After seeing Rorkas works for the first time, I instantly memorized him. A unique style distinguished him from other Lithuanians and even from most of the foreign illustrators I knew. His drawings strongly remind stylistics of old school comics. Black and white pictures appear to be like extracts from some kind of stories which only exist in the artist’s mind. Wavy lively lines create an impellent image which either sharpens or disguises some details. Even black background is not simply black, after peering into it for some time you see its depth and space.
I would like to wish Saulius good luck, I hope that his dreams will soon come true and I would like to be the first one to find his personal comic book in a bookstore.
As usual, I asked Rorkas to describe himself.
Umm, describing myself? Even I don’t know myself quite well and telling this to you is a difficult task. My name is Saulius, I’m married, I’ll soon be a dad, I know what it means when dreams come true (it was back then when my work was everything for me), I don’t smoke, I don’t drink alcohol, I tend to lie, I’m also self-ironic, vulgar, annoying and I currently take an important position of unemployed. And finally, one important fact: my shoe size is 42.
How your current drawing style was formed?
It was due to laziness and the lack of space. This technique doesn’t require much space in the house. It’s particularly convenient when in you live in a tiny box.
Could you reveal the meaning of Rorkas pseudonym?
Are you really curious? Three years ago and only for fun I’ve decided to try using one art site which was notorious in Lithuania and generally disliked by artists – Deviantart.com. I had to come up with a nickname when I was filling a registration form. The first thing that came into my mind was the name of one comics character I admired. And this is it. I’d love to be called by my real name but I have no other choice now, cha cha…
It’s not difficult to notice that your works quite often include social metaphors. How the Internet society and other surrounding things affect your art?
I’m not naturally a sociopath, maybe it’s only another form of arrogance which I sometimes express in my sketches. After all, drawing is also a form of therapy. A therapy for me and environment. It’s a pity that I am not able to affect this environment by using my fists so I just leave my comments for a sheet of paper.
I am aware that you are very much into comics and together with other authors you’ve contributed in creating the first comics in Lithuania — Musiukas Flukas (Flukas the fly). What inspired you to get into this genre? Maybe you are developing some new interesting projects?
Comics is a passion of my life. I don’t know why. It was due to the circumstances or maybe love for PICTURES was simply encoded in genes. Flukas is only a small moment which I don’t tend to place between my other achievements. Long time ago, when we only had paragraphs in newspapers instead of the Internet, I’ve published my own paper comics.
You can find out more about my work as a publisher here.
My plans? These are rather dreams. And it’s not appropriate to speak about dreams out loud.
Your graphic works often include various mystique creatures as well as women. Why did you choose these topics? What kind of emotions and ideas they represent while being a part of Rorkas’ pictures?
I don’t choose topics, they simply come to me. I don’t know what will be created when I take a sheet of paper. Inspirations often come from photographs, musical pieces, reminiscence or dreams. When I draw, I try not to think about anything, especially about the final result. Why should I be troubled by terms or definitions formulated by someone I don’t know? I’m not certain whether these creatures and women existing in my subconsciousness are a result of some breakdown in my soul. It’s up to you to decide, dear viewers of my small works.
Which artist left the biggest impression to you? Perhaps there is someone whose works inspired you so strongly that it contributed in shaping your current drawing style?
I’m not interested in arts, I don’t follow recent trends. I frequently don’t remember names. Flow of visual information is enormous nowadays, therefore, remembering all names, nicknames or pseudonyms are too complicated. I like black and white graphics as well as an illustration though. Still, I admire those artists who have mastered their colour skills, electronic art etc. I could put down these names to my sources of inspiration: Moebius, Andreas, Hippolyte, Thomas Ott, Alberto Breccia, Alex Raymond, Lorenzo Mattotti, Bernie Wrightson, Jeffrey Jones.
What is the thickness of your rapidograph? :)
My favourite is 0,35mm thick isograph from ROTRING. Sometimes it may be 0,25mm.
More of Rorkas’ art may be found here.
If you dear