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Autodesk® 3ds Max®
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Autodesk® Maya®
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Autodesk® Softimage®
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Autodesk® MotionBuilder®
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Autodesk® Mudbox™
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Autodesk® ImageModeler™
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Autodesk® Sketchbook® Pro
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Autodesk® Smoke on Mac®
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AUGI
Autodesk User Group International
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Software: Autodesk Mudbox
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Marcia K. Moore
For thirty years, conceptual artist Marcia K. Moore has produced innovative, exceptional visual art with both unparalleled creativity and an eye on the bottom line. From
her fine art studio/gallery in Corrales, New Mexico to her current home at Ciamar Studio in Florida, Marcia has created extraordinary art for corporate and private
interests, both nationally and internationally. Since her emergence in the 1980's, Moore has explored and developed her expertise in numerous mediums, her talent and style
evolving with inventive proficiency. A former teacher at the Albuquerque New Mexico Art Center, she has consistently shared her knowledge with new generations of artists.
Currently residing in Stuart, Florida, Marcia K. Moore is now creating "the story within" Ciamar Studio with the introduction of inspiring character prototypes in both two
and three-dimensional renderings, utilizing large-scale canvas, and literary enhancement.
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It all began with an empty Folgers Coffee can, filled with water, and a brush her father had used to paint the house. Little Marcia K. Moore, at two-years old, proceeded to
'paint' the concrete steps leading to her home. This was a sign of things to come. Interestingly enough, while Marcia grew up in the American Heartland inspiring images of green
pastures, cattle and red barns, she was drawn towards something more spiritual. And through her years of exploring this subject matter with traditional media, she's now ventured
into digital tools to further explore this life-journey.
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The Area:
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Marcia, please give us a bit of background about yourself-- your school, the first commercial work you've done, the focus of your work in your artistic career and Ciamar Studio?
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Marcia:
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I grew up in the Midwest and graduated from Iowa State University with a BA in graphic design, placing emphasis on illustration and anthropology (Native American studies.) I was
very directed with my creative work after college and for well over two years I was employed in a graphics job during the day and worked diligently on establishing a body of
work with my own fine art in the evenings. During this early stage I created entirely with pencil and drew photo realistically. The subject matter was all about the Native
American experiences that were a part of my life. I traveled the Midwest Powwow circuit taking photos of friends and was fascinated with the dance regalia that I found so
aesthetically appealing and raw. That was the beginning…the focus of my creative work always had a native influence.
From that point I moved to Corrales, New Mexico and started my first studio/gallery. Ciamar Studio is my current workroom/gallery located in Stuart, Florida and my philosophy,
twenty plus years later, is about prolific evolution. The early years were about understanding and utilizing the traditional skills in a gradual deliberate way and now it is
time to accelerate with the traditional creative tools and experience the new digital tools. Ciamar…is “Pig Latin” a backwards play on my first name and also the main concept
character that has been developed within the studio. Also, “C” in English and “Mar” in Spanish generally translates to Ocean, which is reflective of where I now live, Florida.
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The Area:
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The subject matter that your work is largely focused upon is the spirit and culture of Native Americans. How did you become so drawn to it?
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Marcia:
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It has always been innately within me and felt very natural to be around native communities. When you are around the traditional aspect of the culture, your senses become drawn
to the land, the smell of smoked leather, the dance regalia with crafted porcupine quills, feathers, trade beads etc. You feel history and spirit in its purist form.
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The Area:
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What was/is your choice of media for your artistic creations?
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Marcia:
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My choice of media has always been the basic HB pencil. I can achieve all the gradations of lights to darks with this pencil. Now, having worked with so many new tools, Mudbox
has become a part of the media I use.
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The Area:
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What inspired you to start working with digital tools?
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Marcia:
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Digital tools are really quite new to me and honestly I can’t remember what initially inspired me to use them, most likely watching an animation in the theatre. I am very drawn
to technology and have always found the technical aspects of archeology, biology, anything medical, to be a part of my creative work. So, of course, I had to dive into digital!
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The Area:
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What software programs do you use for your digital work?
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Marcia:
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Currently I use Mudbox and Photoshop extensively and have dabbled with Maya.
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The Area:
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Coming from a traditional art background and having sculpted and worked with physical media, how do you compare sculpting with a tablet in Mudbox, to the 'real' thing -- was it
somewhat of a natural transition?
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Marcia:
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Oh, that was an easy transition. Like any new creative tool it does take time to get used to the feel of the media so I had to play with the Mudbox interface to understand the
way you pinch and pull the wire frame, but its flow and development are similar to traditional sculpting. I actually use the mouse to sculpt and the tablet to paint.
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The Area:
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How did you come across Mudbox and why did you choose it as your primary application for digital sculpting?
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Marcia:
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A friend of mine suggested I give Mudbox a go, so I downloaded the 60-day trial and fell in love with the software! I really enjoyed how smoothly one can understand the flow of
the interface and you really find yourself enthralled.
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The Area:
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Is there a story behind the sculpt "Calusa Warrior"? Who is he and what is the symbology of his ornamentation?
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Marcia:
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There is a story developing “within” Ciamar Studio that is employing all of the character concepts that have been created with Mudbox. Having lived in the southeast for eight
years now, I have become very connected to ancient Florida and this character represents my version of a pre Spanish Calusa Warrior, one of the “Shell People” of southwest
Florida. The time period is open to some interpretation, so the character is adorned with oversized crafted shell and pearls. The Mudbox software rendering also gives me an
opportunity to see how it would look if it were bronzed with a patina. This was my first sculpt with Mudbox.
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Image Description: Calusa Warrior
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The Area:
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Can you describe to us your process of sculpting a character -- do you start with initial rough sketches and translate them onto the meshes?
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Marcia:
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I think most people will find this question of interest. I “usually” create with a backwards philosophy. I will start with a concept in my mind and will continue this
subconscious thought with a Mudbox sculpture. From the sculpt, I will continue evolving the idea through an abstract oil painting or quick ink sketches, and from there head back
to the initial Mudbox rendering. So, the character is in constant transformation. All of the images displayed here are actually products of first thought--so you will need to
come back and visit me in another year to see the enhancement.
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The Area:
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Some elements of your work deal with darker ideas. Who/what is “Bone Clacker”?
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Marcia:
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Within a story, where there is light there is dark, and the Bone Clacker is rather dark. Again, this Mudbox rendering is in its first round of development, so it will be
interesting to watch this one evolve. Some of the characters that I have developed that appear evil or dark are actually not. I’m interested in the archeological aspects of the
“dig,” the process of brushing the layers away and letting it unfold. Some find that disturbing.
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Image Description: Bone Clacker
Image Description: Internalmournsouth
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The Area:
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'Internalmournsouth' and especially 'Pahokee Shape Shifter' has quite interesting designs. Are they representative of Native legends and folklore? Also -- did you translate
analogue paint textures onto the model?
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Marcia:
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All of the creative work being developed within Ciamar Studio does have that indigenous feel, but for me it has matured to the next level. I have drawn upon my past experiences
and can apply this to current creative endeavors. Most of the work shown here comes from the literary enhancement within the studio. I did not translate analogue paint textures
onto the model. Instead I found it interesting as to how all the creative expressions start to take on a direction or style to form a cohesive package.
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Image Description: Pahokee Shape Shifter
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The Area:
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Depending on the level of complexity, how long do you spend on a sculpt generally?
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Marcia:
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Where in the past I would spend weeks on a graphite drawing, now I enjoy an instant visual. This speed actually develops through letting your mind not “think” about the process
but letting it unfold. The more you think about a concept idea, the more you struggle with its development. So, I will spend three or four days on a Mudbox rendering. Again,
these are my first Mudbox sculptures, so with time and understanding of the tools it will get much faster.
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Image Description: Pipeman
Image Description: Mutate
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The Area:
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Have you ever printed your digital sculpts (are 'Mutate', Pipeman', and 'Rebirth' examples of this)?
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Marcia:
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Mutate, Pipe Man, and Rebirth, are actually traditional sculptures that I have enhanced digitally. I have been able to print my digital sculptures and have a commerce site that
will be launched in a few weeks called MKM Designs. The site will offer limited edition prints.
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Also, printing allows you to feel the scale of a character and some work has been printed from floor to ceiling to give me that visual.
Image Description: Rebirth
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The Area:
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What do you enjoy most when sculpting digitally?
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Marcia:
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Digital sculpting feels like the graphite pencil did for me decades past. I can sit absorbed watching the sculpture go from undefined to highly detailed rendering.
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The Area:
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Do you have any suggestions about how you would like Mudbox improved, to help in your studio work experience?
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Marcia:
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Right now, I feel Mudbox is perfect for me, I’m sure with time I might ask for more advanced tools or an extensive file of stencils.
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The Area:
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Would you ever consider switching entirely to digital media, as your sole tool for artistic expression?
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Marcia:
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Ummm…. that is a difficult question. I’m a one-woman operation and enjoy all the creative tools that I have picked up along the way, but Mudbox is really becoming a major part
of the palette. With Mudbox I’m able to slowly lift another veil from which the story being developed needs. Digitally you can feel the dimension and scale of your characters.
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The Area:
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What is the next sculptural piece that you're working on?
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Marcia:
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I’m working on a series of characters right now and Pahokee Shape Shifter and Boar Shape Shifter have started the course. I draw upon my daily experiences for reference and the
Vulture has become a strong visual, so I’m sure that will make its way into a shape shifter character.
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Image Description: Boar Shape Shifter
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The Area:
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I understand that in addition to your work in and with Native communities, you have a very deep bond with one Native America tribe. Can you tell us about this?
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Marcia:
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Yes, in the late 90’s I was honored with being adopted into a Yankton Sioux tiyospaye , or extended family, during the Mah-Kato Powwow in Mankato, Minnesota. Over the years I
have become connected spiritually with native culture and this was an extension of that bond. I would encourage non-Indians to experience a Native American gathering, feel its
spirit and history.
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The Area:
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What has been their response to your digital work representative of the Native culture?
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Marcia:
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My early graphite work was representational of Plains Indian Culture and I was careful to depict accurately what I observed. The artwork was always well received and many native
people purchased my originals because of this attention to detail. At present, it has been exciting for my friends to watch the development of my creative digital works aware
that they were a part of the inspiration.
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Image Description: Boar Shape Shifter
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The Area:
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Marcia - thanks for graciously taking the time to share with us your great passion. We'll be on the lookout for new creations from Ciamar Studio!
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Marcia:
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Thank you…I’m honored. Most definitely visit my website gallery, it’s on a perpetual journey!
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Posted by yuanchaoli on May 03, 2010 at 09:12 AM
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It's so amazing that I don't know how to describe my feeling~
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Posted by bigAdesigns on Feb 08, 2010 at 11:56 AM
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Absolutely amazing. It just makes me curious and intrigued, as if these figures are long-lost souls yearning to tell us their stories. Awesome work, Marcia! -Aaron
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Posted by InsightPhoto on Feb 03, 2010 at 11:27 AM
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Wow, I didn't know this technology existed. Amazing sculptures, very talented artist. I want to try Mudbox now!
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Posted by maxer on Feb 03, 2010 at 01:36 AM
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Marcia had the right choice . that is why mudbox is mudbox . even a traditional artist can use it as a pencil . good luck with your new projects Marcia .
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Posted by prestonml on Feb 01, 2010 at 02:00 PM
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These sculptures, especially the creation of the characters beyond the sculpting, are brilliant. As a lover of books, I find that when I look at Marcia's artwork it is like
turning the pages of a great novel. Thank you for sharing your process & good luck with your new website!
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