We had a chat with one of Nottingham's renowned artists about everything from Paul Smith to his infamous website
How did you get started with illustration?
My drawing probably started when I was about two years old, taking the piss out of my brother. I'd refer to bim as a "boc", as the back of his head used to stick out rather far, and I used to draw pictures of this huge protrusion sticking out behind his ears. I weigh 50 pounds. He is the "boc" monster on the arthole site. I also used to get obsessive about war films, drawing pictures of the British fighting the Germans, like most kids at the time. Now it's a form of piss take of my friends or brother.
When you began at college, what did you hope to achieve?
After college you worked from one of Nottingham's artist studios. Was it a good halfway house between education and professional life?
It was a bit like that. There were some really interesting people of varying ages and and disciplines and it was great to actually get a space. I came out on university after six years of working with a studio space and it was a challenge to move back with my parents. Working our a bedroom for a few years was difficult and I didn't get the studio until about 1999. It was a major shift when I did get it.
The website is massive at the moment and an entirely non-profit labour of love for you. How is it going to develop in the future?
It's totally changing! I've been looking into online selling with various banks and Pay-Pal. Paul Smith will be putting the website URL on all the packaging, so it's conceivable that in six months time some Japanese kid will want stuff off the website. I need to sit down and think about which illustrations I want to use and plan maybe ten T-shirt designs and some prints on heavyweight paper.
There are a few memorable themes running through the website and the Mary cartoons are particularly dark. Can you tell us a bit about her?
She's crap basically. It's almost like I created a really crap person by mistake. I didn't go out and intend to produce a really crap person, it came about by accident. I think my favourite one is where Maru meets herself, or receives a "box of cocks", (laughs). I actually had the joy of creating her and then some months later also had the privilege of meeting a woman who wasn't too far off her. I think she was stalking me. I bumped into her on Ebers Road recently, and she was staring into this big window. Anyway. I'm not going to name drop. She was that bad. Long gone.
Do you have any advice for illustrators starting out?
A website is invaluable, although I've been in touch with various people who really appreciate getting work they can handle and lay out. Some people can't stand websites and enjoy getting something in the post.
Do you have a favourite hangout in the city?
I'd say my mum's, because she's got an exceptional drinks cabinet.
Any message for LeftLion readers?
Don't carry a gun!
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