1 When did you start to make art?
When I was a little nipper I was always drawing animals… crocodiles were popular subjects…
2 How did you evolve into a professional artist?
By selling some paintings.
It was a complete series of ‘DEUS EX MACHINA’ events (GODS MACHINE) I was living in California and I came back to London to sign some prints for ‘Pictures on Walls’ and on my return to the USA I got refused entry… so I came back to the UK and worked my ass off and did lots of work, did a show and sold half of it.
3 What drove you to make art as a professional vocation?
Because I realised I had been trying to avoid being an artist all my life.. I always thought it was a bit self indulgent.
4 Explain your inspiration?
Trying to put a bit more darkness into the world and trying to make people laugh and think about it all…
5 In what way does your inspiration transform into ideas?
I think about things and then I try and make them and then get it wrong, but sometimes what I have done ends up pretty cool.
6 From Ideas to production of art – how? And why?
That’s a boring question my mission is just to PAINT.
7 Could your ideas be portrayed in any other medium? If so which?
I could go to the moon and write in the dust with a big digger so that it could be seen from earth.. that would be nice..
8 Which artists would you most like to blatantly rip off?
I have ripped them all off already… Picasso, The Beatles.. I have no shame about it whatsoever ,, it’s there to be plundered.
9 Why is your art made?
Because I am happy when I am doing it and the voices in my head ease off a bit when it’s happening.
10 What does being an artists mean to you?
It means being able to hold my head high because I am part of a tradition of people doing art that stretches back to the cavemen, scratching their arses and writing their names on walls with poo.
11 Are you happy with your reasons for making art? i.e Are there any trade offs that make life hard?
It’s a bit annoying having to go to the bank so much and pay in cheques… the trip to the Bank is SO FAR.
12 When does your art become successful?
When it makes people think. Or it makes people happy. Or it makes people worried.
13 What is art?
Whatever you can get away with.
14 How do you start the process of making work?
It has already begun.. I am thinking about what my art is going to look like in 6 months and I am trying to keep up with it and maybe exceed my expectations.
15 Who prices your work? And how is the price decided upon?
I price them based on the ‘WOW” factor.
16 What is your next; move,project,show etc?
I am working on a big solo show in September 3 on my birthday. I’m working on a series of really boring looking HUGE landscape paintings of North California Skateparks which are going to be great, and I’m transforming the gallery basement and trying to get the Arts Council to help me, I’m setting up loads of new shows with amazing artists in the gallery over the next few years , trying to hook up with a beautiful lady, and also just enjoying life. I’m also planning on working on some pop videos with a friend of mine and making films, travelling round the world, learning some new killer martial art moves. Normal stuff y’know..
17 What are the pros and cons of the art market?
It’s controlled by people who don’t care about artists… that is a big Con. The Pro is they think they control the art market and that is an illusion we have created to keep them subjugated.
18 Which pieces would you like to be remembered for?
I was a sperm donor for 2 years in California about 6 years ago, I would like to be remembered for getting some really good DNA into the gene pool.
19 Any routine in making your artwork? If so what?
Come to the gallery, fuck around , make mistakes and then look at all the mistakes and pick the best one..
20 What has been the biggest break in your career?
Pictures on Walls deciding to put out my first print… after that things went to a whole new level.
21 Who has been the biggest influence on you?
My Dad introducing me to Modern Art.
22 How many artworks have you given away and to whom?
I have given away loads to charities for homeless people, street kids in Sao Paulo, people with AIDS, Climate Change, Ken Livingston, Prostate Cancer, Kids with Cancer, the list is endless and it is a pleasure to be able to help out with something as fun as making art. and When I paint on the street that is giving it away… sometimes it’s gone in seconds… sometimes it’s up for a while and people get a kick out of it.
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