Speaking with Artist, Simone Wunderlich

Simone Wunderlich creates dreamlike worlds with her fantasy-feel images. The multimedia artist blends together photography and digital art in such a unique way.

In our latest Azutura interview, we had a chance to speak to Simone to discuss her work, how she learnt her craft, her passion and much more.

Hi Simone - Thanks for taking a break to chat with us. Can you start by introducing yourself and telling us a little bit about you and your work?

I am 54 years old, born in the former GDR and now live in Austria. In between lies an eventful and colourful life. I work full-time with disabled people and part-time as a photographer and digital artist.

And what’s the average day like in the life of Simone?

There are no average days. With my main job, I work at different times of the day.

In between, I try to take pictures, do some sport and somehow master everyday life.

My days would like to have 40 hours. But, with good organization, it can be done.

How did you get into blending photography and illustration?

Digital art and matte painting have long fascinated me. With Photoshop you can do a lot more than just beautify photos.

This has gradually developed, especially all the possibilities that you have with Photoshop and other image editing programs. There are hardly any limits to me.

What were you interested in first, photography or illustration?

I painted and drew a lot as a child and a teenager. Photography only really came in adulthood, and later, with the advent of digital photography, I very quickly recognized the possibilities of combining the two.

What kind of kit do you use?

I have a Nikon D750 with some lenses for taking pictures. For digital art, I use a good PC and a Wacom Cintiq graphics tablet.

And what kind of post-processing do you do?

Almost everything with Adobe Photoshop and I use the Nik filter and Luminar for fine-tuning.

How did you learn your masterful editing skills?

I learned a lot from other digital artists, on the internet, on YouTube using instructional videos, with specialist literature. But I have to practice a lot and try a lot myself.

How do you find the perfect shooting location?

I live in the mountains, in nature! I always find places there that are unique. I go hiking a lot, and on vacation, I go to South Tyrol, which has a very special magic.

And what kind of post-processing do you do?

Almost everything with Adobe Photoshop and I use the Nik filter and Luminar for fine-tuning.

Where do you find inspiration for your work?

From pictures, films, books and music. Not only can I empty my inner memory, but I also have to fill it up again and again.

Of course, there are a few very special artists and works that have shaped me very much, I only want to mention Tolkien, Peter Jackson and Edgar Allen Poe, but also the romantics like Caspar David Friedrich or the poets of that time.

Do you have any advice you’d give to an aspiring artist?

Nothing works without passion! You have to burn! It is a way of life in itself, being an artist is heaven and hell at the same time. No, more heaven than hell, otherwise I wouldn't do it.

It is also good to master your craft so that you can do everything you want to do with it.

One last thing: it helps me to keep my main job. So I have no financial worries and as an artist, I can do what I really want to do. Then I don't have to do what customers want.

What’s on the horizon? Any big plans?

I am always on the road and let myself be carried away. No plans.