When did you start drawing?
I started drawing and painting around the age of 2. My mother encouraged me to continue drawing and by kindergarten she said that I was drawing at a higher level then other kids. I don't remember because I was too busy having fun picking my nose.

What or who are your biggest inspirations?
I gain my inspiration from life and everything in it. The people, the places, sights and sounds. My mother has been my biggest inspiration. She works harder then anyone I know and she is always up to something creative. Right now some professional artists that inspire me are Ashley Wood, Shunya Yamashita, Michael Turner, Jim Lee and John Singer Sargent. I also love looking at photography or listening to music. Anything can inspire me, it can even be a cool guy like Nathaniel John Dionisio. (we did not tell him to say that which makes him super cool x 10)
Out of the thousands of drawings you've created, which is your most favorite drawing and why?
Thats a tough one because I love all of my drawings. My last painting I was inspired by the style of Francoise Nielly.(see below) So we'll say thats my favorite for now, but I'm currently working on character designs for my portfolio. I don't truly show favoritism after the process is done. It's during the process of any new creation that I show the most attention. For every piece I work on I only hope to finish it. I don't care what it's for or where it's going I just hope to finish it.
Inspired by Francoise Nielly

What do you hope to achieve through your talent?
I wish to open a school or a community centre one day teaching (reminding) anyone for free how to create. This wouldn't be just for visual art. I would incorporate music, martial arts, dance, yoga or anything that generally leads one to a creative lifestyle. Art is all about the process of life to me. Without it we can't truly communicate our emotions and ideals in way that can be understood without the use of language.
I have a passion for characters and environments. I have a love for games, film and eye candy. I feel that putting art on walls is interesting and inspiring to a certain degree. I also respect those who choose to further the quest to define what art is. However in my humble opinion there are many comic book artists that deserve to be in grand museums and galleries. To me creating characters and environments people can interact with is the next level of fine art. Digital art is thought to be all computer and no creator. I know artists who have carpal tunnel syndrome using both mediums. They are tools to me and a computer is just as strong as a pencil or a paint brush. It all depends on who is using it. If my work helps fuel imagination and bring forth new creators then thats something I'm honored to be apart of.

If you would like to contract Calvin for a project/job the best way to contact him is by sending him an email calvinclyke@gmail.com or adding him on facebook. We are proud to feature Calvin as a guest designer on redlotusdesignmedia.ca and look forward to working with him on our future projects. Please visit his website by clicking HERE and let him know Red Lotus sent you. :) We're pretty sure he'll take good care of you.
Jun | RED LOTUS
KEYWORDS : RED LOTUS DESIGN, JUN CRUZ, CALVIN CLYKE, TORONTO, ARTIST, GTA