We are thrilled to introduce Italian illustrators and recent Rebelle Featured Artists, Luna and Stefano, a.k.a Moonpix, who work together on every art project. In this interview, we focus on teamwork. Learn about the beginnings of their common journey, the benefits, and the challenges their cooperation brings.
Luna Garrone and Stefano Pistonatto, also known as Moonpix, are a couple of freelance artists based in Turin, Italy. They work as illustrators and character designers, collaborating on projects at every step to infuse each artwork with a bit of themselves. Working together as artists is something they knew would be challenging and not easily understood by others. However, they are glad to embark on this journey together every day, excited to see where their creativity will take them. Although they have received traditional art training in painting and sculpture, as well as a degree in New Technologies of Art, they are self-taught digital painters. They love to experiment with different styles and techniques and have found Rebelle to be the perfect platform for their artistic expression.
"We could say that our creative sparks have always shone with the same light, but it's over the years that we have learned to adopt a way of expression that combines our strengths and preferences."
How do your individual artistic styles influence your joint work?
We like to think of our artistic style as a diary filled with different stories that share a common path. On each page, you can read something about two kindred spirits walking in the direction of the same star.
In terms of personality, we are quite similar, and we feel that our differences complement each other. We share many passions that we live with dedication, we have some childhood influences in common that inspired us to draw, and we both live in Italy where we attended the same art schools, so the culture and environment may have made their contribution.
These shared experiences have influenced us to develop similar goals and artistic tastes, creating a foundation of complementarity that has brought us closer together. We could say that our creative sparks have always shone with the same light, but it's over the years that we have learned to adopt a way of expression that combines our strengths and preferences, allowing us to pursue our artistic ambitions with greater awareness.
This union of different yet similar styles led to the discovery of something new for both of us, in which we immediately recognized ourselves. It has been a long journey, but we have successfully internalized what we can call our shared artistic voice, making it as personal to us as an individual style might be.
Do you ever feel the need to compromise your personal style to fit the collaboration?
We have always respected and admired each other's artistic styles. Although they are different, they also share a sense of similarity, creating a feeling of complementarity. This connection goes beyond our creative vision, resonating deeply at the human level.
When we collaborate, we never feel the need to compromise. Instead, we tune our artistic voices, gradually reaching a common harmony.
In our image gallery, you can find various illustrations, sometimes showcasing different styles. Some are more stylized, while others are more realistic. While it might seem that these illustrations were created by different artists, that's the result of our combined creativity. We incorporate our ideas without compromising, intertwining our thoughts to create something unique and effective for both.
This is made possible by experimenting, between successes and failures, and trying to understand what we want to achieve. In both our personal and professional lives, we take every new challenge with enthusiasm, discovering something new each time. We have the spirit of adventurers, a constant trait that has accompanied us since childhood!
Who or what inspires your work as a duo?
We admire a variety of artists and always try to learn something new, even if their styles differ from ours. However, from a duo perspective, we don't have a team or someone who inspired us.
Creating art is a wonderful journey, but it can come with hidden pitfalls. It's easy to lose your balance and feel like you're falling into a stormy sea. But the fact of being able to reach out to someone else, knowing that your hand will be grabbed even in the darkest depths, serves as our greatest source of inspiration.
We first met at school while collaborating on different projects. Over time, a deep friendship that continues to this day was born, and from it, love blossomed. We can't find the words to describe the joy of creating something together, satisfying our customers, and seeing a piece of ourselves reflected in both the final product and the smiles of those who enjoy it.
Sometimes you might feel lost and unsure of your direction, and we're not just talking about art. Having someone by your side whom you trust and who is honest with you, truly makes a difference.
Our artistic partnership evolved naturally, it was just a process of two people who cared for each other reaching out for support. It felt like emerging from a forest of thorns into an unfamiliar path, yet we knew it was the way to go home. It wasn't merely a choice, we just began walking hand in hand and have never stopped!
Do you feel like your artistic voice is stronger together than individually?
We will try to explain this using a musical analogy. Every voice is different and unique, but when you find one that harmonizes with yours, you not only amplify it by reinforcing it, but you also experience the joy of completing the full range of musical notes, allowing you to express yourself at your best.
This creates a harmonious blend of voices while you continue to sing your own melody. It encourages you to grow and improve, knowing that you are being supported, which gives you the confidence to turn up the volume when needed. We both recognize that we have our own voice within this choir, enhancing each other while still allowing space for individuality.
If we were to sing alone, we wouldn’t feel our voices weaken, instead, we would still listen for the harmony we’ve built together. We might successfully imitate its colours and nuances, but we wouldn’t be able to replicate the uniqueness of two dancing soundwaves.
Take a look into our studio as we share our thoughts on teamwork:
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/M3_4xMYECtE
"We developed a workflow where thought and technique are on the same page. We both felt a sense of pride in signing each piece, as they represented the achievement of a common goal in which both our ideas and technical skills were fully respected and utilized."
What are the biggest challenges of working as a team?
It's certainly challenging to learn how to accept criticism and give it the appropriate weight. Searching for a balance between expressing your own voice, developing personal techniques, and learning the artistic languages of others can be difficult. This process often requires time, effort, and to be open to others.
Personally, we think that what happens in the surrounding environment can greatly influence you, compromising and slowing down the art process.
Unfortunate events like health issues or family problems happen, and during those times, if one of us is sad or angry, we both feel the impact due to our strong empathy for each other.
If one of us is struggling, we both feel the weight. However, this vulnerability can also be a source of strength. Together, it is easier to rise above difficulties, even when we feel overwhelmed. Sometimes, all it takes is a deep breath, a moment to pause, and the determination to move forward. Having someone by your side can make this process much more manageable.
Have you ever had a major disagreement that affected your work? How did you resolve it?
During the initial phase of our collaboration, as we were still figuring out how to express ourselves effectively, one of the biggest challenges we faced was working remotely. We communicated frequently and shared progress for review, but it was a bit complicated to coordinate our work. We struggled with organizing files and expressing our opinions without discrediting each other's contributions when suggesting changes.
At times, especially at the beginning of a project, we found ourselves building on a fragile foundation. After hours of work, we often realized that substantial changes were needed, requiring us to dismantle everything we had worked on. This could lead to feelings of insecurity and demoralization that can be able to take shape in the drawing.
However, over the years, we learned to communicate better. We began to listen to each other and read every gesture, simply by being open and sincere, knowing we could trust one another. And, of course, not taking things too personally!
The real turning point came when we started working closely together, under the same roof. This allowed us to establish solid foundations to build our projects. We developed a workflow where thought and technique are on the same page. We both felt a sense of pride in signing each piece, as they represented the achievement of a common goal in which both our ideas and technical skills were fully respected and utilized.
"You should learn to accept criticism and also understand how to provide constructive feedback. It's important to distinguish between technical opinions and personal preferences, giving appropriate weight to each type of judgment and learning to achieve a balance that can satisfy everyone."
Do you ever work on solo projects, or is your focus entirely on team collaboration?
At the beginning of our artistic journey together, it happened. When we were studying at the Academy of Fine Arts, we had the chance to spend time getting to know each other through various group projects, primarily focused on animation, 3D modeling, and video editing. At that time, despite our studies in traditional art in high school, we hadn't much experience in digital painting, and we were not yet prepared to launch our careers as illustrators.
So, we needed to discover our tastes and learn how to achieve the artistic results we desired. This process began with personal research and was a great step in finding our own artistic voice and personality.
It's like talking about cooking: just as a good dish depends on the quality of its ingredients, each of us needed to try to create something good to add to the recipe. When anything is blended harmoniously, you can experience some special flavour, and it's what we always try to do!
During this phase of personal exploration, we actively exchanged opinions, ideas, and advice. We quickly realized that the projects that gave us the most satisfaction were those in which we managed to collaborate the most. Consequently, we began working more actively on the same projects and discovered that this collaboration not only enhanced our artistic expression but also improved our productivity. We were able to work on multiple projects simultaneously without compromising the quality of our efforts.
While some artworks may have got more contributions from one of us than the other, this disparity was purely technical. On a creative level, our process had completely merged, allowing us to work together from the initial spark of an idea, through research and sketch phases, all the way to the final brush strokes of our artworks.
What would you advice to artists who are transitioning from individual work to working in teams on the same project?
In our experience through the years, we have had the opportunity to collaborate with many different people, but most of the time we found a lack of compatibility and communication. This has led us to dislike teamwork when there is no artistic direction because this usually evolves in just someone who wants to suppress the other's voice.
If you have a lot of bad experiences in teamwork, it's not necessarily because you're wrong, but because you have to find the right partners for you.
It is essential to know the people around you well. Without a relationship built on trust and respect, it will be too easy to find an excuse to dispute the thoughts of others. If you start with a lack of trust in your colleagues' aesthetic tastes and skills, the risk is to suggest unconstructive opinions and discussions aimed solely at discrediting them.
This is why being open to dialogue is crucial. You should learn to accept criticism and also understand how to provide constructive feedback. It's important to distinguish between technical opinions and personal preferences, giving appropriate weight to each type of judgment and learning to achieve a balance that can satisfy everyone.
Additionally, it’s important to understand how others work and to learn their language. This understanding will help you find a common ground where your efforts are interpretable and meaningful to others, beyond just words. Also, on a practical aspect, learning to organise the project files is essential!
To facilitate this process, the best approach is to work closely together, as this allows a constant exchange of opinions. However, if a face-to-face collaboration isn’t doable, try to make an effort to involve others as much as possible. Share images of your work in progress, exchange project files regularly, and communicate frequently.
By doing so, you will avoid the feeling that someone has broken your work. Instead, you will experience a dynamic and evolving project that feels like traveling with friends.
At the core of any successful collaboration lies a foundation of trust, appreciation, and genuine friendship. This will benefit your artistic growth and, more importantly, enhance you as a person.
Above all, enjoy the process and have fun. The joy that comes from building something together with people you respect or love is truly unique. In moments of doubt, always remember the reasons that brought you together!
Thank you, Luna & Stefano, for inviting us to your creative studio and sharing your insides on the good and challenging teamwork brings. We wish you the best on your journey together, both as artists and partners.
Escape Motions Team
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Learn more about Moonpix: https://www.escapemotions.com/featured-artists/moonpix
