Artist Interviews | Printer of Dreams

All posts filed under “Artist Interviews”

August 28, 2014

Rob Flowers / 32 / London / Illustrator etc

Rob Flowers x Printer of Dreams presents ‘Tales of the Crystal Wood’. For the next two weeks, Rob Flowers will be taking over the Printer of Dreams shop window with his wizard worlds. The window exhibition will be running for two weeks. For the duration there will be three signed Limited Edition Rob Flowers x Printer of Dreams Giclée prints available in our online shop here.

Rob Flowers’ illustrations don’t just evoke the nostalgia of a childhood spent amidst the dayglo of a 1980s saturday morning cartoon marathon, they explode in techni-colour glory. They are the collision of a kaleidoscope of kitsch kids cultural influences. From the fast-food advertising of happy meals, to Garbage Pail kids via your favourite forgotten 70s cartoon.

Drawing on a bold palette of crayon-bright colours and an array of fantastic characters, ‘Tales of the Crystal Wood’ continues Rob’s exploration of folklore and mythology.

His humorous, eye-catching work has won Rob many admirers, working for the likes of The British Museum, Nike, Creative Review, MTV and Anorak Magazine.

Rob’s work may look like a wonderful walk on the wild side, look a little closer and you’ll often find beyond the whimsical imagery far darker elements at play. Get hold of these Limited Edition prints in our online shop or pop by for a gander in the shop window.

What is this?

The three illustrations are from a series called ‘Tales of the Crystal Wood’. They’re titled ‘Wrath of the Conjuror’, ‘Shamen’s Brew’ & ‘A Thief in the Mushroom Kingdom’ (produced in a Printer of Dreams exclusive colourway)

What do you do when you’re procrastinating?

Spend money I don’t have on eBay or visiting http://vintagetoyarchive.tumblr.com/

How/When/Where do you do your work?

I’ve got a studio in Dalston which I spend pretty much every day at. I usually start the day at about 11ish (after I’ve eaten my porridge & listened to Women’s hour) & draw until I’ve had enough, whilst taking regular eBay breaks

How do you earn the rent?

Freelance illustration mostly.

In five years time you would like to be…

In five years time you will be…

Final words of advice…

Belt or braces, never both.

At the moment I am…

Reading… Prison Pit Book 4 by Johnny Ryan, it’s ace.

Listening to… Radio 4, I don’t listen to music.

Watching… Inside No.9 or The 5000 Fingers of Dr.T (again)

Looking at… the awesome work of Tadanori Yokoo & the Stenberg brothers

We can find you at…

hello@robflowers.co.uk

www.robflowers.co.uk

twitter/instagram – @hellorobflowers

August 28, 2014

Sarah Milton / 25 / London / Surface Pattern Designer & Printmaker

Sarah Milton x Printer of Dreams presents ‘Helvetica Folded’. Over the next fortnight, surface pattern designer, Sarah Milton will be taking over the Printer of Dreams window display with her unique take on typography. The window exhibition will run for two weeks, with all three of her signed Limited Edition Sarah Milton x Printer of Dreams Giclée prints available in our online shop here.

Sarah Milton specializes in striking geometric prints that both beguile and confuse viewers, as they attempt discern what is so familiar about the strange shapes they are staring at. Currently based in East London, Sarah Milton’s typographic wallpapers and artist Print’s have won her plaudits around the globe, from York to New York. Her unique style is the result of an almost obsessive fascination with the process of abstracting and distorting typography.

Beginning with only a chosen font, Sarah prints particular characters onto small squares and then methodically begins an unplanned journey of distortion via a series of origami folds, until she has created and carefully composed an entirely alien pattern. The result here is a bold and rhythmic collection that playfully questions the viewer to trace what is legible and what is not?

Here is what she had to say to us …

What is this?
A collection of abstract, typographic prints. These prints are all constructed out of Helvetica and made up of either letterforms, numerals or characters. I use origami folds to distort the type and sequence the new forms back together. It’s a lovely way to work as I never know what the final piece is going to look like, the folds determine almost everything.

What do you do when you’re procrastinating?
Watch Films and TV. I have an unhealthy addiction to TV series, once I’ve started one I have to finish it. The most disappointed I have ever been is when I got to the end of Lost and realised my loyalty was never going to be rewarded.

How/When/Where do you do your work?
I work from my home in Haggerston, London. I’ll either be folding up hundreds of pieces of paper, scanning them in, or playing with the results in Photoshop.

How do you earn the rent?
I’m a freelance book keeper! I have a knack for maths and love organising things so being a book keeper suits me really well. At the moment I keep books for Donna Wilson and Bompas & Parr.

In five years time you would like to be…
Queen of England.

In five years time you will be…
Sarah Milton.

Final words of advice…
Don’t waste your time worrying about whether or not you fit in.

At the moment I am…
Reading… Manifesta: Young Women, Feminism and the Future
Listening to… Kaytranda
Watching… Everything
Looking at… WGSN and booooooom religiously.

We can find you at…
sarah@sarah-milton.com
www.sarah-milton.com
@SarahMilton_

August 28, 2014

Janne Iivonen / 30 / Brighton / Illustrator

Janne Iivonen x Printer of Dreams presents “Jam Session”. Over the next fortnight, Finnish illustrator, Janne Iivonen will be taking over Printer of Dreams window display with his exclusive series, creating his own inimitable vision of an unusual musical jam. The series of four exclusive signed limited edition Giclée prints will be available in the shop and online atwww.theprinterofdreams.com.

Born in Helsinki, but now based in Brighton, Janne’s bold style, intriguing palette and knack for characterisation has quickly won him fans around the world. As backed up by recent work for The Times, Bloomberg Businessweek and The International New York Times. His latest series highlights Janne’s ability to turn his daily observations into a cast of the weird and wonderful characters, bringing an often skewed and light-hearted world to life.

“Jam Session” has been exclusively created for the Printer of Dreams and comprises of four individual prints, each exploring a different musical genre; Ska, Funk, Grunge and Rockabilly. Janne says; “when displayed as a group one can imagine them performing together in a strange musical jam session.”

What is this?

Four prints depicting a bunch of wacky musicians jamming together in vivid colours. Each piece was inspired by the music I was listening to while I was drawing them. I’ve always been interested in the visual side of the music performance and how music, style and attitude are often intertwined.

What do you do when you’re procrastinating?

Wasting hours on end on Pinterest and going for long walks at the beach

How/When/Where do you do your work?

I work from my home studio in Hove. I don’t stick to the usual 9-5 working hours but often find myself working over the weekends too. Yerba mate, peanut butter sarnies and decent music (mostly from BBC Radio 6 or Radio Helsinki) keeps me going.

How do you earn the rent?

I’m a full time freelance illustrator, doing mainly editorial work.

In five years time you would like to be…

Half cyborg drawing machine (no more RSI!)

In five years time you will be…

older and wiser

Final words of advice…

There’s no such thing as natural talent; only hard work: practice often, take criticism and try to enjoy what you do.

At the moment I am…

Reading…

The Catcher in the Rye, The Circle by Dave Eggers and assorted quality magazines.

Listening to…

Jaakko Eino Kalevi and Ebo Taylor

Watching…

Lars von Trier’s The Kingdom (Riget) tv-series and mubi

Looking at…

the pretty pictures on my inspiration wall

We can find you at…

info@janneiivonen.net

http://janneiivonen.net
https://twitter.com/JanneIivonen
http://janneiivonen.tumblr.com/

August 26, 2014

Edward Tuckwell / 25 / Illustration, Poster Art & Design

Eddy’s re-imagining of cult classic’s are a treat. They’re damn cool, if the guys at Mad Men were coming up with the perfect poster for their next Lucky Strike campaign, this guy would be at the top of their wish-list. Like you’re favourite hard-boiled detective novel, his work comes liberally doused with hard drinking men, rouge lips and dead bodies. His bold lines, crisp colours and noir shadows create all the tension of your favourite thriller. This guy is good… so good I have his work hanging in my bedroom. But don’t take our word for it, take a look at his latest project and check out what he’s got to say afterwards…

What is this?

A new series of work specifically designed for silkscreen printing. Recently I’ve been focusing more on the process of designing for print, rather than trying to digitally mimic the results of a screen-printed image. This work has been produced in conjunction with two galleries, one here in the UK, and the other in the US specializing in pop-up exhibitions in some amazing venues.

What do you do when you’re procrastinating?

My latest phase has been searching the web for rare records, just to find things I really want but cant afford.. You tube is far too easy to get lost in too.

How/When/Where do you do your work?

Commercially, using cs6 on the computer. I try to stick to 9-5 weekdays but usually end up working into the evening and beyond, hence me writing these answers out in the early hours of the morning! I work from home, but I can be anywhere that is relatively quiet and has a steady internet connection.

How do you earn the rent?

From freelancing and selling prints online from my shop (insert cheap plug web-link here!). Im thinking of halving the freelance game for some design orientated job tho, I want to learn more about the world of publication design and high end graphics.

In five years time you would like to be…

Still working in the industry full-time, as long as i’m making art or designing i’ll be happy.

In five years time you will be…

I have no idea, thats the most exciting thing.

Final words of advice…

Take advice with a pinch of salt, others experiences may not apply or work for you. Aim for a “Just Do It” mentality.

At the moment I am…

Falling asleep…zzz….zz..z

Reading…

5 is the Perfect Number, by Igort

Listening to…

Amok, by Atoms for Peace / Overgrown, by James Blake

Watching…

Parks and Recreation / Archer / House of Cards

Looking at…

http://www.arcademi.com/ ~ these guys are dope

We can find you at…

www.edwardtuckwell.com

ed@edwardtuckwell.com

August 26, 2014

Rebecca Rose Carey / 26 / London / Set designer & Illustrator, Art Writer.

Rebecca Carey creates some fine looking illustrations and also Burger Seats, my personal fav new re-imagining of the pouffe or humble bean bag.

Yes, thats right, you sit on it.

There she is! And here is what she had to say about food, annoying the boyfriend, hair extensions and also a bit of art speak.

What is this?

United Plates of America is a set of prints designed especially for the Amwell Print Fair. It’s inspired by classic regional US cuisine and retro American graphic design. It’s a kind of precursor to a project I’m planning this year – the American Typefeast, which will be a sequel to my original Japanese Typefeast which sells in various shops around London.

What do you do when you’re procrastinating?

Nail art… and I cook and bake a lot. Sometimes I spend hours in the kitchen when I know I should be doing work! I’m a bit of a foodie as you can probably tell… Surprisingly, I’m not fat.

How/When/Where do you do your work?

Mostly at home, unless I’m assisting or working on a shoot, then it’ll be at someone else’s studio. I’m hoping to find a live-in studio this year. I always listen to music and love working outside in the garden in summer. I work around the clock, my boyfriend sometimes gets annoyed by it! I love my work though so it doesn’t always feel like work.

How do you earn the rent?

Freelancing and doing hair extensions. I have a little side business. Most people can’t get their head around it (no put intended there!) they think it’s bizarre and that I must be some sort of bimbo.

In five years time you would like to be…

Living in a hot country, working as a fully-fledged freelancer or possibly an art director. I really want to work for myself and run my own business.

In five years time you will be…

Hopefully thinking back to this interview and smiling smugly to myself whilst sipping a Pina Colada.

Final words of advice…

Find your passion and master it. Do something that makes you happy day-to-day. Life is too short… And if you work hard money and success will follow naturally.

At the moment I am…

Reading… Donnie Brasco. I love all those mafia films and books.

Listening to… We’ve just got a record player and have bought a few Kerri Chandler records and a lovely Bill Withers LP, everything sounds better on vinyl!

Watching… Re-runs of Friends to help the winter pass by cosily.

Looking at… Flights… Oh and also the current Martin Parr and Tony Ray-Jones exhibition. I recently wrote an article about it for Kolekto magazine.

We can find you at…

rebecca.rose.carey@gmail.com / rebeccacareyportfolio.co.uk

Rebecca’s prints are currently available in our online shop. Snap ‘em up whilst you can.