Tilteed

Artist Interview: B 7

So give us the 4-1-1: What’s the inspiration behind this sunny piece?

My drawings can be a bit intense sometimes and I wanted to create a design that was just simple, happy and fun because this lighter-hearted side of my art seems to go down better as Tee design. It was really just a silly, whimsical thought I had: Maybe the sun lives in a giant weather-producing house and that’s where he goes when he’s not out strolling the sky and keeping us all warm. So it’s often a pleasant surprise (especially here in the UK) when he decides to burst out of the front door and say hey.

I learned a lot from your bio on your page, but can you tell our fans what it’s like in a day of the life of Ben Foot?

On an average day I’ll wake up and make some coffee, say hi to my cat and give him some breakfast then sit for a while doing internet stuff (by which I mean procrastinating). Then I’ll put on some music and start drawing. I’ll usually work till afternoon then maybe go into town and do whatever errands I have before walking home and doing some more work before dinner. in the evening I might go hang out with friends somewhere or go to the movies or out for a beer or something. After that I’ll usually end up drawing for a few hours more, then maybe more net stuff till it’s time to read for a while and then bed. Although sometimes I will sit the whole day and night in one spot doing absolutely nothing except doubting myself and chain smoking hahaha.

Collaboration designs seem to be big right now. Can you tell us what three artists you’d like to collab with and why?

Great question. In truth, some of my favourite artists are my friends who design and so I’ve already been lucky enough to work on some of my dream collabs.

As for three that I’d like to worth with: The musician and artist Daniel Johnston. Collabing on a drawing with him would be the most amazing experience in the world. He is truly unique- both as an artist and as a person and it seems to me that he puts every bit of himself into his work. His artwork also has a great sense of fun and humour despite all the evidence of darkness and hard times.

Secondly, “the golden spatula,” who is my good friend but also one of my favourite artists in the world and her illustrations are colourful and sweet and fun but have way more to them than first meets the eye. They inspire feelings that I can’t always put my finger on which is one of my favourite things in art. Someday we’ll get round to collaborating on something.

Finally I’m very fond of the work of Brecht Vandenbroucke. His work is strange and and dark and funny. it’s also disturbing and ugly but beautiful at the same time And it makes you ask all sorts of questions which is something I like a lot. I don’t always like things that you ‘get’ right away. To work on something with him would be amazing.

Random question time: If the sun is the center of our solar system, what is the center of your system?

Peace and Love. Also my stomach.

What advice would give to other designers out there?

Don’t ever think to yourself: ‘I’m awesome at this now, it’s easy’ however skilled you become or however much success you have, because the day you say that, is the day you stop putting every ounce of effort into your work. It’s good to be proud of your work but I also think it’s healthy to be slightly dissatisfied with at least one element of everything you do so that you try even harder with the next one.

Also, I’d say don’t worry about trends or what appears to be doing well at any particular time. Just do what you want to do and stick with it- although as far as apparel design goes, always ask yourself if people would actually want to wear it. This part sounds obvious but I often forget to do this haha.

Any links you’d like to tell others to check out or support?

People might want to check out the work of the artists I mentioned:

http://www.hihowareyou.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/smittywerbenmenjenson/sets/72157607340861903/
http://brechtvandenbroucke.blogspot.com

or my website:

http://www.benfoot.co.uk

Last but not least, what’s your sign?

The giant floating kitten head. It’s not a traditional one but it’s there in the stars if you look hard enough. I like to like so anyway.