Gigi Rockets: A to Z Challenge

1. What was the first thing that you were proud of drawing?

I think out of all my drawings and paintings it would have to be of a fairy I painted for my best friend  five years ago. It was the first time I did anything for anyone, because no one really knew I could paint. I was so proud that she absolutely loved it. It’s still hanging in her living room.

2. What are you working on now?

Right now I’m working on what I like to call “Gigi Chibi Blocks” they’re mini canvas paintings of all my favorite characters ranging from videogames, comics, anime to all the random characters from shows like Mtv’s Liquid Television to Garbage Pail Kids. I have a very long list of characters that seem to go on forever. Every day I’m adding new characters I can’t wait to paint.

3. Who has influenced you the most as an artist?

I don’t exactly have one artist, but I’m influenced on aspects from three different people
who have always inspired me. The first is Greg Land who did Xmen Phoenix: Endsong because of the way he sensually drew women, using real women as models. Second would be H. R. Giger because of his ability to bring out the darkness and sexuality in his art. And finally, my mother who was very talented and spent time drawing with me when I was young. They were some of my fondest memories growing up.

4. Who is your favorite female superhero/villain/comic book character?

I’m all about the bad girls.  My favorite is Poison Ivy: clever, sexy, and dark.

5. Do you think people expect a certain type of art from you since you    are female? For example, do people expect something cute and are surprised that you specialize in zombies or vampires?

I’m actually kinda surprised at the reaction I get from people when they learn I can draw or paint at all. I always get this face of confusion like “Really? You?” Ha Ha I don’t know why I get that from people. Even more so when they see the style of girls I draw. I love to make my girls sexy, confident, and curvy.

6. How often do you go to comic book conventions? Do you enjoy conventions?

Actually this is a little silly to admit, but my first time ever going to a convention was only last year at the Long Beach Comic Expo. After that I was hooked.  That first show inspired me to book my first booth at Long Beach Comic Con later that year. I’m so glad I made that first step; I’ve met so many wonderful people since that day.

7. Are you a introvert or extrovert?

I’m a bit of both. When I’m deeply focused and working on something, I’m all “RAWR” when someone bothers me.  When I draw or paint, I need to be alone and away from people. Then when I’m out at shows or out with friends I’m all “Where’s da party at?”  So when you see me , say hi!

8. Where do you find your inspiration?

I draw inspiration from the games I play, the comics I read and the crazy pictures I have from my past. People will ask if the girls are pictured after myself. They’re not really me, I just love to draw girls with big hair, big lips and big curves.

9. What do you do if you have writer’s block?

What I like to do is go on road trips somewhere late at night with my drawing tablet and friends. I’ve found when I’m super tired and trying to stay awake, my friends and I will come up with zany ideas that I’ll try and draw out. Most times I’ll get some really awesome ideas that I normally wouldn’t come up with being wide awake. It’s a weird process, but it’s my process.

10. Have you had any interesting or awkward experiences since you’ve been an artist?
    I’ve had a few instances were mostly men will ask in a “hush hush” voice if I could draw their significant others naked, because they like the way I draw my types of women. I don’t mind, I mean it’s a little awkward. But then again it’s a huge compliment at the same time – and I have done a few.
11. Beverage of choice?

I used to drink lots of soda until I heard the term “liquid candy”, that kinda killed my addiction to soda. Now the only times I drink soda is when I find those really cool soda machines, the ones that I can feel like a cracked-out mad scientist because I mixed the epic concoction of Sprite and Vanilla.

12. When was the last time that you dressed up for Halloween?

I really try to dress up every year because Halloween is my favorite holiday. Last year I dressed up as a sexy, cat, school girl. Or I guess Henti Girl if you want to get tentacle … I mean technical 😉

13. What do you want people to know about you?

People sometimes tend to get the wrong impression about me, that I’m cold or stuck up or something to that effect. But really I’m just a nerdy, goofy girl that loves to have fun and joke around. I’m also a big time gamer, playing since I was four. I love to watch a lot of cartoons, sing, dance and cook for all my friends.  So when you see me at the con or anywhere else, come on up and say Hi.

Gigi Rockets website