Today's interview is with artist and cartographer, Gill Pearce. I worked with Gill on the Fabled Lands RPG, which she drew the map for. She is the wife of Darren Pearce, who we interviewed a few days ago.
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF
My name is Gill Pearce, I’m 40 years old, I live with my husband Darren Pearce in the UK, I’m mad about roleplaying and I like cats. Correct that, I have a feline obsession which will one day result in me turning into a crazy old cat lady
HOW DID YOU GET INTO GAMING?
A friend of mine got me into gaming when I was 14. I was introduced to the second edition Dungeons and Dragons boxset and never looked back from that point.
WHAT IS IT YOU FIND SO APPEALING ABOUT GAMING?
I enjoy the social aspect of gaming and being able to kick off and do stuff you normally can’t do, such as casting lightning bolts of screaming death..that kind of thing. It’s a subtle form of escapism for me.
SHARE A FAVOURITE GAMING MOMENT WITH US
Oh my, there was this one time..at band camp..Seriously there have been quite a few! Running up the arm of a Cyclops and stabbing it through the eye was fun as was the time I introduced a dubious character called Reva Flynn (from Darren’s home brew Wyrden setting) and now have one of our regular players twitching every time she is mentioned. Really though, those moments that stick in my mind are those bits in a game where every player is going OMG what now, and our characters are in so much trouble we are laughing and horrified all at once!
WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY PLAYING?
Well, last night I was playing in a Savage Worlds fantasy game, demonstrating how the subtle art of negotiation can go sadly wrong. Tonight it could well be 4th Edition Dungeons and Dragons. We have a mix of games going on atm, including Deadlands reloaded, D&D, various Savage Worlds games and Warhammer FRP (2nd edition)
CAN YOU TELL US WHAT YOUR FAVOURITE GAMES ARE?
I don’t have to pick one do I? I have many game systems I love. I will always have a soft spot for Warhammer FRP (2nd edition) and Savage worlds, I adore Deadlands. I like the special effects in Dungeons and Dragons 4th Edition. I do have a lasting affection for Seventh Sea as well.
WHAT WAS THE LAST GAME YOU PLAYED?
Savage worlds fantasy, in one of Darrens homebrew worlds!
WHICH PRODUCTS HAVE YOU HAD YOUR WORK PUBLISHED IN?
I think I’d be better naming publishers as I have been working as a freelancer for about 15 years now. Dark Quest Games, Mongoose Publishing, Cubicle 7, Greywood Publishing, Chaosium, Beyond Belief Games, Savage Mojo, Moon Designs and a fair few others. I’ve also been published outside of the rpg industry via Mercia books, Sterling games ltd, Schiffer and CPG books.
HOW DID YOU GET INTO FANTASY CARTOGRAPHY?
HOW DID YOU GET INTO FANTASY CARTOGRAPHY?
Aha! Good question Shane!
Well actually it was by accident. Mongoose needed some maps of a greek galleon doing for an adventure for Signs and Portents years ago and the art director at the time suggested I should have a go. The words went along the lines of, there are many good artists out there, but not that many good cartographers.
That project sort of signaled the turning point in my freelancer career, as after a few more maps I began getting cartography work from other companies until in recent years I tend to do more maps than illustrations. The maps have got more challenging as well like this one from Moon Designs http://www.hellionsart.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=497 which is one of the most complex I have done to date ( I have now branched out into isometric 3d maps) along with Pavis from Glorantha which was HUGE!
I always loved Karen Wynn Fonstads work on Middle Earth etc and it was an epic moment for me when my work was compared favourably to hers, I also find a strange balance now between the maps I do and my personal study (currently working part time on a history degree), as I do like to get things right!
ARE YOU WORKING ON ANY GAMING-RELATED PROJECTS AT THE MOMENT?
Yes, I am working for Moon Designs, helping map Glorantha, absolutely fascinating work. I am also working for Savage Mojo producing maps for Quantum Sliders and also art for “Project Sunthing” as it is known atm, it is going to be seriously epic! I am also involved in cartography projects for a couple of independent companies as well.
Gill has since confirmed that "Project Sunthing" is actually called "Set Rising", a setting for Savage Mojo's Suzerain.
Gill has since confirmed that "Project Sunthing" is actually called "Set Rising", a setting for Savage Mojo's Suzerain.
DO YOU HAVE ANY WEBPAGES OR SOCIAL NETWORK ACCOUNTS WHERE FANS CAN FIND YOU?
Yes, you can find me on Facebook, Google Plus and LinkedIn and via my website www.hellionsart.com
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