Illustrator / Painter / Cartoonist Dieter Van der Ougstraete

1. Name / occupation / location:
Dieter Van der Ougstraete / Illustrator-painter-cartoonist / Belgium
2. How long have you been doing what you’re doing?
Since I was a little kid. But really focused, I guess since 2009.
3. What was your last ‘day’ job (or what is your current day job)?
I still have a day job, I work in a bookshop. I like it and it pays the bills. That allows me to be free in my artwork. I’d love to be a full-time artist one day but I don’t want to rush things.

Undergrowth © Dieter Van der Ougstraete

4. Favorite writer / artist / photographer?
Writer: probably Bret Easton Ellis. Artist: so many… my “top 3″ would be Francis Bacon, James Ensor & Hieronymus Bosch Photographer: my lovely wife, Lieve De Becker another favorite is Roger Ballen.
5. Who or what inspires you to create?
That can be anything. From paintings of Bosch and Bruegel to 80′s and early 90′s cartoons and comics. Obscure toys and dolls too.
6. Describe your last DIY project:
My comic-strip “The Core”. I didn’t make it for anything or anyone in particular and had a lot of fun with it. You can find it on my blog & flickr.

Crowded Cranium © Dieter Van der Ougstraete

7. Decade you wish you could visit?
The 60′s in San Francisco, probably. I’d like to see if I’d be a good hippie.
8. A place you’ve visited that was almost too beautiful to capture?
Summer in Berlin. Spring in New York. Venice any time of the year. A few years ago I was traveling through Norway, definitely too beautiful to capture!
9. Describe your pre-work ritual:
No rituals. Unless you count picking my colors and putting some music on as a ritual.
10. An image you’ve created that is nearest and dearest to you:
I don’t have one, sorry. My favorite piece is always the next one. For a short while I can be pleased with my own work but when I look at it a few days later, all I see is mistakes or things I would do differently…

Fleeting © Dieter Van der Ougstraete

11. Something you care deeply about:
Freedom. Self respect and respect for others. Fantasy.
12. Current project you are working on:
I’m working on a book that should see the light of day next year. That is taking all my time right now.
13. Goal for the future:
The near future: finishing my book and getting it out there. The more distant future: keep doing what I’m doing, getting better at it, having fun, being happy.

The Core © Dieter Van der Ougstraete

You can view more of Dieter’s work on his portfolio site and flickr stream. He has a blog too!! I love his style; it’s reminiscent of Ren & Stimpy artist John K’s attention to detail… on acid.

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