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Autodesk® 3ds Max®
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Autodesk® Maya®
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Autodesk® Softimage®
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Autodesk® MotionBuilder®
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Autodesk® Mudbox™
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Autodesk® ImageModeler™
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AUGI
Autodesk User Group International
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Software: Autodesk Mudbox
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Marcia K. Moore
For thirty years, conceptual artist Marcia K. Moore has produced innovative, exceptional visual art with both unparalleled creativity and an eye on the bottom line. From her fine art studio/gallery in Corrales, New Mexico to her current home at Ciamar Studio in Florida, Marcia has created extraordinary art for corporate and private interests, both nationally and internationally.
Since her emergence in the 1980's, Moore has explored and developed her expertise in numerous mediums, her talent and style evolving with inventive proficiency. A former teacher at the Albuquerque New Mexico Art Center, she has consistently shared her knowledge with new generations of artists.
Currently residing in Stuart, Florida, Marcia K. Moore is now creating "the story within" Ciamar Studio with the introduction of inspiring character prototypes in both two and three-dimensional renderings, utilizing large-scale canvas, and literary enhancement.
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It all began with an empty Folgers Coffee can, filled with water, and a brush her father had used to paint the house. Little Marcia K. Moore, at two-years old, proceeded to 'paint' the concrete steps leading to her home. This was a sign of things to come. Interestingly enough, while Marcia grew up in the American Heartland inspiring images of green pastures, cattle and red barns, she was drawn towards something more spiritual. And through her years of exploring this subject matter with traditional media, she's now ventured into digital tools to further explore this life-journey.
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Marcia, please give us a bit of background about yourself-- your school, the first commercial work you've done, the focus of your work in your artistic career and Ciamar Studio?
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I grew up in the Midwest and graduated from Iowa State University with a BA in graphic design, placing emphasis on illustration and anthropology (Native American studies.) I was very directed with my creative work after college and for well over two years I was employed in a graphics job during the day and worked diligently on establishing a body of work with my own fine art in the evenings. During this early stage I created entirely with pencil and drew photo realistically. The subject matter was all about the Native American experiences that were a part of my life. I traveled the Midwest Powwow circuit taking photos of friends and was fascinated with the dance regalia that I found so aesthetically appealing and raw. That was the beginning…the focus of my creative work always had a native influence.
From that point I moved to Corrales, New Mexico and started my first studio/gallery. Ciamar Studio is my current workroom/gallery located in Stuart, Florida and my philosophy, twenty plus years later, is about prolific evolution. The early years were about understanding and utilizing the traditional skills in a gradual deliberate way and now it is time to accelerate with the traditional creative tools and experience the new digital tools. Ciamar…is “Pig Latin” a backwards play on my first name and also the main concept character that has been developed within the studio. Also, “C” in English and “Mar” in Spanish generally translates to Ocean, which is reflective of where I now live, Florida.
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The subject matter that your work is largely focused upon is the spirit and culture of Native Americans. How did you become so drawn to it?
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It has always been innately within me and felt very natural to be around native communities. When you are around the traditional aspect of the culture, your senses become drawn to the land, the smell of smoked leather, the dance regalia with crafted porcupine quills, feathers, trade beads etc. You feel history and spirit in its purist form.
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What was/is your choice of media for your artistic creations?
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My choice of media has always been the basic HB pencil. I can achieve all the gradations of lights to darks with this pencil. Now, having worked with so many new tools, Mudbox has become a part of the media I use.
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What inspired you to start working with digital tools?
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Digital tools are really quite new to me and honestly I can’t remember what initially inspired me to use them, most likely watching an animation in the theatre. I am very drawn to technology and have always found the technical aspects of archeology, biology, anything medical, to be a part of my creative work. So, of course, I had to dive into digital!
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What software programs do you use for your digital work?
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Currently I use Mudbox and Photoshop extensively and have dabbled with Maya.
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Coming from a traditional art background and having sculpted and worked with physical media, how do you compare sculpting with a tablet in Mudbox, to the 'real' thing -- was it somewhat of a natural transition?
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Oh, that was an easy transition. Like any new creative tool it does take time to get used to the feel of the media so I had to play with the Mudbox interface to understand the way you pinch and pull the wire frame, but its flow and development are similar to traditional sculpting. I actually use the mouse to sculpt and the tablet to paint.
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How did you come across Mudbox and why did you choose it as your primary application for digital sculpting?
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A friend of mine suggested I give Mudbox a go, so I downloaded the 60-day trial and fell in love with the software! I really enjoyed how smoothly one can understand the flow of the interface and you really find yourself enthralled.
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Is there a story behind the sculpt "Calusa Warrior"? Who is he and what is the symbology of his ornamentation?
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There is a story developing “within” Ciamar Studio that is employing all of the character concepts that have been created with Mudbox. Having lived in the southeast for eight years now, I have become very connected to ancient Florida and this character represents my version of a pre Spanish Calusa Warrior, one of the “Shell People” of southwest Florida. The time period is open to some interpretation, so the character is adorned with oversized crafted shell and pearls. The Mudbox software rendering also gives me an opportunity to see how it would look if it were bronzed with a patina. This was my first sculpt with Mudbox.
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Image Description: Calusa Warrior
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Can you describe to us your process of sculpting a character -- do you start with initial rough sketches and translate them onto the meshes?
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I think most people will find this question of interest. I “usually” create with a backwards philosophy. I will start with a concept in my mind and will continue this subconscious thought with a Mudbox sculpture. From the sculpt, I will continue evolving the idea through an abstract oil painting or quick ink sketches, and from there head back to the initial Mudbox rendering. So, the character is in constant transformation. All of the images displayed here are actually products of first thought--so you will need to come back and visit me in another year to see the enhancement.
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Some elements of your work deal with darker ideas. Who/what is “Bone Clacker”?
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Within a story, where there is light there is dark, and the Bone Clacker is rather dark. Again, this Mudbox rendering is in its first round of development, so it will be interesting to watch this one evolve. Some of the characters that I have developed that appear evil or dark are actually not. I’m interested in the archeological aspects of the “dig,” the process of brushing the layers away and letting it unfold. Some find that disturbing.
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Image Description: Bone Clacker
Image Description: Internalmournsouth
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'Internalmournsouth' and especially 'Pahokee Shape Shifter' has quite interesting designs. Are they representative of Native legends and folklore? Also -- did you translate analogue paint textures onto the model?
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All of the creative work being developed within Ciamar Studio does have that indigenous feel, but for me it has matured to the next level. I have drawn upon my past experiences and can apply this to current creative endeavors. Most of the work shown here comes from the literary enhancement within the studio. I did not translate analogue paint textures onto the model. Instead I found it interesting as to how all the creative expressions start to take on a direction or style to form a cohesive package.
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Image Description: Pahokee Shape Shifter
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Depending on the level of complexity, how long do you spend on a sculpt generally?
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Where in the past I would spend weeks on a graphite drawing, now I enjoy an instant visual. This speed actually develops through letting your mind not “think” about the process but letting it unfold. The more you think about a concept idea, the more you struggle with its development. So, I will spend three or four days on a Mudbox rendering. Again, these are my first Mudbox sculptures, so with time and understanding of the tools it will get much faster.
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Image Description: Pipeman
Image Description: Mutate
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Have you ever printed your digital sculpts (are 'Mutate', Pipeman', and 'Rebirth' examples of this)?
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Mutate, Pipe Man, and Rebirth, are actually traditional sculptures that I have enhanced digitally. I have been able to print my digital sculptures and have a commerce site that will be launched in a few weeks called MKM Designs. The site will offer limited edition prints.
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Also, printing allows you to feel the scale of a character and some work has been printed from floor to ceiling to give me that visual.
Image Description: Rebirth
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What do you enjoy most when sculpting digitally?
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Digital sculpting feels like the graphite pencil did for me decades past. I can sit absorbed watching the sculpture go from undefined to highly detailed rendering.
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Do you have any suggestions about how you would like Mudbox improved, to help in your studio work experience?
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Right now, I feel Mudbox is perfect for me, I’m sure with time I might ask for more advanced tools or an extensive file of stencils.
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Would you ever consider switching entirely to digital media, as your sole tool for artistic expression?
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Ummm…. that is a difficult question. I’m a one-woman operation and enjoy all the creative tools that I have picked up along the way, but Mudbox is really becoming a major part of the palette. With Mudbox I’m able to slowly lift another veil from which the story being developed needs. Digitally you can feel the dimension and scale of your characters.
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What is the next sculptural piece that you're working on?
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I’m working on a series of characters right now and Pahokee Shape Shifter and Boar Shape Shifter have started the course. I draw upon my daily experiences for reference and the Vulture has become a strong visual, so I’m sure that will make its way into a shape shifter character.
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Image Description: Boar Shape Shifter
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I understand that in addition to your work in and with Native communities, you have a very deep bond with one Native America tribe. Can you tell us about this?
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Yes, in the late 90’s I was honored with being adopted into a Yankton Sioux tiyospaye , or extended family, during the Mah-Kato Powwow in Mankato, Minnesota. Over the years I have become connected spiritually with native culture and this was an extension of that bond. I would encourage non-Indians to experience a Native American gathering, feel its spirit and history.
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What has been their response to your digital work representative of the Native culture?
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My early graphite work was representational of Plains Indian Culture and I was careful to depict accurately what I observed. The artwork was always well received and many native people purchased my originals because of this attention to detail. At present, it has been exciting for my friends to watch the development of my creative digital works aware that they were a part of the inspiration.
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Image Description: Boar Shape Shifter
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Marcia - thanks for graciously taking the time to share with us your great passion. We'll be on the lookout for new creations from Ciamar Studio!
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| Marcia:
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Thank you…I’m honored. Most definitely visit my website gallery, it’s on a perpetual journey!
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| Posted by redrain833 on Sep 14, 2012 at 10:58 PM
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It's so amazing that I don't apperceive how to alarm my feeling~
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| Posted by redrain833 on Sep 14, 2012 at 10:56 PM
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It's so amazing that I don't apperceive how to call my feeling~
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| Posted by makan_ansary on Mar 13, 2012 at 10:15 PM
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| Yes she is amazing artist indeed i fallow her works on Face Book...
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| Posted by OlaitanAkin on Jun 30, 2011 at 10:48 AM
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| You are a real artist. However, your subject matter and treatment style do not appeal to me. I appreciate the artistic quality of your works.
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| Posted by yuanchaoli on May 03, 2010 at 09:12 AM
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| It's so amazing that I don't know how to describe my feeling~
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