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About » Frequently-Asked-Questions

This is where I try to boost my self-importance by pretending that people actually ask these questions on a very frequent basis. In all actuality, they do not. Some of these questions have been asked once, twice, or more than that. Whatever the case, I have compiled a list of questions that people have asked, might ask, or will ask. If you've got a question to add, feel free to contact me by email or the included form.

art-related

What mediums do you use?

I usually list them in the corresponding artwork in the gallery, but I will generally use acrylics, watercolors, markers, coloured pencils, and pens for traditional artwork and Adobe Photoshop CS2 and Corel Painter IX for digital artwork.

What journal do you use?

Journal I was a generic hardcover notebook with lined paper. Journal II and Journal III are Moleskine 5"x8" sketchbooks.

Where do you buy your materials?

Moleskines can be found in any major bookstore or art supplier. Prismacolor markers and coloured pencils, Copic markers, Reeves acrylic paints, Niji watercolors, and ZIG Memory System Pens can be found in any art supplier. Many of my watercolors dating before Journal III are generic watercolors that can be found anywhere. You can purchase Adobe Photoshop and Corel Painter from Adobe.com and Corel.com, respectively. Wacom tablets can be purchased at Wacom.com. Also, keep in mind that Amazon and Ebay are great places to look, and they both offer cheaper alternatives to the materials listed above.

Where do you get your inspiration and ideas?

My first instinct is to say, "Everywhere!" but that is more vague than the original question. :) Instead, I'll list my main inspirations that have affected my art. Music is definitely one of them. It's such an integral part of my life that I need it to function. When I come across a certain song, there will be this urge for me to draw something inspired by that song. For example, "Quay Cur" by the Fiery Furnaces, "Norwegian Wood" by the Beatles, and "Waltz #2 (XO)" by Elliott Smith have all inspired me to create works based on the respective song. Some songs are just so beautiful that I want to try to capture the musical qualities of a song in visual form.

I'm also influenced by dreams and the surreal. I love to imagine and create, whether it's a story, an idea, a character, etc. My biggest project from 2007 was a 12-piece project, Dream Sequences. I wanted to concentrate on the fundamental aspects of the surreal by reducing each scene to a clear, concrete idea. I loved creating this series, because I find dreams so fascinating in their complexity. By working on these twelve distinct scenes, I wanted to wholly capture the essence of a dream: chaotic, flighty, whimsical, ambiguous, open, uncertain, naive, and haunting. The contrasts and mysteries that are associated with a dream are so fascinating to me.

Lately, when I'm inspired by something, I don't want to limit my artistic drive to just one work of art, hence the reason why I had twelve parts to the Dream Sequences set. Part of inspiration is wanting to explore and delve deeper into a certain idea, and sometimes that process of exploration requires multiple visions and compositions.

How do you choose your colours?

That is a good question! Though I am relatively familiar with colour theory, choosing colours has always been intuitive for me. Certain colours tend to evoke particular moods, and I keep that in mind when I choose my main colours. I then build up on that mood by choosing similar or complementary colours. Again, it's a very intuitive process so I end up choosing the ones I feel are most visually effective.

Do you have any favourite artists?

Trust me, I have heaps of artists whom I just love. One of these days, I will compile a list of my favourites.

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book-related

When is the book going to be released?

I am currently editing the galley and drafting the cover. Thus I am sorry that I cannot give you a better answer than "Soon."

What is the title?

It's a secret that will be revealed soon. :)

I live in (insert country name here). Can I still buy it?

The book will ship internationally, as long as suppliers like Amazon still do.

Where can I buy it?

Amazon, Borders, Barnes and Noble at the very least.

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commission-related

All information regarding commissions should be thoroughly explained here. If not, let me know.

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print-related

Where can I purchase prints of your art?

Right this way!

Is there anyway to modify a print? (i.e. changing colours?)

Yes, but I will charge a small amount, depending on the request.

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site-related

How do you do (insert technique here)?

By learning. Smartassholery aside, I am not an HTML/CSS/art teacher. You can only get better by experience!

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usage-related

May I use your art?

In all cases of usage, you must comply with all of the following with NO EXCEPTIONS:

For personal usage: All of the above apply plus the following: You may alter the works but the resulting works can only be used for personal (read: noncommercial) usage only.

For gallery/exhibition/publishing usage: Contact me.

For commercial usage: Contact me.

What is the copyright policy?

Everything is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 Unported License. The No Derivatives Works is waived under personal usage only.

What's your policy on creating works that closely resemble your own?

When in doubt, credit! A link to cindypepper.com, kitsche.com, or kitsche.livejournal.com will do. And it is perhaps wisest to use these works for personal use only.

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miscellaneous

What does kitsche mean?

Kitsch -- the political term, not the artistic -- refers to a false consciousness or a "mindset misguided in desires and wants," two concurrent themes in my works.

Will you promote (insert link here)?

No, sorry. I am open to simply linking people though!

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