Born in the mists of South America and educated in London, Cristian Ortiz (Crom) is an artist who grew up on a diet of comic books , zombies, classic literature and loads of doodling about.
Starting his freelance work from a very early age, helping out and learning from more experienced people in the industry, he shaped his work with studies at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, Middlesex university and all his personal experiences from traveling around the world.
Starting off his career by being exhibited at the D&AD new blood exhibition and being featured on the AOI annual, soon after he graduated from university he went on to work on to a different variety of self-initiated and commissioned projects. We spent five minutes chatting to Cristian to see what he's currently up to...
Tell us about yourself... who are you and what do you do?
I'm a 24 years old illustrator , living in London where I came all the way from Colombia when I was 16. Every little crucial decision I have taken in my life has always being influenced by the fact that I want to achieve illustration greatness. I'm currently working as the art director of channel 7 media, a cool design and digital agency in the heart of London which gets involved in really exciting projects and encourages creative thinking.
What made you become an illustrator?
I would say it always felt natural to me to be drawing at all times and playing games and reproducing epic historic battles on the back of my books at school. When it gets to that point of your life where you have to choose a pathway I guess I never saw myself in tie and a suit sitting in a cubicle with an excel sheet in front of me. I love animation and illustration and the idea of making my living by doing just that was too wonderful not to pursuit it.
Do you have a certain style?
I still ask that myself. I'm told I Have a very distinguishable style, which makes me happy because as time goes I want my work to be recognisable as soon as you see it.
Tell us about some of your career highlights and achievements...
Well, being called to be part of a pitch for MTV Europe when I was on my second year of university was truly amazing. Every publication is a great achievement for me so when I was featured by the AOI in the annual of the "BEST OF BRITISH ILLUSTRATION" was very compelling as it was when I got selected to be part of the "stickerbomb 2" book about contemporary graffiti which you can find all across Europe.
This year has been full of highlights as I got commissioned to do a graphic novel for a new show sponsored by the arts council which put together an amazing team of writers, producers and directors.
Being able to call my self an art director at the age of 24 and having great control over big projects is one of the best things that has happened to me so far.
Any exciting projects you're currently working on?
Im still working on the graphic novel for the "rememberers" before they go on Tour next year and I'm in talks for a possibility of creating all the artwork for a cool new video-game next year, lets see what happens. I'm working with a friend of mine to launch one of my books (BEAR & BOY) on the ipad next year and I have been going to a few meetings for a new collective which is to be launched at some point in 2011.
Who or what inspires you?
I love history and I find it to be a vast source of inspiration, full of heroes and stories embellished by time and historians.
Illustrators James Jean , and Ashley Wood have always made me feel like drawing more and improving my work as much as I can.
Films from directors such as Akira Kurosawa and Michel Gondry are key inspiration factors in my work.
What advice or tips would you give to other illustrators hoping to follow in your footsteps?
I would say work hard, never stop drawing, and make sure you tell people out there who you are and what you do. It doesn't matter how talented you are if people don't know about you. Make sure you always enjoy what you are doing, if that's not the case then you should be doing something else.
