We recently connected with Blood Draugr and have shared our conversation below.
Blood Draugr, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you tell us the backstory behind how you came up with the idea?
My creative work has always bled out from a simple desire to experience oddly specific media that doesn’t exist. So, I set about to make that media a reality so I can enjoy it myself! Whether that’s screaming through a black metal song based on my favorite video game or drawing something just because I think it would look cool, ultimately, I’m chasing the feeling of, “Hell yeah, I did that, and it is awesome!” It’s very tempting to chase trends or do something that isn’t quite your cup of tea (or goblet of blood, in my case) in order to get your art noticed. But that will usually be less fulfilling artistically in the long run. I’ve witnessed a lot of people burn out because they’re checking all the right boxes as far as what the ‘almighty algorithm’ wants, but they are not having fun with the process. So I figured, at the end of the night, even if what I’m doing creatively never really takes off, I will still be happy I did it. So what do I have to lose?
Blood Draugr, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Representing the spookier side of digital content, I have worked for almost two decades in various capacities within professional film and television, such as directing, shooting, editing, animation, and voiceover. I have been fortunate enough to participate in many award-winning productions and have seen my photography featured internationally. In addition, I create music and artwork and am currently undertaking the conjuring of my first full original album, Vestige, forth from the void. Blood Draugr, as both a brand name and an artist identity, came from my love for Gothic fiction (hence, Blood) and the fantastical (Draugr, a type of undead creature from Nordic lore). My creative endeavors have spawned some viral content, including a music video for my metal cover of “The Mob Song” from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (featuring the truly killer talents of Caleb Hyles), which was featured on Inside the Magic, as well as a winning entry in a video contest for the game The Elder Scrolls Online. I also represent Bethesda (the creators of The Elder Scrolls series) as a brand ambassador!
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
When you’ve spent weeks, months, or even years trying to achieve something creatively and finally bring it to fruition, you feel as though a tiny bit of your soul resides in it by the end of it. It’s like a creative phylactery, if you will, housing an immortal time capsule of that accomplishment. The process is its own ‘final reward,’ but you additionally have a piece of media that you can enjoy again and again and also share with others. Additionally, I’ve met so many awesome people through collaboration on these projects, including those I have looked up to artistically myself. Few things are more rewarding than the sense of community that comes about by working on something together!
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
All of us are aware of horrible things going on in the world that are vastly more disturbing than the eldritch monsters and supernatural threats I tend to portray in my works. By indulging in a creative outlet that focuses on the things that bring me joy, I hope that I can also bring some of that same level of enjoyment to others and allow them to escape the troubles of this world for just a little while. Throughout history, people without fail have turned to entertainment to help them get through the most painful times. If a piece of art that I made, no matter the medium, helps someone push past such a moment, it transcends merely being something ‘cool’ or ‘fun’ into something that has contributed to making someone’s life better. I think that’s all anyone could really aspire towards as an artist.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.reverbnation.com/blooddraugr
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blooddraugr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blooddraugr
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/blooddraugr
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@blooddraugr
- Other: https://www.teepublic.com/user/blooddraugr
Image Credits
Blood Draugr