Frequently Asked Questions:

Who the heck are you?

My name is Michaela Blassnig, and I've been an artist for the last 24 years. That is to say, I've been drawing and creating since I first started breathing. Seriously, though, I'm an artist, author, and general jack-of-all-creative trades. I love making stuff and telling stories, that's pretty much who I am.

What's with the "Embie"? I mean, is that even a word?

Aha! You noticed! The inspiration behind the naming of this studio is of such inconceivable genius the mind boggles at the sheer stupendousness of it all. Now pay close attention:

My name is Michaela Blassnig. This, naturally, means that my initials are M and B.

"EmbiE" originated as my MSN username waaaaaaaaaaaaay back in 1998 when everyone was telling me I had to have a super awesome fantastic username and my real name just wouldn't do. Whipped into a panic, I stared at the keyboard and in a moment of pure inspired clarity, punched in the phonetic spelling of my itnitals. The fact that I was too lazy to actually change it to something more interesting made it stick, and the rest is history!

Where are you based?

Just south of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

Your art is FREAKIN' AWESOME / so-so / seriously, you suck; I'd like you to draw something for me!

Whether or not I accept a commission is based on a couple of factors - first of all, time! My life tends to swing between insanely busy and boringly calm. If you'd like to commission me, just ask, if I have the time I'll let you know, otherwise I'll tell you roughly how long it will be until I can get around to your request.

The other biggie is subject matter. I love a challenge, and will usually draw nearly anything, but even I have limits. I don't do porn/overtly sexual scenes, extreme gore or violence, hate/racist/discriminatory works, and the like.

I also don't work for free. I'd like to live in a world where money doesn't matter, but I'd also like to captain the Starship Enterprise. Both aren't going to happen anytime soon and as an artist, I do still have bills. Art takes serious amounts of time and effort, and as such I do have to charge a fee for each drawing. My prices are negotiable based on the size of your project; just send me an email and we can work out something that's fair to the both of us!

What sort of things do you work on?

I've written novels, illustrated comics, children's books and designed book covers. I've also done sculpture, silversmithing, jewellery making, animation, and I make a truly fantastic chicken pie. To top it all off, I even built this website!

As far as art is concerned, I mostly work in digital nowadays, but I've worked in pretty much every standard medium; pastels, pencils, oil / acyrilic / watercolour paints, inks, printing and more. I'll also draw pretty much anything that inspires me, be it a landscape, a moonscape, or a detailed portrait of a goat.

You're weird.

And lovin' it! But that's not really a question, now, is it?