GW: Hello Marc, tell us a little bit about yourself.

MG: I’m an illustrator and Concept Artist. I was born in France and moved to Canada when I was 11 years old. After high school, I attended architecture school at Lawrence Institute of Technology in Southfield Michigan for a year before enrolling at the Center for Creative Studies – College of Art and Design (CCS) in Detroit where I received my BFA in illustration in 1990. While there I also took various fine art and industrial design courses. I started out doing advertising work for local agencies with clients ranging from Little Caesar’s pizza to big automotive clients such as Ford, Chrysler, GM and Toyota – doing a lot of marker storyboards, comps and finished gouache paintings for brochures and posters. I liked the fast pace of the ad industry which helped me to develop speed and confidence in my work. The first movie I worked on was Spawn in 1996. It was then that I knew I wanted to explore concept design for other movies. I have been very fortunate to work on some of Hollywood’s biggest projects including the Star Wars prequels and the Matrix trilogy. I very much enjoyed the creative and collaborative aspect of these films. I look forward to many more such experiences.

GW: What project(s) are you currently working on?

MG: I recently quit my job as Art Director at Image Movers Digital and am now freelancing again. I really like the freedom that being an independent contractor affords me. At the moment, I am working on my own projects and taking on select freelance gigs.

GW: What advice would you give to aspiring artists just ready to start in the field?

MG: I am often asked that question and my answers still hold true:

1. Know your core studies extremely well - anatomy, draftsmanship, composition, perspective and how to achieve depth and volume in a 3 dimensional space with speed and accuracy. Be very aware of foreground, middle ground and background in your compositions. Direct your viewer's eye with shape, color, line and atmosphere.

2. Be passionate and enthusiastic about the work that you do and stand strongly behind your designs. The directors, producers and production designers who hire you are eager to know what wonderful worlds exist in your head...so show them. Also a good attitude and personality in this field goes a long way.

3. Be original! You have a unique voice that must be heard. You'll find more doors open to you and your skills if you stand apart from the rest of the other artists in your field... and a little bit of fearlessness doesn't hurt either :)

GW: Who has been your biggest inspiration? Why?

MG: Growing up, there were 3 artists whose distinct and visionary work I have always admired – Ralph McQuarrie, Syd Mead and H.R. Giger. In addition to their technical flair and wild imaginations, I love Ralph’s sensitivity for color, Syd’s visionary concepts and Hans Rudi’s wickedness.

GW: Is there anyone in the line-up for Workshop Live that you are particularly looking forward to seeing/meeting/hearing? Why?

MG: I am looking forward to seeing my friends who are in the lineup and hearing everyone’s presentations. I like to be surprised. It’ll be good to be in such creative company!

GW: Great, thank you Marc for joining us!

Marc will be joining us for our Workshop LIVE! Event on June 14th & 15th 2008. For more information go to: www.thegnomonworkshop.com/events To see more of Marc Gabbana’s work go to: www.marcgabbana.com

*All images courtesy of Marc Gabbana.