#ainterview

CHARLIE CLIFTON

GOLDEN BOY PRESS INTERVIEW #326

“Get out and do something instead of reading interviews online about other artists you silly sausage!”

Could you introduce yourself?  

Hello! my name is Charlie Clifton. I am a 18 year old filmmaker, photographer, artist and clueless human from Bournemouth, UK!

What’s your life philosophy?  How do you try to apply that to your work?

For me life is about taking chances, experimenting and trying to stretch out the creativity we all have inside of us. weather that may be in film-making or even baking i feel as if we all should be able to take a risk once in our lives, experiment with our ideas/thoughts and even push the envelope on creativity. That is what i try to put into my work as a Artist, trying to achieve what others haven't or using inspiration from others to form a completely different idea.

Could you tell us what you think makes you stand apart in the art industry?

Oooo thats a tricky question! i would say i am not at the moment due to me being a young artist and what that entails is a lot of experimentation to find my style. So for now i need to find what my style is before standing out.

How would you describe your art style?  Do you feel like it reflects you?

To me my work is very bizarre, mind boggling and almost manic. And in a way it does reflect some aspects of who i am as a person. Normally when i feel stressed out, panicked, depressed or just down in the dumps, i do tend to break down easily, ill go as far as to admit i am a very weak person when it comes to feeling negative. So in way i try to use art as an outlet for when i feel this way. being able to store away negative feelings you have into something you love is brilliant to me. on the other hand i would say that it also doesn't as besides being sad sometimes i’m usually a very out going and lively person, I am not all doom and gloom as my work may suggest which is why i want to move away from my VHS videos i am doing right now and start creating narratives, not visuals. Get out and do something instead of reading interviews online about other artists you silly sausage!, i kid of course, all i can say really is just do what you think is right in your head, experimentation is the key to future enlightenment. and ignore anyone who gets in your way!

Could you tell us the meaning of one of your favorite video creations?  What inspired the work and why is it your favorite till this day?

To me one of my favorite videos i have created has got to be the music video for the song morning bell by Radiohead, at this time in my opinion its probably the best video i have done so far and a lot of the inspiration came from either the calm chaos the song posses itself, broken VHS tapes i had found from my families old collection of videos and the experimental clips involving Slayer that fuel the bizarre nature of 'GUMMO' by Harmony Korine.

If you had to choose any music album that captures the emotion of your work, what would it be and why?

Screamadelica by Primal Scream, god what a beautiful album!, To me the album itself helps brings a lot of my ideas to life through its jingly jangley electronic beats, peaceful, yet manic vocals and its sheer peacefulness. What a masterpiece!!

What's one thing that has to do with art that others might not know about you?

i do sometimes write my own poetry, songs or just general spoken word stuff . Usually i will take what i have written and translate it into my videos or photography but usually i just doodle around them and move on to the next idea. 

Do you have any rituals you do before you start your creative process for a new project, to get your mind and energy in the right place?

Shut myself away, listen to A LOT of Radiohead, eat toast, watch Twin peaks and make notes when ever an idea pops into my head.

Coffee or tea?

Hot chocolate (with cream and marshmallows of course!)

What are some of your goals for 2017?

Make my first short film that is at least 30 minutes long,doesn't involve shaky camera work, VHS stuff and ACTUALLY HAS A STORY! (and of course get into university.)

What makes you happy?

Making my ideas into reality, watching Eraserhead, eating toast, being with my friends and creating films and art!

Any closing comments?

Thank you for having me and to anyone reading this; remember, life is not forever. do what you want in life and be free!! (corny i know but hey joy is a virtue!)

In this innovative AI interview format, two candidates go head-to-head in a competitive battle of minds. The AI acts as the moderator, presenting thought-provoking questions to both participants. Each contender responds in turn, showcasing their critical thinking, communication skills, and ability to perform under pressure. The AI analyzes their answers in real-time, evaluating clarity, logic, creativity, and confidence. This dynamic format not only highlights individual strengths but also reveals how candidates engage in intellectual competition — offering employers a fresh, engaging, and insightful way to assess talent.

JILLIAN GIRARDEAU

GOLDEN BOY PRESS INTERVIEW #327

Could you introduce yourself?  

My name is Jillian, I am 21, an amateur photographer, and an Art History student at the University of Georgia.

What’s your life philosophy?  How do you try to apply that to your work? 

I’m not sure I have a philosophy that I go by but I try to find beauty in the small things. I think that’s made its way into some of my photos. When I was younger and first started taking pictures, I was really attracted to small stuff around my house like how a ray of light hit the floor or my favorite reading spot.

Why photography?  How has your work as an art history and English literature student influenced your portfolio?

Photography is just the medium that I have always enjoyed the most. I’ve tried drawing, painting, etc. and have always enjoyed art classes at school but I have had trouble capturing exactly what I wanted on paper. I don’t have that issue with photographs. Art history has definitely changed the way I see the composition of an image and has made me more conscious of the layout of the photograph.

Could you tell us what you think makes you stand apart in the art industry?

To be honest, I don’t think that I do stand apart much from other artists, but I don’t mind. I am really just looking for an outlet.

How would you describe your photography style?  Do you feel like it reflects you?

I don’t know exactly how I would describe it. I try to keep things simplistic and straightforward. It reflects me in that all of the subjects in my photographs are people who are important to me or present in my personal life. Every photograph has a specific meaning to me or is attached to a specific memory.

Do you prefer staged over candid photography, or vice versa?  Mind telling us why?

Candid photography is always more fun for me, especially when photographing my friends. I love to take pictures during a moment that is special to me in some way, because I want to document it., And when people don’t notice the camera they aren’t as guarded or aware of themselves as in a staged shoot, which makes for better photos. But I do enjoy staged photography and am planning on experimenting with it more in the future.

Who are the individuals in your work?  Friends, family, strangers?  

Almost all of the people in my work are close friends. I love to use photography to document my personal life. But I will sometimes take photos of strangers on the street if I can work up the courage.

What are a few tips for other photographers that might be reading this, that you could give when it comes to photographing others, and directing the shoot?

Honestly, directing a shoot is something that I struggle with myself, but I think flexibility is important. So many things can interfere with your original plan, it’s important to be able to let things come to you as you are working and don’t get too attached to what you imagined beforehand.

Do you have any rituals you do before you start your creative process for a new project, to get your mind and energy in the right place?

Not at all! Once I start taking photos I am in the right place.

What’s a typical day for you?

I don’t have much of a routine right now. Other than work and classes, I spend a lot of time with my roommates and watch a lot of Netflix. I read when I have the time.

What are some of your goals for 2017?

Shoot more often and read more books.

What makes you happy?

Spending time with my friends and family.

Any closing comments?

Thank you so much for this interview! J

TINA YU

GOLDEN BOY PRESS INTERVIEW #324

Meet TINA YU, an amazing artist that creates sculptures, illustrations, and oil paintings. Her work will fully immerse anyone in the world of YU, they'll show you the meaning of color and the different elements of her style that are completely unique to her.

In this interview we go over various aspects of her work, Juliet, and wise words from Spock.

Could you introduce yourself? 

My name is Tina Yu and I am a 22 year old freelance artist living in Upstate, New York. I graduated from Pratt Institute in May of 2016 with a BFA degree in Graphic Design. My specialities are sculptures, illustrations and oil paintings. I post most of my work on social media. http://www.patreon.com/tinayuart and http://www.instagram.com/tina.yu.artist.

What’s your life philosophy? 

My life philosophy is to be yourself. Never let anyone discourage you from following your dreams. You only live once. We don’t get a second chance at life. So do whatever it is in life that makes you happy because life is a gift and we should take full advantage of it.

How would you describe your creative style? 

I would define my style as cute and creepy all mixed into one.

Do you feel like it reflects you? 

Yes I do. Everything that I do reflects me. I believe everything that everyone does reflects them in one way or another, otherwise you’re not being true to yourself.

How do your 3D projects influence your oil paintings and vice versa? 

Well I learned a lot about shapes and dimensions from my 3D projects and I often use that knowledge in my paintings. I apply the painting technique I learned from working with oil paint onto my sculptures as well.

Could you tell us your favorite sculpture you’ve created? 

Juliet

Why is it currently your favorite? 

Because she is the first sculpture I created. I guess you can say she has sentimental value. It’s what lead me on the path I am today. It’s what opened my eyes and made me realize what my true passion is in life.

What are a few key tips for other artists that might be reading this? 

My advice would be that it’s okay to be influenced or inspired by other artists, but the key to art is finding yourself. Finding what makes you and your art unique. Finding your voice. Finding your style. Figuring out what separates you from everyone else. Once you find it, own it. Build it. Make it better than it was before you found it.

Do you have any rituals you do before you start your creative process for a new project, to get your mind and energy in the right place? 

I like to write down ideas before I start a new sculpture. Think of colors. Shapes. Concepts. And then I start the creative process.

What’s a typical day for you? 

A typical day for me is waking up and working on my sculptures pretty much all day long. I love it with all my heart and all my soul. It’s what inspires me. To create something from nothing. Using my imagination to bring things to life.

Coffee or tea? 

Tea with honey.

What are some of your goals for 2017? 

To build my business up. When you’re a freelance artist it is difficult to do that because you’re doing everything on your own. I am so lucky and fortunate to have my business where it’s at right now and I hope I can make it even bigger in 2017.

What makes you happy?

Life in general makes me happy. I’m a very optimistic person. I count my blessings everyday for all that I have. My husband makes me happy. Sculpturing makes me happy. Food makes me happy. A lot of things make me happy. I am someone who truly enjoys life and everything that it has to offer.

Any closing comments?

To quote Spock “Live long and prosper”.

BAILEY HOOVER

GOLDEN BOY PRESS INTERVIEW #322

Meet BAILEY HOOVER, a photographer that brings lifestyle and portraiture together in a seamless blend.  Her work focuses on capturing aspects of life of those around her.  In this interview we discuss her goals, her aim when it comes to artistic expression, and what makes her happy.

Could you introduce yourself? 

My name is Bailey Hoover, I'm 17 years old and I'm an artist currently living in Sacramento, California. My primary artistic expression is photography, however I also have well rounded experience as a singer, musician, dancer, actor, and writer.

What’s your life philosophy?  How do you try to apply that to your work? 

I believe that no one should ever settle for less than what they're capable of accomplishing and that your life should be spent shamelessly, rigorously pursuing what you love. As I'm becoming more independent in my final year of high school, I've come to realize that my future is in my control and have committed to working hard in school, in photography, and as an artist overall so I can get a job and live in a place that allows me to do what I love for the rest of my life.

How would you describe your photography style?  Do you feel like it reflects you?

I aspire to capture the authentic qualities of my model using warm colors and distinct backgrounds to complement the uniqueness of their personality. The bright colors I commonly capture in my work definitely reflects my style and personality; I've always preferred colors that catch people's attention over more subdued shades.

Do you prefer staged over candid photography, or vice versa?  Mind telling us why?

I only stage my models if they feel uncomfortable posing themselves, but I encourage them to do what comes naturally. I strive to capture the model's truest essence in my photos and the last thing I would want is for someone to feel like they need to pretend to be someone they're not during a shoot.

Who are the individuals in your work?  Friends, family, strangers? 

The people I shoot with are usually friends that I'm close with, however I've had more time on my hands this year than I have in a long time so I've been adventuring and shooting a lot more often. This has lead me to collaborate with new friends, acquaintances and strangers so I can creatively build off people with different perspectives. Plus I'm always down to meet new people!

Do you have any rituals you do before you start your creative process for a new project, to get your mind and energy in the right place?

Nothing super particular, I just listen to music that reminds me of the location or person I'll be shooting with while I get ready and remind myself to do my best.

Coffee or tea?

Coffee! I only like tea if it's really sweetened.

What’s a typical day for you?

I go to school during the week, which sadly takes up most of my time. When I'm free, I like to take pictures, find new places to shoot with friends, hang out downtown, and play my electric guitar. I do my best to always stay productive, I find comfort in being busy.

What are some of your goals for 2016?

I'm very proud of how much I've grown creatively and personally this year. My goals as the year comes to a close are to continue to grow in my skills and style as a photographer (specifically my technique for night shoots) and not worry about the future as much; especially since options for college are coming into view.

What makes you happy?

Nothing makes me happier than to create, whether it's through more obvious outlets like creating an image through photography, or little things like making a playlist for a friend or putting together a new outfit. I find a lot of pleasure in creating something from nothing to represent who I am so that others can build off of it to better themselves as an artist, a person, etc.

Any closing comments?

Thank you so much for offering me this feature! And I'd like to encourage anyone reading this to never stop doing what you have a passion for!