This month I had the privilege of interviewing  Mario S. Nevado, passionate about CD album artworks. He works in digital as This month I had the privilege of interviewing  Mario S. Nevado , passionate about CD album artworks. He works in digital as well as traditional mediums, believing that practicing the fundamentals is the only way to improve.  Check him out!

Ques: Tell us about  your Self?

Ans: Hello! My name is Mario S. Nevado, although I'm known as Aégis on the net, which is the name of my art studio. I'm a passionate of CD album artworks and currently I'm lucky enough to make a living out of producing packaging for music bands, as well as book covers and other editorial projects.

Ques: When did you first become aware of your interest in art? 

Ans: It was written on my genetical code! Since I was a child, I've been always creating in many different medias.

Ques: How large of an impact did it have on your growth of knowledge within the arts? Would you recommend beginners to enroll in a school?

Ans: Art is something that you have or you don't. If you do, and you know how to use it well, it will allow you to know yourself in the deepest way. I think there's no need to study it in school or university. I did, and it was a waste of time! You just need to let it flow and never stop creating... Practice makes it perfect.

Ques: How long have you been creating digital paintings and what type of software do you use to achieve the realism?

Ans: My first enrollements with digital media where in 2005, and since then I haven't stopped. I always use Adobe Photoshop.

Ques: Which of your creations are you most pleased with and why?

Ans: I guess that "Betrayal" is my most successful piece, not only because it's becoming a trending mainstream icon, but because I think I did my best narrative work up to date, something so iconic that almost everyone can relate to it.

Ques: Would you tell us about your history of employment within the art & design industry, from where you began to where you currently reside?

Ans: I always wanted to work developing CD artworks, but it was unexpected when the first band contacted me, since I was very young and was still studying my degree. On that time, I discovered that I was able to produce such designs and I started to promote myself on the net, building a strong portfolio and a network on social media (there was no Facebook or Twitter, though!). After many years of hard work, with a powerful portfolio and a very nice network, prospective clients started to knock on my door on a daily basis... and so, that's my life nowadays. Currently I don't receive requests just for album artworks, as I get contacted sometimes for other editorial projects, advertising, developing art direction roles or even to write tutorials for Photoshop users.

Ques: It's one of the most intense fields out there and definitely an occupation that requires a '24/7' attitude. What do you love and dislike about it?

Ans: I love the freedom it gives to me. I love to be able to wake up whenever I please, and painting smoking a cigarette and wearing pajamas, to arrange my own schedule and to be my own boss. I think that the only not-so-pleasant thing is that this is a rollercoaster: Sometimes you're flooded with work, and other times you don't know if you're going to be able to pay the bills that month because there are no commissions coming your way... but if you play safe and wisely you can survive, it's completely worth it.

Ques: For artists who wish to seek a career within the entertainment industry, do you have any general tips on how to approach it? What one should focus on, etc?

Ans: I think there are two main factors: Quality on what they do (and passion, strong passion, it has to be vocational!) and promotion. Now with social media it's an easy cake, very hard on the beginning because no one knows you, but if it's keeped up to date and you build a strong network, it will get exponential in time, because if what you show is good, it will spread around the net. Or, at least, that's been my experience.

Ques: Do you have any specific sought after dream in the future that you aspire for?

Ans: Well, I'm already being able to do it! I just wish it to keep the way it is. I'd love to work with my favourite bands in the future, though. That would be the top.

Ques: Which favorite artists do you admire & why?

Ans: Travis Smith, Dave Mckean, Istvan Sandorfi, Magritte and David Lynch seem to have the strongest influence on my work. 

Ques: Who first Encourage you  to Create 2D a Work?

Ans: Myself.

Ques: Who is your favorite 2D Artist and why?

Ans: Travis Smith. His artworks were my inspiration when I first started on this... He was illustrating albums for most of my favourite bands and that pushed me to try to make my dream come true.

Ques: Do you have any message you wish to say to our readers?

Ans: Stay tunned to my website (www.aegis-strife.net) and to Hysterical Minds (www.hystericalminds.com, and international artistic collective I work as art director) for some out of this world releases.

On Behalf of the Team Animation Carnival, I'd like to thank Mr.Mario S. Nevado  for participating in this interview!