Because it's Friday... ESG

ESG are goooooooood,  so is the weekend YAY!

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Interview: Tom Clohosy Cole

What is your greatest achievement?

I Climbed Mt Fuji in Japan.

How would you describe your work/style to someone who hadn't seen it?

I often get asked this question, it's a difficult one. I usually tell people that it's quite 'graphic' but I think the best way to describe it is compositionally considered, fairly colourful and usually involving a silhouette or two.

What piece of advice would you give your 15 year old self?

Be more confident.

When are you happiest?

When the image I am working on and struggling with suddenly clicks and comes together. 

What is the worst job you have ever had? 

I used to wake up at 4am and cycle to town to unload a lorry for a shop before my uni day started which ruined a fair few days. 

Who would play you in the movie of your life?

Gene Wilder.

What is the greatest song of all time?

Van Morrison - Sweet Thing

What do you dislike most about popular culture?

Horror Films.

What is the greatest invention of all time?

The 'Cheese Toastie' machine.

If you didn't do what you do, what would you do?

I'm pretty into Space, I'd love to go.

All images courtesy of www.tomclohosycole.co.uk

Because it's Friday..... Kate Bush

Hearts Her. Hearts the Weekend!

Interview: Bjorn Rune Lie.

What is your greatest achievement?

Surviving as a freelance illustrator for almost 8 years...

How would you describe your work to someone who hadn't seen it?

A dash of Grandma Moses, a sprinkle of Ernst Haeckel, a tablespoon of 1920's Russian Children's books. Bring to the boil. Simmer for 35 years. Stir occasionally.

What piece of advice would you give your 15 year old self?

"Cut back on the graffiti and take more of an interest in the natural world, you moron!!"

When are you happiest?

August, 2000. The beginning of the love story of my life. A week of pure, unadulterated bliss!

What is the worst job you have ever had?

Sales assistant at Paperchase in the now bankrupt Borders bookshop in Bristol. Only time I've worked for a big company like that..... Horrible.

What is the greatest song of all time? 

That's pretty impossible to answer! Let's say "Transparent Day" by West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band.

 What do you dislike most about popular culture?

Don't get me started! Ok... at the moment, I'm flabbergasted that companies/people are still making "Keep Calm and Carry On" spin-off's! I thought the bottom was reached years ago, but every day I see a new brainless variation. The latest was "Keep Calm and Decorate" in the Farrow & Ball window display. The day before I saw "Keep Calm and Sleep" on some duvet covers in Tesco. How lame is that?

What is the greatest invention of all time?

The printing press.

If you didn't do what you do what would you do?

I'd really like to be a carpenter or an artisan baker!

All images courtesy of www.bjornlie.com

Because it's Friday... Charles Bradley.

Weekend.Weekend.Weekend.Weekend.Weekend.

Interview: Damien Barlow.

What is your greatest achievement?

I guess my biggest achievement would have to be gaining my degree in Print and Surface Pattern - I got a little bored of the whole eduction thing but really found a home in the creative world.

How would you describe your work to someone who hadn't seen it?

Hmmm well I have two styles of work. My hand paper cutes represent my dark, twisted side and are really detailed and bold.... often based around the end of the world or a particular brutal part of history. My pattern and character work represents my lighter side... lots of smiling faces, cool colours etc. There is a really contrast between my two working styles. 

What piece of advice would you give your 15 year old self?

CONCENTRATE!

 

When are you happiest?

That is easy....when I am with my family and friends,

What is the worst job you have ever had? 

Worst job was probably in a shoe store - I don't have anything against shoes or stores that sell them.... but this one housed particularly snobby staff and customers.

Who would play you in the movie of your life?

Ummm I would like my story to be animated so maybe a dinosaur like Rex in 'Toy Story' or a boy like Russell in 'Up'.

What is the greatest song of all time?

I like a real range of music but the songs that always stand out to me are the ones on the soundtracks of the pixar movies ... I like those.

What do you dislike most about popular culture?

Everyone wants to be older when they are still young.... didn't BIG teach us anything?

What is the greatest invention of all time?

Definitely the Dolorean in 'Back to the Future' - Doc Brown really cracked it with that one ... or the light bulb. I am scared of the dark and they help. 

If you didn't do what you do, what would you do?

I would be an explorer of space and time. That would be rad, I know that it is pretty impossible so for a realistic dream I would probably be a treasure hunter!

All images courtesy of www.damienbarlow.com

1973 Loves...Lois Mailou Jones

A little bit of sunshine for your Monday afternoon. 

Because it's Friday..... Stevie Nicks

Have a lovely weekend!

Interview: Peskimo.

What is your greatest achievement?

David: Opening a door for the Queen when she visited my school, it was a last minute decision as they realised there was a door that hadn't been allocated an opener, so I honourably stepped up to the mark and opened the door.

Jodie: receiving a Green Blue Peter badge for a picture I sent in, I think it was something to do with Butterflies.

How would you describe your work/style to someone who hadn't seen it?

Nostalgic, fun, colourful..... We hope to leave people smiling and thinking happy thoughts. 

What piece of advice would you give your 15 year old self?

Have courage and don't worry about things so much, just do what you want to do.

Who would you most like collaborate with?

We'd love to see our creations animated and we love love watching cartoons, so maybe Cartoon Network or Nickelodeon would be lots of fun!

What is the worst job you have ever had?

Both: Kitchen Porter (essentially a glorified pot washer in both our cases). Maybe all teenagers have done this at some point?

Who would play you in the movie of your life?

David: Grover.

Jodie: Elmo.

What is the greatest song off all time? 

This is difficult as it's so dependant on time and space, but Deceptacon by Le Tigre is a song that will always get us up and dancing, and that's got to be a pretty good thing hasn't it?

What do you dislike most about popular culture?

Reality T.V

What is the greatest invention of all time?

The Internet is pretty good, it's hard to think of something that is so ingrained in our life now that wasn't there at at the start of it..... We just know we'll be saying 'I remember when there wasn't an internet' to astonished younglings of the future.

If you didn't do what you do, what would you do?

David: I'd quite like to be a Baker, I like baking cakes and bread when I get the chance and would like to get good at it, mmmmmmm that smell.

Jodie: I've always liked the idea of running a cattery, maybe just for kitten though? There's still time for us to do both of these things, you could go on holiday, leave your kitten, take a cake for the trip, and have a loaf of bread and a happy kitten waiting for you when you get back.  

All images courtesy of www.peskimo.com