Carl Q. Angel
www.carlqangel.com

Howzit Carl, Thanks for being a sport and doing this Interview! Why don't you tell the Pacdesco visitors a little about yourself?
Ive been drawing as far back as I can remember, and have always been interested in storytelling, so naturally that combination led to comic books and movies, and in my case now, children's books.

You, John Ebalaroza (cousin) , and Rob Ortalliza (Marvel Comic Book Artist), has always been an inspiration for me. What other artists are you inspired by and why?
All kinds of artists, both dead and alive, past and present. I find I'm able to appreciate different things from each artist. This guy paints this way, this person uses shape and form in another way, etc . I think it's fascinating that people breathe the same air, see a lot of the same things, and have the same experiences, yet are able to creatively express themselves in completely unique ways,

Out of all the children books that you have Illustrated which project did you find most difficult to complete?
Probably the first one, just because I was finding my way around the first time, and it was all new to me.

Your recent project 'Closet Ghost' sounds interesting, can you elaborate on it?
I was the book designer and art director on that project. It's a story about a girl whose family is from India and she enlists the help of Hanuman, a mythical creature from that culture's mythology, to help her adjust to the neighborhood where she just moved to. As a designer, I work with type and layout as opposed to illustration.

I love your 'Children of Bathala' exhibit which depicts Philippine Mythology, can you give us more detail behind these moving pieces?
It was about painting the mythology of our heritage. I always saw gods and goddesses from other culture's mythologies, but none from our own. It's pretty vast, with different regions having different deities. I haven't even scratched the surface of that subject matter. It's pretty amazing how a lot of the stories overlap with stories of other cultures. It proves how much we all have in common with each other's beliefs.

So here's a question that I love to ask in these interviews: Every artists I know has bad habits, what's yours?
Procrastination, procrastination, procrastination. It's usually the result of good intentions, waiting for the right idea to come around.

In your journey to be this successful artist were there any times you felt like giving up or did you know exactly what you wanted and shot for it no matter what stood in your way?
I still don't feel all that successful, to tell the truth. As a freelancer, I'm always looking for work, so there's no real feeling of having "made it." i'm not sure if that feeling will ever come, but you just have to be happy to be doing what you're doing, I guess, and if you're married, you better hope she's happy about it, too. Luckily, my wife is supportive almost to a fault.

What do you do when you're not painting?
Usually doing book design and layout. I get more of that work than I do painting work. I'd like to get back to doing more personal stuff, but there doesn't seem to be enough hours in a day.

How would you describe your style?
I suppose I would describe it as social surrealism. It's definitely social and spiritual commentary.

Being that both Digital Art and Canvas Art requires a great deal of imagination, how would you compare the two?
With digital art, depending on how much resources one has, the feedback is immediate. With painting and drawing, it seems to be more of a meditaton, although it really depends on the person. I know there are guys out there who zone out for hours on the computer just creating stuff (sound like anyone we know, Marc?), which isn't that different from me being in front of an easel, but after hours of looking at a screen, it's nice to actually be involved in something that's tactile and not digital.

How are those Macromedia Flash classes coming along and how are you planning to apply this knowledge?
I don't know how you do it, man. It has been a gigantic pain in the ass. I've mostly been using it in an animation tool, and it's tough keeping track of so many elements on the timeline and synching them, etc. I do have patience, though, and I'd like to use it to extend the children's book stuff, or maybe online comics. Know anyone I should contact?

How long does it usually take you to create one painting?
It varies from piece to piece, but usually about a week and a half.

Besides hangin out with you at Pearl City Library when we were kids I've never seen you actually create a painting, are you one of those artist that needs total silence when painting or do you have music slammin' in the background? And if so what type of music?
Gotta have music. Gotta have music. All kinds, though I'll go through phases where I'l listen to nothing but jazz, or rock, or some other music. But usually at some point I'll be playing a soundtrack or score to some movie. Movie scores tend to have a narrative quality to them without the distraction of the actual movie.

Could you give some pointers to those who are just starting out in this industry.
Never give up. Enjoy what you do. When I was a student, I was told that I sucked and should just give up and find state government work. I might have done that, but I figured I would have sucked even worse at a government job. If I'm going to suck, I might as well have a good time.

I hope that isn't written on my tombstone or something.

Thanks again for doing this interview and being March's Featured Artist of the Month. Any last words?
Thanks for this opportunity, Marc! You and John have been (and continue to be) my artistic inspiration.

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