Who is Jonathan, and where did you come from?
I am an out-of-place artist in Central Kansas, surrounded by agriculture, conservative values and good friendly people in the middle of no where. Growing up in a rural area I used to find the complete lack of art and even the appreciation for art a bit overwhelming. Needless to say many people around here have always viewed me as a bit different.
How did you find yourself so involved in the Blender Community vice another 3D software package?
When I was 14 there was a fellow working for my dad that introduced me to Blender. I was home schooled at the time so I had more free time than I knew was to do with. My passion for art quickly turned into a passion for 3D. One of the things that intrigued me about Blender versus other applications was the incredible community behind it. People were always willing to help answer my questions and critique my work. It was almost a perfect example of an Open Source community. Most applications don’t have that. Not to the same extent, anyway. After several years of bombarding the users with questions I felt compelled to give something back to the community that had helped me so much and so I started producing video tutorials on the skills I had picked up.
Growing up did you always foresee yourself involved with art in some way?
There might have been a few seconds when I was 12 that I thought about going into construction or engineering, but then I blinked and came back to my senses. Art has always been a huge part of my life, it’s my passion. There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t immerse myself in art in one way or another.
Is there one thing in particular that you enjoy most about Blender, or feel it does really well?
The incredible speed it allows you to work at is almost unrivaled. Although people complain about it constantly, I love the interface and the reliance on keyboard shortcuts. It lets me model at nearly the same speed that my mind visualizes what I’m making.
What is the most popular question you get asked?
That’s a hard question to answer, actually. I get a lot of people asking me when my next dvd will come out? Where can I find the Adrianna face tutorial? Can you do a car modeling tutorial? If I had to pick one, though, I probably get asked whether or not I’ll be doing more tutorials/DVDs in the future more than anything.
When you are not plopped in front of the computer what do you do to fill your time, or relax?
Recently most of my time has been spent in the coffee shop, downing Chai lattes and filling up sketchbooks. I have finally gotten into a regular habit of sketching and so it takes up a lot of my time. But I also like to spend as much time as possible with my best friend and partner in crime, which generally consists of watching ridiculous amounts of Lost or walks in the park.
Do you usually crank music while you are modeling? If so what is on the list?
The only times I don’t play music is when I get so absorbed in my work that I don’t even notice it. But that only last until I come back to reality long enough to realize it and thus fix the problem. I like to turn off all my lights, light a bunch of candles and blare Juno Reactor. I also listen to a lot of System of a Down, Apocalyptica, Nightwish, Muse, Flyleaf, The Bird and the Bee, Bach, Mozart, and lots more.
Are there any upcoming Blender artists that we should keep our eye out for?
Unfortunately I have not been able to pay nearly as much attention to upcoming artists as I would like but there is always good, new work being post to the Blender gallery here: http://blenderartists.org/cms/content/view/15/34/
Is there anything you are really looking forward to be included in upcoming blender releases?
I am really excited to play with the new Volumetric system! But more than anything will be the new interface. The basis of Blender’s interface will stay the same but it will be a lot more customizable.
In the weekly schedule of what you do, how many hours of sleep are you getting and what is on the normal breakfast menu?
In the past few weeks I have averaged about five hours a night… I normally try to shoot for seven, though. It is very rare that I get a full nights sleep. With my ever-shrinking wallet eggs have become a common item on not just the breakfast menu, but the whole menu. They are cheap, good and relatively healthy! Good ole protein just can’t be beat…
Could you tell us a bit about Montage Studio?
Montage Studio was a personal project of mine a while back. It started out as little more than a name for myself, but I have since brought on two fellow artists to help me with some of the work. We work as a online, collaborative studio. Unfortunately the three of us have been very busy with work outside of the studio and and so have not been able to do nearly as much as we would like. Our primary focus recently has been producing training material for the Blender community. The other two artist’s names are Jean-Sebastian Gullimette and Ben Dansie.
Is there anything you wish we would of asked, but didn’t'? 
What happened to your sanity? Ha, nah, I generally like to think of myself as fairly sane… but that would really be a better question for those around me!
Thank you Jonathan for the interview!
You may also catch Jonathan as a featured instructor at http://www.mavenseed.com
Realize this is rather out of date (the post is), but was just wondering what recording software you’re using for the video tutorials.
I use Camtasia Studio for http://www.techsmith.com
Hey! Jonathan,
I really like your tutorials, you speak clearly and you describe what you do all the time.
But I’m wondering one thing, what theme do you use in Blender?
Thanks for the tutorials I’ve learnt really much.
I would donate money to this website, if I wasn’t just 14 years old…
You listen to MUSE! My favorite band!
Ha what a coincidence, Assasain by Muse just came on literally as I read this comment.
Ha! That’s awesome.
omg that’s cool, you’re homeschooled. I am too.
i like how this web site works you all help the community if ppl need help you ar rite thar on it and thats grate
i visit the web site to much 
Hey it’s me again I have one comment with the level of tutorials u have why does blender cookie not advertise more? I found this by chance on a David ward tutorial, when he mentioned very briefly that he models for blender cookie, in one of his tutorials. If they advertised more on you tube, most likely they would get thousands of people to sign up, because I know several modellers that never heard of the site. It’s ashame because this site is a goldmine! Food for thought!
I know it’s a bit late, Jonathan. But did you manage to drop kick those statues?
No I didn’t…! They were pesky and kept dodging
-Jonathan
Hey Jonathan,
I am not really new to Blender, but I am finally getting serious with it. When I first got it, I did not understand it much, but now I am very interested and wish to get further in it. I own Blender 2.5, and would like help with good learning materials. I am a frequent visitor to this site, and I am fascinated with your tutorials. I have been using them often, and I am currently working on the Modeling The Human Head series. I own Blender For Dummies Version 2 By Jason van Gumster, and it is excellent. Can you please tell me some of the best (Preferably free, including not Citizen required) websites, videos(Including ones on Cgcookie.com as well as others), books, model repositories, and such that can help me? Thanks
-Dexter
“There might have been a few seconds when I was 12 that I thought about going into construction or engineering.” Holy crap! I was twelve when i turned from engineering to 3d modeling! (as far as hobbies go) Coincident I guess!
Generally I do not learn post on blogs, but I wish to say that this write-up very forced me to try and do so! Your writing style has been surprised me. Thanks, quite great post.
I love your Tutorials! I search the Net just to find stuff you’ve done to see if it applys to Blender. And if it doesn’t I most likely watch it anyways!
I think you do the best step by step guilds and your awesomeness at modeling stuff!
I’m 40 and just starting in Blender 2.61 and it’s not real hard, but they changed some things around in it from 2.5 which seems to be a favorite with people. So slowly I’m getting there!
Going to watch some more of your stuff tonight, thinking hard about buying your DVD set, it’s a great value and you can NEVER have too many Resources.
Thanks for the videos!
Thank you So very much, for everything you great people do. This is the best community ever. Keep up the great work.
Thank you so much for the great support! These are the comments that keep us going
Hey there! Wonderful stuff, please inform us when you publish again something similar!