Hi Martin, how are you?
I'm
very well
thanks.
Can you tell us a bit more about you, where you're from, what you like?
.jpg)
Originally from
Bedfordshire before moving down south to West Sussex. Graduating from
a 'Graphic Design & Illustration' couse, I found becoming a
illustrator a little hard so I naturally fell into Graphic Design. I
have now been a graphic designer for the last 6 years working with
clients that include Rod Stewart, Prince, Weight Watchers and Raymond
Blanc. My love has always been illustration though and it's only now I
have started to creep back into the messy world of collage. I have a
huge interest and admiration for everything that involves being
creative, from photography, fashion, music to cooking. I enjoy drinking
wine and working into the early hours (weird I know). I
also love Polaroid cameras.
What inspired you to be an illustrator?
I
remember when I was young I used to enjoy drawing whenever I could. My
dad is good with a pencil, my nan is very arty herself, these things so
early on in my life gave me a '1 track mind' that I wanted to be
some kind of artist. It was during college I was inspired to go down more of the illustration route.
Would you share with us your creative process?
In
the uni days, it used to be collecting as many textures, marks and
interesting imagery as I could, which I would then start to collage
together by hand adding pen, pencil, paint & tape as I went. I
started to have trouble getting the original piece on digital format due
to not having enough money to buy a great scanner or camera. I used to
also be very 'anti-computer' when illustrating, thinking it would
compromise the textures I was working with. But since I've started
illustrating again, I've recently got myself a brilliant scanner. So my
methods
are similar,
but I only make a hand
based composition of the illustration now, I then scan all the
pieces separately & start to layer them together, tweaking colours
etc until I'm happy with the final piece.
Do you have a favourite illustration you have created?
I
like to think my favourite illustration is the last one I have
achieved. So I guess the last couple of illustrations I have produced
for Don't Panic's poster competitions.
How long have you been an
illustrator?
I've
been illustrating on and off since uni which was around 6/7 years ago
now. But I've been pushing it it properly now since last September. It's
early days, but I've enjoyed everything I've managed to do so far and I
intend to keep pushing it further.
Can you describe what you do in three sweet words?
A "Controlled textured mess"
What/ who inspires
you?
Old photography. Postcards. Random textures. Random marks and symbols. Typography. Family. Friends. Music. Wine.
What inspires
you to have an online presence & encourages you to tweet/blog art?
Social
networks like Twitter are brilliant for a community of artists of all
kinds to see what each other are working on, their thinking, their
inspirations. Working as a graphic designer full time, having an online
presence for my illustration is very important. It's a great way to
share to those who want to see it. People follow you because they like
what your doing and continue to follow to see more of what you have to
offer. I'm happy to say I love Twitter, it's put me in touch with so
many great artists.
Who are your favourite/ most inspirational illustrators/designers/bloggers?
There
have been 2 distinctive inspirations in my illustration. Both were
tutors of mine at University, Michelle Thompson and Paul Burgess. Both
are collage illustrators and both are extremely good at it
(look them both up!). I have managed to keep in contact with Michelle
over the years and she has given me great advice and guidance. Something
I am deeply grateful for. Other
illustrators/designers... There are far too many to list but maybe a
selection of 10 off the top of my head: Mr Bingo, Able Parris, Tez
Humphreys, Martin O'Neil, Stefi Orazi, Mcbess, Peter Crawley, Matt
Blease, David Sparshott and Si Scott.
Which ways do you best promote your work?
Any
new piece of work I do, I'll use the usual social networking sites,
Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr. I have my website which includes my graphic
design folio as well as my illustration work. I also try to enter as
many competitions and exhibitions that I can. Recently I was picked to
show my work at 2 exhibitions in Brighton. Both were run by Collate
Presents. A huge thanks goes to the organisers of Collate, Carly &
Gem. What they try to achieve in their exhibitions is something any new
artist should take note off.
Do you have any favourite blogs/ websites?
Sites
I would normally visit on a daily basis are: Creative Review, It's Nice
That, Magma Books, We Occupy and September Industry.
.jpg)
Have you got
a picture of your workspace? (Drawings accepted!)
This is honestly what I have to put up with. (Taken in the moment with one of my Polaroid cameras)
How does your workspace help you to be creative?
As long as I have music, I can be
creative.
Are you involved in/ working on anything lovely right now? Do tell!
The
most recent thing I have produced is for a Don't Panic poster
competition. I managed to win last months, which I was very chuffed
about. Apart from continuous illustration for portfolio and for
limited edition prints, I am putting together a project which I think
would look great as a exhibition. But I also think it may take up to a
year to complete.
What's on your most awesome playlist?
This list is bigger than the inspiration list above. How about another random 10: Pearl Jam, Radiohead, Beck, Josh Ritter, Reef, Canned Heat, Bloc Party, Metric, Led Zeppelin, David Bowie.
If I wanted to contact you about a collaboration/buying artwork/to say hello etc, what's the best way for me to do that?
Via details on my website - pt32.com or find me on Twitter - @pt32design / @Martin_Parris
What are the loveliest mags you read?
Grafik, Creative Review, Computer Arts
Do you have any nice plans for the future? (Picnics, pictures, exhibitions, afternoon teas, blogger events?)
Work
wise, I will be pushing my design and illustration further. Like I
mentioned earlier I'm hoping to continue to add more limited edition
prints as well as
sending work to agencies. I would also love to exhibit my work at some
point. Personally, my fiancée and I have a wedding to organise *Gulp*.
FAVOURITES ♥
Book - 1984 by George Orwell
Colour - Grey
Shop - Magma Books
Drink - Coke
Cake - Chocolate
Gateau
Tea - I don't drink Tea (Not very British I know)
Attire - Casual with Converse
Month - December
Activity - A good restaurant with good company.
Film - Into The Wild. A film I never tire of.
Actor/Actress - Bill Murray
Tattoo - None
Band/singer - Pearl Jam
A massive thank you to Martin for this wonderful feature! Congratulations on winning the Don't Panic poster competition!
