q)Please introduce yourself.
a)My name is Joe Wilson, and im an illustrator.
q) Where do you live and work?
a)I live in the middle of England and work from my home at the moment.
q) How would you describe your work to someone who has never seen it?
a)Its Disgustingly groovy.
q) How did you start in the arts? How/when did you realize you were an artist?
a)I have always been a drawer, for as long as i can remember. I got serious about doing nothing but art when i was about 13 or 14.but i didn't think i could make a living out of it until i was about 18.
q) What are your favorite art materials and why?
a)I find that i am totally comfortable with pencils, pens and paper. nothing else can compare, i need the discipline.
q) What/who influences you most?
a)In terms of artists i love Aaron Horkey, Tyler Stout and Jorn Kaspuhl. Also got to big up Alex Trochut, Oscar Wilson and Harry Malt at Debut Art.
q) Describe a typical day of art making for you.
a)Get up, drink some tea or coffee, check my emails,blogs etc. Get down to some actual work and pretty much remain in a state of hypnotic drawing for the day. I'll stop at about 7 if i have the choice. If i have nothing else to do i might carry on into the night but it depends how much work i have on.
q) Do you have goals, specific things you want to achieve with your art or in your career as an artist?
a)Theres a few things that i would consider milestones on a personal career note, but as long as i can live im happy.
I would love to design some skateboards as i was a big skateboarder when i was younger so that would be huge for me.
q) What contemporary artists or developments in art interest you?
a)Well, like ive said before im really into Aaron Horkey and Tyler Stout and that whole american rock/film poster scene is really pushing out some great work. They have huge dedication and productivity that i would love to recreate here in England. Also, British illustration is really awesome at the moment and events like Printclubs 'Blisters' shows, are really helping to push awareness of that.
q) How long does it typically take you to finish a piece?
a)This depends on whether its a piece for a client or a piece for myself. I tend to do nothing but commercial work these days and its hard to find the time for personal stuff.
I usually spend about 4 days on a commercial piece if they give me that, and a personal piece can take up to 2 weeks on and off. I do like labouring over details but i like to get sections done in one stint so i dont lose interest.
so i'll often pencil in one day, pen the next one or two days, and colour in a day. This seems to work nicely for me.
q) Do you enjoy selling your pieces, or are you emotionally attached to them?
a)I love selling my pieces although they are very often screenprinted editions that i sell, therefore the original remains mine.
I guess i am attached to the original drawings as so much energy, mental and physical, has been required. i like the idea of having a lifetime of catalogued drawings when im old, but i'll sell for the right price. Im only human.
q) Is music important to you? If so, what are some things you're listening to now?
a)Music is important to me, and also my work routine. I love to listen to loud music when i draw so i zone in on what im doing. create a sort of bubble to work within.
At the moment im listening to a lot of Shuggie Otis, The band, some Neil young and early Black Sabbath.
q) Books?
a)I dont read many novels, i read watchmen a while ago but i tend to dip into books about nature and science.
q) What theories or beliefs do you have regarding creativity or the creative process?
a)errr, i guess i believe in the idea that creativity breeds creativity. Ive also found that if i draw nothing, then i will have no inspiration.
sometimes the only way to formulate ideas is to put pen to paper.
q) What do you do (or what do you enjoy doing) when you're not creating?
a)I enjoy films, and going to the pub. Im partial to the odd ten pin bowl and i play keyboards and organs in a band. but thats creating.
q) Do you have any projects or shows coming up that you are particularly excited about?
a)Ive been doing some regular drawings for GQ magazine so i enjoy the discipline of having to create new images, quickly and on a variety of subjects.
q) Do you follow contemporary art scenes? If so, how? What websites, magazines, galleries do you prefer?
a)I follow the american poster scene, i love some of the artists doing that kind of work. I just keep my eyes on gigposters.com and http://omgposters.com/.
I keep my eyes on the creative review blog and a few others. but i like to follow individual artists blogs and sites to see what other illustrators are up to.
q) Ask yourself a question you'd like to answer, and answer it.
a)I always ask people what there guilty pleasures are so if i ask myself i would have to say, girls magazines and poor BBC3 surgery/brat camp type TV.
q) Any advice for aspiring artists?
a)Keep your pencils sharp and your brain sharper.
q) Where can we see more of your work online?
a)you can see more of my stuff at:
site: www.joe-wilson.com
blog: www.jonieslow.blogspot.com
agent: www.debutart.com
