1 When did you start to make art?
I started painting like everybody as child but as far as making “art” I would say that it has only been in the last year that I feel I’ve been making a worthy contribution.
2 What drove you to make art as a professional vocation?I would be painting regardless of whether it could support me financially, but it is the obvious step to take if you wish to provide yourself with the time and space to significantly develop your practice.
4 Explain your inspiration?
The world and paying attention to it and the little overlooked oddities that are lurking.
5 In what way does your inspiration transform into ideas?
I guess in quite a literal sense.
I tend to stumble across something often in the bathroom or looking at the floor when I’m walking in the street and then I try to figure out a way that can communicate my fascination with the viewer as a shared experience.
This involves little tricks being employed as I have to compete against the high visual barrage of advertisements and the sensory overload that comes with everyday life in a consumerist state.
6 From Ideas to production of art – how? And why?
I take a lot of photographs and then I make detailed paintings from them.
A basic and often infuriating question which you are often asked if you paint in anyway realistically is “why don’t you just show the photograph”.
The answer is that the materiality of paint is almost magical and so can infuse an image with a life that goes far beyond the capabilities of any camera.
I paint them because I have to, otherwise I become incredibly frustrated and destructive.
7 Could your ideas be portrayed in any other medium? If so which?
Possibly in a Sculptural form but they would have to be almost unnoticeable
8 Which artists would you most like to blatantly rip off?
Rothko, Alain Miller, Basquiett (though I may just be being influenced by how rock and roll his life was and wish to rip that off) it would be nice to paint like Caravaggio but not many really, I think I would always rather make my own otherwise it would be like lying to myself and I would feel like a lying shit.
9 Why is your art made?
Because I have to but also I feel it needs to be seen and the point it makes needs to be thought about.
10 What does being an artist mean to you?
Having the freedom to think, question and mull over the absurdity that is life.
11 Are you happy with your reasons for making art? i.e Are there any trade offs that make life hard?
Call me a Martyr but I like the struggle that comes with choosing this path.
Like how a body builder pushes his muscles until they tear and inflame when they heal they become that much larger and stronger I think hardship and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone can help you in a similar way to grow.
When you paint you deal with self doubt and failure on a daily basis but I don’t want to see work that’s been made without trauma I want to see it emerge from a struggle.
12 When does your art become successful?
It is very difficult to ever view your work objectively it can take months before you can determine it a success or not, often the best way to push your practice is from the analysis of failed work as it is plain to see the flaws and a successful piece is often very secretive, enthused with something unplaceable.
13 What is art?
That’s like saying what is Life, it cannot be simply described under an umbrella bracket it is multifaceted and incredibly complex.
My work is about trying not to look at life in terms of categories but instead purely experiencing it, so I don’t want to really categorise what ART is either.
14 How do you start the process of making work?
By being observant until the physical world offers up an idea.
15 Who prices your work? And how is the price decided upon?
I price it by working out the amount of time I have spent in its creation
Finding wet bird shit to paint takes many hours wandering the street intensely scouring the floor looking like a crack head so obviously these paintings are priced accordingly
16 What is your next; move,project,show etc?
The Sunday painter’s Gallery and Studio complex soon to be opening on Blenheim Grove, Peckham will consume alot of my time but will definitely be worth it, watch this space.
I’ve got a couple of possible show on the cards but nothing I’m yet at liberty to talk about
17 What are the pros and cons of the art market?
They’re all cons, watch your wallet
18 Which pieces would you like to be remembered for?
That’s a bit Grim, its like your suggesting I’m either going to die soon or that I’ll make shit work from here on in.
All my paintings are my babies and have to go through a vetting process before being shown as a representation of me so at the moment any of them.
19 Any routine in making your artwork? If so what?
Waking up to a mug of tea, milk two sugars (factory settings) and God Speed You Black Emperor playing to create an epic mood to paint in.
20 Who has been the biggest influence on you?
Fellow artist and great friend Tom McParland the secret Genius
21 How many artworks have you given away and to whom?
I have a tendency of giving work away to girls, maybe I want them to think I’m deep.
