@super___freak

Instagram: @super___freak Website: www.super-freak.co.uk

1. What's your story? Where are you from?

I live just outside Birmingham in a quiet cul-de-sac with my Nan, Granddad and sausage dog, Charlie.

2. Tell us about your aesthetic.

Everything is pink and blue! I’ve tried to keep a coherent colour scheme in my work, attempting to make these colours a trademark of my own in some way. My work has been evolving a lot lately so I struggle to give a completely accurate description of what my work is all about. But lately I’m all about wobbly characters and scenarios that seem to be melting from the effects of strange substances.

3. What is your favourite medium and why?

My favourite medium is acrylic paint. I wanna start using spray paint at some point. Anyone who wants to teach me get in touch.

4. What is your artistic process like?

My process depends on the type of job I’ve been asked to do and also the mood I’m in. But generally, it all starts in my sketchbook. When I get the outlines down, I then scan it in and either neaten up the original drawing or redraw it with my Wacom tablet, finally adding colour digitally. However, I do prefer working away from the computer as much as possible so painting is another medium I frequently get involved in. I’ve been doing a few murals lately which is super cool.

5. Who and/or what inspires your work?

So the themes and stories behind a lot of my illustrations come from my own dumb experiences and ideology shared with friends. I’m often finding myself in really dull situations and suddenly my brain switches on and feeds me a really nuts idea, which makes me a very strange guy to be around sometimes. People are also a big inspiration when it comes to my character designs. I will see a strange looking person in the street and their face will stick with me until I get home or back to my sketchbook. As for aesthetics, a 60’s animator called Vince Collins is basically who inspired me to do all this ‘trippy' and weird cartoon stuff.

6. What role does art play in your life? How does it change the way you view the world?

I didn’t realise until this year how much of an impact art has on my life. It hit me when my close friends began to call me out on moments when I’m being ‘too arty’ or if there’s anything remotely illustrative in a street or on the TV they would question me, ‘What do you think of that? Is that good? Who made that?’ But the main thing is that I literally don’t think I am capable of doing anything else. So it’s a good job I have my art I suppose otherwise I’d be a washed up delinquent terrorising my neighborhood or something like that. I’m pretty lame.

7. Where did you study?

I graduated from Nottingham Trent University with a degree in Graphic Design. A lot of people often asked me why I didn’t do illustration or fine art but I’m so glad I didn’t. On my course we had the freedom to go down any creative route we fancied, so I chose illustration. The course still let me explore my love for art but pushed me to really think about my work and produce art with more of a purpose, which is something I never used to do.

8. Where do you see yourself in five years? Working in an agency?

Woah that’s a terrifying question! I probably would like to work for an agency. I like the idea of constantly being surrounded by other creatives to bounce your ideas off. I hate being alone. However, I’ve struggled to find any that I would be suitable for. A few have told me they wouldn’t know what to do with me or where I would fit in. I’m just going to keep doing what I’m doing for now and see where the wind throws me.

9. What about in ten?

In ten years, my dream would be to open my own creative studio. Illustration is my strongest skill but I do have a huge appreciation for everything else like typography, branding, animation, and I’m also a very unorthodox thinker. So to open a studio with other creatives who can do all these things is something I can seriously see myself doing okay with and it would be the perfect way for me to become more involved with the creative industry and learn way more things.

10. What do you hope to achieve with your art?

All I hope to achieve from my work is a smile. sounds lame as hell but it really makes me feel like it’s all worthwhile when I see someone smiling at my work. I get very self conscious about my art and spend sleepless nights staring at something I’ve been working on for ages thinking ‘Is this even any good? How can I make this better? Will my art ever get me anywhere?’ It’s horrible ha!

11. Now, tell us a little more about you as a person: what is your favourite food?

My all-time favourite food is cheese sandwiches. I am obsessed with things. Although that’s probably down to the fact that they are insanely easy to make. It probably explains a lot about the kind of person I am.

12. Favourite book?

My favourite book is Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. I don’t really read a fat lot but this is a book I’ve recently got round to reading and I instantly fell in love with it. The way it’s written completely drags you into the wonderfully horrible and twisted world the story is set within. Those are the kind of things I like to read.

13. Favourite genre of music?

Favourite genre of music is 60’s garage/psychedelia. Pink Floyd are my all-time favourite, closely followed by Tame Impala.

14. What are your hobbies?

I’ve only got one hobby that isn’t art, which is music. I’ve been playing music since I was around 15 and I’m still doing it today which surely means I like it? It drives my family insane. They all think it’s pointless and a waste of time but I think if I let it go I’d turn into a gremlin. My band has been working their arses off on a debut EP which is due to come out and I made my first ever music video for our single which has turned out completely nuts and surprisingly half-decent. Check us out, The Lizards *Shameful self-advertising*

15. If you weren't an artist, what would you be?

If I wasn’t into art and creative stuff, I would probably be working for my Dad as a bespoke kitchen designer/fitter. He believed that Uni wouldn’t get me a job and was just an excuse to doss around and drink (almost true), so in his eyes working for him after college would have been my best shot. I rejected his offer though and now I’m here. It’s not too bad.