SnowSkull
Can you tell us about your artistic journey and what inspired you to become an artist?
I dropped out of art college when I was 18 and spent the best part of the next decade as a musician. I was lucky enough to tour and visit some amazing countries. I'm grateful for those opportunities, but I eventually returned to my first passion, painting. I spent the following decade working in my hometown, Cardiff, and exhibiting in Wales, England, Spain, Japan and America. Two years ago, I graduated from Goldsmiths as a mature student, and I am currently working on a new collection of mixed media works that I’ll be exhibiting in Spring 2025.
What themes or concepts do you explore in your artwork, and why are they important to you?
From the beginning, the mechanism of thoughts and dreams, memories and immersing oneself in daydreaming have been important topics in my work. I am interested in how the mind works. How we escape, understand and analyse what's around us. Recently, I have been exploring themes such as artificial intelligence, the intersection of technology and art, and portraiture.
Could you describe your creative process, ideation to execution? Are there any particular techniques or mediums you prefer?
It can vary from piece to piece, but everything comes from research, open eyes, listening to music, reading, playing with ideas and lots of daydreaming. I work in both painting and mixed media, so this can mean everything from sketching to painting and scanning, as well as analog to digital collage.
How would you find inspiration when faced with creative blocks or challenges in your work?
I believe that this is part of the process. In 2020, I worked on a project inspired by The Art of Thought (1926), a book by Graham Wallas that explores the four stages of the creative process: 1) Preparation, 2) Incubation, 3) Illumination, and 4) Verification. Stage two, Incubation, is when the conscious mind steps back from the problem, allowing the subconscious to work on it. This period often feels like a creative block because no immediate visible progress or solution exists. This stage is important and taking a break and stepping away from the problem can lead to insights and breakthroughs.
Can you highlight a specific piece of artwork that holds special significance to you and the story behind it?
In 2011, I painted a piece called 'Saudade', and In hindsight, this was my breakthrough painting. For the first time, I felt a clear direction. I still, to this day, feel that strong connection.
How do you see your work evolving in the future? Are there any new techniques and mediums you’re eager to explore?
I would like to experiment more with 3D animation, moving images, and motion graphics. I want to learn and explore programs such as Cinema 4D, Blender, and TouchDesigner etc
What role does your personal experiences or background play in influencing your art? Are there cultural or social aspects that often find their way into your work?
It’s not something that’s necessarily relevant to my work, except I suppose for my current project which explores themes of the Xennial generation. The Xennial generation, is a term/nickname used for people born between the late 70’s and early 80’s. It’s described as a ‘micro-generation that experienced an analog childhood and a digital adulthood’.
Are there any artists, past or present, who have had a significant influence on your artistic style or philosophy?
I first saw Jesse Reno's work in Juxtapoz magazine in 2009 or 2010. His form of neo-primitivism, abstract art, and the use of colour inspired me to start creating again.
I have also been a long-time fan of artists such as Robert Rauschenberg and Jasper Johns for the way they combined everyday objects and pushed the boundaries of traditional painting. For my portraiture work, I draw inspiration from painters like Adrian Ghenie. At the same time, Gerhard Richter influences me through his use of colours, textures, and mark-making using unconventional methods and techniques. Matthew Stone for his innovative use of digitising paint.
One of my all-time favourite paintings is Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose by John Singer Sargent. I'd also like to give a special mention to local Welsh artist Daniel Edwards. I love his work and have recently started collecting it. I own two of his paintings, and his ideas about art and painting continue to inspire my work.
How do you balance the commercial aspects of being an artist with staying true to your creative vision?
It can sometimes be challenging to balance this, but I'm fortunate to have always been trusted with complete artistic freedom regarding commissions. I guess I’m lucky that the work that seems to resonate with people who buy my work is the work I like to make.
Can you share upcoming projects, exhibitions, or events where our audience can experience your work?
I’m currently studying for a Masters so that’s ongoing and taking up a lot of my time. I have a few commissions lined up at the start of the year and as I mentioned above, I’m also working on a new collection of work that I’m planning to show in spring 2025, I don’t have any dates confirmed as of yet but if you follow me on my socials, I will announce when I have more information.