Curious Fiend began as an idea for

a cheap simple zine that exhibits

established, as well as up and coming
creative individuals and their work,
regardless of the medium or outlet,
in a print magazine. After getting the
people involved that you see here, it
seemed only fair to make something
more than just a simple zine in order
to show them in the best light.

So here it is, the first issue, hopefully

it has succeeded in showing these
individuals in the best way possible.

Thanks to everyone who has helped

along the way and get in touch if
you’re interested in getting involved.

Curious Fiend is available in all it’s

full colour print glory at http://
curiousfiend.bigcartel.com/ so let us
make more by going and buying one.

Thanks...
(Image by Mr Jago)
MAKING ARTWORK SINCE HE
BEGAN SKATING CHRIS BOURKE
PRODUCES STRIKING PRIMARILY
BLACK AND WHITE IMAGERY THAT
IS INFLUENCED BY RELIGION,
NATURE, POLITICS AND TATTOOING,
TAKING INFLUENCE FROM HAVING
PREVIOUSLY WORKED AS A
TATTOOIST.
NOW HE HAS WORKED FOR
SKATE COMPANIES LIKE DEATH
SKATEBOARDS AND CONSOLIDATED,
AS WELL AS EXHIBITING
INTERNATIONALLY AS PART OF THE
OUTCROWD COLLECTIVE. HE ALSO
RUNS SPINE, A WELL ESTABLISHED
SKATE SHOP AND GALLERY SPACE
IN WORCESTER.
What is an average day for you and
what would be your ideal day?
Well, I’ll explain an average working
day as days off are a rarity. Get
up, make tea, wash, dress, go to my
skateshop, deal with a ton of shit I’d
rather not deal with, maybe have a
brew or two with any heads that are
passing through, hopefully sell some
boards and try and fit some drawing
work in during the quiet times, five
o’clock head home, maybe a skate if
my knees allow, work on drawing,
dinner, more drawing. some quality
sofa and movie time with my wife,
bed,
my ideal day, wake up, its summer!
Shower, a leisurely breakfast with
my wife, take a motorbike ride out
somewhere nice, stop and visit my
mum and eat one of her curries, head
home, work on art/drawing. In the
evening head to a perfect concrete
bowl where all my best friends are
and my friend nige has his sound
system set up playing all my favorite
tunes, theres an amazing veggie bbq
going on and I am making tricks I
can usually only dream of, home,
watch a movie with Jo, bed, sounds
perfect!
You use many different techniques
to make your pieces, what is your
preferred process like to create a
piece?
I dont really have a preferred
process, I mean I love print making,
but if pen and ink serves the design
better I will happily use that.
sometimes ideas come fully formed,
sometimes it takes longer to realize
the initial idea.
How would you describe your work to
someone without showing it to them?
Ah, I probably wouldn’t try
What sort of art education did you go
through and how was it?
I went to a comprehensive school in
handsworth Birmingham, I didn’t
take art at school so when I left I
went and did my art o level, I got
into art college to do a foundation
course and then went on to study
silversmithing for 2 years, thinking
it was a sensible option for getting
a job, it wasn’t. So I guess I have
some basic art training but most
of the techniques I use now I have
taught myself. My time at school
taught me not to expect too much, I
wasnt served by the school system,
so much of it was a complete waste
of time.
Did you always have aspirations of
doing art and illustration or did you
want to do anything else when you
were younger?
Like I said in the last question,
school taught me to have pretty low
expectations, if I had gone to some
fancy posh school I may have been
better informed about my options,
as it was I kinda just found my own
way. I have pretty much worked for
myself since leaving college, I have
done so many different things, and
I’m sure there will be a lot more
changes before this trip is over! I
wanted to work in forestry as a very
young kid, I didnt even really know
what it meant, I just thought being
in a forest all day would be better
than being in an office! it wasnt until
I found tattooing that I got really
serious about my art, that was in my
early twenties.
When did you realize you could make
art for a living, or did it just happen
accidentally?
I still dont make a living out of my
art, its a constant struggle, all the
work I have produced has been
produced alongside working full
time, blue collar art! The more I
get involved in working for bigger
companies the more I realize how out
of step with big business I am, I love
the work I do with the skateboard
companies I work for, because we are
all pretty much on the same page in
terms of our outlook, its different
working for some of the bigger
companies where you and your
contribution and work are taken
for granted and undervalued. I dont
work for people that make me feel
like that (anymore).
What do you do in your spare time, if
you get any?
I dont get much. read, listen to
music, hang out with my wife,
answer interview questions!
Any particular influence or
inspiration?
No particular influence, I can give
you a list of people who inspire
me to work and to keep working,
Tony Benn, HH the Dalai Lama,
Desmond Tutu, Bill Hicks, The
Clash, Peter Tosh, Woody Guthrie,
The Minutemen, Bob Marley, Lynd
Ward, Alan Moore, Kathe Kollwitz,
Jim Jarmusch, Felix Leu, Filip Leu,
Haile Selassie, John Cardiel, Mark
Gonzalez, Nick Zorlac, a varied bag, I
could go on and on here............
Favourite skate artist/graphic?
Heres three (of many) Powell/
Peralta, Ripper by VCJ. G&S, Neil
Blender coffee guy by Neil Blender,
the Driven, Jason Jesse by Mark
Gonzalez.
Do you listen to music when you are
working, who and what do you listen
to?
Oh yes! I couldn’t live without tunes,
I listen to a pretty varied bag of
stuff, if you popped round you might
hear Bad Brains, Firehose, Husker
du, Israel Vibration, Alborosie,
Anthony B, Sizzla, Gentleman,
Braintax, Jehst, Roots Manuva,
Hank Williams, Johnny Cash,
Sleater Kinney, Woody Guthrie, Billie
Holiday, The Clash, Toots and the
Maytals, Willie Nelson, Fugazi, Billy
Bragg, Godspeed you Black Emperor,
A Silver mt Zion, Lutan Fyah, Horace
Andy, The Twinkle Brothers, De La
Soul, is that enough? I could go on
nearly forever!
Do you enjoy working to a brief on
commercial work or would you prefer
to be left to your own devices to draw
what you want?
Well I am at the stage where if
someone approaches me about
commercial work its usually because
they like what I’m doing, so as long
as I like the brief and feel happy
working with the company I can
usually come up with something I am
happy with and feel is worthwhile.
so I guess as long as the gig is right
I’m just as happy working on that as
I am working on my personal stuff,
as really there is nothing separating
the two.
Do you have a piece of your work that
you are most happy with and wouldn’t
or didn’t want to sell, where is it
now?
I used to be pretty precious about
keeping work, these days not so
much, my wife has a couple of pieces
which I have given her, and I try to
keep one of each skateboard I design,
but to be honest if someone offers
me money for a piece I am usually so
skint I cant say no!
What is your recommendation to
someone who wants to make art for a
career?
I honestly dont know that I have
anything worthwhile to say other
than love the work, because if you
dont start out from that point the
whole thing will be a waste of time,
your own work is your greatest
adventure.
What have you got coming up, any
ambitions you want to fulfil?
I’ve got a couple of shows coming up,
more board graphics, more prints.
Checkout more details of Chris at...
http://www.chrisbourkeart.com

IRISH BORN AND NOW BASED
IN LONDON’S EAST END, CONOR
HARRINGTON IS AN ARTIST WITH
DEEP SEEDED ROOTS IN GRAFFITI
AND WHOSE WORK HAS, OVER THE
LAST FEW YEARS GAINED CRITICAL
ACCLAIM.
AFTER HIS RECENT SHOW
WITH CHLOE EARLY AT KINSEY
DESFORGES IN LA, IT IS EASY
TO SEE WHY. HIS ABSTRACT
SPRAYPAINT AND OIL WORK, ALONG
WITH FIGURATIVE ELEMENTS
THAT WHEN COMBINED WITH
INTENSE DETAIL PRODUCE PIECES
THAT MAKE YOU STOP AND PAY
ATTENTION.
What is an average day for you and
what would be your ideal day?
My day might have an unusual start
for an artist. I get up at 7 and cycle
to the gym and then I’m in my studio
for around 9 and work until 7 or 8
in the evening. I can’t work for more
than 2 hours without going out for
food or coffee. I like going to the gym
because it helps me stay disciplined
and that feeds into my work. I
also like being in a non-creative
environment so that its refreshing
for me when I reach my studio.
My day is quite structured around
food and coffee because without my
routine I’d crumble and get nothing
done. The soundtrack to my day is
hip hop, electronica and jazz. Played
very loud.
How would you describe the subject
and style your work to someone who
has not seen it?
I always hate describing my work,
maybe because I’m not very good
with words. But I guess the first
thing that hits you is the military
element and then the abstract
graffiti text. I like playing with
opposites - oils and aerosol, graffiti
and fine art, abstraction and
figuration, chaos and control. I
paint representatives of power and
strength but break them down with
layers of paint and tags, sort of like
stripping them of their authority.
What sort of art education did you go
through and how was it?
I always say I had both an informal
and formal education. The latter
being a degree in Fine Art at
Limerick School of Art and Design.
But first up I painted graf since I
was 14. learning the ropes and the
do’s and don’t in the days before the
internet was a great experience.
Have you always wanted to be an
artist, what would you be doing if not
for this?
I’ve always wanted to be an artist.
I’m fairly useless at everything else
but I love music and I used to play
the sax so I guess if I wasn’t painting
I’d be some sort of musician.
When did you realize you could make
art for a living, what was your break
into art?
Its hard to say. I lived at home in
Cork for 2 years between finishing
art college and moving to London.
In Cork I was able to do a lot of
commercial work, the type of thing I
would never do now but at the time
it served its purpose. I also sold
the odd painting here and there but
really I guess moving to London was
the best thing for me. There’s a real
market here and an open minded one
at that.
Any hobbies for your spare time, if
you get any?
I’d love to say ‘oh I don’t get spare
time, I’m too busy painting’ which
is true to a certain extent but with
painting it is very important to
stand back and get some perspective.
I don’t do anything out of the
ordinary. I go to the cinema a lot and
I hate to resort to Irish stereotype
but the pub does help to unwind.
What would you say is an inspiration
for you on your work or your
progress?
Music I’d say. I like people who make
things differently and aren’t tied to a
specific scene.
How long does it take you to finish a
piece?
On average 3 to 4 weeks. The smaller
works don’t get done any quicker for
some reason.
What would you say is your main
weapon of choice, pen, brush,
spraycan?
My paintings are 80% oils and brush
and 20% spraycan. I couldn’t make
work without either.
Do you listen to music when you are
working, does listening to a particular
type of music affect the content of
your work?
I can’t work without music. I have a
decent enough system in my studio
and I play music very loud. I never
hear the phone. I listen to a lot of
hip-hop and electronica but I also
like jazz and classical and global
folk music too. I find that hip hop
makes me restless and when I have
a classical piece on my focus and
attention if far better. I slow down
and take my time. Contemplative
music is definitely better for my
concentration but I love throwing on
some pounding beats to wind myself
up.
Do you have a piece of your work that
you are most happy with and wouldn’t
or didn’t want to sell, where is it now?
I’m afraid I never hold any piece
back. Its a funny thing really. You
work on something for so long that
it almost feels like a relief when the
van comes to bring it to the gallery. I
did a piece last year called ‘The Story
of Us and Them’, and I reckon its my
best piece. I wish I had it on my wall.
What has been the best thing you have
got to do because of doing art, best
place, person met?
Definitely traveling. Thats the best
thing about being involved in graffiti
and street art, you get to travel and
paint in interesting places. In 2004 I
went to Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Painting a wall in Soweto is definitely
the coolest place I’ve painted.
Who would you say, right now is doing
something fresh or exciting?
Alex Farto/Vihls.
What is your recommendation to
someone who wants to make art for a
career?
Work hard. Cheesy but true.
What have you got coming up, any
ambitions you want to fulfill?
I’ve my next show at Lazarides in
November so thats going to dominate
my time but I’ll get to go out and
paint in Italy this summer and
hopefully somewhere else too before
my show comes along.
More on Conor can be found here...
http://www.conorharrington.com/
DAVID SHILLINGLAW WORKS
TO CREATE IMAGES THAT
REPRESENT HIS VIEW OF THE
HUMAN CONDITION, WORKING
OFTEN DIRECTLY ONTO OBJECTS
AS APPOSED TO THE TRADITIONAL
STYLE OF CANVAS, HIS WORK IS AS
EXCITING AS IT IS INDIVIDUAL.
HE HAS EXHIBITED WIDELY IN THE
UK AS WELL AS INTERNATIONALLY
AND IS AMONG OTHER THINGS
THE PROJECT CURATOR AT
NOWHERE NORTH GALLERY, AS
WELL CONTRIBUTING TO FECAL
FACE. CONSTANTLY EVOLVING AND
EXPERIMENTING HE CONSTANTLY
PRODUCES INSTANTLY LIKEABLE
WORK WITH GREAT DEPTH.
What is an average day for you and
what would be your ideal day?
Coffee .Eat. Coffee. Work. Coffee.
Work. Sleep. Coffee
Its hard to say what an average day
is like. I am often juggling several
projects/jobs at once. I usually
have to work to deadlines, so my
day depends on what I am work
on/towards. I have recently been
teaching in a school so that dictates
a time frame to my day. But in
terms of working on my art, I enjoy
working on many things at once,
skipping from one thing to another. I
like to work late at night when there
are no few distractions. And recently
I enjoy working early in the morning.
Ideal days for me are making art,
eating great foods with great people
in great places.
How would you describe the subject
and style your work to someone who
has not seen it?
Hand made, playful, eclectic, and
dynamic.
What sort of art education did you go
through and how was it?
I completed a degree in Fine Art. I
met some really great people. I think
university taught me how to teach
myself.
Have you always wanted to be an
artist, what would you be doing if not
for this?
From a very young age I was
drawing and making stuff, I think
I always wanted to be an artist of
some kind. If I weren’t an artist I
would join the circus, when I was a
kid I wanted to be a clown.
When did you realize you could make
art for a living, what was your break
into art?
I guess I realsied I could make
a living from art when I sold a
painting. But I have always had other
jobs, its great when I do sell art, but
it never stops being a struggle and I
enjoy that aspect of being an artist.
I also make money from illustration,
set design, teaching and all this stuff
feeds into my own practice. I think I
would be making art if I were selling
stuff or not. As for my ‘break’, I
don’t really feel like I have had a
break into anything, people measure
success in different ways, maybe my
first ‘break’ was selling a painting,
maybe it was my first solo show,
maybe its doing this interview right
now. I think all the things you do just
keep adding up to get you where you
are.
Any hobbies for your spare time, if
you get any?
I love cooking. I Cycle and I read a
lot. I also manage a gallery in the
warehouse where I have my studio
(www.nowherenorth.co.uk)
What would you say is an inspiration
for you on your work or your
progress?
Anatomy, semantics, cartography
and phrenology are a few things I
am currently very inspired by and
interested in.
How long does it take you to finish a
piece?
Anywhere between 5 minutes and 5
months. Relative to size, material,
deadline etc. sometimes I think
something is finished and then a
year later I’ll paint into it, or nail
something to it. To quote Picasso, he
said something along the lines of “To
finish a painting, is to kill it”, I like
that.
What would you say is your main
weapon of choice, pen, brush,
spraycan?
Weapons of choice: Coffee and a
sense of humor.
I use all kinds of tools and materials.
Watercolour. Felt tip pens. Crayons.
Domestic paint. Posca. Tip-ex. Biro.
Glue. Paper. Spray paint and Old type
writers.
Do you listen to music when you are
working, does listening to a particular
type of music affect the content of
your work?
I always listen to music. My current
play list sounds something like
Bob Dylan, Cold War Kids, TV on
the Radio, Fleet Foxes, Beck, Cody
Chestnut, David Bowie, Beastie Boys,
Sly & The Family Stone, Wilco and
John Martyn.
I think music does affect the content
of my work; sometimes song lyrics
can end up in my paintings.
Do you have a piece of your work that
you are most happy with and wouldn’t
or didn’t want to sell, where is it now?
I have a few that I won’t sell. One
that springs to mind is ‘Dim Sum
and then some’. I really love that
painting; I made it in China while I
was doing a residency in Beijing. It is
hanging on my bedroom wall.
What has been the best thing you have
got to do because of doing art, best
place, person met?
Traveling to great places is an
amazing part of being an artist. I
have exhibited in China and Turkey
among other places, and I met some
really great people and experienced
true magic along the way.
Who would you say, right now is doing
something fresh or exciting?
The list of artists I admire gets
longer every day. If you want to
check out some freshness in the art
world, go visit www.fecalface.com,
or www.myloveforyou.typepad.com
or www.rojo-magazine.com they are
awesome websites, full of interviews
with impressive artists and photos
of exciting exhibitions happening
around the world.
What have you got coming up, any
What is your recommendation to ambitions you want to fulfill?
someone who wants to make art for a
career? I have just got back from setting up
my solo show in Bristol at the Here
Stick to your guns, and be prepared gallery www.thingsfromhere.co.uk
for amazing things to happen. the show runs till April 25th 2009.
I’d like to own a pig and a penguin.
More on David and Nowhere North
here...
http://www.davidshillinglaw.co.uk
http://www.nowherenorth.co.uk

COMING FROM A SMALL TOWN
AND STILL BASED IN THE WEST
COUNTRY, SPECIFICALLY BRISTOL,
MR JAGO, PART OF THE SCRAWL
COLLECTIVE, GREW UP BEING
INFLUENCED BY HIP HOP, CLASSIC
MARVEL COMICS AND GRAFFITI,
THE LATTER BEING THE CLEAREST
ELEMENT OF INFLUENCE ON HIS
WORK.
EXHIBITING WITH THE
COLLECTIVE AND INDIVIDUALLY
INTERNATIONALLY HIS UNIQUELY
ABSTRACTED FIGURES HAVE MADE
HIM A STAPLE INDIVIDUAL IN THE
UK’S STREET ART SCENE
What is an average day for you and
what would be your ideal day?
Average day = up. X1 cup of tea, do
the emails, X1 cup of coffee then
out the door and to the studio to
paint [ or try ]. I cant tell you about
the evening times, they are far to
disturbing, or is it boring, I cant
remember.
Ideal day would be heading for
somewhere with rivers, woods and
farm smells and hopefully seeing at
least two squirrels and a Sasquatch.
How would you describe the subject
and style your work to someone who
has not seen it?
Somebody called me Mr. Where’s
Wally today. When I asked why she
explained that she had to look for
quite a while to see what was in my
painting.
I guess I would describe it as
abstract with figurative elements.
I’m not very good at talking
about my own work im afraid.
What sort of art education did you go
through and how was it?
I did art right through to university
where I specialized in illustration. I
didn’t really like being told what not
to do but life outside the institution
was wicked.
Have you always wanted to be an
artist, what would you be doing if not
for this?
I didn’t realize so but, yes. When
I was younger I wanted to draw
monsters so that someone could put
them in a film.
I imagine I would probably be
trapped in a job I never wanted if not
for art.
However a back- up dream job would
be a ranger [they do exist, my friend
was one for a while and he knows
the difference between good and evil
fungi]
When did you realize you could make
art for a living, what was your break
into art?
I was approached on a couple
of commercial jobs when the
“scrawl dirty graphics and strange
characters “ book was released, at
the time I was answering phones
and growing an ulcer. It was the first
time I had been offered more than
£60 for my scribbles. It made sense,
I should leave this hell box and have
a go at winging it. Since then I have
moved away from commercial jobs
and turned my hand to painting.
Any hobbies for your spare time, if
you get any?
As you can guess there isn’t much
spare time but I must admit to
wanting a good fish . So far this year
I have been twice with my friend
Carl, between us we have caught one
crab.
What would you say is an inspiration
for you on your work or your
progress?
Many things but motion, nature
and machines seem to be the most
powerful. I’m on a ongoing quest to
combine them all in a way that fits
my emotions at that time.
How long does it take you to finish a
piece?
This differs depending on my levels
of confidence . on a good roll it can
be three days on a bad one 10. walls
are different though, I like to get it
all done in a day.
What would you say is your main
weapon of choice, pen, brush,
spraycan?
It has to be the brush, you can get
so many different marks from it. I
do like the spray can more and more
these days.
Do you listen to music when you are
working, does listening to a particular
type of music affect the content of
your work?
Music is a very important part of my
painting process, maybe even more
important than tea.
I tend to need music to suite my
mood. Sometimes when painting
is going badly I will realize that I
am listening to something that just
doesn’t fit with the day. Electronic
music seems to have enough
different styles to suite many moods.
Do you have a piece of your work that
you are most happy with and wouldn’t
or didn’t want to sell, where is it now?
I finished a dyptich a couple of weeks
ago which is my favorite piece to
date. I’m trying not to look at it too
often as I will eventually forget the
thrill I got from when I knew that it
was finished and there was nothing
else I could add/take away. I don’t
like keeping any of my own work,
once its finished I would quite like
someone else to have it.
What has been the best thing you have
got to do because of doing art, best
place, person met?
Its all been an amazing unexpected
trip. I have flown to lots of different
countries around the world met and
worked with many amazing peeps
and generally gained a perspective
about being here that has made my
life feel like it makes sense. The
feeling that I am meant to be doing
this with my life is the best thing art
has given me.
Who would you say, right now is doing
something fresh or exciting?
There are lots of people doing lots of
different types of fresh and exciting
work out there today.
But the peoples work I feel leaves
me grinning and thinking every time
that I have seen something truly
original are the WSSK [ wet shame ]
boys .
Individually they all come fresh
so combined they are a force to be
reckoned with.
[in my humble opinion ].
What is your recommendation to
someone who wants to make art for a
career?
Keep the faith ! Also get a manager if
you are not good at business.
What have you got coming up, any
ambitions you want to fulfill?
I am in a few of shows coming up
later this year. In June I am showing
as part of stolenspace’s summer
group show, after that I’m lucky
enough to have the project room at
Thinkspace gallery as part of the
Modart Magazine curated group
show this august 14th until sep
4th, very exciting, some amazing
artists are involved, then it’s a solo
show at The Don Gallery in Milan
in September and then I’m in a
group show at Gallery 1988 in San
Francisco in October.
As for ambitions I am hoping to
continue painting and evolving for
as long as life is with me, but on a
fantasy level I would very much like
to have holidays.
Check out Mr Jago and the Scrawl
Collective here...
http://www.mrjago.com
http://www.scrawlcollective.co.uk
(Image by Si Scott)
ANNA GARFORTH STUDIED
GRAPHIC DESIGN AT CENTRAL ST
MARTINS BEFORE SETTING UP HER
OWN GRAPHIC DESIGN STUDIO, ABE.
AS WELL AS THIS ANNA AND
HER CREATIVE PARTNER
ELEANOR STEVENS, WORKING
UNDER THE NAME EL & ABE,
HAVE BEEN INSTALLING THEIR
ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS
‘MOSSENGER’ PROJECT,
CRAFTING TYPE FROM MOSS,
INTERNATIONALLY.
THIS INSPIRING AND ORIGINAL
WORK HAS BEEN FEATURED IN
CREATIVE REVIEW AND HAS BEEN
EXHIBITED AT; OVER DESIGN
OVER, AND EXHIBITION IN ITALY
SHOWCASING 44 INTERNATIONALLY
ACCLAIMED DESIGNERS.
What is an average day for you and
what would be your ideal day?
My average day consists of eating,
playing (but not for long) and
working, my ideal day would be
playing, eating and playing more.
What is the process like to create a
piece, is it time consuming?
Everything I do is quite time
consuming as I am my own worst
critic. I pick apart my work and
re-construct it over and over until I
feel slightly better about it.
What sort of art education did you go
How would you describe your work to through and how was it?
someone without showing it to them?
I went to Central Saint Martins, I
Detailed and living. have grown a lot since then and have
much more freedom to experiment
without the anxieties the college
gave me. While I was in education it
restricted me a lot as I was always
so goddamn paranoid about everyone
and everything being cooler and
better than me.
Did you always have aspirations of
doing design and illustration?
Art has always been my world and
my aspiration has always been to
spend my life being creative.
What would you be doing if not for
this?
Gardener or cook.
What do you do in your spare time, if
you get any?
Eat cake, sip tea and dance.
Any particular influence
or inspiration?
Nature.
Favourite graphic designer or artist?
Nature.
Do you listen to music when you are
working, who and what do you
listen to?
Yeah I love listening to the Well Deep
album with grimey uk hip hop tunes,
I like working listening to Dizzy
Rascal, Roots Manuva, and anything
a bit grimey. I also love listening to
Reggae.
What has been the best project you
have had the opportunity to work on?
The moss art, as it gave rise to
an ace collaborative partnership
between myself and Elly Stevens. We
are called El&Abe and work only in
the green field of design.
What would you recommend a person
to do if they wanted a career in design
and illustration?
Follow your heart and what you
believe in.
Do you enjoy working to a brief on What have you got coming up, any
commercial work or would you prefer ambitions you want to fulfil?
to be left to your own devices to draw
what you want? El&Abe are turning an old urban
garage into a secret garden for
I like both just as much. I have Brompton Design District. We are
been lucky enough to always get creating living type out of mustard
commercial work that I enjoy and seed, curly cress and wheat grass.
stuff I believe in. Its an event that is being held
over May in Kensington to get the
Do you have a piece of your work community together and talking
that you are most happy with and about nature.
wouldn’t or didn’t want to be used
commercially or otherwise, where is My ambition is to learn about being
it now? self sufficient and exploring this
through my art work.
I am happy with most of my stuff
because I always do the best I can
with every project. I dont mind my
work being applied to anything it Check out more of Anna’s work and
suits as long as I believe and support her work with El & Abe at...
what it is being used for.
http://www.crosshatchling.co.uk

WITH A UNIQUE AND INSTANTLY
RECOGNISABLE STYLE, SI SCOTT
AND HIS BRAND OF HAND DRAWN
TYPOGRAPHY AND ILLUSTRATION
HAS LANDED HIM WORK WITH SOME
PRETTY MAJOR CLIENTS, HE HAS
BEEN FEATURED IN COUNTLESS
PUBLICATIONS AND BLOGS.
HE HAS RECENTLY BEEN
WORKING ON HIS OWN PROJECT,
COLLABORATING WITH DESIGNER
ELECTRONIC POET, TO CREATE
A RANGE OF CLOTHING THAT
FEATURES UNIQUE DESIGNS AND
WHICH WILL BE SOLD ALONGSIDE
OTHER BRANDS IN THEIR OWN
STORE, PAPER SCISSORS STONE.
What is an average day for you and
what would be your ideal day?
I normally get up around 8ish and
have a shower etc...
Get to work in the studio 9ish and
check emails and schedule to see
what’s going on that day. Most
days are pretty much like this just
cracking on with the work.
My ideal day would be pretty much
the same but just in NYC.
What is the process like to create a
piece, is it time consuming?
It is very time consuming - but
I think that’s where my main
enjoyment in design comes from.
I love the process of creating and
crafting a piece together. I can’t
really say how long each piece takes
as each one is different.
How would you describe your work to
someone without showing it to them?
Digital art created by hand.
What sort of art education did you go
through and how was it?
I studied a Btec in graphic design
then a foundation and onto a degree
in graphic design (pretty much
the same as most I think). I really
enjoyed my years of study just
having loads of time to play around
with my own ideas and spend time
doing letterpress / screen printing
etc...
The years that stand out for me as
high lights were my foundation year
and the 3rd year of my degree.
Did you always have aspirations of
doing design and illustration?
I’ve always wanted to do something
to do with art - just didn’t know
what.
I didn’t really know what graphic
design was until I got to art college.
What would you be doing if not for
this?
Probably work in a record shop or
something like that?
What do you do in your spare time, if
you get any?
I go to loads of gigs and try read
when ever I get the chance.
Any particular influence or
inspiration?
I think my main influences are music
as it is the only other thing apart
from design
that I never get bored with. On a
Design front I would have to say
Farrow / Pentagram / Frost /
Designers Republic.
Favourite graphic designer or artist?
Graphic Designer - Farrow
Artist - Deanne Cheuk
Do you listen to music when you are
working, who and what do you listen
to?
Yes - constantly! There’s too many
to mention but at the minute I am
listening to -
Interpol / Bjork / Radiohead / The
National etc...
What has been the best project you
have had the opportunity to work on?
I don’t think it’s happened yet - I
like to look forward and move on as
quickly as possible.
What would you recommend a person
to do if they wanted a career in design
and illustration?
‘Work hard and be nice to people’
Do you enjoy working to a brief on
commercial work or would you prefer What have you got coming up, any
to be left to your own devices to draw ambitions you want to fulfil?
what you want?
I’ve just opened a store in Leeds
It’s 50/50 really. I think if you did (Paper Scissor Stone) with two
one all the time it mite get a bit stale others. The store sells artwork /
so if you can do a bit of both then clothing / product - a lifestyle store
that’s great. really!
Do you have a piece of your work As far as ambitions go I would love to
that you are most happy with and do some work with high-end fashion
wouldn’t or didn’t want to be used brands and bands that I really love.
commercially or otherwise, where is
it now?
I am still really happy with the work For more information on Si go to...
I did in the 3rd year of my degree -
which I am thinking about producing http://www.siscottstudio.com
as limited edition books at some and
point? http://www.paper-scissor-stone.co.uk
(Image by Simon Peplow)
JODY BARTON HAS A UNIQUE STYLE
OF ILLUSTRATION THAT REMAINS
UNIQUE REGARDLESS OF WHAT
TECHNIQUE OR MEDIUM HE USES
TO COMMUNICATE, WHICH VARIES
GREATLY.
EDUCATED AT THE ROYAL
COLLEGE OF ART IN LONDON, JODY
HAS DEFINED HIMSELF AS AN
ILLUSTRATOR WHO CONSTANTLY
PRODUCES GOOD WORK, AND IN
A FAIRLY SUBSTANTIAL VOLUME
TOO. WORKING FOR ICONIC
MAGAZINES LIKE THE FACE, ONLY
CONTRIBUTES TO THE ATTRACTION
TO HIS WORK.
What is an average day for you and
what would be your ideal day?
Just working at my desk and cycling
around to see friends...
Cake is usually playing a role...
How would you describe the subject
and style your work to someone who
has not seen it?
It’s about words, humour and
confrontation. I’m a wordhead, a
bookworm, a bookhead..
What sort of art education did you go
through and how was it?
Camberwell College and the Royal
College both confused, and stimulated Have you always wanted to be an
the desire to shout obscenities. illustrator, what would you be doing if
not for this?
I’d like to be a rock star please...
Any hobbies for your spare time, if
you get any?
I love bicycles and cake and bass
guitar and Keith Moon on the drums.
What would you say is an inspiration
for you on your work or your
progress?
The writing of Herman Hesse, the
music of Black Sabbath.
Favourite illustrator or artist?
Andy Warhol.
Favourite blog/blogger? What have you got coming up, any
ambitions you want to fulfill?
FRENCH
A show in Copenhagen, and a move
http://funeralfrench.blogspot.com toward more painting and less
fucking email!..
Do you listen to music when you are
working, does listening to a particular
type of music affect the content of
your work? For more on Jody visit his site..

I like listening to Drum Bumps by the http://www.jodybarton.co.uk/

band Tortoise. Or Eminem.

Do you have a piece of your work that

you are most happy with and wouldn’t
or didn’t want to sell, where is it now?

I never really sell original art. I have

a storage place where it all is.

Do you enjoy working to a brief on

commercial work or would you prefer
to be left to your own devices to draw
what you want?

I enjoy the money and sometimes the

challenge of commercial briefs.

What has been the best thing you have

got to do because of doing illustration,
best place, person met?

All the people I have met play a part.

Anybody who is a good friend is the
best inspiration.

CREATING WORK THAT HAS
UNDERCURRENTS OF FOLK
INFLUENCE, LIZZY STEWART
CREATES MAINLY PENCIL DRAWN
PIECES OFTEN TRANSLATED TO
PRINT MEDIUMS, WORK THAT IS
INFLUENCED SIMPLY BY HER DAY
TO DAY ACTIVITIES.
CURRENTLY (AT TIME OF PRINT)
FINISHING HER DEGREE IN
ILLUSTRATION AT EDINBURGH
SCHOOL OF ART, AND WITH
AN ALREADY EXCITING AND
IMPRESSIVE ARRAY OF PROJECTS
BEHIND HER. WORKING ON
PROJECTS INDIVIDUALLY AS
WELL AS HER COLLABORATIONS
WITH DESIGNER JEZ BURROWS;
PARTICULARLY SING STATISTICS.
What is an average day for you and
what would be your ideal day?
Average day would be getting up at
ten-ish and heading to the studio
where I try and balance drawing
with faffing about but usually fail
and end up spinning on my chair
looking out the window until it’s
time for lunch and I can get a tasty
wrap from round the corner. Yes! At
around six I head home to try and
undo all the time wasting I did that
day. I scan stuff and try and make
it look presentable. When I finally
admit defeat I watch Freaks & Geeks
on DVD until bed.
An ideal day would involve getting up
at a reasonable hour, walking around
Edinburgh in the sunshine, having
lunch at my favourite Swedish
café and spending all my money in
Analogue Books. I might do some
drawing too.
How would you describe the subject
and style your work to someone who
has not seen it?
I think I tend to vary my style a bit
depending on the application of the
image but as a rule I’d say slightly
awkward, wonky drawings with
too much pencil with a sort of folk
influence. But I’d probably be wrong.
What sort of art education did you go
through and how was it?
I am currently in my final year
at Edinburgh College of Art. It’s
been OK. I think lots of people get
frustrated with their education, I
certainly have, but for the most part
its worth getting really stuck into
college and rinsing the facilities dry
while you can!
Have you always wanted to be an
illustrator, what would you be doing if
not for this?
I wanted to be a painter but when
I started a degree in Fine Art I
suddenly realized that it wasn’t
for me anymore. So I tried out
illustration instead. I have no
idea what I’d do if it wasn’t for
illustration. I’m skilled for nothing
else! I guess I would have like to try
out something fashion related but I
doubt I would have been any good
at it.
Any hobbies for your spare time, if
you get any?
I like cycling around the park behind
our flat and watching films. I wish
I was more active. Illustration is so
sedate.
What would you say is an inspiration
for you on your work or your
progress?
Places are a huge inspiration on me.
Where I am has a huge effect on how
I work and what I work on. Equally
whatever I’m reading/listening to
tends to seep in to what I’m drawing.
Favourite illustrator or artist?
Carson Ellis every time. I want to
live in her pictures. Her work with
the Decemberists was what first
introduced me to contemporary
illustration while I was still at
school. Suddenly there was this
whole world of artists that I had no
idea about. It’s all her fault.
Favourite blog/blogger?
Oh god. I love blogs. Its disgusting
just how much I love them. Choosing
one is hard! I love Camilla Engman’s
blog and Fine Little Day by Elisabeth
Dunkler. My Love For You Is A
Stampede Of Horses is always
amazing too.
Do you listen to music when you are
working, does listening to a particular
type of music affect the content of
your work?
Always. I tend to listen mainly to
folkier stuff when I’m working (I
say ‘folkier’ I mean indie-folk, not
REAL folk music) like Bonnie Prince
Billy and Smog. Bands like Grizzly
Bear and Songs Ohia make me want
to draw too. I love finding beautiful
songs and trying to approximate
the feeling I get listening to them
into what I draw. I’d love to do
some crazy, colourful stuff based on
Animal Collective or Man Man I have
a feeling that would be really fun.
Do you have a piece of your work that
you are most happy with and wouldn’t
or didn’t want to sell, where is it now?
I’m not sure. I did a drawing last
year that was A1 size and took ages
that I wouldn’t want to part with. It
was St Basil’s Cathedral with a tree
growing through it. I’m not sure if
it’s the piece I’m most happy with
but it represents the most work I’ve
ever put into one drawing so that’s
something I guess
Do you enjoy working to a brief on
commercial work or would you prefer
to be left to your own devices to draw
what you want?
I like briefs. When I have too much
freedom I’m liable to procrastinate
or just draw the same things over
and over. Briefs allow you to think
about a variety of subjects that
you’d otherwise never touch. Saying
that there comes a point where
you wonder why you are being
commissioned for certain things
when they just don’t fit in with the
kind of work you do.
What has been the best thing you have
got to do because of doing illustration,
best place, person met?
I recently organised an event called
the ‘After School Club’ where a
selection of young illustrators and
designers spoke to students about
their work and their experience
and so on. Stuart Kolakovic, Nous
Vous, Plats, Alex Ostrowski and Jez
Burrows all did wee talks about their
lives and that was awesome. It was
a great way for students to connect
their experience in education to what
might happen to them once they
graduate. It was also an amazing
opportunity to meet some wonderful
artists.
Also meeting Shea’La Finch who
runs Tiny Showcase at a little gig in
a church hall in Edinburgh where I
was selling t shirts and posters was
pretty cool as it lead to me doing two What have you got coming up, any
prints and an exhibition with them. ambitions you want to fulfill?
Graduation! Currently my only real
goal is to have a good degree show.
I have a month and a half ish to go
and its getting tense! After that I’d
like to be able to start work as a real-
life illustrator. I guess my ambition
is to never have to get a ‘real’ job!
Perhaps that’s a bit hopeful!
For more on Lizzy check out...
http://www.abouttoday.co.uk
CONSIDERING HE DIDN’T
INITIALLY SET OUT TO BECOME AN
ILLUSTRATOR, MATT DENT NOW
HAS LEFT A TRAIL OF COMPANIES
IN HIS WAKE WITH A BUNCH OF
NICE WORK. DAZED AND CONFUSED
ARE JUST ONE OF THESE PEOPLE
WHO HE HAS LEFT WITH HIS
TRADEMARK STYLE OF WORK.
PRODUCING PLAYFUL AND
DETAILED IMAGERY, HIS WORK
IS EXCITING TO LOOK AT AND
SUCCEEDS WHOLEHEARTEDLY
IN DRAWING THE EYE. HIS
CONCEPTUAL PROJECTS AND
COLLABORATIONS ASIDE FROM
PROFESSIONAL WORK CONTINUE
TO PROMOTE HIS INTRICATE AND
PLAYFUL STYLE.
What is an average day for you and
what would be your ideal day?
An average day! I normally wake
up at around 9:30, I pretty much go
straight to my desk. Firstly I check
my emails, and then plan out in my
head what I need to do for the day.
I work pretty slowly at the start of
the day, normally generating ideas
and working on personal stuff. Then
as the day goes on, I normally work
on any commissions I have and start
working on any IYN names, I have
on the ever-increasing list…. Oh
and every so often I play a game of
football, bike ride or adventure out
with my girlfriend!
How would you describe the subject
and style your work to someone who
has not seen it?
My work is very playful and colorful!
I tend to find it hard to describe
what subject my work covers; I like
to think it targets everyone, those
who are interested in art and those
who are not. I like to make work that
is personal and gives more of an
impact than just a doodle or sketch.
This is something I am finding great
about my personal projects, as it
allows me to create something more
personal that people can relate to
and understand!
What sort of art education did you go
through and how was it?
I actually had a really good
education, At school I was always
encouraged with my art, I had some
really good teachers. My brother was
a few years ahead so we were always
known for our art. I decided against
choosing art at University, as I was
also really interested in New Media
and film. During my degree I kept on
drawing and sketching until I decided
I really enjoyed this, so I decided to
set up a website and put all my work
up. I started to get a lot of interest,
which encouraged me to push on and
try to make it as an illustrator.
Have you always wanted to be an
illustrator, what would you be doing if
not for this?
I didn’t always want to be an
illustrator, because I wasn’t
completely aware of all the
possibilities. I didn’t realize that I
could make a career out of drawing!
I think I would be doing something
more technical, I was always
interested in flash and after effects,
but not ever enough to take up
full time. Alternatively I would be
working for my family business!
Any hobbies in your spare time, if you
get any?
Good Question! I used to play football
like five times a week, until I started
my job as a full time illustrator. I
had to cut down a lot, as I wanted
to focus on my work. I still play a
bit here and there, as much as I can
really. I also play lots of other sports
when I get the chance.
What would you say is an inspiration
for you on your work or your
progress?
A big inspiration are my family and
girlfriend, the amount of support I
get is crazy. They really believe in
what I do, so it helps a lot. I think
I work so hard because there is so
much I want to achieve, like starting
a studio with my brother, and all the
other things that go with growing up.
Favourite illustrator or artist?
Without sounding biased Chris Dent!
I have watched every aspect of him
growing up and developing as an
artist. His work is very original and
he manages to produce something
mind blowing pretty much on a
weekly basis…. There are loads more
but Chris definitely tops the list for
me.
Favourite blog/blogger?
I really enjoy Its Nice That, Human
Resources, My love for you,
Booooooom.
Do you listen to music when you are
working, does listening to a particular
type of music affect the content of
your work?
I definitely love listening to music
when I work; I very rarely switch on
the TV. I listen to so many different
artists and genres, subconsciously
they probably do affect my work, but
I couldn’t pinpoint a specific person
or band.
Do you have a piece of your work that
you are most happy with and wouldn’t
or didn’t want to sell, where is it now?
I really like the FACT posters that
I have been doing! They are really
fun, and I pretty much get to do
what I want with them. Creative
Freedom is great. I also worked on
some snowboards recently; this was
probably the ultimate job I could
have wished for!
Do you enjoy working to a brief on
commercial work or would you prefer
to be left to your own devices to draw
what you want?
I do really enjoy doing my own
personal work, and initiating my own
projects, but I also really enjoy a
good fun brief. It’s sometimes great
to get an art director to lead the
work in a different direction but in
keeping with my ideas and style.
What has been the best thing you have
got to do because of doing illustration,
best place, person met?
I have worked with some cool people,
but its still pretty early on. I still
have so much to achieve, which is
very exciting, I hope to meet loads
more people and travel a bit too.
What have you got coming up, any
ambitions you want to fulfill?
I have some T-shirts coming out
with Timberland in August! I am
also releasing my own set of T-shirts
and zines. I have a super cool
collaboration that I am working on
with a friend in the states. It’s going
to be amazing! I also have a project
running at the moment called IYN.
It’s been really popular so far, if you
are interested just check out my
site!!
More on Matt here...
http://www.state28.com/

CHARACTER BASED ILLUSTRATION
IS A DIFFICULT THING TO DO WELL
AND EVEN MORE SO TO MAKE IT
YOUR OWN, SIMON PEPLOW IS ONE
OF THESE ILLUSTRATORS WHO
DOES IT RIGHT. HIS WORK’S SIMPLE
BUT EFFECTIVE CONSTRUCTION,
USING JUST THE RIGHT
AMALGAMATION OF HAND MADE
AND DIGITAL WORK CREATES WORK
THAT IS IMMEDIATELY EFFECTIVE.
AS WELL AS HIS OWN WORK, HE IS
ALSO ONE PART OF THE CURATING
TEAM BEHIND THE JOYFUL
BEWILDERMENT, A COLLECTIVE
GROUP SHOW THAT HAS JUST
RECENTLY HAD IT’S SECOND
OUTING AT ANALOGUE BOOKS IN
EDINBURGH.
What is an average day for you and
what would be your ideal day?
I surface around 7am, clasping a cold
mug of tea, and gasping in disbelief
at the realisation that although my
eyes have widened, I am still not in
the land of the living. Stumbling
down some stairs to munch on three
blocks of Weetabix, or something of
a similar nature follows. I’ll then
Bath in water, brush my grill, then
it’s back down the stairs, onto my
trusty steed, and off in the direction
of work, where I am regularly put
to the test by the mini minds of the
future.
Ideal day - doing what I love for
a living, whilst having some kind
of positive influence on the youth
makers of the future.
How would you describe the subject
and style your work to someone who
has not seen it?
Lo-fi shenanigans with a motherly
message.
What sort of art education did you go
through and how was it?
I was schooled via the regular
means - college, more college and
university. I personally found it
very useful, I guess it’s all relevant
to the individual, you take snippits
of wisdom appropriate to you at the
time, then experiment, and hopefully
leave whatever institution with an
understanding of the direction you
want to be furthering in.
I also learned a great deal from
skateboarding and traveling to San
Francisco in 2001, this was an
enlightening experience in itself.
Have you always wanted to be an
illustrator, what would you be doing if
not for this?
Nope, skateboarding ruled my
youth, and Art ran parallel to it. I
had no idea a course in illustration
existed until I’d visited SF. I guess
my dream was to be a professional
skateboarder. However I quickly
fell out of love with the idea after
returning from the States.
Any hobbies for your spare time, if
you get any?
I dig table tennis, and razzing
around on my racer.
What would you say is an inspiration
for you on your work or your
progress?
The human condition is a regular
treasure trove for ideas, and
pondering the absurd and diabolical
times we find ourselves wedged
within.
Favourite illustrator or artist?
There are way too many inspirators
to document, I salute all that have
chosen to embark on a solitary
mission, and with whatever medium
as their message.
Favourite blog/blogger?
Nathaniel Russell
Do you listen to music when you are
working, does listening to a particular
type of music affect the content of
your work?
I tend to listen to melancholic
musicians/bands like; The Smiths,
The Dears, Nick Drake, British Sea
Power, The National, Elliott Smith,
Dinosaur Jr, Joseph Arthur, and Neil
Young. However I get equally amped
on bands like The Talking Heads,
Animal Collective, TV on the Radio,
The Whitest Boy Alive, Rogue Wave,
Tokyo Police Club, Tommy Guerrero,
Joni Mitchell and Vetiver.
I’ve been using the digital dukebox
that is Spotify of late, I typed in
an artist I was seeking, and some
random opera called ‘Travel’ came
up instead. I gave it a whirl and was
pleasantly suprised by it’s epicness!
It became evident that many of the
characters drawn during this new
musical discovery, had wide mouths
agasp. So I guess subconsciously,
I had been affected by the pieces of
music. Music always mirrors the
mood I’m in, and if not completely
inspiring the creation, then certainly
it aids the birth of an idea to blossom
for sure.
Do you have a piece of your work that
you are most happy with and wouldn’t
or didn’t want to sell, where is it now?
Nope, I’m a perfectionist, which
has it’s many pitfalls. Therefor I
have yet to create anything that I’m
overly stoked about.
Do you enjoy working to a brief on
commercial work or would you prefer
to be left to your own devices to draw
what you want?
Both have their positive and negative
attributes. One gives ultimate
freedom, but offers little direction,
the other less freedom but agreed
finality.
What has been the best thing you have
got to do because of doing illustration,
best place, person met?
Meeting fellow illustrators,
purveyors and loyal supporters of
Illustration, a truly humble and
talented breed of beings. This will
always remain a highlight for me.
What have you got coming up, any
ambitions you want to fulfill?
I’d like to move in a new direction
of image making, been feeling a
constricted of late, and a little
stagnant, so a re-shuffle is in order.
Taking the more refined bits of my
work and moving into new mediums!
Although I muttered this last year
and it was loosely realised. so failing
this, a Catherine Wheel up my arse?
To find out more on Simon and The
Joyful Bewilderment visit...
http://simonpeplow.blogspot.com/
http://joyfulbewilderment.blogspot.
com/
(Image of Sticky‘ photography
by Alex & Cocco © 2009 www.
distilennui.com ‘)
WHAT STARTED AS BUNCH OF BMX
RIDING MATES HAS NOW BECOME A
REPUTABLE TEAM WITH MEMBERS
OF IT BECOMING WELL KNOWN
THROUGHOUT THE UK. AVERSION
BMX HAS BEEN FEATURED
EXTENSIVELY IN RIDE BMX
MAGAZINE, INCLUDING ARTICLES
THAT MEMBERS OF THE TEAM
HAVE WRITTEN.
BRANCHING OUT IN OTHER WAYS
TOO, THEY EVEN HAVE A BUNCH
OF TEE SHIRT DESIGNS AVAILABLE
FROM THEIR WEBSITE WHERE YOU
CAN FOLLOW THE TEAM’S VIDEOS
AND PHOTOS OF SESSIONS, BMX
RELATED AND OTHERWISE!
What is an average day for you and
what would be your ideal day?
An average day at the moment is
pretty hectic! I’m woken around 7.30
by my ridiculous alarm, wondering
if I’ve even been to sleep, hobble to
the bus / train / read / walk / sit /
wooooooooooooorrrrrrrrkkkkkkkkk
/ walk / train / read / bus / home
/ eat / college work / college work
/ college work / sleep. Haha my
ideal day wouldn’t be too different
in a way, probably get up as early,
go to work but then finish at 3 (its
summer in ideal land) get the fork
out of London and head to some
trails with some guys from Aversion,
ride / film till dark, go for some food
then come back and edit a video
before bed!
How would you describe what the
Aversion team is to someone who
doesn’t know anything about BMX?
That’s pretty easy – it’s a bunch of
guys that ride kids bikes everywhere
and anywhere for fun. It just
happens that everyone involved is
pretty amazing at riding their bikes
so people seem to be interested! I
make tee shirts and film everyone
and put it out on the web.
How many people make up the
Aversion BMX team?
11 of the raddest guys you’ve
never met!
Gav Shortall
Max Wood
Mike Miller
Sean Brown
Dave Butcher
Vince Mayne
Alex Kennedy
Josh Walford
Luke Marchant
Mark Love
Antony Watkinson
How long have you guys been riding
together, when did Aversion become
the team name?
Aversion was the name even before
we had a team! I started AV with a
close friend Sam Taylor right at the
beginning, we wanted to make some
shirts and give them to Gav and Max
so we started thinking of names!
Sam text me one day with Aversion
and it seemed to stick! That was
about 4 years ago now! Aversion got
kinda serious around 2 years ago
when I just decided I’d had enough
of putting half effort into it and built
a new site and expanded the team a
little!
What else apart from riding is
Aversion about?
Aversion is really about going places
with people. Going new places with
good people!
What do you do apart from Aversion,
work etc?
At the moment I’m finishing
my degree in Graphic design at
Ravensbourne, working part time at
The Sunday Times, and on a work
placement at SEA design. Its pretty
much a 7 day week so I’m barely
even getting chance to ride at the
moment! Aversion is chilling while
I finish but summertime should be
back with AVengence! (is that a
word?)
You also do a lot of BMX photography
and writing for certain publications,
how did you get into that?
I mostly do videography, but with all
of it I just fell into it! When you’re
out riding it just seems natural to
want to record what’s happening.
I started with the worst Kodak
digital camera I’ve ever seen, taking
pictures of jumps I built and worked
up to a video camera! I just filmed
everytime we went anywhere, even
before Aversion I was running
various little sites about the people
I’d ridden with so it was all just a
natural progression. I got to write
for Ride UK bmx magazine purely
because of Aversion, first I wrote
a little article about a session of
ours that they covered, and then
whenever they do features on any of
the Aversion riders they ask me to
write the intros!
Who or what would you say is
an inspiration in your work with
Aversion and otherwise?
Inspirations is pretty much my
biggest word at the moment!
Aversion inspiration is anything and
everything I’m seeing. In terms of
the design I do it’s a case of looking
at the BMX scene and trying to
look further than it (unfortunately
I haven’t always done that), the
bmx design scene seems so stuck in
copying skateboarding, badly it just
bums me out! It has been improving
and the quality of everything is
getting there but I think its still
pretty bad!
What has been the best thing you have
got to do because of Aversion, best
place, person met?
Ah man any of the trips we’ve done
have been absolutely amazing, but
probably the Estonia trip for the
simple session! It’s a huge BMX
event in Tallinn and a fair few of
us all went over! It snowed like hell
and I didn’t even get to ride but the
whole time was amazing! Imagine
a hotel full of pro bmxers. It was
carnage times 1000. Apart from
the carnage it was amazing just
walking around such a strange place
with the guys! Definitely one of the
best things I’ve done in or out of
Aversion!
Have you got a favourite rider, who is
it if you have?
Haha probably Gav Shortall, because
he got me into bikes and always does
stuff I can’t believe!
Any stories about gnarly drops,
breaks etc?
Countless! I’ve been fairly lucky I
guess, accept once when I found this
strange hip around Ravensbourne
halls – landing on grass and thought
I would try to tailwhip it even
though I couldn’t tailwhip properly!
Evenings + grass + dew = front foot
slip + Knee bending backwards! I
have it on video!
What have you got coming up, any
ambitions you want to fulfill?
Hopefully I’ll get some time when
I finish school to get back on to
Aversion, go some really good places
and film everyone shredding! Its
been on the backburner for a while
so when I do get some time I’m going
to have to be even more on it to
make it good! Probably a Euro trip in
the summer sometime filming a little
video to burst back onto the scene
with! Apart from that just constantly
push myself to uncomfortable places
and out the other side hopefully!
To find out more about Aversion and
to check out Louis’ work go to...
http://www.aversionbmx.co.uk
and http://www.louismikolay.com
 What is an average day for you and
what would be your ideal day?

Ideal day is being seen training by

JOHNNY BUDDEN AKA STICKY
IS A MEMBER OF THE PRO
PARKOUR TEAM AT THE HEAD OF
THE WORLDWIDE FREERUNNING
NETWORK; URBAN FREEFLOW, WHO
REPRESENT THE WORLD’S BEST
PRACTITIONERS.
STICKY AMONG OTHER THINGS HAS
DONE COMMERCIAL WORK FOR BIG
NAME BRANDS LIKE MERCEDES
BENZ AND ADIDAS, ITS PRETTY
LIKELY YOU WILL HAVE SEEN HIM
IN A CAMPAIGN AT SOME POINT.
MAINLY THOUGHT HE SPENDS HIS
TIME TRAVELLING WITH HIS TEAM
TO OBSCURE PLACES TO DO WHAT
THEY DO BEST.
‘ photography by Alex & Cocco ©
2009 www.distilennui.com ‘
a secret special task force and them
asking me to work for them, being
equipped with baggy bottoms, a tazer
and a gun, my job would be to jump
out of a helicopter onto blocks of
flats and chase and capture villains
to help man kind..
Average day is sleeping with one
eye open hoping it will be sunny and
dry. Making some calls to the team
hitting up a fresh place to session
( or the scaffolding set up in my
garden) , ripping my hands to shreds
and not being able to walk after and
having footage to watch back and
remind me of what was conquered.
How would you describe what you
do with Urban Freeflow to someone
who doesn’t know anything about
freerunning/parkour?
Urban Freeflow is the world’s largest
Freerunning network, with 1000’s of
members worldwide it stands tall. We
do live performances, chorography,
commercials, and teach, we cater
for anything freerun. We do a lot of
work at grass roots levels, going into
schools, one on one tuition to things
such a teaching the Police and Royal
Marine Commando’s how to get
down.
How many people make up the team?
Just over 10 in the core team , but
we have hooked up sponsorship for
fresh talent too.
How long have you guys been
together?
6 years.
Did you ever think you would be paid
for doing something that although is
clearly hard, you enjoy it?
It never crossed my mind, I just
loved doing it. I used to get home
from school, eat my apricot wheat’s,
and then head to the local leisure
centre but to jump around outside
it. Spend lessons thinking of what I
was going to try on my way home,
and then often fail, and then psyche
myself up for a couple of more days
and let the cuts heal then try again
ha.
What do you do apart from parkour,
work etc?
I don’t have to work. I manage to
get by on Freerunning. Thing is,
everyone may look at what I do
and think that’s full of risk and
a bit daunting, the same way I
see working full time in office is
daunting, It’s a cliché but you only
live once, you should be in control of
your life, if you want to do something
then do it. Each to their own. Why
waste time on this one life you have
by doing things that you don’t enjoy
but have a choice not to do it, it’s a
no brainer.
You do some illustration too, how
come you decided to pursue the
parkour more passionately?
Illustration has always been a hobby;
I don’t think I’d ever want to feel
I’d have to do it. I do it because I
genuinely enjoy it and know that if I
am doing it, it is because I have the
time and ideas for it.
Who or what would you say is an
inspiration in what you do?
It’s so hard to name people; it’s
anyone who shows dedications and
determination. From Stevie Wonder
to Johnny Knoxville, to Mark Spitz
to medical staff who work hard to
look after us. I should’ve just written
everyone and everything.
What has been the best thing you have
got to do because of it, best place,
person met?
Kicking back with Samuel L Jackson
and a night of Hollywood legends at
the VGA awards after getting the
award from a helicopter to a hotel
to the stage whilst flipping off the
foo fights and tony hawks tables,
in full freerunner fashion. The
Royal Variety performance gave me
shivers, seeing the New York skyline
at night with my team when I was
16 on a payed trip by Adidas to open
the biggest Adidas store in the world
with Anna Kornikova. Spending
time teaching people like the Royal
Marines and Jack Osbourne were
equally eye opening and special
moments. Did a performance with
Asimo the first robot by Honda, the
world car show, a prodigy music
video. I have been truly lucky, been
luckier to do it all with my friends,
and even luckier to still being able
doing it.
Any stories about gnarly drops,
breaks etc?
You shred your hands up and pick
up the odd sprains and strains.
Freerunning isn’t a case of getting
to the edge of a roof and going
wahooooo I’m going to jump.
Everything is calculated, and has
been practiced and worked on again
and again with serious repetition.
You start low and start slow and
build your confidence. After a very
short amount of time you realize how
fatal something’s can be and how
important things like checking your
surfaces areas and being focused are.
Funniest thing you’re done, had
happened to you, witnessed?
Ahh I don’t know, every trip
something happens. I ran through
Times Square in New York in a
mankini in the middle of January,
got the whole team to shoot me
naked at paintball, been locked out
my room naked in Dubai and had
to break into Laundry rooms to get
clothes to get a spare key from the
lobby two weeks ago, jumped in the
Thames off a bridge, there’s a stream
of stuff that happens regularly.
What have you got coming up, any
ambitions you want to fulfill?
There are talks of some sort of film,
which would be off the hook! The
thing with this ‘job’ is that you never
know what a company is brewing up
and wanting to use you for, it could
be a random Tuesday and I’ll get a
text saying ‘ yo fool how do you feel
about hitting Dubai for two weeks to
perform in front f royality’ , equally
there can be time that it doesn’t
happen for a while so that’s why we
make the most of them.I am eager to
Freerun 1000 miles for charity that
is being planned at this minute. I
just want to keep my head down and
train while others rest. There are
things I want to do everyday on my
scaffolding and get mad if I can’t do
them. I want to produce more videos,
teach more people, travel and spread
the word and become wiz on my
pocket etch a sketch.
Check out more of Sticky at...
http://www.urbanfreeflow.com/
http://www.youtube.com/user/
StickyUF
(Image of The Kemistry)
RATTUS RATTUS TO USE HIS
FULL NAME, IS A DJ WHO IS WELL
KNOWN IN THE CLUB SCENE,
PARTICULARLY IN EAST LONDON,
IT’S UNLIKELY A FRIDAY NIGHT
GOES BY WITHOUT HIS NAME BEING
ON A FLYER SOMEWHERE.
ONE OF THE ORIGINAL RESIDENTS
OF 2 YEARS YOUNG URBAN NERDS
CLUB NIGHT, RATTUS HAS BEEN AS
FAR AS AUSTRIA AND SOON IBIZA
TO PROMOTE HIS PARTICULAR
BRAND OF RAPED BY BASS, A
MIXTAPE HE PRODUCES.
What is an average day for you and
what would be your ideal day?
Check my inbox for anything new
I’ve been sent and then start
annoying my neighbours by mixing
or making some tunes. I try and
spend alot of time figuring out pitch
perfect mixes or good double drops.
Then usually I’ll be out DJ’ing in the
evening or out at a mates night or
to see someone DJ. In an ideal world
I’d like to be DJ’ing every night but
apart from that everythings great.
How would you describe your music
and the genre it is in to someone who
has never heard it before?
Describe what Raped by Bass is?
I play pretty much anything with
loads of bass, the genres I mix It started as a bit of a joke between
change depending on crowd and me and James from Urban Nerds
where in the country Iím djing but as that’s how his ears used to feel
its always got a lot of bass to make after a session of raving at FWD. It
people dance. I try and put older seemed logical to call my next set of
classic dance tracks in with newer Mix CDs that, as they were full of
more upfront stuff from electro to bass heavy music.
dubstep to drum and bass. So you’re
always bound to here something new Did you always have an interest in
and something old in my sets. making music and DJing, or did you
get into it later on?
I always used to make tapes for my
mates when at school, full of stuff I
thought they should hear I suppose
it was a logical progression to start
DJing, although I didn’t get decks
until I was 18 and I was rubbish
then! Producing and remixing has
come much later and is something im
still in the process of perfecting.
What would you be doing if not for
music?
Astronaut, Actor, Formula 1 Driver
or something else equally hard to
succeed in.
When did you find that the music took
over from the work side of life?
Over the past year everything has
just snowballed, from three years ago
when I was driving over the country
and not getting paid to now, where
I’ve headlined events. It was always
the overriding presence in my life
but when your not getting the money
in, precious time is always taken up
by some bullshit job.
What do you do in your spare time,
any other interests?
I think I’ve forgotten what spare
time is... this is a 24-7 job even going
out is an oportunity to meet people
and network. it’s hard to switch of
from that mindset but I go and see a
bit of theatre when I get the chance..
I’m also a pretty good drinker.
Any particular influence or
inspiration, in music or otherwise?
I take alot of ideas from everywhere
in regards to mixing and music.
I suppose the biggest influence is
every gig I do as you try out mixes
and tunes and take everything that
goes down well from it to apply it
again. As well as learning from
the mistakes!
Who is your favourite dubstep mc/dj/
producer?
In terms of the big boys Rusko is
someone I relentlessly play and
have never been disappointed with
a release. But in terms of up and
comings I’m a massive fan of Skism,
501, Noisses and Rack N Ruin.
Who is your favourite musician aside
from the genre?
The Prodigy and Paul Simon have
both been there since I first started
listening to music and I’ve never
tired of them.
When and where is the best place you
have played?
Probably the first time I played
Fabric it was such a buzz to look
up to a packed room of ravers and What have you got coming up, any
remembering the times when i’d been ambitions you want to fulfil?
in that crowd dreaming of playing
there. But any Urban Nerds night is Quite a few festivals I’m just of to
always such a buzz everyone is so Snowbombing, then Spring Nine
keen for my sets and now me and Festival, an Ibiza tour and then
Klose One do the four deck set thats Outlook festival. Im hoping to get out
been getting amazing responses. some proper releases by the end of
the year and take the 4 deck set to
some more festivals in the
mean time.
Check out Rattus at...
http://www.myspace.com/
djrattusrattus
 What is an average day for you and
what would be your ideal day?

Days are pretty random, none are

the same unless you work a 9 to
five which I don’t at the moment. So
that’s hard to describe… An ideal
day I guess would include a lot of
relaxing listening to music in the sun
with people I care for.

How would you describe your music

and the genre it is in to someone who
has never heard it before?

Again a hard one, probably a

combination of hunting soulful
melodies, and abstract trippy beats,
it’s best to listen to our stuff.

THE KEMISTRY IS KEMI AND BARE
BEATS, A TWOSOME WHO AFTER A
YEAR IN EXISTENCE HAVE BEEN
GETTING SOME PRETTY EXTENSIVE
EXPOSURE. PLAYING AT MANY
RECENT FESTIVALS IN LONDON AS
WELL AS GIGGING RELIGIOUSLY
WHENEVER GIVEN THE CHANCE.
ONE HALF OF THE KEMISTRY KEMI,
ALSO RUNS CLUB NIGHT; MINDIE, A
NIGHT SHOWCASING MUSICIANS AS
WELL AS ARTISTS, FILM MAKERS
AND DESIGNERS.
How many people make up the
Kemistry?
2 - me (Kemi) singer/songwriter
Bare Beats (Rob Farnam) who makes
the beats. Steve Sincock plays the
trumpet at some of our live shows,
he’s rad, so I’ll mention him too.
Did you always have an interest in
making music, or did you get into it
later on?
Pretty much always to be honest,
I’ve always wanted to involve myself
in music, I think I’m pretty lucky
that I can sing and write. But I only
decided to actually get properly
involved about a year ago.
What would you be doing if not for
music?
I reckon I’d be working in fashion
or something, but I refuse to think
about it. Although there isn’t much
money made working in these kinda
industries these days, so I might
need to come up with a plan b soon!
When did you find that the music took
over from the work side of life?
When I found myself working in an
office and not caring about what my
job was. Made me shit at the job in
question, so I thought it was time to
call it a day…
What do you do in your spare time, if
you get any?
I get a lot of spare time. I like to
party…and paint? I talk a lot on the
phone to my mates about boys, like
most girls. Ha. I go to a lot of gigs,
when I can afford to as well.
Any particular influence or
inspiration, in music or otherwise?
I think everything inspires me as
well as influences me, I’m into a lot
of music as is Rob, plus we are both
pretty different as individuals, so
The Kemistry is basically an example
of what happens when you are
influenced by so much.
Who is your favourite musician?
Oh gosh, way too many to mention
man.
When and where is the best place you
have played?
We played at Monto Water Rats
last year, the sound in that place is
awesome, and the crowd
loved us. Nice little venue, I saw
Skunk Anansie there not too long ago
and it was immense.
When did you start Mindie?
About 3 years ago, whilst sitting on a
chair working at a theatre in Toronto
thinking I need to get my arse in
gear and sort my life out.
How would you describe it?
A night of new music, and artsy
stuff, with good vibes, booze, hot
men if you’re a lass, and pretty girls
if you’re a dude.
What have you got coming up with
Mindie/the Kemistry, any ambitions
you want to fulfil?
Well Mindie is gonna be 3 in about
a Month, so I’ll be celebrating
that on the 16th of May at 93
Feet East, Line up is pretty good
too, The Pillers of The community
are a hilariously good band from
Leicester www.myspace.com/
thepillersofthecommunity and also
Adaggio the violinst will be bringing
his fiddle down which I’m pretty
excited about, he always blows
people away.
With The Kemistry, we are just
gonna enjoy ourselves for now,
writing and recording new songs,
and gigging whilst trying not to get
exploited who knows, watch this
space I guess…
For more information on The
Kemistry and Mindie visit...
http://www.myspace.com/mindie_
spreadit
http://www.myspace.com/
thekemistrymusic
(Image by Craig Burton)
SNAP CLICKER AKA JAMIE
BUCKINGHAM, IS A PHOTOGRAPHER
WHO, IF YOU ARE A GRAFFITI
WRITER IN THE UK, ARE LIKELY
TO HAVE SEEN HIS FLICKS
SOMEWHERE, WHETHER IN A
GRAFF MAGAZINE OR A WEBSITE.
HIS WORK IS NOT SPECIFIC TO THIS
HOWEVER, ALTHOUGH HE HAS
AN EXTENSIVE COLLECTION OF
GRAFFITI RELATED PHOTOGRAPHY
HIS WORK IS GENERALLY RELATED
TO HIS FRIENDSHIP AND FAMILY
RELATIONSHIPS. MAKING PHOTOS
THAT PEOPLE TAKE ON AN
AVERAGE DAY OUT INTO PHOTOS
THAT EVOKE THE EMOTION FELT
AT THE TIME OF TAKING IT, USING
HIS INTERESTS AND PEERS AS THE
SUBJECT MATTER.
What is an average day for you and
what would be your ideal day?
I am currently lucky enough to
not be working in a 9 to 5 deadend
job. Having worked in offices and
intense corporate environments, my
ideal day is essentially what I am
managing to do now. I wake up, drink
my overly sugared tea, prepare my
i-pod and hit the streets and parks to
take photos and draw. Meeting people
and dogs on the way is the only
bonus I ask for.
How would you describe your work to
someone without showing it to them?
I try and take pictures that look like
memories. My favourite kind of flicks
are those which have a real sense
of time and emotion. A band called
The Cinematic Orchestra included a
set of photographic prints with their
last album, to convey an emotion
to match the tunes. This idea really
inspired me, and I basically work on
that ethic.
Your images often depict graffiti or
the individuals doing it, what were
you into first the photography or the
graff?
As most writers know, doing
the graffiti inevitably leads
to documenting it somehow. I
photograph the things and people
closest to me. My second family are
all graffiti writers so it’s natural that
I shoot the things they do day to day.
As the years have passed, my friends
have overtaken me skill wise so I
like to kick back and just observe the
madness these days.
Who or what has been the most
interesting/fun to photograph?
My best friend’s little sisters are
the most fun to shoot. I’ve been
taking flicks of them since they
were around 4 and 6 and they are
now 9 and 11. They are so natural
in front of a camera and always
give off this raw emotion. They are
both incredibly clever too, and each
time we go to the park, they teach
me about a new bird, or the mating
habits of some tiny bug.... It’s great!
When is your favourite time to
photograph?
Sunset. Without a doubt. I find it
the hardest time to get lighting the
way I want it, but when it’s right,
it just looks spectacular. I think
it’s probably in key with the whole
‘capturing memories’ thing. The most
memorable moments for me have
involved sunsets.
Did you go through any specific
education and how was it?
I went to a private school. It was
a complete nightmare and I hated
every second of it. I’d never change
it because it stood me in good stead
for my life and gave me a good
education but they didn’t support art
as a career. I ended up not getting
into any colleges or uni’s because if
you weren’t an OxBridge candidate
they weren’t interested. I’ve been
family/self taught almost everything
I do creatively today.
What do you do in your spare time, if
you get any?
My spare time consists of hunting
down rare music, making mixtapes
for girls and watching masterchef.
If I can fit in buying trainers and
a bottle of Sailor Jerrys in there
somewhere then I’m a happy man.
Oh, and of course dropping my one
piece a year to sustain my infamous
graffiti career..............!
Did you always have aspirations of
photography, what would you be doing
if not for this?
If it weren’t for photography I
think I’d be alot more pent up and
aggressive. My character demands
alot of instant gratification because
I’m impatient and like to work fast.
I love to sketch but the time it takes
sometimes angers me. Photography
gives me something creative at
a fast pace. This will probably be
my downfall.... I’ve always loved
photography but never thought
anyone could make a living from it!
Any particular influences or
inspiration, favourite photographer?
Bresson and Lartigue were my
favourite photographers as I grew
up. I hit 19/20 and discovered people
like Ollie Grove, Will Robson Scott
and DarkDaze who all really inspired
me. Mainly it’s my tunes that inspire
me to actually take photos. I think
on some weird audio/visual level
where i hear a tune and see the kind
of picture I want to shoot. I rarely
spend a minute of the day without
some music playing.
Favourite graffiti artist?
You can’t choose just one man! Mode
2’s characters taught me more
about sex than any biology lesson
at school!!! His depth of colour and
style is mindblowing. Askew is doing
things with letters at the moment
that not many people can top. I think
Teach will forever be one of the best
London writers. DDS in their prime
were more than an inspiration.
Anyone who got up in West London
or the District would have got my
attention. People like Dame, Zero,
Tame 55, the late 90’s style masters.
What personal projects are you
currently working on?
I’m currently trying to relocate
away from the city, find more rural
surroundings to shoot. A change of
pace would be really nice.Ideally I’d
like to gather a proper body of work I
feel satisfied with and put on a show
somewhere. I think that’s the real
test at this point, trying to create or
assemble a decent body of work that
has some relevence. We’ll see.....
Do you enjoy working to a brief on
commercial work or would you prefer
to be left to your own devices to
photograph what you want?
I like be greedy and have the best
of both worlds. I’ve never been good
at fashion photography because i’m
a quiet person behind the camera.
If I have a brief and a concept to
work to then i can work towards an
image I have in my head, but most
of the time I don’t like working in
pressurised conditions. I’d prefer
to spend a month shooting random
stuff and have one flick that I love
rather than work an afternoon to
a brief and take 50 pictures I don’t
care about.
What would you say to any aspiring
photographers who want to specialize
in?
I guess the main thing is to do
you, be yourself. Like any creative
industry you have to be able to bend
and be flexible with your work if you
want to survive. But above all it’s
like anything else. It’s like making
hit records. Britney Spears has made
a killing in the charts and sold more
albums than I’d care to count. But
the Funk Brothers played on more
hits than The Stones, The Beatles,
Elvis Presley and The Beach Boys
combined....... you ever heard of
THEM?! It’s all about staying true
to what you know, enjoying yourself
and not doing it for the trendy cool
fame scene.
What have you got coming up, any
ambitions you want to fulfill?
My only ambitions are to be happy.
I’ve been doing alot of photo re-
touching and odd bits to beat this
credit crunch rubbish. Working
freelance is pretty hard without the
right contacts so until I get a steady
income, thoughts about shows or
publications have to be on hold. The
reality of growing up and paying
the bills.....! I’ll be focussing alot
of effort into the new RT website
www.representlondon.com, trying
to keep my blog updated at www.
snapclicking.blogspot.com and
generally learning my trade until I’m
a grand wizard......!
For more on Snap Clicker visit...
http://snapclicking.blogspot.com

PROBABLY BEST KNOWN FOR
HIS WORK WITH BANDS IN THE
HARDCORE AND METAL SCENES,
CRAIG BURTON IS LONDON BASED
PHOTOGRAPHY WHOSE WORK IS
SHOWN IN BOOKS, EDITORIALS AND
EXHIBITIONS INTERNATIONALLY.
CRAIG’S WORK OFTEN DEPICTS
HIS PEERS, WHETHER THEY BE
THE INDIVIDUALS IN BANDS
OR OTHERWISE HIS WORK WILL
OFTEN FEATURE TATTOOS AND
TATTOOING AS AN ELEMENT OF
HIS PORTRAITS. HE DOCUMENTS
TATTOOS IN A BEAUTIFYING WAY
THAT ACCENTUATES THE SKILL
AND TALENT THE TATTOOISTS
HAVE.
What is an average day for you and
what would be your ideal day?
HAHA! Busy!!!! My day can consist
of a number of things from shooting,
to arranging shoots, editing…. And
lots of emails haha! Basically my job
never really ends! If im not shooting
im editing… also where I deal with
a lot of people in the states I am
sometimes answering emails at 4am
haha!
Were you into tattoos before you
started taking photos?
I’ve been into tattoos from a very
early age… I remember my Dad and
Grandad had them, and I was amazed
by them! I started getting tattooed
early I was only 15 when I had my
first one, and im still going strong
now ;)
Your photography tends to be of
tattooed people, was this just a by
product of your interests or were you
drawn to taking photos of them for a
particular reason?
I started taking photos of People
firstly, but naturally im into Tattoos,
so this was a natural step for me…
but on the other hand I shoot a lot
of people without tattoos! I often
get asked “oh id love a shoot from
you but I don’t have Tattoos!” for
me its also about the people… you
don’t need tattoos to be different, or
to stand out! And this is the main
aspect I look for in people!
Many of your photos depict customers
that have come through the doors at
Frith Street Tattoo, and you spend
some time there, how did you come
into being almost the ‘resident’
photographer there?
I first walked through the doors of
frith street to get tattooed like so
many other people! and was amazed
by the level of talent by the guys in
there…. Right around that time the
guys were asked to do a exhibition of
work, which was to be featured in a
2 month showing at a local Carhartt
store…. I was asked to do the shots
by the owner of frith st, Dante. So I
hung out in the shop for the next 3
weeks shooting portraits and shots
of people working, and we all put
together an amazing show! After
that I never really left! The guys
liked having me around and we are
all like one big family…. Frith street,
is like a good luck charm, everyone
tied to that shop seems to do well!!!!
Love those guys!...
Did you go through any specific
education and how was it?
I studied a little about photography,
but I felt that the course I was on
wasn’t really for me…. I’ve kinda
always hated being tied down and
told how to work! So I cut out early, I
started teaching myself, reading and
shooting where I could! and I guess I
just winged it at first haha! That was
3 years ago, so I’m doing ok so far….
What do you do in your spare time, if
you get any?
To be honest I don’t get much,
but I love traveling, which I get to
do a lot through my job…I mostly
travel alone, as I find I meet some
amazing people and have some crazy
adventures… But I also enjoy just
hanging out with my family and
girlfriend, going to the movies or for
a meal and Playing Xbox with my
brother haha!
Did you always have aspirations of
photography, what would you be doing
if not for this?
To be quite honest I always felt a
little different… I NEVER wanted to
work haha! just do my own thing
and be my own person, before I did
this I spent most of my life traveling,
meeting people and just seeing the
world… that’s actually one of the
reasons I started taking photos!
Because most people will never
know what they don’t see with their
own eyes! Whatever life holds for
me, I always know that there is an
amazing world out there… One day
I’ll set off and explore it!
How did you get started in
professional photography, did you
work for someone else?
This is often a question I get asked.
Ive never worked for anyone else!
When I dropped out of college, I
started shooting as I wanted to
achieve a better understanding of
photography, at the same time I
wanted to promote myself so I set
up a website and myspace… I think I
had a good break early on, as I shot a
couple of well known bands through
a friend, put the pics on my site and
it just kinda went from there… But
I always say the same thing, its not
always getting the start that helps
you, its maintaining it! Working hard
and having faith in what you do and
what you want to achieve!
Any particular influences or
inspiration, favourite photographer?
I think I take inspiration from
everything… in my life and the life of
others… when im shooting or editing,
I just do what I feel is right or what
feels good to me! I have a lot of dark
interests haha! music, movies etc, so
I apply some of that haha!
Who or what has been the most
interesting/fun to photograph?
I think that’s impossible to answer
haha! I have so much fun shooting,
I’ve traveled the world and worked
with so many amazing and different
people…. Every shoot is a different
experience! And I take something
cool from each one.
The bands are another big part of
your work, any particular favourites
to photograph or hang out with?
My favorite band to hang and shoot
with has to be Gallows, I shot them
quite early on and I have always felt
that they are a bunch of guys that
are just on the same level as me!
They love what they do and do it
well! musically there are amazing…
and have always given me a warm
welcome whenever im at their
shows! Plus Frank is a really good
friend of mine.
Do you enjoy working to a brief on
commercial work or would you prefer
to be left to your own devices to
photograph what you want?
I think it’s important to have a brief,
certainly when working for a large
company or anyone in fact! There
is nothing better than showing
someone what you have done for
them and having them praise you
and be happy with what you have
done for them! This only comes from
knowing what the client wants. Plus
its nice to share ideas…. Besides
even having a brief, you can still be
creative and show your style.
What would you say to any aspiring
photographers?
I was told something once by
someone I will always love and
respect, and these are the words that
get me through everything! NEVER
GIVE UP!
What have you got coming up, any
ambitions you want to fulfill?
I have got A LOT coming up haha! all
I can say at this time is watch this
space……..
More on Craig here...
http://www.craigburtonphotography.
com/
Curious Fiend Magazine
Issue one

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edition (PDF version) 2009