It gives me great pleasure to introduce to you, our other featured artist, Frogster.

1.What did you do before you retired?

One month after graduating high school I became a union Boilermaker Apprentice served four years in the apprenticeship and was the first one to start and the first one to graduate for our union local. I worked as a Boilermaker for the next 38 years and retired 4 years ago. I then went to College for the next 3 years majoring in Graphic Design. I’ve also been a professional musician for 44 years and I’m still rockin.

2. How long have you been interested in this particular medium?

I didn’t have a computer until 1997 didn’t know a thing about them but after reading many books and asking a lot of questions I discovered a whole new world through this technology. I had a little paint program and started adding colour to old movie star sepia portraits and saw how it brought them to life. I then started looking at different art sites online and seeing the breathtaking images done through 3D and Digital art, it blew me away and from that moment I knew that’s what I wanted to do.

3. When did you start with your hobby?

I started with my first program about 5 years ago and started reading everything I could about the subject.

4. Do you have any other hobbies?

Like I said I have been playing guitar for 44 years, I also play some keyboards, I was a musical director for a church for 5 years and was over all the music plus a 30 voice choir. I have played every type of music from Blues, Country, Gospel, Bluegrass, Rock, and Heavy Metal. Right now we are playing Rock, Country, and Blues. One hobby I always loved is leather tooling (wallets, purses, saddles, leather pictures, etc.) I have been doing that close to 40 years but haven’t had as much time to devote to it lately. Photography is also dear to my heart; I had my own business for a number of years doing Portraits.

5. What equipment do you use?

I have a number of programs but the main ones I use are Poser 6, Paint Shop Pro 8, Painter X, Cinema 4D R10, Photo Shop CS, Vue Esprit 5, Body Paint 3D, Bryce 5, and Gimp

6. Did you have any classes or are you self taught?

I’m mostly self taught, I study everything I can about the 3D and digital art subject. When I went to college I learned a lot about lighting and how to apply certain things but I was already creating images and art high above what they were teaching.

7. Do you have any ambitions?

I want to create the best work that I possibly can. Right now I consider myself just average there are many artists out there plus here on RedBubble that just blow me away by their talent. If you look at my images you will notice that I like a lot of detail, some of it you can’t see unless the image is really enlarged. I’m trying to get near a realistic image that I can with the programs I use. I’m learning more and more with each image. One of my biggest ambitions is to have my art work on the cover of a Digital Art Magazine that would really thrill me, but mostly just to be looked on as a good artist.

8. What would you change about yourself if you could go back in time?

As I look back on my life I see that I have really been blessed not just with all the interests and accomplishments that I’ve have done but all the wonderful people that I have got to know over these years, plus all the great friends I have here at RedBubble. The one thing I would have liked would have been to have been able to do my art at a lot younger age, but beyond that I feel my life has been very fruitful.

9. Anything that you would like to add about yourself, the group, RB etc.?

I don’t consider myself as anyone special but I do want to thank the Retired and Happy Group for asking me to do this interview I feel it’s a real honour, and with this group younger artist can take notice that retired people just don’t sit in a rocking chair doing nothing all day. I find if we keep our minds busy and enjoy the short time we have here on this piece of dirt we call Earth.

Three pictures from his Gallery that he considers as his favourites.

1. The Old Barn.
I was very pleased the way this turned out I had a lot of hours into creating this. The colours just worked out so well and I feel that it gives the viewer a peaceful presence.

2. The Sinking.
I had a lot of fun making this image I wanted to give the viewer the feel of the power of the sea and the danger it can bring.

3. Hanyewi Valley.
I wanted to show the life of the Native American in this image the lighting and colors I felt turned out perfect for what I was trying to convey.

Nicely rounded up, and a lovely interview, and a very impressive selection of art.
Thank you for participating, and for your co-operation in this.

Irene, Richard, and Wendy.

Congratulations Frogster, Fabulous interview :))

Nice interview Larry.x

Interesting interview!

Hi Frogster! I can’t imagine using so many different programs for editing…I am struggling with photshop..just photoshop! I love the work you do on your images, they really become works of art. The three images you picked as your favorites are incredible. I have a fascination with Clipper Ships, and,” The Sinking” is truly incredible. congratulations on being the featured artist!
Mary-Ann

Frogster….you are certainly more than just an average person….you are obviously a very talented one! Thank you for sharing your talent and a bit of yourself with us!

What a wonderful interview! Larry, thank you for sharing yourself, your hopes, your dreams, your ART, and your humor with the rest of us old codgers!

congratulations, wonderful interview

Wonderful interview and congrats on you feature. Lovely work.

The digital effects on these pictures is amazing, i,m not into digital enhancement myself but looking at yours i just might try it. Regards John.

very cool interview and awesome work x

Congratulations for your feature. You have some wonderfull work. Well done. Nice interview. Great to be able to hear the experiences of fellow artists & photographers. Everyone gives me inspiration to do even better at what I do. Nice to meet you, look forward to seeing more of your work. Tom Baumker