Meet the Artist: Hugadino Pt. 2
Q11: How many times have you watched Jurassic Park or do you have another dino-themed film you enjoy?
To be completely honest: I watched Jurassic Park as a kid but I don’t really enjoy those kind of movies. I always preferred watching dinosaur documentaries. Also: do Pokémon and Digimon movies count?
Q12: What is the best dino-fact you can share with the Flick readers?
The brain of a stegosaurus was as big as a walnut. Its brain was the smallest among all dinos.
Q13: Congrats on your plushie and other merch, we hope it’s going well and encourage Flickers to check your store out! (See links on the artist page!). What do you love most about what you do? From your community to the drawing process?
There are many things I love about my job. But what I enjoy most is the interaction with my community. The lovely people on the Discord Server, people in my DMs telling how my videos helped them and customers sending happy messages and pictures of their plushies.
My goal is to make people happy and I’m happy myself if it works.
Q14: We adore your wholesome content - helping to spread good vibes everywhere with a good ol’ dinosaur stomp and roar! What inspires your positive energy?
I want to trick my burned out brain into happy thoughts. And I want to do the same for others. The more you repeat wholesome messages, the more they get stuck. As of now it works perfectly!
Q15: What is the art scene like in your area, Leipzig, Germany?
From what I experienced so far: Difficult. Things that I do don’t get accepted as “real art” and people have an “elbow mentality” aka only doing things in their favour, not helping each other at all
Most people in Germany generally don't like it when people call themselves “artists”. Artists are supposed to be well-known people with great skills, who preferably have their own exhibitions and everything. Even my art teacher in school told us we’re not allowed to call ourselves artists.
I personally believe that anyone who creates art is an artist. No matter what style, skill level or fame.
Q16: What advice would you give to aspiring illustrators/content creators?
Do what you love and don’t listen to others. Don’t be afraid to share your art. I know it’s scary, but people on social media are often nicer than you’d expect.
And most important: Don’t compare yourself. You’re great. Your art is great. No, the others are not better. Likes and comments don’t tell how much you’re worth.Short answer: I don’t, haha. I feel kinda overwhelmed all the time. Many people don’t know that I’m a single person doing this as a full time business. Not only do I need to prepare content for social media and be active on Discord, I also handle my shop and ship everything myself and sometimes work on commissions.
Q17: Sunset or sunrise?
Sunset. I’m a night owl.
Q18: What do you feel has changed the most about your art style over the last year?
I’m more confident when drawing and it definitely shows in my art. I dare to try new things.
And I slowly got used to drawing digitally as I barely did before I started hugadino.
Q19: Will Hugadino feature more or different prehistoric creatures?
So far I’m happy with my four main characters. They all have their own personality and people already bonded with them.
But who knows who might join the group next?
Q20: What’s next for Hugadino? A Netflix series maybe!? Get in!
Definitely more and more plushies. If you carry a name like hugadino aka “hug a dino” you need to provide people with huggable dinos.
I also want to get more into animating my dinos, but this will take a while.
I hope to get the chance to cooperate with different companies. Imagine my dinos on the packaging of those dino nuggies that you see in supermarkets. My inner child would be so extremely happy..