SPOTLIGHT ON

Artist: Kiri Snell THE ARTIST

Do you tend to draw for tattoos? I have done a few bits and pieces for people, for instance friends who have wanted a tattoo design. I design all my own tattoos and then give the drawing to the tattoo artist to tweak. But for friends who aren’t that artistically minded, often if they vaguely know what they want but don’t want to go in to a tattoo studio empty handed, I’ll do some preliminary sketches for them.

Tell us about your cover- did you ever study anatomy? Yes I did Equine Sports Science at University. So we would have to study massive horse hearts and huge lungs (that you can stand in). I’ve always liked drawing anatomical things like skulls. I like the contrast of them. Last year I did a similar drawing of a heart with ocean waves so I thought for this one I would try doing one with mountains.

Do the berries and foliage represent anything in particular? I started off just drawing leaves and then realised that it looked like a Eucalyptus leaf so that’s what it ended up being. Also I’m half Australian, so it tied in nicely with that.

What medium do you tend to draw in? Normally pencil and pen. I never used to like working with pen because I would freak out about going wrong. But I like quite clean Was there anything you were obsessed with drawing when you were little? I don’t think so. I write more than I drawthat’s my go to creative outlet. But every now and then I get writer’s block and I’d rather draw. I used to find it really hard in art classes at school when they would just present you with a brief and there was very little room for lateral thinking. But in my own time I draw anything and everything really, a lot of floral motifs, things like that. Generally, quite nature inspired drawings.

Does where you are inspire your art? Sometimes. I’m in the mountains all the time now so I’m sure it impacts me somehow. But generally, I’ll just spot a detail of something I find interesting and that will inspire me. Like the back of a T shirt or a plant. I quite like mashing ideas and merging concepts.

Sam’s obligatory dog question- what is your favourite dog? I have 2 rescue huskies and a terrier, so it’s got to be them. The terrier is the fittest dog you’ve ever seen because he runs around with the huskies all the time. We have a little scooter thing that they pull around. One is a Siberian husky and one is a Malamute Cross (proceeds to melt our hearts with photos of huskies). I was out on holiday in Norway recently and we went dog sledding. I got

We have to ask, what’s with the “Fuck You Buddy” on your hat? It was actually given to me by Holly (who did a cover two weeks ago) for secret Santa. Jo Falconer once described me as 3 foot of pure anger so it’s quite appropriate. Just the other day, some punter was bashing into the side of my board and I just turned to them, lifted up my helmet and pointed at the “Fuck You Buddy”!

Fair enough. Any upcoming projects? I usually just draw on white out days when I’m stuck in the cube (our flat) so nothing planned as such.

Thanks Kiri!