then start working on a pixel version of the pattern using an editing program or sometimes good old graph paper. That normally takes the longest unless it’s a sprite directly from a game. Then it’s just a case of either cross stitching or painting the final piece.

What are the most common questions you get asked about your art?
 
I often get asked "can I have this" meaning for free from total strangers lol.
 
Have you had any art-related disasters?
 
I don't think have had any major disasters just the odd pixel in the wrong place or finishing a mini hama bead piece and knocking it over. that's why I don't use hama beads as much now.
 
Do you have a dream project you'd love to make, but just can't justify yet?
 
I would love to make the full set of Mario 64 paintings, I've done some small versions but would love to do larger more detailed pixel versions.

What was your most recent project?
 
My most recent project was a little pixel Bob Ross.

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What are your favourite experiences you've had as a result of your art?
 
My favourite experience was my first return customer. They brought my Mario/Batman crossover piece and shortly after it arrived they brought my Mario/Indiana Jones crossover piece and even messaged me telling me how much they liked them. I'm not an overly confident person so when something like that happens it gives me a boost.

Do you have any projects in progress or in the pipeline right now?
 
I have just completed a design and am about to start cross stitching it and it is a Spongebob band geek dreamcatcher inspired by the SuperBowl half time show everyone wants but never gets.
 
Do you sell your art? If so, how can people find it?
 
- do sell some of my art  on ETSY http://www.alifeinpixels.etsy.com
 
How can people find you online? Drop your social media handles, websites etc...
 
The only social media I use is instagram @alifeinpixels