Interview: Oliver Lake

What is your greatest achievement?

Greatest achievement so far, would have to be being commissioned to illustrate a series of 6 children's books for Macmillan. Two of which were published today! 

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

The Style is sort of modern/retro and I like making things appeal to children and adults. 

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

Try and be more confident.

When are you happiest?

I spend most of my days (and nights) illustrating children's books. So I would say that I'm definitely happiest when I finish work on a book. 

What is the worst job you have ever had?

I've had many bad jobs. The worst was working at HMV in the London Trocadero, due to certain members of management being fairy unpleasant people. 

Who would play you in the movie of your life?

I don't know ... Steven Seagall!

What is your karaoke song?

I get a bit embarrassed by karaoke. I tried singing 'Born to Run' in a pub once when I was drunk with some friends. It was really bad as nine of us knew the words and it's a very difficult song to sing.

What do you dislike most about popular culture?

Any TV show with people who will do literally anything to be famous. 

What is the greatest invention of all time?

The internet.

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

I often wonder ... maybe I would have tried to be some sort of a musician.

 All images courtesy of www.iotaillustration.co.uk

Featured!! Elle Decoration

Our Grafika wrapping paper is featured in this months Winter Luxe edition.

Because it's Friday....Cornelius Brothers And Sister Rose

Currently on repeat. Have a nice weekend you lovely bunch you.

Fab.

We are being featured on the brilliant Fab. This week they are showcasing our Grafika products. It's a really beautiful website and a great company. We are really pleased to be working with them. Go sign up and have a look at all the brilliant products they have.... go on... do it!

 

 

Interview: Zach Graham

What is you greatest achievement?

This is going to sound super cheesy, but I'd have to say marrying my wiffe. She's my biggest inspiration as well as as my best friend. If that's too sappy just pretend I said something about punching a shark in the face. 

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

Geometric based with a vintage feel? I don't know. Anything I can think to describe it sounds super lame to me.

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

I know it sounds crazy, but buy stock in Apple. Trust me. Oh, and stop attempting to 'Style' your hair ... it just isn't going to work.

When are you happiest?

I think the happiest situation I can think of would be this chain of events: Finishing a challenging design project with a positive outcome > Going skating and being able to land all the stuff I could 5 years ago > Spending the rest of the day with my wife.

What is the worst job you have ever had?

Telemarketing. Hands down the worst job ever. As if the job itself weren't bad enough the environment was the most depressing I've ever been in. My job was to call Alaskan residents and ask for donations on behalf of the Special Olympics. I think maybe 2% of every donation actually went to the cause. It was completely soulless. The one redeeming aspect was that they gave everyone 15 minute breaks every hour. I mostly used that time to chain smoke as many cigarettes as humanly possible.

Who would play you in the movie of your life?

Are we talking current actors, or actors of any time period? If I can choose one from any time period, it's the 90's version of Pauly Shore no contest. 

What is the greatest song of all time? 

My opinion on that changes from day to day. However, the song I liked most consistently through the years would be 'Eclipse' by Darkest Hour. If you've never heard it, look it up, but be sure to have your speakers turned up super loud before it starts. 

What do you dislike most about popular culture?

So much. I guess celebrity worship is one of the more maddening things. 

What is the greatest invention of all time?

Of all time? Man ... I don't know. There are so many that I wouldn't want to be without. I guess if I have to give just one answer, I'd go with the internet. I mean, a world with no animated gifs or memes, well that just isn't a world i want to live in. 

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

Probably try to weasel my way into the skateboard industry one way or another. Work in the warehouse, answer phones, who knows. It's still sort of a dream of mine to open a skate shop some day.

All images courtesy of www.theunicornkingdom.com

Your cuppa tea?

New to our Grafika range. The perfect gift for... yourself? 

Because it's Friday... Dee Edwards

Interview: Lucy Irving.

What is your greatest achievement?

I'd say working as a professional illustrator. It has taken a while to make money from illustration but I'm  finally here now and loving it.

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

Retro 60's graphic cartoons mashed-up with the occasional slice of visual trickery.

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

Never stop drawing.

When are you happiest?

In my studio, just about to start a new project with pens, pencils and brushes at the ready. 

What is the worst job you have ever had?

I don't think any of the jobs I've had have been really bad, but some of the bosses I've had have been super evil!

Who would play you in the movie of your life?

Maybe Kirsten Dunst or Ellen Page (although they are both much, much cooler than me)

 

What is you Karaoke song?
I'm more of a watcher than a doer, it's better that way. 

What do you dislike most about popular culture?
The fact that people are often not passionate about anything real anymore.

What is the greatest invention of all time?
The pencil or the skateboard. 

If you didn't do what you do, what would you do?
I think I'd either be an archaeologist (I saw Jurassic Park when I was 10 and it looked like a cool job), a private detective or an astronaut.

All images couresty of www.lucyirving.com

1973 Loves.... Mary Mungo and Midge

6.48 onwards is like round here 'No potatoes anywhere' 

Because it's Friday... Sheila E

laters.....

Interview: Shaun Doyle

What is greatest achievement?

Creative wise it was getting my first commission as it was a real buzz. Being asked to do the thing you love and get paid for it seemed crazy!

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

Graphic, fun, bold and not to be taken too seriously.

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

My art teacher was a traditionalist in terms of artists she wanted us to look at. I would have advised myself to look more at what was happening in the world of art and design now, as opposed to just historical figures. I would also explore new mediums. 

 

When are you happiest?

Work wise - when an illustration comes together as you saw it in your head to begin with. But away from my desk stick a beer in my hand and put me with friends and family and I'll be happy.

What is the worst job you have ever had?

Working for the council before University I had to sit for hours inputting data about who had not their recycling in the right boxes. I think I lost a few brain cells over those couple of months. 

Who would play you in the movie of your life?

Kermit the frog.

What is the greatest song of all time?

Too tough to call - it entirely depends on what mood I am in. If you gave me a week I would still not be able to choose.

What do you dislike most about popular culture?

I have a love/hate attitude towards the way things happen so quickly and that in London life is so rushed. But if I had all the time in the world I know I would never finish anything. Oh and the word 'innit' 

What is the greatest invention of all time?

The Bic Biro.... black not blue.

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

If I wasn't illustrating I would still be involved in something creative. Aged 14 I wanted to be the next Neil Buchanan from 'Art Attack', maybe I would give it  a go.

All images courtesy of www.shaundoyle.co.uk

1973 Loves... Tools of my Trade.

We love the 'Tools of my Trade' feature on the Who's Jack blog. Mainly because we are nosey and like to look at other peoples stuff. A bit like the 'Creative Spaces' photos in our Interview posts.

Because it's Friday.... Breakbot

Interview: Alice Potter.

What is your greatest achievement?

I think I would say getting to the stage I'm at with my work has been an achievement in itself. Having no formal illustration training, I have had to navigate the field myself, learning all along the way. I gave myself targets for 2012, like getting my first editorial job, and I can happily say I have achieved that and a lot more so far this year. 

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

I always prefer to show rather than tell, whenever I get asked this. I suppose it's all quite bold, colourful, stylised and decorative. It's also been described as quite feminine in ways, but I'm not sure how I feel about that description. I think that it is fun though!

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

Hair gel is never a good idea!

Other than that, stick to the path I am on really. Oh, and maybe learn to be more confident at a younger age. 

When are you happiest?

I am always happiest in the middle of a project. You have got through the tough initial research stage, or sketches and you have made it to the fun part. Adding colour and detail is always the best part of what I do. I can happily loose myself for hours doing that. 

What is the worst job you have had?

I haven't really had many bad jobs at all. I suppose measuring and fitting kid's shoes has to be up there at t he top somewhere, but even that wasn't awful. 

Who would play you in the movie of your life?

I decided to ask my brother who he thought it should be. Unfortunately, his suggestion was Dana Carvey (aka Garth from Wayne's World). Maybe Lisa Kudrow could be fun. I have told I am a little bit like Phoebe. 

What is your karaoke song?

I would like to think I would pick something cheesy like 'I've Had the Time of My Life', but in my heart of hearts it would be probably be something like 'My Generation'.

What do you dislike most about popular culture?

I have been removed from most sections of popular culture for a long time that having an opinion on it is actually quite hard. Generally, it's all pretty boring and pointless, but I can understand why TV shows and pop stars are popular. I just have to think back to what I liked when I was a teenager, to understand why things are popular now. Doesn't mean I like it though. 

What is the greatest invention of all time?

Isn't paper pretty amazing? It's also terrifying to look at when it's all white and blank.

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

I would probably still be a bookseller with a crack team working in a really amazing bookshop. I would order all the upcoming illustrated children's books, and wish I could do something like that, if I wasn't a bookseller. 

All images courtesy of www.alicepotter.co.uk