A Little Something about me. . . .Lia T.

I graduated from the Cleveland Institute of Art in May of 2006 with a Bachelor's of Fine Arts in Illustration and Design. 
My secondary studies were World Literature and Philosophy, with a heavy background in Art History.In my time at C.I.A.    
I took Metalworking, Black and White Photography, and Fibers classes.  Before C.I.A. I majored in Sociology and 
World Government for a very short stint at C.S.U. and K.S.U.  
Which, prior to that  I was a Theater Major with an emphasis on Opera and Classic playwrights such as the ancients, 
and of course, the Bard. 
I took private classic voice for 8 years, Viola for 6 years. 
I also took various acting and performance classes for at least 5 years before college, at the Whilloughby Fine Arts and 
at The Cleveland Playhouse. 

Themes in my graphic novels : 
(In any various combination)

Crime and Syndicate scenarios
Martial Arts/Military strategy
Humanism
Basic and Criminal Psychology
Flora/ Fauna knowledge 
Metaphysics/Spirituality  

My interests are all over the board, as you can see--
I am fascinated with all world philosophies, from the literal to the esoteric. 
I pour over sources, books, and programs that have to do with all types of people and their identities. 
I adore anything by Tiffany, Lalique, Goya, Vermeer, Velasquez, Kahol, Munch, DiVinci, and the Expressionists. 
Art Deco, Beaux-Arts and Gothic style are more than just architecture movements, they influence my 2-d drafting 
and approach in all my artistic endeavors. 
Woodblocks, Scrolls, and Zen art from the Far East are deeply embedded in my designs in more ways than one.
The jewelry, mosaics, temple structures, and fibers from the Deserts are such a part of my line work that I can't remember 
when they leaked into my style.

For my modern influences, I am directly influenced by Mr. Kane of Batman origins, Chihio Saito of Shojo Kakumei Utena,    
(among ALL her works as well), Naoko Takeuchi, who influenced so many "girl" comic and manga artists with her  
Sailor Moon Senshi and humor, it's ridiculous. Recently, co-creators Bryan Konietzko and Michael Dante DiMartino 
of Avatar: the Last Airbender have captivated me. Christy Marx of Jem and the Holograms fame, 
The Ladies that created Mobile Suit Gundam Wing (yes, women directed    the art and style) and of course, Beatrix Potter 
for all of her one-woman efforts into writing, creating, and producing  her fabled "Bunny Books."  
Greame Base and Richard Scarry had such an influence on me as  child, their art was always chuck full of visual feasts 
and amazing designs.

Music and Books have ALWAYS influenced me above all in my art and writing. I always place my artists above this blurb, 
since so many people feel they have to know my visual heroes above my main source of inspirations. 
The Russians, Shakespeare, Antoine de Saint-Exupery, Anne Rice, William Blake, Rudyard Kipling, Langston Hughes, 
Oscar Wilde, Amy Tan, Ancient Egyptian prose, Metaphysical and Mythology scripts from around the world. 
  
I am a definitely a child of both the classics and the neo-modern world of music. Mozart, Vivaldi, Tchaikovsky, Dvorak, 
and Grieg are forever impacting my views on music through art. 
Opera and Theater will always be a part of  who I am.  I prefer music that is in the underground or an exotic find. 
I love the harder stuff, like Metal, Gothic, Punk, Alternative, and Hard Rock.    
In a strange contrast, I also love Bluegrass, Blues, Folk, New Age, Latin, East Indian, and Fusion music is always a must. . .
That intense drumbeat fused with strings and guitars fuels me like no other to create some intense art!
 

ONTO THE ART, FEAST PLEASE!

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