Hi Tinhead, what have you been up to in these grey autumn months?

I have been making films a lot, because I’ve been getting a bit bored with drawing and wanted to try something new, I’ve done a little photography too. I’m planning on doing some printing too before I get back to nitty gritty drawing. With the filming as well I can delve into my love for 80’s cinema. I’ve also been working as a stonemason. Although I believe I may have been sacked. I’m also planning some sculptures I want to make to photograph.

This sounds like I’ve been busy but I haven’t done that much as I’m quite lazy and tend to sit around drinking and smoking!

How did you get into illustration, has it always been important?

Hmm it’s a love hate thing, I tried to do fine art but was misguided by my foundation art course and I failed to get into any schools, so in rage I worked for a year as a bin man and drew a bit, for people. I did some modelling, then my mum was like please son go, try for university again, so I re-applied for illustration, and I have been doing it ever since, although I am constantly frustrated by it.

A favorite project to date?

This is hard. I like collaborations because if the person you are working with is fun, then its great plus you can learn a lot. My last two projects were fun because I made films. I enjoy doing new things. In terms of success I would say some of the foals artworks for singles/albums have been rad.

What are your favorite materials?

Pens! And pencils! I am a stationary enthusiast. I am a computer phobe but am beginning to come round. I like the old school way of making imagery mainly.

What would the commercial art world be like in your ideal world?

It would be like contemporary illustration, not tacky and obvious like some is now. I often sit there in class and think god that person’s work is disgusting and is definitely not aesthetically pleasing and their work is such an obvious solution to the brief, which has been presented to them. But I know some suit is going to think its ace and commission them someday which keeps shit art going. I think this is also because if you are motivated but have bad taste and no talent, then just because you are motivated then you are more likely to succeed than an unmotivated artist with raw natural talent. Even if they are gold touchers and totally awesome dude!

I also hate pretentious people, but I think we can never be rid of these guys!

Any artists you would have hanging on your wall?

Yokoland, Jim Stoten and people from my class are awesome and I respect them. They greatly influence me more than any peers or ‘famous illustrator’.

What’s next for you?

Freelance Illustration and possibly setting up a design studio as an experiment to see if I can make it work id like another illustrator and a graphic designer to get some of my friends who are good but unmotivated commercially to get their work out there. And also this will help push the ‘shit’ out of the industry.

Thanks!

Interview Crista Leonard