Illustration.org

- How did you first get started in art? What was it that caught your interest initially?

As far as I remember it was trhu my mother’s ad agency when I was in my teens. I liked the buzz in their agency but didn’t like the type of jobs they had on at that time. Nonetheless, I started to craft little mishaps on those ancient computers with very basic software. I remember it being very intriguing and tempting. Back then, when I was in a band with my mates, we were doing all sorts of artwork for our demos, gig posters … then I stopped for a while to re-think what I wanted to really do and naturally picked up my passion for illustration where I left it off.

 

- Which artists did you first look at for inspiration? Which artists do you look at now?

I love colours and shapes, emotions and feeling that any piece of work puts across. There’s stacks of incredible artists

out there who amaze me on so many different levels, each in different way. As we work in the digital era

not only it’s the idea behind the work that counts, but also the approach and finesse that keeps me intrigued, wanting to know more

about the way of their thought. Personally I don’t have any favourites as such, there’s a handful of websites that I check now and then but mainly try to go thru blogs and portals to see what’s fresh out there.

- What goals did you first set for your artwork? What are your goals now?

Foremostly it’s my satisfaction as well as the client’s. I consider myself most of the times as a commercial artist, I do this

for the living and live of commissions which happen to be of business/commercial nature. To have a happy client but a piece of crap work isn’t my style. I love what I do and I keep longing to make the next piece of my work to be, again, the top of my portfolio regardless of the commission size. It’s great to share my work with people, it’s great it can be seen in many places by one or hundreds at any time.

So back then when I was setting my foot in the world of illustration, I wanted to wow people with my work and keep being good at it.

The plan is still the same, topped up with a hefty amount of happiness while I working.

- Do you have other interests that take up time away from your art?

Let’s not make this sounds like a cliche but I do live and breath my work 24/7. As my schedule as busy

being humanly possible, it’s almost unavoidable to not think ‘work’ all the time. I tend to have quite a few projects on the go

at one time, it’s difficult to rest the mind with non creative thoughts.

- How important do you consider art to your daily life?

Considering the many forms art have, it’s around us everywhere in those amazing forms. I guess life would be so

dull without all the niceness that surrounds us. Indeed, there’s some bad stuff too, but we should know how to avoid it or even

learn from it’s mistakes.

 

- What is art to you?

Art to me is anything that inspires the person on the other end. If it evokes any kind of emotions, then it works well

- How do you view yourself?

In a mirror, usually face on.

 

- What kind of people do you surround yourself with?

People who inspire, admire, create, innovate .. they are my bag.

- Who are some of the friends you have made through your work?

There’s too many to mention just a few. It’s incredible to see some great artists

complimenting you on your work when their stuff is out of this world. Those are the moments of pure joy when

everything comes together. Also, being a part of a design collective helped to get in touch with the likeminded people. Then there’s the fans of my work who never hesitate to email to say they’ve seen some of my creations they liked.

- What do you do on a daily basis that fulfills your emotional, spiritual and physical needs?

my girlfriend, the kid, 8 hours of sleep, good breakfast, great and loud music, good weather, my mates … anything to make me feel good really.

- What do you think your style says about you?

It must say I never hold in stand still. I’ve got my signature style, where I feel at home,

and I am working to evolve it everyday, little by little.

 

- How would you describe your current career?

Happiness, by and by. I hope my work projects the joy that I put into it. My career is at the point where I don’t have to worry about

too many things and it enables me to actually enjoy the time I spend working.

- Describe your ideal client and ideal working relationship

75% of my clientele is all over the world, but the clients that I’ve met in person became my friends

that I socialise with too. if the client pushes you to better results, pushes you to think in new ways which

benefits the work, that is ideal. Heatlhy amount of interaction and negotiation is always great, but if the clients annoys the living hell out of you with stupidness pouring out of them, then it’s time to think again.

- What do you enjoy most about your career?

I love being out there on my own, fighting my mark. Now I’ve been full time freelance for a while, it’s the freedom

of allocating time when I work. Although I tend to be working all the time, taking a break is just so easy and rewarding. As much as finishing a piece at 2am with a smile on my face.

- What would you like to contribute to your field?

Innovations of the thoughts and their application. In 5 – 10 years, if my work still keeps inspiring the endless hundreds

of people out there, then I’m sure I’m pushing in the right direction.

- How do you enjoy your spare time?

Any freetime is spent with my fiancee, our daughter, discovering new great music, live gigs, podcasts, discovering new up and coming stand up comedians, sitting on a cold English beach, hanging out with mates … it’s all about simple joys of life.