Sky Hopinka Talk- Joann Nunez

In a short response on the blog post your response to the article and the video as you think about how the artist's inspirations inform his creative process. Choose two quotes or ideas that stood out to you. Answer the following questions:

"Whether it is looking at grammar, translation, or subtitles, or even how I use different sources for the ideas that I'm working through in my relationship to the history that I am part of, or one that I don't have immediate access to...Language has always been a foundation for approaching video and storytelling and it continues to be so and in different ways."

I think that it is interesting to see a different approach when it comes to video. Hopinka utilizes language as a part of his storytelling for his videos, whether it's grammar, translation, or subtitles. He states that the structure of grammar and language when learning language, applying that idea to how he approaches video. 

"Partly it comes from being drawn to compositional qualities of the landscape, whether it's the light or whatever it is, and then also just thinking about the history of what these landscapes hold--how they're places of violence, contemplation, beauty, whatever. A place full of possibility. especially when the light is right and it's a nice time of day and there is something beautiful about it or just something evocative."

The way the artist talks about the types of landscape that he sees was nicely worded. I liked the way how he finds a story in everything whether that comes from language or landscape. He sees the history that every landscape hold when he records, taking in the beauty of the land. 

How does Sky Hopinka use his medium of choice? 

If Hopinka is on a tip or knows what he wants to make something, he brings his camera. He gathers what he finds interesting, then when editing he pulls clips that he likes or find interesting. Hopinka the clips together and puts them in a certain order, seeing how the clips react to one another. When he cringes at something when watching his videos, he knows her has to change something. Usually, it takes 20 rounds of editing to get what he wants, since he considers its to be the most important part. 

What inspired him to use video?

He began to use video when he was learning about Chinuk Wawa, it helped him find a foundation on how he approaches video. The structure go grammar and structure of language, learning the language, Hopinka sees himself applying those rules on how he approaches video. 

What material/medium/process do you use and how? 

My main medium is digital illustration, using mainly Procreate. Usually, I gather my references first, getting inspired from what I am currently fixated on. Using my references, I sketch first and flip the canvas to see if it needs adjustment, before I do my linear. I like to keep my lines thick if a shape over laps or if I want my audiences eye to focus on one thing. I use thins lines for more detail work or if something is further away. Then, go in with base colors and move onto rendering the piece which includes shading and alpha locking the line art to give it color. 

What inspired you to make your work that way?

Watching social media artist online and YouTube videos to see other artist's process. Also, watching tv shows that I watched growing up like Scooby Doo: Mystery Incorporated and My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. Making an inspiration board on how I want my own artwork to look, also helps me visualize what I want my 'art style' to be.