• Name: alu
• Website/s: www.rainingcats.tumblr.com

1. Tell a bit of yourself, and about how you became an  artist that you are today?
Wow, hello! Thank you very much for considering me to be featured here, I’m flattered! I’m alu, I’m a college student attending UC Davis and I’m going to be studying something very boring haha. I don’t really consider myself an artist, but in terms of getting interested in drawing, I never really liked drawing until I bought a tablet last October. I’d have to honestly say that it was joining tumblr that got me into drawing seriously (kind of) after seeing so many amazing artists here. 

2. What inspired you to become an artist?
My parents didn’t let me watch many cartoon shows (Asians, let me hear you holla back.), so I grew up with a lot of storybooks and novels. One of my favorite books when I was younger was Alice in Wonderland and I remember just being so totally amazed by the illustrations in it and thinking, “Who could think of these creatures and these characters…?” It just totally gave me this amazing feeling of bewilderment and joy. I couldn’t fathom the idea of being able to transport words into a beautiful illustration. Gah, thinking about it now still gives me goosebumps. 

3. What are the tools you use to draw with?
Bamboo tablet and like a lot of people, paint tool SAI. I’m not great with technology so its simple interface is really great for me!

4. What is your most favorite subject to draw, And why?

Animals! I love drawing animals because I feel like there isn’t really a “correct” way to draw them. For example, I’ve never seen an elephant or an armadillo, but when I take the mental image that I have and then draw it, it somehow just seems…right. It’s my imagination and it just somehow works, in my opinion! I also really like drawing black stockings…HAHA. 
5. Can you share abit of a process in creating your artworks?

I usually just come up with an idea, sketch something out, use a gradient bg, and start slapping on blobs of color! Then sometimes if I’m feeling really classy, I’ll shade haha! I’m not talented or patient enough to do lineart, but I feel like this process works for me! 

6. Do you have any things you can share to fellow artists?
Don’t be afraid to deviate from what you’re normally comfortable with or draw something simple. Simple is great.