Inky Little Sunbeams

Inspired Soul Interview: Schoph Schophield shares his views on life and his art with ILS

When your work sells out ahead of a show next to Banksy, it's a massive sign of respect. Schoph has stayed true to his roots throughout, fiercely proud of his art, friends and work, he tells us how he's developed a lifestyle doing things that he loves and inspire him on a daily basis all of which reflect a little bit, or a whole lot of who he is...

^{An Idea Isn't Responsible for the People That Believe In It...}

^{The man himself...}

^{Never is Forever}

What is your first memory of art?

I guess my first memory of art/being creative/drawing was as far back as I can remember. I didnt speak till a late age compared to other kids, and a way of communication was drawing - doodles, sketching, crayons whatever I could use for a creative outlet. Maybe I was a lazy kid, or just couldn’t be arsed to talk but at that point art became the most natural thing for me.

How did you learn to paint?

I’ve had no official training as such, to learn how to paint. It’s something that just comes naturally to me.  When you’re young you ‘create’ from an early age as all kids do. Getting into snowboarding made me able to keep that creatitve streak and get more inspired on art. Everything I’ve learnt through art and to where I’m at now has all been a natural progression just as most things are in life.

I don’t know if I could handle being told what to do with art ....I think art and being creative knows no boundaries.  At school I was thrown out of art class for expressing myself and not painting fruit bowls or sketching the shades on an apple ...I just wanted to do my thing; just paint what I wanted and what I was feeling. The art teacher was a nobber anyhow. 

Can you describe your current style...

I don’t really know what it’s called yet; I don’t know a great deal about art styles and so on I just paint and do what I love to do.  You know, throw paint around - get messy, take inspiration from how I see life, I guess I’m always learning.  I don’t want the same style all my life - I want to evolve with my art, some painters say art comes from inside you ....I’m not saying this is wrong but I think if you only work from inside, you'll end up repeating yourself. 

^{Free to Wander}

Have you experimented with a lot of styles? 

I have over the years - that’s the joy of it.  If I was to look at my work, say 12 years back, it’s so so different from the present day.  You get influenced by a lot of people, experiences, memories, day to day life - there’s so many aspects of growing up to who you are today that can effect you. so I wouldn’t say ‘experimented’ more like a natural progression.

^{Alone In My Mind}

What is it about this particular style that speaks to you?

I try to let my style speak to others as well not just myself.  My paintings do not have a centre as such, but depend on the same amount of interest throughout.  Colour in my work is super important.  As is simplicity and being able to pull an emotion from someone...whether it’s 'that’s fucking awesome' y'know get someone stoked on it, or on the other hand .....'Schoph that’s dog shit' .......I’ve done what I wanted which was to make people look at things in a different light and maybe make them think out of their box.

Do you incorporate events and happenings in your own life into your work?

For sure, creating is like self-discovery and I think every good artist paints what he/she is or what is inspiring to them. I think anyone that knows me well enough can look at a piece of my work and know what’s been going on in my life. I think everything influences you.

Let's talk about Dalikfodda - How did it all come about?

Dalikfodda happened about six years ago. I was on a shred trip to New Zealand for Whitelines and capita. Basically when I was doing back to back winters over the past 10 years (I've shredded for many different companies) it got to the point where I wanted to put something back into the industry that I’ve been involved in for so long.  So I decided to make something that’s my own; that I could involve mates and like minded people with the same ideas that they’d want to see in a true UK brand. The Dalikfodda movement was born on the ethos of good mates, rock n roll, good times, partying, boozy adventures, music and most importantly, snowboarding.

^{Sex or Die}

Do you manage this by yourself or do you have a team?

I ran Dalikfodda on my own for a year off my own back, basically trying to make it happen.  The brand spread like wild fire that winter and into the summer.  I'm no business man but I realised I needed help and had to branch out to make it grow so after a morning shred in Les Deux Alps the following summer I sat down with fellow northerner Thrashmore over a Guinness and sealed the deal.  Apart from myself and Thrasher, the cool thing about Dalikfodda is the whole team put their input into it making it theirs as well and I have to say thank you to everyone who supports, shreds or buys Dalikfodda.  You all rock and have made Dalikfodda what it is today.

Has it helped you progress with your art?

I guess not at all, even though myself and Thrashmore work together to come up with a design or I design a tee of my own like last year’s ‘Dead Schoph t’.  I try to distance my art from the company; I’ve constantly got new thoughts and ideas for my art and for Dalikfodda but it’s a total split and the two in my mind are different. I like it that way, distancing the two.   Although running and owning Dalikfodda and being an artist for a living has helped me to understand stuff I generally didn’t know about design and maybe it’s opened up more avenues in the future for my paintings, we'll have to see...

Can we see a sneak peak of next winter's designs?

You’ve got two hopes, Bob Hope and no hope flower haha... But saying that we have got a whole bunch of new garments in the pure Dalikfodda style everyone knows, as well as big moves going on in the Dalifodda HQ.  Myself and Thrashmore are super stoked and looking forward to where the company’s heading. Watch this space...

Your art shows great freedom and confidence to express yourself - is this a reflection on you or the way that you would like to be?

I think that’s what art’s about - to have that freedom to express yourself and I suppose it is a reflection on me in time, as your confidence grows, then so does the painting.  I try to be as spontaneous as I can with my work and let it do its thing. I generally start a piece and keep pushing myself to make it right, but then you find the ritual of destroying the piece is the best way to start over and get the idea you were waiting for.  I find this process helps me a lot with my work as I've had the highs and lows in everyone of my pieces.

When I met you, you came across as someone who sets themselves a goal and then works around the odds to reach it - what has made you this way?

I suppose I’m just doing things my way to get where I need to go rather than seeing a lot of people going along to get along.  I'm just generally passionate about everything I do in life and that’s what drives me.  Within my art, Dalikfodda, snowboarding, music and any other fingers I have in pies.  I think for instance the snowboard industry alone shows this of many people;  A handful of what I'd call good friends, are all passionate for what their doing and some push themselves to the top of their game, which to me, is what it’s about.  If you’re not passionate about something in life why do it.?  You don’t want to get to 80 and tell your grandkids that you wished you’d tried harder.  Why have regrets?

Sharkin

Who are your mentors?

If snowboarding, art or Dalikfodda's given me one thing, that is a close group of life long friends.  Each one of my mates gives something to what I do or my general outlook on life.  I wouldn’t call them mentors by no means! Hell no...just the biggest bunch of dirt bag shit tossed drunks I know!

^Handplant

Where do you get your inspiration for your pieces?

Music is probably the biggest, song lyrics, other artists, life experiences, travel, what’s going on in my life at the time, boozing, beautiful women, friends, simplicity, how I see the world....there’s heaps but I’m tweaking out on turps at the mo so it’s hard to think..

You've burst onto the scene and already been shown next to some world renowned artists - that's a massive compliment. How did it make you feel?

It was an awesome experience for me, I have to say for my first ever show to exhibit alongside Banksy, Shepard Fairey and Blek le Rat, was a true privilege.  I never expected that show to happen with those guys and to sell my work before the show opened was a bonus. It made me sit back and think more about what I was doing and where I was going after snowboarding.  It made being an artist more of a reality that I could sell my work alongside the heavy hitters of the industry.  I think the terminology I’m looking for is ‘proper buzzin!’

In a world where people copy one another how do you stay strong to the roots of what you're about?

It takes a certain type of person to be original.  As much as it’s hard to just do what you want to  do, to get where you wanna be.  I ask: “What would Lemmy do?" That usually works for me.........keep rockin’ in the free world.

^{Brew round at Hippy's}

Who or what organisations and collectives have helped you on the way?

As well as help from Dragon, libtech, Quiksilver and other brands I’m affiliated with, I'm part of two awesome collectives: www.subism.co.uk a group of talented street artists that have opened up avenues for myself in art.  Already with those guys I’ve had a collab show with Redbull in London last December, and a trip out to Madrid in February - thanks Stu and Andy!  The other: www.wearemadeup.co.uk a group of good friends made up of designers, writers, photographers and artists who are all on the same page. It’s hard as an artist to make shows happen, where as wearemadeup brings that platform of art/music/board sports together.  Back in March I had a show with those guys in the Alps and we’ve got bigger and better things planned for next year.  Thanks Owen and John!

Whose art do you really enjoy?

There’s heaps of great artists out there so it’s hard to say.  As artists/snowboarders/surfers/skaters go, I really respect the likes of Mike Parillo, Ben Brough, Jaybo Monk, Blaise Rosenthal, Jamie Lynn, Thomas Campbell, Margret Killgallen, Chris Johansen. I get stoked on what people are about and why they do it;it brings more aspects to the pot.

^{The Meat Market}

^{Night painting...}

^{Dawn of the Age of Reason}

What are your plans for the next upcoming months - what projects are you getting involved with or are pioneering?

Over the summer months a fair bit, moving into a bigger studio, the next two months I’ll be working on my first show in the States alongside the talented Taylor Reeve with Dragon and Quiksilver for the whole of July in Laguna.  There's also a rumour of LA and San Diego.  She'll also be heading over to these shores for a collab show in London at some point.  After that, a collab show in September in Harrogate, working with the madeup guys to produce and exhibit a show over the Quik pro in Hossegor in Oct.  Apart from that, as much time as I can get in my studio, film extras work, spending more time getting on the motorbike, skating with the GSC crew and having a good time, all the time.

Inspired Soul Interview: Kavita Parmar talks to ILS about the incredible IOWEYOU project

IOWEYOU is the brainchild of Kavita Parmar - IOWEYOU artisans create every single piece of clothing completely from scratch - they weave the fabric, design the piece and then create it adding beautiful detailing. Each piece is unique and has its own story. When Kavita got in contact with me saying her company was perfect for ILS, after a bit of research, I knew she was right...

How was IOWEYOU born?

I am a designer and have two clothing brands that my company Maison Raasta designs, produced and distributed over the last 10 years called RAASTA and SUZIE WONG I started The IOU Project as I felt a need to redesign the distribution chain in our industry that in my experience was completely unfair to the artisan and to me as a designer. I realised that the fashion world was not conducive to either mine or the artisan’s interests - the more we sold of the same style the worse it was for the artisan as he had to produce and repeat the same design over and over again in the same short span of time.

Working our way around the artisan’s needs by accepting what they made as unique pieces and using that variety as a basis of our design process, suddenly gave us this incredible freedom to create in a completely new symbiotic way. The idea was to create easy classic pieces with a lot of beautifully made details...

 

So is every single piece of clothing you create totally 100% unique then? 

Yes and we’ve got the pictures to prove it! We’ve gone to painstaking lengths to document the process behind each piece - the looms, the stitching and design with a picture of the artisan by the piece...have a look at these:

 

 

The same goes for the process of converting these fabrics into beautifully crafted pieces of clothing in Europe

 

 

Of course since each piece is unique it has its own QR code that takes you to the entire story of the product, the video/pictures of the artisan who made the fabric in India and the artisans who made the garment in Europe.

And if you feel like it you can take your picture and add it to the story of that piece. All of this can be looked at and shared from our website.

What is the story behind the name IOWEYOU? 

I just thought it was very Apt. ‘I Owe You’ if we can all say that to each other  and ourselves and take responsibility i am sure we can make a difference. The first step is to vocalise that responsibility.

Where do you source your cotton?

The cotton is sourced locally in Tamil Nadu by the co-operative societies our weavers are part of. This is from the well known area of Madras, India in the state of Tamil Nadu where for centuries they have produced on hand looms the famous Madras Check.

Where do you get your daily dose of inspiration for all of this creativity from?

All around me - my family, friends, co-workers, my surroundings and my belief that we can make a difference and take pride in what we do.

^{My beautiful family!}

^{Eames - My hero designer}

^{Inspiring words from Ghandi}

IOWEYOU, to me, brings credit where it’s actually due - to the artisans and not just to the owners of a brand, was this your intention to be perceived like that?

Yes. If I were to sum up the IOU Project i would say that it has been a study in the creation of a prosperity chain; an experiment to re-think how goods are produced and sold in a way that benefits everyone.

We Believe:In empowering the artisan. In celebrating uniqueness. In our right to transparency. We believe in the power of technology to make these happen.

^{The Inspired Soul herself: Kavita Parmar}

If you could sum up your motivation for your work in one sentence what would it be?

That I so believe that I CAN make a difference 

LOVE THY WORK is my motto and I am lucky to be passionate about what I do.

Follow IOU on facebook and twitter (@iouproject) - it's an incredible story...

 

Inspired Soul Interview: Bodil Gilje magazine designer for Bo Bedre and Woman talks to ILS about her passion for design and freelance illustration

 

I met Bo when I was dep.ed at SnowboardUK Magazine and she came in fresh faced from university with a goal to rock the magazine's design which she did hands down. Her illustrations, as you can see here, complemented the editorial perfectly but took the whole concept of the magazine to gaining new levels of respect.

Within six years she has worked on nationally respected titles in the UK and now resides in her home country of Norway working on some of the most prestigious, well known and well-loved titles there. If you ever get to work with her take my advice: give her a brief, a nice view, some vanilla coffee and wait to have your expectations exceeded. Hers is a name to watch and this is her story so far...

What first sparked your interest in design? Have you always been creative?

To be honest, I always liked the sound of being a 'designer,' when I was younger I used to say I'd be a designer (didn't matter what kind) or a drummer when I grew up, that was the dream - Never played drums in my life! 

It was always going to be something creative, even though I can't draw, I love creating things. I started fashion design when I was 16, but being a Mac geek, it didn't take long before I realised I could quite happily spend hours in Photoshop and Illustrator, and next think I knew – I was studying graphic design in the UK. 

What made you want to turn your hobby into your job?

What's better than getting paid to do what you're passionate about? I love what I do, and don't think I could spend all day doing something I didn't care about. I'm lucky to have a job I really enjoy, and I think I'd be a miserable person if I had to sit in a non-creative environment all day, oh lord.

^{All images taken from SnowboardUK Magazine}

A lot of people try to make it big in the design world - what training did you have?

I didn't have much training to be honest. I studied Art and Design, including a year with fashion design, at high school in Norway which boosted my interest in design I guess. And being a bit of a computer-nerd, I loved playing around in Photoshop and Illustrator, and think I learned a lot on my own. I made my own portfolio in two weeks before I applied for BA Graphic Design at the Arts Institute in Bournemouth, and got in. After three amazing years at the AIB, I was lucky enough to get a job straight away, and it's been all fun and games since then. I wouldn't know much about 'making it big' though, I think you have to work in a big design or advertising-agency to 'be somebody. But, if you're passionate about design, I think you'll get far if you just don't give up. If you can't get a new job straight away, then make sure you create things on your own, to keep your portfolio up to date. 

^{Surf project}

^{Wall picture on aluminium}

^{Family time...}

Was it easy to find work?

I was pretty lucky. This guy (Chris) came to our graduation show at uni, where I showed my own concept of a surf magazine and he told my teacher to encourage me to apply for a job at their publishing company. They needed a new designer for the oldest UK snowboard title SnowboardUK, and I got the job! That was such good experience as I ended up working on three magazines in Poole for two years before moving back to Norway. I then worked as an in-house-designer for Adecco Norway for one year, which was actually really challenging and fun and then moved as summer temp for a publisher calledAller Media, before I started my current job as a graphic designer/AD-assistant at Bonnier Media. It's been hard to find work, as there's been a lot of other applicants, but I guess I've been lucky, and had the relevant experience and interests they were looking for. 

How essential is the upkeep of technology in the design process today?

It is absolutely essential. Technology in the creative industry keeps evolving every day, so if you want to stay up to date with design and progress, you should def. keep up. If you've left the design-world for a little while, and come back with no clue as to what's new, you'll have a huge disadvantage – especially if you're job searching. It obviously depends what type of design you work with, but in the magazine industry there is so much competition, so the publishers have to be up to date with the latest technology.

Do you think that this will peak and then return back to the basics or just keep on growing?

I definitely think it will keep growing. Just think about how much has changed in the last 10-15 years and now with the 'iPad-revolution', which has obviously opened up a whole new range of possibilities. But, I also think the handmade/handwriting/scrapbook/grunge-style will stick around, well – forever. It's such a big contrast to computer-made graphics, and you have to be talented and creative to produce something without the use of technology. Anyone can be a 'desk-designer' these days, which is a shame really. 

Who are you working for now? How do they challenge you - is it different to the challenges you've faced before?

At Bonnier Media I design two magazines Woman and Bo Bedre, with an Art Director on each magazine. It's definitely different than what I'm used to, I've never worked with an Art Director before, and never worked for a company where everything is so organised. The benefit of working in a large company is that we don't waste time on things we don't need to do. I used to spend hours on cut-outs and photo-retouching, but barely touch the photos anymore, they have people for that. The new challenge for me now, is to work in a 'design-team', which so far is going well, I'm learning a lot from the other designers... 

 

Do you work closely with your editor to ensure that the specific theme for each issue is carried throughout?

That's really the art directors job, but yes it has to be coherent so that every single story has to follow a theme so it's recognised as the same magazine by the readers. The editors usually have a clear idea as to how the story should look, but sometimes they tell us to come up with something new, and they'll always listen to our ideas if we disagree.

What is your design process - do you sketch out a storyboard first or plunge right in?

With my freelance work, I tend to sketch out ideas to show the client what I'm thinking before I take it too far, but not so much with the magazines. They're usually quite straight forward, and I just play around in InDesign for a while, until I'm happy. Obviously, if we have to create a new layout, or design a big feature with photos we need to art direct, then that means a lot more preparation and planning before you can start, which involves sketching out ideas to show and explain to editors/photographers etc. 

What do you take inspiration from?

I usually look at previous work and other magazines. But on personal and freelance work, I might make a moodboard of images I find online, or in other magazines and books. If I'm stuck on a freelance project at home, I'll either go for a walk, listen to music, or just sit on the balcony with a cup of coffee - I have THE most amazing view of Oslo! Also, talking to my best friends (most of them are designers too), and bouncing ideas off them, usually sorts me out. But best of all - just staring out in the air, with a nice view of course, helps...

^{Bodil's Oslo balcony...}

^{Hengistbury Head}

^{Two minute walk from the office...}

What is the perfect setting for you to create in?

When I was a student, I had to keep my door shut and listen to music. I didn't get any work done if I had someone else in my room. So if I'm working on something private, I like to sit on my own, with my own music on. But – at work, I have to have people around me. I'd get sooo bored and de-motivated if I had to sit in an office on my own all day. The whole team sit together, and we always discuss articles, images etc out loud and bounce ideas around.

What inspires you in life?

My friends and the weather. If it's a nice Sunday, I'll just drive off to the beach somewhere which I love, watch the sea, listen to music, and then go home, make a cup of tea, turn the music up, and get to work. I always get inspired to do something after talking to two of my best friends (Christina and Silja), who share the same interests as me, and we always end up discussing something design-related. We used to sit in The Breakfast Club in Angel, London for hours on the weekends dreaming up plans...

What hobbies do you have and do you find that you are more creative after doing them?

My main hobby used to be snowboarding, but has slowly turned into café-lounging on the weekends now. When I lived in Bournemouth, I used to go for a walk, or just sit by the sea at Hengistbury Head (my favourite place in the world) for hours, especially in the winter when it was nearly empty, and that definitely made me feel more creative. I guess my hobby is just being outside, getting fresh air, doesn't matter what I do really.

Do you still have time to create your own projects in your spare time?

Oh yes. I still do a lot of freelance work, which is where I get to be really creative. I need my freelance work to keep me up to date on anything but magazine design. I also make silly things, like birthday cards, wall pictures, t-shirt designs etc, just to be able to create something without a brief. It just has to look nice. That's loads of fun...

^{T-shirt project}

What makes you keep striving to reach the next level with your work?

Seeing what other people do, especially people I know who're developing their own style. I don't want to fall behind. I love reading Computer Arts, and doing their tutorials to learn new things. Feels good to create something I didn't think I could do.

Looking forward to 2011, what's in store for you? What would you like to achieve?

I started my new job six months ago, so I'm definitely planning to stay here for a while - I think I'll learn a lot more from the Art Directors I work with so very excited about 2011! Finally have a permanent job means I can relax for a while and when I'm relaxed I get creative so watch this space!

 

 

^{Knowing that inspiration will hit at Hegistbury Head...}

To get in contact with Bo about projects please email me on the 'About Me' page and I'll put you straight in touch...

 

 

Inspired Soul Interview: Adam from hit website 'The Poster List' shares his life and art with ILS

Making good art accessible to all was Adam from The Poster List's sole goal - and making a living from something he loves of course - find out how he's done it and check out his work...

What's your story - How did you first start?

My story...well...my name is Adam. I'm 39 years old and I design and run a company called The Poster List in Long Beach CA. I was always interested in art. Started playing around with xerox machines and making skateboard zines in 1986/87. Loved the DIY aspect of it and heavily influenced by Bend Zine (Andy Jenkins), Tod Swank's Swank Zine. Loved the no rules approach to it, and the trading of zines with people all over the world. I was living in a small town in Canada and that kept me in contact with the skateboard world. From there I worked at a newspaper in high school doing paste up (pre-digital). Went to school in the early nineties (for graphic design) and dropped out to make CD art and t-shirts for the band I played in and went on tour for the next 4 years. When the band died, I got back into the industry and slowly worked my way up as a art director for a few agencies. Worked for some large companies in the United States. Got burnt out and wanted to do my own thing.

How many designers now work on the illustrations for you?

Basically it's a one man show...

What is your creative process?

Sometimes I work from a rough sketch, sometimes it's a photo, sometimes it's something I see and expand it in a different direction. Ideas can sit and brew for a really long time...others not so long. I'm fascinated by the process and almost more interested in how people respond...it's so subjective.

Describe your studio for us...

No view really but that's going to change, we're getting a new space in 2011. Organized chaos is the best way to describe it.

Who has been your mentor?

I had a amazing creative director at an agency I worked at in the mid 2000's. I worked with art director Daniel Mackinnon (who's also a great friend)...he taught me the ins and outs of art directing photo shoots.

When do you tend to release new poster designs - is it a constant stream or as and when you feel like creating something new?

Since I'm the only designer I get pulled in different directions (shows, accounting, order fulfillment and managing all of that.) We're getting a few employees this year to help with the madness. I'm up super early everyday and generally try to get starting on at least a couple of designs.

Loads of people dream and start up their own websites but find it hard to get people to them - how did you publicise yourself at the start to let people online know that you were there?

I did concert posters for some big and small bands (Metric, Feist, Broken Social Scene among others). That got my name out there in that scene. Done some work with Tom Green (merchandise - t-shirts/posters). With The Poster List we don't really have much of an advertising budget. We've been really lucky with people talking about us. Mostly blogs and pop culture media outlets, magazines and some television.

How did you get your break with a load of people spreading the word?

It always kind of goes in waves. A magazine or a website will do something and melt our servers. It was like that with Perez Hilton and my "K-FED for President" poster....and our Keep Calm and Rock On poster in 2008. That poster went insane and still does amazing for us. We were swamped with orders before Christmas thanks to Yahoo putting our "Keep Calm and Rock On" poster in their Christmas Gift Guide = 14 hour shipping days for two weeks! 

Which areas would you like to move into next?

Larger pieces on wood, mixed media...full on giant paintings. We're going to have t-shirts up on the site real soon too and our iphone cases have gone down a treat.

Who's other work do you enjoy and respect in the industry?

Tons...Definitely love Andy Jenkins stuff, Small Stakes, Shephard Fairey, Natas Kaupas and there are other people I meet at shows who've blown me away with their creations.

Illustrations vs. statement typography - which is the most popular?

Both are equally popular, typography is probably my personal favourite. I loves me some type!

What do you all do in your down time to relax?

Getting out from behind the computer! Surfing, playing music, reading design magazines, movies. Drinking wine and chilling with my wife.

Check out these images of Adam's surroundings - no wonder the good ideas keep flowing when you can escape from the city to the golden beaches of California! Thanks Adam for sharing with ILS keep us informed of new designs!

 

 

 

 www.theposterlist.com

Inspired Soul Interview: Jono Wood talks to ILS about his art, design and his work for the extreme sports world.

Answering interview questions in capitals puts emphasis on every word for his art, passion and work, so I kept it as it was because that's Jono and to be honest, even writing this paragraph in normal text now looks kind of lame. Better get reading his interview then...

When did you first start being creative? Can you pin a moment down in time where you thought 'I truly love this?'

WHEN I WAS GROWING UP IN NURSERY AND PRIMARY SCHOOL I STRUGGLED A LOT WITH READING AND WRITING, CAUSED BY DYSLEXIA. WHEN I LOOK BACK THROUGH MY FIRST YEAR PRIMARY SCHOOL NOTEBOOKS MY FIRST ATTEMPTS TO COPY AND WRITE SINGLE WORDS ARE SO BAD WITH LETTERS BACKWARDS AND OUT OF PLACE BUT IT IS CLEAR TO SEE I PUT ALL MY TIME INTO THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS, HAHAH AND I GUESS I HAVE NEVER STOPPED CREATING SINCE...

What do you find inspires you?
I GUESS A LOT OF MY INSPIRATION COMES FROM EVERYDAY LIFE...PEOPLE, PLACES, ENVIRONMENTS, RELATIONSHIPS, DREAMS ETC I THINK PRETTY MUCH EVERY ASPECT OF LIFE COMES INTO PLAY AS INSPIRATION FOR ME.

Do you take a notebook wherever you go?
I TRY TO, NOT EVERYWHERE OBVIOUSLY BUT WHENEVER POSSIBLE...IT MAY SOUND DULL TO SOME PEOPLE BUT YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN THE NEXT PLANE OR TRAIN WILL BE DELAYED TO GET A FEW MINUTES TO SKETCH SOME IDEAS DOWN OR WHEN THE NEXT IDEA MIGHT COME TO YOU.

A lot of freelance creative people make lists of projects that they'd like to achieve - do you set yourself goals with your work or do you find it grows organically?
YEAH I TOTALLY LIKE TO SET MYSELF GOALS AND TARGETS AND THINK ABOUT WHO I'D LIKE TO WORK WITH AND TRY AND MAKE IT HAPPEN BY SENDING OUT PORTFOLIOS. IT IS FAR TO EASY TO SIT BACK AND THINK THINGS WILL WORK THEMSELVES OUT BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY YOU DONT GET ANYWHERE IN ANY ASPECT OF LIFE UNLESS YOU PUSH YOURSELF TO ACHIEVE THINGS. BUT AS FOR MY WORK FROM A CREATIVE VIEW POINT I THINK MY WORK IS GROWING EVERYDAY IN TERMS OF SKILLS AND TECHNIQUE AND I AM STILL LEARNING EVERYDAY.

Can you describe your perfect working environment - do you need it to be calm and quiet or have an amazing view?
I DONT REALLY HAVE A PERFECT WORKING ENVIRONMENT, SURE ITS GREAT TO WORK AT MY DESK OR OVERLOOKING THE MOUNTAINS WHEN I'M BASED IN FRANCE BUT I CAN WORK FROM ANYWHERE REALLY AS LONG AS MY HEAD IS IN THE RIGHT MINDSET. THAT FOR ME IS CERTAINLY THE HARDEST PART OF MY JOB. YOU HAVE TO BE IN A CREATIVE MOOD PRETTY MUCH ALL OF THE TIME AND SOMETIMES IT JUST DOESN'T HAPPEN, CAN'T HAPPEN AND WON'T HAPPEN AND IT ISN'T SOMETHING YOU CAN FORCE. SO YOU JUST HAVE TO STEP AWAY FOR A WHILE AND COME BACK TO IT OTHERWISE YOU JUST GET MORE AND MORE FRUSTRATED.

When you're given a brief what is your process?
WORKING TO BRIEFS FOR ME IS A STRANGE PROCESS, SOMETIMES. IF IT'S A MORE SPECIFIC BRIEF, WHEN YOU MEET A CLIENT AND TALK OVER WHAT THEY WANT TO SEE, I CAN ALMOST SEE THE FINISHED PIECE IN MY HEAD BEFORE THEY HAVE EVEN FINISHED TALKING.
IN OTHER CASES BRANDS GIVE YOU A GENERAL DIRECTION TO GO IN INCLUDING MOOD BOARDS WITH AN OVERALL LOOK AND FEEL OF WHAT THEY WANT AND FROM THERE I DO A LOT OF BACKGROUND RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET ON RELATED TOPICS AND THEN START TO SKETCH IDEAS DOWN AS SOON AS I CAN, BECAUSE SOMETIMES YOUR TURN AROUND CAN BE AS LITTLE AS ONE DAY.

You are one of the few people who've turned their hobby into their passion - what advice would you have for people who have the same dream?
I WOULD SAY JUST TO FOLLOW IT, IF IT'S TRULY WHAT YOU WANT TO DO THEN YOU CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN. ART ISNT GOING TO MAKE YOU A MILLIONAIRE, WELL UNLESS YOU ARE A FINE ARTIST I GUESS, BUT DO IT BECAUSE YOU LOVE IT, AND PUT IN A LOT OF HARD GRAFT.

How did you get into the extreme sports scene and then break through into designing for the industry - was it a long process?
I STARTED SNOWBOARDING MANY YEARS AGO AND FELL IN LOVE WITH IT STRAIGHT AWAY. AFTER SEVERAL YEARS AWAY WITH THE FAMILY I WAS TOLD TO GO TRY MY SKILLS AT THE BRITISH CHAMPS IN MAYRHOFEN, AUSTRIA. IT WAS THERE THAT I CAUGHT THE EAGLE EYE OF ROB FROM GRAVIS WHO RANDOMLY OFFERED ME SPONSORSHIP WHILST I WAS BUYING CHOCOLATE MILK IN THE SPAR. BACK THEN SPONSORSHIP WAS A BIG DEAL AS HARDLY ANYONE HAD IT SO I IMMEDIATELY JUMPED AT THE CHANCE.
I CONTINUED ON TO PERSUING MY ART THROUGH THE WHOLE ACTION SPORTS MARKET.
IT HAS BEEN A LONG PROCESS AND I HAVE DONE A LOT OF HARD GRAFT, MEETING CONTACTS AND GENERALLY TRYING TO GET MY WORK OUT TO A WORLDWIDE AUDIENCE AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT CONTINUES...

You designed a range of surfboards for Quiksilver - had you not surfed before then?
YEAH I HAND-PAINTED A SURFBOARD IN COLLABORATION FOR AN 'ART ON FOAM' EXHIBITION WHICH WAS HELD DURING THE QUIK PRO IN HOSSEGOR FRANCE, WHICH WAS SUCH A NICE IN ROAD INTO THE WORLD OF SURFING. BUT THE SERIES I THINK YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT WAS A QUIVER OF 5 BOARDS I DID FOR MY GOOD FRIEND AND NEWCASTLE BORN BIG WAVE SURFER GABE DAVIES FOR CHANNEL ISLAND SURF BOARDS. IT WAS SUCH A GOOD PROJECT. GABE AND I SAT DOWN ON THE BEACH AND TALKED ABOUT WHAT HE WANTED TO SEE ONE HIS BOARDS AND HE WANTED TO SHOW A LOT OF FEATURES FROM HIS ROOTS LIKE THE 'ANGEL OF THE NORTH' AND THE TYNE BRIDGE, AS WELL AS SHOW SOME OF THE ASPECTS THAT MADE UP HIS SURF CAREER AND THE PEOPLE WHO MADE IT POSSIBLE. ITS SO GOOD TO WORK CLOSELY WITH ATHLETES TO MAKE SOMETHING YOU BOTH ARE VERY PROUD OF.
SINCE THEN, THANKS PRIMARILY TO GABE, I HAVE HAD THE PRIVILEDGE TO SURF WITH SOME OF THE BEST SURFERS IN THE WORLD....EVEN THOUGH I STILL SUCK HAHA

You've brought art to the shoe world! How did you get into that?
YEAH, I HAVE HAD TWO SIGNATURE LINES OF ART INSPIRED FOOTWEAR ON GRAVIS, A LOT OF LOGO, PATTERN AND ILLUSTRATIVE DESIGN WORK WITH THEM, AS WELL AS BEING PART OF THEIR 'COLLECTIVE ART PROJECT'.

What did you have to do for that?

I PAINTED A TWO METRE SQUARE CANVAS PIECE OF WORK WHICH TOOK 100 HOURS, WHICH WAS THEN CUT UP TO CREATE 25 PAIRS OF SHOES DIRECTLY FROM THE PIECE. ONCE AGAIN IT IS SOMETHING I AM VERY PROUD TO HAVE DONE.

I love your personalised skate deck range - how did that come about?
WELL I HAD ALREADY BEEN WORKING IN THE SKATE INDUSTRY AND TWO OF MY VERY CLOSE FRIENDS WERE GETTING MARRIED WHO WERE BOTH SKATERS, AND I WANTED TO CREATE THEM A VERY DIFFERENT WEDDING PRESENT THAT ONLY I COULD MAKE THEM SO IT WOULD BE VERY PERSONAL. SO I SET ABOUT LOOKING FOR COMPANIES THAT WOULD PRINT ONE-OFF DECKS. I ALSO WANTED TO DO ONE FOR MY GIRLFRIEND, WITH SOME MEMORIES INTWINED IN THE GRAPHIC FOR HER BIRTHDAY AND ANOTHER DECK FOR A CLOSE FRIEND FOR HIS BIRTHDAY WHICH FELL AROUND THE SAME TIME AND I WANTED TO GIVE THEM TO THEM ALL TOGETHER AS NOT TO SPOIL ANY OF THE SURPRISE FOR ANY OF THEM, SO THATS WHAT I DID. I GAVE THEM ALL OUT AFTER A POST WEDDING LUNCH THE FOLLOWING DAY AND THEY WERE ALL PRETTY CHOKED UP SO I KNEW I HAD DONE A GOOD JOB, NOT TO MENTION I WAS PRETTY CHOKED UP TOO.

Skateboard art is a huge platform for expression. Where did the inspiration come from for your Habitat Pennant pro series?
I STARTED OFF BY DRAWING THE SNARLING GROWING BEAR AND TIGER AND I WANTED TO USE THEM ON A SKATEDECK DESIGN SO I SENT THEM OVER TO JOE CASTRUCCI, WHO IS A ONE MAN DRIVING MACHINE BEHIND HABITAT SKATEBOARDS OVER IN THE STATES AND WE SET ABOUT BUILDING THE ‘PENNANT’ PRO SERIES AROUND THEM. SO I CONTINUED TO DESIGN ALL SORTS OF NEW ANIMAL HEADS FOR EACH PRO RIDER. THE IDEA WAS SET AROUND THE VINTAGE SPORTS LOOK AND WE TOYED AROUND WITH THE COLORS A LOT BEFORE WE DECIDED ON FINAL LOOK. I AM SO HAPPY WITH HOW WELL THEY WORK TOGETHER AS A SERIES, BUT EVEN MORE STOKED TO SEE THE PROS SKATING THEM AND TO KNOW THAT PEOPLE ARE SKATING MY WORK ALL AROUND THE GLOBE.

Who in your life has been your mentor?
I DON'T THINK I REALLY HAVE JUST ONE PERSON I LOOK UP TO, THERE ARE A LOT OF GOOD SOLID ARTISTS AND DESIGNERS LEADING THE WAY AND I ONLY DREAM THAT I'LL BE AT THAT STAGE ONE DAY, BUT AS I ONCE SAID IN AN INTERVIEW BEFORE "CHANCES ARE IF YOU HAVE PISSED ME OFF OR MADE ME LAUGH, YOU HAVE INFLUENCED MY WORK IN SOME WAY."

You're not a man who shys away from emotion, in particular love - you can see it being celebrated in your work. Was this a conscious decision to promote the 'L' word?
IN AN EFFORT TO NOT SOUND CORNY, LOVE REALLY IS A TRULY MAGICAL BUT CRAZY THING, AND THERE ARE SO MANY OTHER EMOTIONS THAT SEEM TO GO ALONG WITH IT. IT CAN BE A JOYOUS, AMAZING OR PAINFUL AND I FIND IT SO CURIOUS. I THINK FOR ME IT FLOWS FROM THE WAY IT IS USED IN THE TATTOO WORLD AS THAT IS SOMETHING THAT IS EVIDENT IN A LOT OF MY WORK. I AM A GUY WHO PRETTY MUCH WEARS HIS HEART ON HIS SLEEVE AND I LIKE TO SHOW THAT TO THE VIEWER SO PEOPLE CAN RELATE A LOT MORE TO MY WORK.
MAYBE ONE DAY I'LL PRODUCE A BOOK TO SHOW EXACTLY WHAT I WAS THINKING BEHIND EVERY PEICE AND ALL THE HIDDEN MEANINGS, AND THEN PEOPLE CAN BE LIKE "OH THATS WHAT HE MEANT!"

Which artist's progress do you enjoy following?
THERE ARE SO MANY, I LIKE TO FOLLOW PEOPLE I HAVE EXHIBITED WITH A MET BEFORE BECAUSE I FIND IT MORE PERSONAL LIKE JEREMY FISH, WILL BERRAS, SHEPPARD FAIREY ETC BUT EVERY TIME I PICK UP A MAGAZINE LIKE JUXTAPOZ, THERE IS ALWAYS SOMEONE'S WORK IN THERE THAT BLOWS ME AWAY. IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE SOMETHING I CAN RELATE TO IN MY WORK, SOMETIMES THE SIMPLEST TWO MINUTE SKETCH CAN PUT A SMILE ON MY FACE AND SET ME THINKING, LIKE JEREMYVILLE'S RECENT 'COMMUNITY SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS' FOR EXAMPLE.

What are you working on right now?
I AM WORKING ON ALL SORTS, BUT I AM VERY PROUD TO HAVE BEEN ASKED TO CONTRIBUTE WORK TO MONSTER ENERGY'S ATHLETE APPAREL LINE AS WELL AS WAITING WITH BATED BREATH TO SEE MY NEW SAMPLE DECKS OF A NEW 9 BOARD SERIES FOR HABITAT, SO WATCH THIS SPACE HAHA...

Definitely, we'll feature them on ILS when they come out for sure...What are your thoughts and plans for 2011?
I AM NOT GOING TO LIE, 2011 HAS BEEN VERY GOOD TO ME INDEED SO FAR AND I COULDN'T BE HAPPIER WITH HOW IT IS GOING, AS FOR WHAT LIES AHEAD WE WILL JUST HAVE TO SEE BUT I HOPE TO BUILD AND BUILD ON MY ARTWORK AND HOPEFULLY HOLD AN EXHIBITION FO MY INTRODUCTION TO SKATEBOARDING IN THE COMING MONTHS.

What would be your personal mantra for life?
I WOULD JUST SAY MOST OF ALL I WANT TO JUST BE HAPPY AND TRY TO ACHIEVE EVERYTHING I SET MY SIGHTS ON...

When people say 'there must come a time when all of the ideas have been done' what would you say back to them?
I'D SAY THAT IT'S NOT TRUE, YOUR VERSION OF SOMETHING ON THE SAME IDEA MAY BE TOTALLY DIFFERENT, AFTER ALL KIDS ARE STILL ASKED TO DRAW FRUIT BOWLS IN ART CLASSES ACROSS THE WORLD AND IM SURE YOU'D BE HARD PRESSED TO FIND TWO IDENTICAL PIECES.....I GUESS ART IS LIKE SNOWFLAKES IN THAT RESPECT, SO I GUESS ART AND SNOWBOARDING DO HAVE A LOT IN COMMON HAHA

Check out www.jonowood.com for more inspiration...

Inspired Soul Interview: Phill Fields gives ILS an insight into his life as Art Editor at world renowned GQ Magazine

What first sparked your interest in design? Have you always been creative?

Erm I guess so. After I found out I couldn’t be a fighter pilot, design was always the thing I enjoyed the most. And I was lucky that I could aim for that (instead of enemy planes!)

A lot of people try to make it big in the design world, what training did you have?

I started studying graphics when I was 18 (I'm now, ahem, 30) I’d done art based A-levels and had found that graphics was what I was doing without really realising it. I did a BTEC in graphic design for two years in Northampton. Then a HND in graphic design for another two years at Norwich School of Art and Design. Then I found out I should have just done a degree in graphic design so I finally did that and spent my final year specialising in publishing as I’d known when I started it that I wanted to work on magazines so I made sure I focused all of my projects on those when possible.

Was it easy to find work?

Like most students, when I finished my degree I hadn’t pre-empted leaving and needing to get a job. So I made a list of all of the magazines that I liked and started to call and email them. All I wanted to do was show people my book. I didn’t try to persuade them to give me work it was all really informal. I got into a few magazines just doing work experience and interning. Then by luck I was recommended by the art director at Tank Magazine to a small company that was looking for a designer to work on their d&ad winning mag. I spent about six months freelancing just for them. But they couldn’t offer me a full time job and I’d been offered a job at Autosport so I took it. I worked up to art editor there, Then went to Stuff as dep art editor. Then to GQ as art editor two years later...

You tend to find that each magazine helps you grow your work and challenges you in different ways - how does life at GQ challenge you?

GQ is as challenging as it comes! I’d spent two great years at Stuff but wanted to be pushed a little more. And that's exactly what's happening. GQ is all about the detailing; Even if we think something is done it can always be added to - Another layer of design to apply and tweak. It's a seriously creative environment in that the art department have a really respected voice and that’s a refreshing thing.

What is your aim with every new issue?

To get through it alive! I want to incorporate any changes that might have happened in the previous issue in a better way. Everything is better with hindsight and design is no different...It’s always the middle of the night or in the shower when you realise what you should have done first time around.

Do you work closely with your editor's to ensure that the specific theme for each issue is carried throughout?

Yes. They know what they want from their magazine and we have to make that happen in the clearest and best designed way. Each section has an editor and we are constantly back and forth on what pages should look like.

When you're creating a styled shoot for a magazine have you envisaged it on the page first?

Most of the time yes. You start to get to know how things would fit around the pictures and what would work best.

What is your design process?

For photographs it’s definitely a great idea to sketch how you want it to look. Or to find reference shots to give an idea of lighting/crop/positioning. But when it comes to designing it seems to be a case of jumping straight into Indesign. After reading the copy first that is. That's really important, and looking at the pictures if I haven’t commissioned them.

Can you briefly describe a run down of a general day at GQ?

First thing is always catching up with emails. Then all of us on the art team like to run through where we’re at with our sections, that way we have an idea of where we're at or if there’s anything we can help each other with. Then it's designing, commissioning shoots and illustrations, going to shoots... But not necessarily in that order!

What is the perfect setting for you to create in? Would it be quiet and hidden away or do you prefer to bounce ideas off people around you?

I really like to bounce ideas off of people. I have no problem with noisy chatty offices. You pick up on things that are being talked about and someone might hear what you're saying and have something great to add. I'm always happier when it's louder and that goes for music too. I think I'm much better at designing when there’s music being played loudly!

What inspires you in life?

It sounds like a cliché but being in London is a very inspiring place to be. There are galleries, museums, restaurants, bars, shows, architecture. They all make up a giant mishmash of content and sparks that you can draw inspiration from.

Who has been your mentor?

I got an awful lot from my time with Anth Moore - He's now the Art Editor at FourFourTwo, but was my boss at Stuff. He's a great guy - he has a top eye for design and is one of the few people who I look at layouts and ideas for shoots and wish I'd that I'd come up with them!

What makes you keep striving to reach the next level with your work?

I really like the feeling when you know something you've designed or commissioned looks great and really works - It doesn't happen with every layout and that's what keeps me going. Magazines are such a throw away thing. We spend a month making something as well as we can. But when it's out on the shelves we've already moved on to the next issue and kinda forgotten about the last one.

Thanks for sharing that with us Phill - looking forward to seeing what the next edition of GQ looks like...

Inspired Soul Interview: Frosti Gnarr Gunnersson, talks to ILS about his 55DSL collaboration and I find out what makes him the coolest, literally, name on the Icelandic art scene.

Frosti Gnarr has been drawing all of his life, at the age of 17 he decided to shed the idea that art school would lead to typecasting and instead broaden his knowledge, and has not dropped a pen since. When 55DSL contacted him about doing a collaboration with them he knew that appreciation for his work and vision was growing and certified. This year has been a busy one for him and ILS are honoured to have him share his creative process, his passions, where he hopes it all to lead, and chat about where he finds his inspiration...

Your creation for the 55DSL t-shirt has been very popular - what was your inspiration for it?

It came from wanting to create a strong abstraction that can be enjoyed universally. It ended up being very inspired by Iceland and it’s violent nature. Volcano´s, glaciers and geysers.

 Can you tell the story of your t-shirt to someone viewing it - what is it that you are trying to say?

Strength and beauty. You make your own narrative from your life.

Many people wearing the t-shirt may not realise how long the process of design was - How long did this piece of work take to do?

Well, I made many sketches and went through many different styles before deciding on this. This print took about three hours I think but the overall process was two weeks.

 

It’s worth the time to get it right! What do you need around you to be the perfect setting to enable you to create?

I need to have sound all around me when I am making something. Mostly it’s loud music like metal or hardcore rap. When I get sick of music I put on either ‘This American Life’ or ‘The Ricky Gervais’ show. I need to have my desk a bit messy, an ashtray on one side and a French press full of coffee on the other side...

                                 Frosti - self portrait

What hobbies do you have and do you find that you are more creative after doing them?

My hobbies are all focused around art and therefore inspire each other. I like to watch a lot of movies, listen to a lot of music, go to art shows, read design blogs, drum, rap, paint and draw.

  

What inspires you in life?

Truth.

Who has been your mentor?

In life it has been my mother.

In passion it has been my father.

In art it has been Goddur, my old professor.

In design it has been myself.

In love it has been my girlfriend, Helen.

And in humor it has been my brother, Dagur.

 

What makes you keep striving to reach the next level with your work?

The constant urge to do better next time. I never allow myself to be content with the work I’ve just finished. With that in mind I do not stagnate.

 

You definitely can’t stagnate when you’ve set yourself a poster a day for a year challenge! 365 posters - what made you do it?

It was created out of the desire to make exciting work and challenge myself. In hindsight I’ve realised that I also wanted to make sure that I had some testament of my presence on this earth. Not just completed artworks or commissioned art/design but me in the form of visuals.

 

 

It’s real tribute and insight into who you are. I love the concept. Have you felt fraught trying to find inspiration every day for it?

Not so much because it is a different thought process - The poster a day project is relatively easy to do because there is no time to think, only to create. I hate it when I have to think too much about a project. I get inspiration from the everyday as if I was collecting what I saw and producing it into a sort of diary collage.

 

What else are you working on at the moment?

Right now i am doing a masters degree in editorial design at the HKU in Utrecht, Holland. I am working on a thesis regarding the perception of typography. I am working on products with my long time partner in crime, Brynjar Sigurðarson and working on a solo indie rap album with some of my genius friends.

 

Where would you like your art to take you next?

My dream is to make a difference. Make art and design that changes the everyday life. At least my own everyday life.

 

For now his website has sneakily been bought by some bast**** that are trying to sell it back to him for an extortionate amount so collectively screw people like that and get follow his work on the behance network by clicking here: http://www.behance.net/jackdraven