INTRO…
I look at drawing not only as an art form, but also a way of life. Drawings been part of my life from a very young age, my mother, a practising sign writer and water colour painter, always use to encourage me to draw and be creative, from potatoes stamps to crayons. I remember sitting and watching my mum draw and wishing I could do the same at a similar level. This inspired me. At the age of 13 I discovered graphic novels and comics, this was the beginning. I can recall opening Eminem’s “Slim Shady LP” and staring at the image on the CD depicting a pill, as a living entity with a mouth and eyes, at this point my confidence within drawing was non existent. This image just MADE me want to draw it…so I did and unleashed my love for the arts. From here all I did was draw…I became fascinated with graphic art and comics to the point all I did was draw creatures, characters and anything with a dark touch.
Once my passion had been established, I can remember my mother confronting me with a large tattered book, H.R. Giger’s Necronomicon. This book gave me nightmares for weeks after, but still ii couldn’t put it down, I was lost amongst machinery, creatures only depicted in nightmares and darkness. My first opinion on the artist was that of a negative one, but as I matured and began to read the books instead of staring at the pictures, I realised that there was such depth and soul behind his work; this is what drove me to start producing my own material.
AS and A levels began a new “era” for me. This was the first time academically I was able to express myself freely and fully. Over the two years I was exposed to a wide range of artists, movements and exhibitions. A handful of which stay vivid in my mind; Banksy, Edward Lee, Todd McFarlane and Chris Cunningham. These two years were probably the most productive to date, I developed a method of working and a “style”.
Today in my free time I try to practise as much as possible. I’m mainly interested in illustration and character design at the moment, I also have a burning urge to start practising tattoo, I feel this may be the next step after university.
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