Intrinsic Nature is proud to present 22-year-old Italian illustrator Matteo, aka ma7! With seven amazing submissions, ma7 headlined Experiment 12 as our featured artist, showcasing his artistic abilities and imaginative style. You can view ma7’s portfolio here and follow him on twitter @theonlyonema7.

Read the interview!

1. At what age did you start making art on the computer and what did the interest stem from? View

I started a few years ago, by creating "tags". Obviously, I was great at those, but friends (internet friends, because I'm a loner) told me to get into 'artworks'. So, I started to draw on big canvas, but that's quite recent, and soon I started to love it.

2. What do you draw inspiration from in order to conjure up such unique ideas? View

I take my inspiration from random sources, mostly Internet and reality. On the Internet I look for awesome artists around the world, and I found out that a few of them are a bit better than me, but just a bit. When it comes to reality, I look at the human being. It is such an incredible universe of hypocrisy and bad principles!

3. What do you feel Intrinsic Nature offers you as an artist? View

I joined IN a couple years ago, and I think that's quite a good place to share art, meet people/artists from around the world, expose our art etc. I'm sure that it is one of the best art groups on the Internet. I heard about other art groups like Depthcore (which is one of the best obviously, I'd like to join it) or Slashthree (I heard bad things about it, they are a bit strange, but they make nice art) but I still think that Intrinsic Nature is at the same level.

4. Do you have a personal favorite piece from the IN12 experiment? If so, why? View

I like the whole IN12 exhibit in general, but I have a few favorite pieces like "Lullaby of the dusk" (by System, friend and great artist), "Those mountains so cruel" (photo by Smiling Demon, I love mountains and I think that's a great shot, really intensive). And, of course, every piece from me!

5. What do you want to do as a career? Is art and designed involved in your long-term plans? View

Yes, it is! I'm currently a graphic design student so arts will be involved at 99% in my long-term plans. I hope to work with graphic design, illustrations, and motion design. So, in a few words, I hope to become a real 360° artist!

6. Are there any artists that have influenced your work? View

Like I said before, I take a lot of inspiration from random sites on Internet. But of course I have a few favorite artists: Sachin Teng, Ghostco, Tetsuya Ishida, Always with Honour, Daniel Siim, and a lot more!

7. What do you think your strengths and weaknesses are as an artist? View

The only thing I know is that my weakness could maybe be that I'm too limited into one style of drawing. I hope to learn soon some other techniques anyway!

8. Do you have any advice for people just getting into art and design on the computer? View

I think that I'm nobody to pretend to give advices (=

9. Do art collectives have a bright future, or is it a current fad? View

Maybe they need more visibility, but I don't think that they a current fad.

10. Do you prefer working alone or welcome collaborations with fellow artists? View

In reality I prefer working alone, or with one/two friends with my same tastes and thoughts. On the Internet, I never did any collabs, so I couldn't say if I like it or not.