Other World: Hard Work, Storytelling & Learning from Artists

Who is Other World?

Other World is a digital artist and full-time PhD student studying Biomedical Engineering.

OW’s artistic approach is a combination of collage work and illustration. He reimagines older paintings to create new art with completely different storylines.

His work primarily focuses on creating dark themes, with bright colors; the hooded characters he draws are called ‘fiends’. His art is a reflection of his thoughts, beliefs, and experiences.

OW's artwork has not only been sold at the world's most prestigious auction houses, including Christie's and Sotheby's, but has also been exhibited worldwide. His exhibits have taken place in locations such as NYC, Paris, and London, and included a solo exhibition in West Hollywood.

What is something you wish someone had told you before becoming an artist?

Success in art is no different than any other career choice. Hard work, sacrifice, and complete dedication to your craft is the only way you will ever “rise to the top” and sustain it.

This being said, success, especially financial success, is a byproduct, not the main goal. If you focus on creating the best art and story that you can for both yourself and the audience you are presenting it to, financial success will follow.

What does your creating process look like?

The creative process never stops. Ideas come to me at the most random times of the day. When I sit down to create, I try to limit the constraints and only create with a rough idea of what emotion I want the final result to convey. Music is a must.

Who are 2-3 artists you admire or respect that you think deserve (even) more recognition?

Sam Spratt - Sam has earned a lot of respect and recognition in our community, but it is still in my eyes not enough. He has given me very valuable advice throughout my career and he always puts the quality and soul of the art first. He deeply focuses on creating a connection between himself, the viewer, and the art. If an artist is looking for a role model or mentor, Sam Spratt is as good as it gets.

Alpha Centauri Kid - ACK is the king of the performance. The intensity of his art and the countless amount of recognizable characters he’s created is a great example of storytelling. I think of his body of work as a big book that is continuously being written before our eyes. His dedication to The Muse is evident and keeps me at the edge of my seat waiting to see what he’ll create next.

Grant Yun - Grant’s work ethic and body of work is truly an endless source of inspiration. Being a full-time medical student and still putting out the quantity and quality of work is something to study for all aspiring artists. His signature style has been copied by many, but they all fail to replicate the class and precise details that he injects into his work.

Tjo - In every parallel universe and possible timeline, Tjo is an artist. The passion he has for creating is the first thing I feel when viewing a piece of his. The deeply personal stories that are woven into his artworks make it impossible for me not to feel the emotional impact of his visual stories.

What do you do when you are trying to enhance your creativity?

Music never fails to inspire me. Whether it's a specific lyric or the overall mood of the song, music is imperative to my art’s success.

What is one thing you think artists should focus more on, and why?

The literal art itself should be the primary focus.

Artists should visit galleries and museums to see what kinds of art meet the criteria to reach such levels of public success (if that is what they want of course). Look at the most successful artists in our space. Look at their work ethic. Look at their story. Look at how their work stands out among the rest.

This being said, do not copy an artist's work, but do take inspiration and use their model as a general guideline for your own art and direction.

What’s the hardest part of being an artist?

For me, all the necessary things that must be done alongside creating art such as networking, marketing, etc. These are all necessary for an artist.

Also, eventually building a team to help build larger projects and push the vision forward is a challenge I will soon face.

***Losing My Religion*** *by Other World*

What advice would you give to someone just starting their journey as an artist?

Study the successful artists. Use their success as a general model and take the parts that make sense with your own personal journey.

Create art that is true to you and will stand out today as well as in 100+ years.

Why do you create art?

It’s my purpose.

What habit or practice has changed your life the most?

Exercise, even if just a little, is very beneficial.

Also, keeping a consistent and healthy sleep schedule works wonders.

What are you willing to struggle for?

My family, friends, and art.

What does success look like to you?

Success is many things for me.

My goals are to progress as an artist and tell my story through increasingly higher-quality works/projects. I want to pull the viewer into my world and have them question theirs. Achieving these goals is a continuous and never-ending mission.

Another one of my goals is to give back in some way to the ones who have supported me from the start, my collectors. A straightforward way to do this in my eyes is to elevate my career to the highest stages of art so their investment in my career turns out to be a fruitful one.

Another metric of success is how many others I inspire to create. One of my favorite things is hearing how my art impacted someone and inspired them in their own lives.

What single question can you ask yourself daily to guide you closer to success?

“What am I working for?”

What is one strong opinion you have?

I believe everything that happens in life is natural and “destined”. Both the good and the bad are all a part of the natural progression of time. I’m fascinated by science, especially biology and physics. More so, I’m fascinated by how these things lead to the mind-boggling evolution of life and the recurring patterns that exist in nature and society.

What would you say to your 25-year-old self?

Well, that would only be about a year ago. I’d say work harder than you are. Also, buy some meme coins haha.

Learn more from Other World

Something to read:

Other World and the Beauty of Reimagining History, an interview with Art Of This Millennium

Something to watch:

Other World: Drawn to Darkness

Something to listen to:

On Our Reidar: Other World!

Get in Touch with Other World

The best way to get in touch with Other World is via Twitter.

Other World: Hard Work, Storytelling & Learning from Artists (Interview)