From Game of Thrones to US Presidents, and of course Superheroes, Notsniw Art has created unique portraits of some of our most recognisable famous faces but with one difference… they all focus on their butts! Notsniw Art’s designs are the perfect example of tongue and (butt) cheek done right! However, if illustrated butts aren’t your things, then his popular Celebrity Fashion designs will definitely be of interest! These designs capture just some of the most iconic outfits from our most recognisable celebrities, such as Elton John, Freddie Mercury, and Bjork, and don’t worry, they’re fully dressed in these designs. This blog post gives you a small insight into the talented artist behind the butts…
Please tell us a little bit about yourself. What is your name? Where are you based? What does a typical day look like to you?
My name is Winston Torr, and I am the creator of Notsniw Art. I am based in Berlin, Germany. A typical day starts off with coffee and then I dive into work, which consists of illustrating and office work.
How would you describe your style of work?
My style of work is whimsical with bright colours. Lines that are organic and fluid, yet yields no perfection.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given in life?
If something really feels right, and you really want to do it, then do it, because there might not be another chance later on. And if the chance does come up again, you might not feel it anymore. And this feeling just sucks! So go in the moment.
What inspires you?
There are a number of things that inspires me that change throughout a day-to-day basis. Inspiration pretty much always comes in a split second, and I really can’t explain it. It could be the sound of a car driving by or flashing colours from a motorcycle to a scent that reminds me of something. It could be anything, and everything.
Is there a piece of artwork on Art Wow that you are most proud of? Why?
Not a specific piece, but a specific series. A series called Superhero Butts. Superhero Butts are a series of fan art illustrations displaying butts. I often questioned as a child why Superheros were only shown from the front, and why Superheros never show their butts, as well why Superheros were only one of light skin tones?
I remembered my first Superhero Butts Genesis drawn as a kid. I wish I still had the drawing. I originally created this for fun, an art piece from my gut. Now the series spans out to multiple pieces. Why I’m most proud of this series is because it was the first time in my life that I created for me, regardless of if it was appropriate or not. This lesson taught me to zone out what other people say and create my way. At the end of the day, this is the most important to me.
If your artwork were music, what would it sound like?
A cappella
What artist, past or present has inspired you?
Yayoi Kusama, Ai Weiwei, David Medalla, David Hockney, Andy Warhol, Robert Rauschenberg
Who are your biggest influences?
My Mother because I grew up with her creating as well.
What was the last gift you gave someone?
Flowers
How did you get started as an illustrator?
I started out as a traditional artist and started Notsniw (Illustration brand) when I decided to start my own Illustration business. Now I can travel anywhere with good WIFI and work on my iPad. Very different to a traditional artist which consists of a studio space and tons of material to carry around. Being a digital illustrator, I have my computer, and iPad. That’s it!
If you were an animal, what would you be and why?
A Unicorn, because of all the pretty colours, glitter, and magic! Also being able to poop rainbow ice cream. Sounds kinda gross, but we have all tried Rainbow Ice Cream… haven’t we? lol
How did you develop your distinct style? Was it an experimental process?
I wanted to go away from what I learned in University. Illustration with clean smooth lines is that I learned in class. I wanted to create with feeling rather than to make everything look symmetrical. The fluid lines I create conveys emotion. The illustrations have life, rather than a stiff perfect computer-generated image. Even though I work on the iPad, computer generated, my illustrations look very un-computer generated. This to me is perfection, the imperfection.
What have been your biggest creative challenges to date?
There is no creative challenge for me. I live and breathe creativity.
In one word, describe how art makes you feel.
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious (If you are unfamiliar, check out this YouTube video.
