@phanttoni | www.facebook.com/phanttoni
We are Super Stoked to have, Anttoni Salminen, as our Featured Artist, he is an amazing photographer and photo manipulator, he has some really spectacular, seamlessly blended, manipulations that you need to go check out! While your checking them out don’t forget to hit that follow button, we have to support our fellow artists!
How long have you been an artist? What is your specialty? Where do u find inspiration?
I first found Photoshop in 2009 when i bought a computer and there was Photoshop installed in it. It was literally mind blowing to learn and notice what Photoshop can do, it’s an infinite program with tons of possibilities.
I don’t really think i have a specific specialty but i think i’m OK manipulating lights and making people stand in weird places haha.
My inspiration sources are pretty weird, i get super inspired by books and my own way to get inspired is to go inside things, think which things don’t fit together. I also question things alot, like ”what if mountains were flat? What if we lived in a parallel world, what would things look like ?”. Also my own intuition inside my head gives me ideas, i really don’t think of them, sometimes they just appear from nowhere. Also my artistic friends are super inspiring, i could have an endless conversation about creativity with them and i get so pumped to create something. And of course drawings get me very hyped, since in drawing there’s no rules. (I can’t draw at all though ☹)
Do you have a job in the art industry? If So, what’s one thing you don’t like about it? If no, where would your dream job be?
Having a full-time job in the art industry is my very deepest dream, i’m thinking about it everyday, every hour, almost every minute. But currently i’m working in a library and making some little money with Photoshop. Hopefully i’ll get there some day.
One thing i don’t like about it ? Hmmm… probably deadlines or having too much work at once. I don’t stress too much about it but i always want to give my best without rushing and thinking that ”whatever how it looks, if i get it done quick”
If i had a chance to make a living out of Photoshop, i wouldn’t be picky for where i would work.
Do you have a favorite Artist?
Oh yes, definitely, Erik Johansson and Deyvis Mazonis really got me into photo manipulating with their amazing realistic pieces!
What is one accomplishment you’ve had in your life? Does not need to be art related.
Probably having a stress free mindset, I’ve learned to think a single thing at a time which leads me in to crazy deep flow states, almost every day, doing anything. Art wise i’d say that i found my own techniques to create pictures, for myself, not for social media, not for anyone else.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years? 20 years?
Probably sitting on this same chair, working with Photoshop (hopefully full time) and still improving and finding learning interesting.
If you could meet and talk to any person in the world, dead or alive, who would it be?
Dylan Frost, Alice Cooper and definitely Tang Yau Hoong
How is one way you make money with your art?
Making connections, being a good friend of clients so they spread the word and literally just working for free, by this i mean you should start with free work, make the first move by making a picture for someone without even asking and ask if they’d be interested in your work. Sometimes you disappoint, sometimes you don’t. It’s hard but it’s worth it.
If you could go anywhere in the world where would it be and why?
New Zealand, Iceland and Northern Glacier, because these places look so relaxing with all their unique natures. I’d go literally anywhere that doesn’t have traffic within 100 miles haha.
What is your favorite brand of art supply? Whether it’s a brand of pencils or brand of camera or software
Oh yeah, this might annoy someone but i’m super into Sony’s products and cameras, I’ve always used Sony and always will, end of discussion. Got to point out Adobe’s amazing-ness too for giving us such an awesome programs as Photoshop and Lightroom.
Any advice for young artists?
Read books and stay consistant, progression don’t happen without being interested in improving and learning. Be open minded for everything and JUST-HAVE-FUN!
