Ja259815 Josh Atkinson OUIL502 – Studio Brief 2 - Creative Report Interview with Jimmy Turrell
The two Professional Practitioners I contacted were Jimmy Turrell and Luke Dixon. My success on this task is definitely questionable as the only reply I managed to get was from Jimmy Turrell where he left a pre-answered questionnaire/interview from IDN magazine. So therefore I did not get the chance to have my own questions answered. However, I did receive the said pre answered set of questions from Jimmy Turrell which I have then analysed as this was still really useful to getting an insight into his practice. Jimmy Turrell is an Illustrator/Graphic Designer based in London who works with a variety of processes including Print, drawing, collage and digital and traditional approaches where he combines many different textures. This is something I can relate to very well especially with how I believe my practice sits, minus of course the amount of print that Jimmy works with. There are I believe many parallels between myself and him and that explains why I chose to contact him. One main aspect that jumps out is the influence of music in his work as well as with mine. I wanted to contact him as I wanted to find out about how he got involved with working in an illustrative sense with the music industry. Not only with musicians but with publications such as NME magazine, dazed and confused magazine among a whole host of others on his impressive client list.
Ja259815 Josh Atkinson OUIL502 – Studio Brief 2 Creative Report
Within the interview that was conducted by IDN magazine Jimmy puts his process into his own words and its really interesting to see his own personal insight. He explains his use of collage and found imagery within his work and how the associated imagery creates a sense of an odd juxtaposition or a ‘strange hybrid’.
‘I guess a lot of my work is steeped in nostalgia but I try hard to examine it in a contemporary setting. I try to use methods that produce strange (and often awkward) combinations of images and ideas. – (IDN Magazine)
Mixing analog techniques from the past with imagery and subject matter from the present can create strange hybrid worlds - which in themselves feel new and of their time. This often means my style is quite diverse - it can jump from hand painted portraits to complex collage work to very simple graphic pieces - though hopefully a certain spirit runs throughout.’ – (IDN Magazine) Something I have been struggling with recently is the fact that I too like to combine my processes but have been conscious and worried that this is not constructive. From seeing this from Jimmy it has been brilliant to get some reassurance on the matter. Recently in my practice I have been combining drawing with collage and using digital and hand made textures in my work however I have felt conscious of whether it was good practice or not to do so but now I am more than happy and proud of the fact that I combine different processes together as I feel that is what I love to do and it creates an interesting dynamic . It is also refreshing to see how he comments on hoping there is ‘a certain spirit runs throughout’ as that is what I constantly assess with my practice and taking into account of how this is part of a visual signature in an illustrative sense.
Ja259815 Josh Atkinson OUIL502 – Studio Brief 2 Creative Report
The rest of the interview with IDN magazine had some really useful quotes which hit upon his influences growing up and he explains more or less what has inspired him for his practice today explaining that his surroundings when growing up in the area of Byker wall in NewcastleUpon Tyne and how the architecture inspired him growing up. Its been really inspiring to be able to see in words how he goes about his process, what methods he uses not only in production making process but the planning and thinking process even in the initial ‘sketchbook phase’ as well. Although like I said I didn't actually get a chance to ask him my own questions it has been brilliant to even being able to contact him and sort of speak to him. Also in a way there have been many of my own questions answered from this as I was keen to know of what his influences are and what inspired him growing up which is just one of the aspects that has been addressed. Someone like Jimmy Turrell would be an enormously useful contact to keep for going forward into the industry. I will also be sure to carry on in the near future with putting myself out there with practitioners by asking questions and as a result becoming more informed on what it means to be a working illustrator/designer within the industry.
‘Basically I sit down with my sketchbook and flick through old books and mag’s to try and get a feel for the piece. I’ll then start cutting things out and sketching and I’ll begin to make a visual scrapbook of ideas and themes. Once I’ve got my primary ideas fleshed out I’ll begin the drawing/painting/collage process proper and then I’ll scan the work into the computer and continue from there.’ – (WemadethisLTD) I grew up around complex, textured facades, colourful brick, wood and plastic panels. I was surrounded by bright, primary colours everywhere I looked and this definitely left an indelible mark on me and consequently my work.’ – (IDN Magazine) ‘In terms of technique I tend to try to explore as many different pathways as I can. I often use classic methods (screen-printing, watercolours and inks) and antiquated technology (old fax machines and typewriters) to examine very contemporary subject matter - and vice versa. As long as it's honest I don't think there's really a right or wrong way to create this type of work.’ – (IDN Magazine)
Ja259815 Josh Atkinson OUIL502 – Studio Brief 2 Creative Report