Meet Greg Turner | 3D Computer Graphics Artist and Writer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Greg Turner and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Greg, what makes you happy? Why?
Things that make me happy are creating my art, telling stories, and having a chill vibe session with the genuine people in my life. Art is my barrier from any problems in the outside world. It brings me peace while simultaneously allowing me to create things that other people may find interesting or inspiring or even encouraging for them. I even use my art to tell stories. Little glimpses into these characters and ideas that play out in my brain in one image. I’ve even based stories and art pieces off of people in my life before. I find that those genuine people that inspire and support me keeps me going and I like to think of using them as inspiration for my art and stories as a thank you to them.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
One big thing I’m excited about is my comic book called Cresline that I’ve been working on. It centers around this group of college friends who formed a club around the fact that they were all orphaned when they were young. One night when they all get together, something strange happens with the sky over their town and they end up receiving these supernatural powers and accidentally unleashes creatures from the 9 circles of hell, and unless they rid their town of the creatures their powers will destroy them from the inside out. What I think makes this project stand out right now is that it’s not like your average comic. It’ll be what I think is one of the first comic books made entirely with 3D models apposed to a hand drawn comic. I initially wanted to create it as a TV series but I don’t have the manpower for that. So I figure that doing it as a comic, I can write the story I want to tell and create the art and have that full artistic control of what the audience sees. And most importantly to me, the comic centers around this group of character that are all people of color. They’re all from different cultures but that isn’t what will define their character, it’s simply who they are and showcases how great things can be when all these backgrounds come together.

Getting the confidence to take on something this ambitious by myself wasn’t easy. For a long time I didn’t share my art because I didn’t think it would resonate with anyone. I didn’t feel like anything I was doing was special enough to get any attention. I’d apply for studios to be an artist and work on other people’s projects and get rejected. So one day I decided that I was just gonna do it. I thought about this idea for years and I wanted to get it out, even if it was just for me. And I’m grateful that so far the process is going well and I plan on releasing some fun stuff later this year.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m still pretty fresh to the Atlanta area, but I’m a pretty introverted person. So most of my fun takes place at low key places. However, I do have some more extroverted friends so I think I’d like to show them some of both worlds. One thing we’d definitely have to do is go to Six flags. I’m a huge amusement park junky. I love the thrill and adrenaline rush from rollercoasters and scary things like haunted house attractions. i’m also a huge fan of nature, so at some point we’d have to check out the Roswell Mill waterfall or go hiking Kennesaw Mountain. For dining, there’s a really nice spot in Marietta call Blaqhaus. I’ve been there multiple times and the food is amazing, along with the chill atmosphere and vibe of the establishment. Another really good restaurant I’ve been to is Cafe Social House in Mableton. The Martini Shrimp and Grits was A1. I’d also like to mention that both of those businesses are black-owned. Some other really fun places I enjoy are Putt Shack, the 3rd spot, Sandbox VR, and I’d still like to check out the Illuminarium. And one more restaurant I have to mention is this brunch spot Milk and Honey. I’ve yet to hear a bad thing about that place and as someone really picky about breakfast foods, it was amazing. But at least one of those days my friend visited we’d have to cook at home, because I’m still a Louisiana boy at heart and some places just can’t surpass a cajun recipe passed down from your grandma.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to give a shoutout to my family. Especially my Grandma, Rose. She inspired me with her love, encouragement, teachings and stories from the time I was young. There was never a little drawing or art project I made as growing up that she didn’t save, even up until the day she passed. My parents and the rest of my family as whole have taught me things in their own ways that have shaped me into who I am today. And one GIANT shoutout to the friends I’ve sustained through the years and the recent ones I’ve made that have been a thriving support system for me and made me feel like I could create a future with what I love to do.

Website: https://c-minded.artstation.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gmind_art/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregory-turner-44052174/