Where do you find inspiration for your art?
I have always being fascinated by the Victorian era and I take huge amount of inspiration from the animal etching from that period. I also love reading and researching from folk lore and history and trying to incorporate those elements in to my art. The other areas I find a great deal of inspiration from are traditional tattoo design, medieval illuminated manuscripts and religious Gothic art.
What mediums do you prefer to work with, and why?
I really enjoy working with dip pen, ink and finerliner pen! I’m real interested in adding details and small decorative elements in drawings and I find these mediums are the best to achieve this with the fine nibs they have on the pens.
Who are your greatest influences?
So many great artists and illustrators that inspire me, don’t think I have the space to list all of them but a few are Gustave Dore, Arthur Rackham, Albrecht Dürer, Vania Zouravliov , John Dyer Baizley, Sin-eater, Godmachine, Grindesign, Richey Beckett, Elft, Abbey Watkins, Tyson Taumaoe, Zan von Zed, DZO, Monkeymouth and Rafael Grampá.
Does music influence your work, and whom are you listening to these days?
Yeah it definitely does, I listen to a few different genres that influence work from metal/punk/hardcore to Classical and blues/folk. The biggest influences are from bands and artists like Murder by death, Tom Waits, Nick Cave and Every time I die, as they use a lot of narratives within their songs which is great for generating ideas.
What is your all-time favorite quote?
It’s a bit morbid but…. When you look into an abyss, the abyss also looks into you. – Friedrich Nietzsche
Where can you be found on a Friday night?
A lot of Fridays I end up working late in the studio, but when I’m not, I enjoy hanging out with mates enjoying a few alcoholic beverages and watching some movies!
What is your all time favorite movie?
Gangs of New York, it’s a savage film but it’s got such a powerful sense of atmosphere to it.
If you could go back in time to meet anyone, who would it be and why?
I would have really liked to meet H P Lovecraft, to find out how he dreamt up such fascinating stories and fantastical creatures for his books. I also imagine he would be a fountain of knowledge on occult history which would be fascinating to hear. But if it where places in history I think I would love to be able to see London in the mid-Victorian era, I sometimes feel like a bit of an anachronism in the modern world of today!
TARDIS or DeLorean?
Got to be the DeLorean! It’s a Childhood dream to time travel in that stylish machine!
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
I had the opportunity to visit Paris for Bestreet festival recently and I would love the chance to explore that city again. I loved how much history, culture and art that the city had on every street corner; some damn fine food and drink too! But to be honest there are so many places I would love to visit and revisit like India, Japan, Germany and the US to name just a few.
Are there any shows, projects, or merchandise we can look forward to seeing from you?
I am hoping to self publish a book in the beginning of next year with drawing based on creatures from myth and folklore, which will be really fun to illustrate. I can’t wait to start work on it! Fingers crossed it will be finished early next year!
Tell us a little known secret about yourself.
Strange but I have an OCD for checking plugs are unplugged, always makes me late leaving the house or studio. Drives my buddies insane waiting for me to make my checks!
Sandwich or burrito?
That’s a tough one…but I think Sandwich might just have it. Would have to be a sub with lots of layers though— turkey, cheese, pickles, jalapeños, olives, tomatoes and lettuce. Perfect!
click the above image for more
Interview by Carrie Donnelly