What a wondrous thing it is to behold such creativity and imagination as that found in the work of Emmanuel Konstantine R. Rupisan (yuri_d_kyulus)! Utilizing Mextures, skillful blending, and insanely impressive inventiveness, Emmanuel's images (such as the image featured above using a photo from @nevandoyledesign) are both surreal and inviting. We've watched his talents grow and evolve over time and wanted to give everyone else a chance to as well! Enjoy!

Hi guys! I’m Emmanuel Konstantine R. Rupisan (that’s a bit long), but my family and friends call me Maiko. I’m 21 years old and a resident of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, Philippines. I am currently working as a government service provider and have been for months now. It may sound weird but sometimes I’m an introverted type of person and sometimes I’m the complete opposite. What do I love to do? One thing I love to do is to make people happy. It's the most simple and most important thing in the world for me. Also, I discovered creating digital art almost two years ago and I found it very fun and helpful in expressing my artistic side.

WHAT WAS IT THAT FIRST ATTRACTED YOU TO CREATING DIGITAL ART?

It all started on Instagram. I would post random stuff when I started using the social platform until I bumped into a particular image on the “Discovery Section” of the app. I was inspired thanks to a popular type of edit, Double Exposure (DE). It was a big challenge on my part trying to determine how I would incorporate that kind of style but I was inspired by just looking at Russel Villena's (@rahrarussel) and Vince Canlapan’s (@vincecanlapan) Instagram feeds. Although we’re all from the same place here in the Philippines, I was too intimidated to ask them the secret behind Double Exposures back then. Honestly, they've never heard this “im-stalking-on-your-feed” story.

I tried creating one using Eraser App, then I patiently erased all the parts of the layered image on the brighter part of the background but I ended up deleting the whole project. Good thing my eagerness of to learn how to create that type of edit didn’t move too quickly. It’s kind of funny because all you need is a blending app and a bit of taps on your iPhone to execute DE using just your phone. In addition, I watched many video tutorials when I started pushing myself to learn how to use Photoshop. Thank you Internet! The Double Exposure style will always be my thing as it is my first love in the editing game.

WHAT GOT YOU IN TO SHARING YOUR WORK ON INSTAGRAM?

Really out of curiosity and influential work by other artists on Instagram, specifically, in graphic art style of work. I decided to give it a try and started consistently producing graphic style works and sharing them. It was tough at first because a lot of my followers weren’t fond of seeing posts like those (maybe they dig “foodstagram” posts and selfies before). In addition, I used hashtags on Instagram for a chance to join a family/hub/group and even be featured. Of course, I got more interested in producing work and enhancing more of my skills when I got my first feature on a hub. In that way, I could expand my network and learn from others.

WHEN YOU APPROACH A PIECE AND BEGIN TO CREATE, WHAT DOES YOUR TYPICAL EDITING APPROACH LOOK LIKE?

It's hard for me to create new styles in the editing game and that's why I must be creative in offering a unique flavor in the type of edits I do. Also, I don't usually create a piece on a daily basis. That's why the most effective way for me to produce a work is to get inspiration from the art works I see around the community. Usually, I use free images that the community offers, then I play with those using mobile apps or even Photoshop (if I have time). When I'm happy with the result, I'll play with the edited work in Mextures for final touches. Even if an image is edited with Mextures only, that's perfectly fine for me.

WOULD YOU SHARE A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HOW YOU TYPICALLY USE MEXTURES IN YOUR EDITS?

I go for Grit and Grain or Landscape Enhance overlays as they are my personal favorite when I start to edit a particular image on the app. I don't usually use a lot of textures as they may seem over-edited for me (sometimes). After which, I go to adjustments, specifically to access the preset options first. Then I basically tap every filter until I finally pick the most appropriate filter for it. Well, I'm the type of person that isn't easily satisfied with every art work I create. Even when using Mextures for my "final touches", it still takes me a lengthy amount of time to finish editing in the app. There are different ways to make the image turn out to be eye catching, but for me, whether the layers are minimal or I’ve added a lot of layers, that's still fine as long as I don’t destroy the type of drama I want to show in my edit.

I have no particular approach to creating a formula to use on my edits by the way. I'm inconsistent and I admit that. Have a look at my Instagram account. Ha! And speaking of formulas, I do save some when I feel confident that other users might want to use my formula.

WOULD YOU MIND SHARING A FEW OF THOSE MEXTURES FORMULAS?

I’m not a formula-creator, really. There are only certain times that I have the zest to do it because I am more in to grabbing formulas created by others. But here are five of my formulas that every Mextures users could use.

EXIT - CZKECMW - I created this formula for a @mexturescollective round. It reminds me of lost astronauts underwater. Weird, right? But I just like how the dark tones turned out.

INTO THE WOUNDS - ELZPHHE - Best for “into the woods” kind of photos. Period.

DIANA MOOD - YZNXPMU - A formula using the Diana preset and if you’re in to that preset then it’s a perfect match for landscapes.

DREAMY - KWJKRBW - From light to dark tones. That’s what I dig most of the time. I love using this because I can also play with the formula itself by changing adjustments and textures, etc.

SHORE STORY - XICLMAB - We all need a clean finish sometimes or even every time. I do recommend this for all types of picture and you’ll see why. Also, this is my top choice among these five formulas. Ssshh….

DO YOU FEEL LIKE MEXTURES OFFERS ANYTHING UNIQUE TO YOUR EDITING PROCESS?

I use Mextures on every edit I do. It clearly adds more character to what we want to express and our viewers to feel. The unique thing about this app is that we tend to be more creative and not just with the edit we want to complete. But come to think of it, the app lets you create a formula for others to use, provides interactions between Mextures and other apps and even talented artists, and also allows the continuity of creating and expressing through art. In summation, you can never go wrong with Mextures.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVORITE IMAGE TO CREATE SO FAR?

This was an entry for @mexturescollective last March (2015). Probably my most favorite edit I’ve done. The background image was provided by Nevan Doyle (@nevandoyledesign) and the astronaut is a free Google image. There weren't any plans or concepts I had before making this piece. The only thing that I wanted at that time was to insert the astronaut in any way possible because astronauts were the icing on the top of the cake at that time. The process to finish this piece took me days and I had the feeling that I couldn't even finish the edit until I had created an appropriate formula for it. I felt so happy when people liked it and said positive things about this image. It was also featured in some hubs including @mexturescollective. This gives me a feeling of surviving battles with a lot of hardships in life; that there will always be hope for everyone. It also reminds me of what I have become today, because if it wasn’t for this piece, I would’ve probably almost given up on Instagram and editing as well.

The apps I used were Sparkmode, Unionapp, Aliensky, and Mextures.

WHAT ARE THINGS THAT INSPIRE YOU TO CONTINUE TO CREATE?

First, I love music. I may work with or without it but sometimes a good lyric or even just the song itself helps. Second are the people who do believe in my capabilities every time I create. I may seem weird by the things they see on my Instagram and even Facebook account, but there are still those that appreciate what I create and share. Third, is a good cup of coffee. I may not get any inspiration from it, but I guess it does help me to find the inspiration to create a piece; to get the boost to finish it.

WHO ARE THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE MOST INSPIRED YOU?

One of the greatest parts of creating art is that you somehow have the ability to inspire people by what you create. That’s why I’m very grateful to follow (and even get to know some of them) these amazing peeps. These are a few of the awesome people that have influenced, helped, and have become my inspiration since day one in no particular order:

Marlito Astocia (@astocia), Victoria Siemer (@witchoria), Mike Parisella (@slimesunday), Robert Jahns (@nois7), Nate Hill (@natehill), Aaron Cahill (@nghbrs), Corey Gregg (@c_grizz), Josh Nall (@casualtyofcool), Gabriel Levesque (@oskadesign), Alexy Préfontaine (@aeforia), RSA_Graphics Family (@rsa_graphics), Jeana Marie Florida (@jeempy). And my friends and family, of course. And the many great artists that I’ve bumped in to inside and outside of Instagram but forgot to mention here.

Have fun browsing through more of Emmanuel’s creations right here!