The Few Gallery
2009 -2010
The Few Gallery was an online boutique offering unique limited edition art prints by some of the most exciting graphic designers &illustrators from around the world. For several years this was the gallery's website.
Content is from the site's 2009 - 2010 archived pages providing a brief glimpse of what this gallery offered those who were interested in purchasing the exclusive art prints and the artists who were represented.
Thank you Hannes Unt for this unique boutique art gallery. Kudos!
No artwork is available from this archived version of the original site.
2009 PRESS RELEASE
It’s not unusual for an art gallery to sell rare or limited edition pieces, but a new, online gallery based in London is banking on exclusivity to set it apart by offering just a single, limited-edition creation from each of a handful of select artists. The Few Gallery commissions limited-edition art prints exclusively for its shop from a set of hand-picked graphic artists and illustrators from around the globe. Each artist makes only one design for the gallery, which prints each of 30 editions of it individually using the Gicleé process for high resolution and life spans of at least 100 years.
Prices begin at EUR 300 for each 60-by-80-cm print. In exchange, owners get a hand-numbered certificate of authenticity to go with it, along with the knowledge that 10 percent of the price is donated to a select set of charities, including Survival, Concern Worldwide, Save the Children and the World Wildlife Fund.
Perhaps more importantly, once the design is sold out, it will never be printed again.
The Few Gallery was founded by Hannes Unt, who is also the creative director and founder of Estonian design agency LOOVVOOL, specializing in high-end brands. The economy may be a shambles, but that doesn’t mean status and exclusivity are going by the wayside.
Nothing like a little planned scarcity to keep the massclusive wolves at bay and make a consumer feel truly unique!
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An aside: I have followed the career path of Hannes Unt over the years. He is an extraordinary designer, creative director, and entrepreneur. This archived site for The Few Gallery was just one of his ventures. The Few Gallery was a stepping stone to to the Memorieslab, a creative visual lifestyle brand specializing in high-end photo printing, online gallery and art retail services. These two ventures have come and gone, but his internationally award-winning design studio, Loovvool, which creates concepts and brands for lifestyle businesses is alive and well. He is a co founder with his newest venture, Aether Eyewear that blends refined eyewear design with innovative open-ear audio technology. The very slick website introducing this high tech eyewear is suppose to launch in the Fall of 2020. I wonder if that launch will actually take place amidst the Covid 19 pandemic.
I follow Hannes Unt because I find him inspirational. I build websites for small businesses. I certainly don't have the type of budgets that Hannes Unt's commands from his clients. Nevertheless, we all strive for great design.
My newest client asked for a recommendation for a SEO company in New York with expertise in natural and organic SEO as well as social media. I asked if he had done a search for natural seo NY? She had but said the options were overwhelming and though that asking for recommendations from other people such as myself would give a better starting point. I recommended SEO ZEN NYC which a couple of my other clients use. SEO ZEN NYC caters to small and medium sized businesses. In addition, one of the partners is a social media expert. I liked working with Ben Shemesh who is the SEO expert. The website I am building is for a local store selling high end housewares. Although they do sell their products online, they also want to draw in more local customers. I think ZEN SEO NYC should be able to help them reach their goals. But I don't know if my client will choose this particular SEO company. Time will tell. Meanwhile, my goal is to make the website look as slick and upscale as possible. I imagine Hannes Unt sitting on my shoulder critiquing my choices!
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What makes our prints unique?
1. All of the artworks in our boutique have been commissioned exclusively by our gallery. These are not artists' commercial works used for other purposes.
2. The Few Gallery is the one & only place to buy these unique limited edition art prints. You can't find them in any other gallery or shop, online or offline.
3. Once the edition has been sold out the artwork will be never printed again.
4. Each purchased print will be produced individually.
5. When buying a print from our gallery, you're also doing a little bit of good. 10% of our profits will be donated to Survival International.
6. Each print is delivered with a certificate of authenticity. The curator of The Few Gallery has personally numbered and signed each certificate.
7. To protect your investment in one of our exclusive prints, never display under direct sunlight. If kept under favorable conditions, glazed with UV filtered glass and not tampered with or damaged, your Gicleé print is expected to last without fading or discoloration for at least 100 years.
The superb quality of our exclusive prints is utmost important to us. We print with Gicleé process on Hahnemuehle Ultrasmooth PhotoRag fine art matte paper. All of the artworks are produced individually and left for 48 hours to fully dry. The prints will be made in London, UK.
What is Gicleé printing?
Gicleé fine art printing is the digital technique that has almost replaced traditional lithographic printing. The key differences with Gicleé is that only one print is produced at a time and are to a superb quality that has not been possible by any other printing process up to now.
Current Gicleé printing technology gives the highest level of detail and the most brilliant colours available. The resolution of our Gicleé prints is actually higher than traditional lithographic prints. In addition to the higher level of detail and colour, Gicleé prints also have a longer life span. The ink and paper used are estimated to be light fast for at least 100 years.
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What makes this print unique
- This artwork is commissioned and sold exclusively by The Few Gallery.
- Each print will be produced individually and delivered with a signed certificate of authenticity.
- Once sold out, this artwork will be never printed again.
- 10% of our profits will be donated to Survival International.
Survival is the only international organisation supporting tribal peoples worldwide. It was founded in 1969 after an article by Norman Lewis in the UK's Sunday Times highlighted the massacres, land thefts and genocide taking place in Brazilian Amazonia. Like many modern atrocities, the racist oppression of Brazil's Indians took place in the name of 'economic growth'
Today, Survival has supporters in 82 countries. They work for tribal peoples' rights in three complementary ways: education, advocacy and campaigns. They also offer tribal people themselves a platform to address the world. Survival is the only major organisation in its field which refuses funding from national governments and depends on the public for its support - this ensures their freedom of action but also makes them stretch their scarce resources to the limit.
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ARTISTS
Sophie Alda (UK)
by Sophie Alda (UK)
Limited edition of 30. Price: 180 EUR
Artwork description by artist
This image is about a community which is too close, in which time passes you by without you noticing, with family and obligations piling up on top of you. When your life is over but you haven't even started getting anything done. It is about repetition, short summers and doing what you should do instead of what you would like to do.
Biography
Sophie Alda is an illustrator and artist living and working between Brighton and London.
Often character and situation based, much of the spirit in her work is derived from the muted-but-bright pastel based colour palette.
Working primarily with gouache and the smallest brush I have ever seen, Sophie’s paintings have the flat finish of a screen print, with intriguing attention to detail.
How would you describe your personal style?
An awkward look at people.
When you were a child, did you want to become an illustrator?
Yes, but all I knew about being an illustrator was that you got to do the covers of science fiction books, and I REALLY wanted to do that. I once emailed my favourite children's fantasy cover illustrator for a signed photo, but he replied saying I should be more interested in film stars.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
Muscle men, aforementioned sci-fi book covers, Moroccan brides, cults, badly drawn perspective. Can you tell?
Could you describe your working process?
I paint in gouache, which is lovely and flat with great strong colour, I use that as the base which I subsequently work into on the computer.
What would be the ideal working setup for you?
Sometimes it is a spacious place surrounded by people I admire who are full of great ideas, sometimes it would be somewhere completely isolated so I can have my thoughts to myself.
What do you love the most about your life as an illustrator?
Being in charge of my own decisions and schedule, being able to work all night if I want to. It being constantly exciting and challenging.
If you had to do something totally different for living, what would it be?
A scientist because of the exciting questions, information and possibilities, a gardener for the space and weather, being a musician would be amazing but I can't even understand how to make noises sound good, and I've tried!
What kind of music do you listen while working?
Nothing too exciting or I'll just get distracted and stop working! Unless I'm at a ideas stage of a project I like to listen to audio books, even though a lot of the time I'm not really listening.
If you could go anywhere tomorrow, where would you go?
Coney Island or Lake Atitlán.
Who are you all-time favorite artists?
Amy Cutler, Robyn O'Neil, Chris Pell.
Who has been the most inspiring non-artistic person for you?
My secondary school geography teacher, and year 4 primary school teacher.
What is the most bizarre dream you ever had?
Oh! My dreams are so banal, they're more boring than my day-to-day life!
If you could meet any great name from known human history, who would it be?
It'd be great to pick Henry Darger's brains.
Thank you!
~~~
Sean Freeman (UK)
For me, peacock's are one of the most incredibly beautiful birds we have, and this artwork is my attempt to capture that beauty in every detail.
Biography
After graduating with a First-Class Honours in Graphic Design & Advertising, but leaning towards the illustration side of the degree, he started working as a designer at a marketing agency in London as well as pursuing his own illustrations. Constantly looking for new and interesting ways to create typographic treatments and illustrations, has led him to commissions from a number of clients including VH1, Esquire Magazine, The New York Times, Harper Collins, among others. Currently based in London, accepting commissions and doing personal work from his live/work space in Kings Cross.
How would you describe your personal style?
I guess I produce a sort of semi-photographic type treatments and illustrations. I think that's the best way to describe it.
When you were a child, did you want to become an illustrator?
'Fraid not, when I was younger I wanted to be a policeman - I think I just got carried away with the TV show 'The Bill'. I think as soon as I hit school and realised that the police are nothing like how they are on "The Bill", I kind of had to re-think it a little. Luckily my grandparents had me drawing every time I went to theirs over the summer and that got me interested in the whole art thing.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
Sounds like a cliché but inspiration does come from anywhere and everywhere. Particularly with my type pieces, sometimes it's a case of just noticing something in a food shop for instance, and then thinking of how that could be used to make something interesting. Another way it works, is from listening to my music and hearing little extracts of lyrics that when you write them down lead onto some interesting things.
Could you describe your working process?
I think most of the work is an amalgamation of lots of little bits. So, often a piece will start off by collecting these little pieces in one photoshop file so I have a palette of things to use, then its a case of piecing them together to make whatever it is I'm trying to make.
What would be the ideal working setup for you?
The ideal setup would be a be a nice space, exposed brick walls with all my favourite artwork on, sharing the space with my brother, listening to some great music and producing some interesting work.
What do you love the most about your life as an illustrator?
I love the challenge I think. To come up with new pieces, and also to produce work for clients, whether it's a similar treatment with different words or a completely new piece, I love the challenge.
If you had to do something totally different for living, what would it be?
Probably something like antiquing, I'm quite fascinated in old bits and pieces and quite fancy a lifestyle going round buying little objects and selling them on. Plus, think it'd be quite cool to be able to know so much about so many things, it always fascinates me how much those antique people know about everything.
What kind of music do you listen while working?
I think the most played artist while I'm working would be Tracey Chapman, not ashamed to admit that. I think her music is just so easy to listen to while your working. Alternatively if it's not Tracey, it's going to be anyone like Jimmy Eat World, Death Cab for Cutie, Angels & Airwaves any of that type of stuff.
If you could go anywhere tomorrow, where would you go?
You know I think I'd go to one of those beaches you see on the TV, pure white sand, warm sea, tons of cocktails... Sounds pretty good.
Who are you all-time favorite artists?
I love the work of Francis Bacon, he's probably my all time favourite, I also like Marc Quinn's work, bits and pieces of Damien Hirst's and I have a real appreciation for Jenny Saville's work too.
Who has been the most inspiring non-artistic person for you?
Without a doubt my mum, she's been through so much and is an absolute inspiration.
What is the most bizarre dream you ever had?
I think it's best not to share that to be honest...
If you could meet any great name from known human history, who would it be?
I'd absolutely love to have a cup of tea with The Queen, I think that'd be amazing!
Thank you!
~~~
Nicholas Sheehy (Australia)
B y Nicholas Sheehy (Australia)
Limited edition of 30. Price: 180 EUR
Biography
Nick Sheehy was raised in the bush in Tasmania, Australia. He now lives in Leigh-on-Sea (UK) with his girlfriend, Catherine. He enjoys drawing various weird things for himself, publications and occasionally the odd client.
How would you describe your personal style?
Fantasy, folky nonsense. Neat, yet messy at the same time.
When you were a child, did you want to become an illustrator?
Not really. I was never very good at planning ahead. Wherever I end up, is usually by accident. I liked drawing but never thought anything could come of it.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
Anywhere. I try not to look at too much art for inspiration. Inspiration usually comes from other things such as: nature, things I remember from my childhood, films and bad architecture.
Could you describe your working process?
I keep a small Moleskine book which is used to sketch character and shape ideas. I like being limited in paper size in the initial stages as it helps keep you from taking too long in drawing your ideas and makes you focus more on composition. I usually keep all drawings very small until I decide upon the design of a final picture. Then I enlarge the thumbnail image, trace it to the size I want the final piece to be, add details, tweak shapes, then re-trace on to nice paper and draw and shade the final piece with pencil. Once that's finished I might colour the piece in Photoshop. But I'm trying to keep off the computer as much as possible, so I'm going to start using acrylic washes or something like that.
What would be the ideal working setup for you?
Studio in the middle of a forest, good music, big wooden desk, my girlfriend by my side quilting and a regular supply of tea. Maybe a dog curled up in front of a fire.
What do you love the most about your life as an illustrator?
I like creating things. It's good meditation. I think it helps keep me on a fairly even mindset.
If you had to do something totally different for living, what would it be?
I wouldn't mind being a carpenter. I like building things.
What kind of music do you listen while working?
Anything from Captain Beefheart to Autechre. Usually stuff that helps your mind wander.
If you could go anywhere tomorrow, where would you go?
Either Finland, Tokyo or South America springs to mind.
Who are your all-time favorite artists?
I don't have an all-time favourite. I go through stages of liking some artists, then moving on. Charlie Harper, Giacometti and Jim Flora currently spring to mind.
Who has been the most inspiring non-artistic person for you?
My girlfriend, Catherine. But she's pretty artistic too.
What is the most bizarre dream you ever had?
I'm not good at remembering my dreams but they usually all fall into the bizarre category. The last one I remember was about two giants shaving each others head while nearly completely submerged under water. Every now and then I have 'building' dreams where, over the course of the night, I'll slip in and out of dreamland thinking I'm building something, performing the same repetitious task, like laying bricks or something. I usually wake up feeling exhausted.
If you could meet any great name from known human history, who would it be?
Philip K Dick.
Thank you!
~~~
Gerry Wong (China)
Limited edition of 25. Size: 60x80cm.
Gicleé print on 320gsm Hahnemuehle Ultrasmooth fine art matte paper.
Price: 180 EUR
Artwork description by artist
In the "King Village", all the friends try to harvest the fruit before the first frost. This is another abundant harvest year, taking care of this forest is a laborious job, but everybody is enjoying it. It's worth it, because forest always promises to give back enough food. Here, living is always peaceful and satisfied. Share working achievement, take care of each other!
Biography
When Gerry Wong was 21 years old, he started working in an advertising agency. The design job gave him much satisfaction and afterwards he discovered his passion for illustration. His agency sponsored him to take the Creative Illustration course in the University of China in Hong Kong, where Gerry started to develop his artistic personality and to improve his innate talent.
Today, 8 years later, Gerry has his own illustration and graphic design company, the "Studio Floship". Besides client work, Gerry also moonlight as the author and illustrators in children books. Extremely focused on the environment, he desires to bring the child a positive attitude in our environmental protection.
How would you describe your personal style?
Recently, I create my artworks with Illustrator and Photoshop. I like Surrealism and fantasy arts very much, these genres influence the themes of my artwork. However, as regards my style, I always keep the images themselves cute and friendly.
When you were a child, did you want to become an illustrator?
Yes, I did! I remember that I had started to draw graphic on T-shirt for my classmate and me during the primary school. During this period I loved to draw dragons most of the time, we all enjoyed it. Maybe this feeling of satisfaction makes me want to be an illustrator or artist.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
As I had said, I like Surrealism and fantasy arts so much, all these genres influence the themes of my illustration. So I will spend time to pay attention on these genres arts and graphics, keep them for a reference.
Could you describe your working process?
I decide a topic, draw lots of sketches, layouts and choose the most suitable one to develop. I have a lot of sketchbooks on my desk, I will draw out something when the inspiration suddenly comes out.
What would be the ideal working setup for you?
A Mac, a big table and a comfortable chair, a massage chair and a big bookshelf packing lots of different style art books.
What do you love the most about your life as an illustrator?
I love to create a fantasy world for the children, bring them surprise and happiness.
If you had to do something totally different for living, what would it be?
To be a basketball player, I like the basketball so much. I think I could be a good player.
What kind of music do you listen while working?
I like classics so much, the melody always make me relax.
If you could go anywhere tomorrow, where would you go?
I would like to go to Tokyo. I have been to Tokyo once, but I stayed just a short time. I would really want to live in Tokyo for a long period.
Who are you all-time favorite artists?
Takashi Murakami, d’Holbachie, Mars-1.
Who has been the most inspiring non-artistic person for you?
My wife sally and my daughter Vian. They enrich my life, they like and support my job.
What is the most bizarre dream you ever had?
There's one experience I never forget. I had the same dream in three nights! It was a colorful and beautiful adventure dream. Why I was having this dream? Well, i like to read online novel when I have spare time, and at that time I spent two days and two nights to finish my reading, just because the story attracted me so much. Maybe the extremely intense reading give me that wonderful dream.
If you could meet any great name from known human history, who would it be?
Zhu Ge Liang, the Famous Military strategists, Statesmen in the three kingdoms of Chinese history.
Thank you!
~~~
Lasse Skarbövik (Norway)
TOURIST
by Lasse Skarbövik (Norway)
Limited edition of 10. Price: 270 EUR
Biography
Born in Norway, and have been living in Stockholm, Sweden, since he graduated from Berghs School of Communication. He is working as an illustrator at Stockholm Illustration collective which he was one of the founders. Apart from illustration he has also done several larger outdoor murals and paintings/screen-prints for interior and exhibitions around the world.
He has been represented in American Illustration, 3x3 Annual, Print Magazine, Association of American Illustrator Annual, Images, and several design magazines. Examples of clients are The New Yorker, Time Magazine, Business Week, IKEA, New York Times, The Economist, Financial Times, Harvard Business Magazine, The Independent and several advertising and design agencies around the world.
How would you describe your personal style?
A graphic simple "abstract" style with a minimum of colours.
When you were a child, did you want to become an illustrator?
No, I wanted to be a baker.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
Inspiration comes from everywhere... From friends, food, street arts, architecture, furniture... From anything.
Could you describe your working process?
I do my sketches directly in the computer, where I play with the colours and design until I find a form and idea I think will work. Most of the process after sketching is about simplifying the image into the final product.
What would be the ideal working setup for you?
A large designed studio with big roof windows and a view over the city, my laptop, fireplace, cappuccino machine and good illustrators and friends around me who are all dedicated into the art of illustration.
What do you love the most about your life as an illustrator?
Freedom to illustrate what I want today, and the excitement of doing a new image tomorrow.
If you had to do something totally different for living, what would it be?
I have always wanted to be an archaeologist... Or a shrimper.
What kind of music do you listen while working?
I like any kind of music, but mostly I listen to science program in my headphones.
If you could go anywhere tomorrow, where would you go?
I just returned from Tokyo, but I would really like to go back there tomorrow.
Who are you all-time favorite artists?
I can´t tell, there are so many talented artists through history. I have a new favorite every week.
Who has been the most inspiring non-artistic person for you?
No specific, but all the people who has the courage to work for injustice, freedom and peace around the world.
What is the most bizarre dream you ever had?
Tonight I dreamt about a bear which headbanged a dog into pieces... I dream bizzare dreams every night.
If you could meet any great name from known human history, who would it be?
I would love to have a talk and a cappuccino with Socrates in a Greek tavern.
Thank you!
~~~
Matt W. Moore (USA)
FUTUREFUNK
by Matt W. Moore (USA)
Limited edition of 30. Price: 180 EUR
Biography
Born in 1980, Matt W. Moore is an artist and designer based in Portland, Maine USA. He is the founder of MWM Graphics, a member of The KDU, and a regular contributor to ROJO and Format Magazine. Matt's career path has led him through various creative roles including: gallery artist, apparel designer, screen printer, editorial illustrator, identity and logo designer, print and interactive designer, art director, curator, producer and publisher. Each of these experiences have helped to mold Matt into a versatile and prolific creative.
Matt publishes a book of personal illustration work each winter called Black and White Bangers, and he also founded and curates the popular website and sticker swap, Wallspankers Magazine.
How would you describe your personal style?
My "Vectorfunk" style of illustration celebrates geometry, asymmetrical composition, wild color, and funky flow. I strive to grab the viewers attention and let their eye wander through the layers of the design. Sometimes the works are representational, other times entirely abstract. A scrambled alternate reality.
When you were a child, did you want to become an illustrator?
Yes. Without a doubt. This has been a lifelong dream for me. Not just an illustrator, but an illustrator that is a designer and a gallery artist too. I've always wanted to participate across the spectrum. It has all been a dream come true for me.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
I find inspiration everywhere. Fashion, math, nature, chemistry, architecture, graffiti, human interactions, history, daydreams of the future, everything. Also my community of friends in Design (The KDU), Art (ROJO), and Graffiti (WUT).
Could you describe your working process?
I just go for it. Usually I start with a blank canvas and begin building without sketching. The compositions are in my mind, so I enjoy bringing them to life one layer at a time.
What would be the ideal working setup for you?
My studio now is great. I have plenty of room to work on design, illustration, and fine art in the same space. The only thing that would make it better would be more space for larger paintings and a ventilation system so I could mix spraypaint into my canvas work without running outside every time I want to add a spritz.
What do you love the most about your life as an illustrator?
Being my own boss and doing what I love for my job. Can't beat that.
If you had to do something totally different for living, what would it be?
Yikes. I don't know. I guess I'd be a musician or an architect. I'd need to be using the creative part of my brain everyday to be satisfied.
What kind of music do you listen while working?
Mostly underground NYC hip hop these days. But some classic rock too.
If you could go anywhere tomorrow, where would you go?
I've always wanted to explore Southeast Asia.
Who are you all-time favorite artists?
MC Escher, Doze Green, Jersey Joe, Picasso... The list goes on.
Who has been the most inspiring non-artistic person for you?
My wife Laura inspires me every day in countless ways. She is incredible.
What is the most bizarre dream you ever had?
After spending some time in Brazil I had a reoccouring dream where I was completely lost in Sao Paulo, unable to communicate in Portuguese to people. It was a bizarre and surreal dream every time.
If you could meet any great name from known human history, who would it be?
I'd love to drink a few pints with Einstein.
Thank you!
~~~
Dan Matutina (Philippines)
BAKUNAWA
by Dan Matutina (Philippines)
Limited edition of 30. Price: 180 EUR
Biography
Dan Matutina is an illustrator / designer from the Philippines. He's one of the founders of Ideals – a social design agency that creates design and communications materials for cause driven organizations. His illustration and design works usually combine the retro and the modern, simple shapes & forms with a bit of grit. In his free time he does a lot of other stuff: like bending forks into bracelets, making web experiments, lecturing graphic design in the University of the Philippines, and playing World of Warcraft. He loves design, science & technology.
How would you describe your personal style?
My personal style is a mix of simple lines, shapes, textures and lively acidic colors with stories & ideas at the heart of it.
When you were a child, did you want to become an illustrator?
I've been drawing on the walls of our house when I was a kid. I love drawing. I didn't know that people could really have a career out of illustrating, but yeah, as a kid I've always wanted to draw.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
I'm inspired by the things around me, from the books and magazines I read, to amazing works of people online, and from people I usually hang out with.
Could you describe your working process?
I usually start doodling with pencil and paper. After I make my sketches, I then proceed to creating my illustrations on the computer.
After reading the brief, I do some research, take time out to explore what's outside the studio, start brainstorming, and then sketch on my idea book. I always bring an idea book with me. It’s easy to jot down and draw ideas when you have one. If for some reason I don’t have it with me, I type the ideas on my phone or do quick sketches on it.
What would be the ideal working setup for you?
My current work setup at the Ideals studio is great, but I think a bigger studio space would be better. A bungalow with lots of open spaces and big windows would be ideal.
What do you love the most about your life as an illustrator?
I like that fact that I'm doing what i love and my schedule is flexible. I manage a social design studio with my friends. We do design and communications for cause driven organizations, it's a fun job. I also do a lot of illustration work on my own, it's a nice complement to design.
If you had to do something totally different for living, what would it be?
Science was my first love. If I wasn't designing & illustrating, I think I'd work in tech or chemistry.
What kind of music do you listen while working?
I listen to all sorts of music. But I'm recently into chiptune & electronic. My current work playlist includes music from Null Sleep, Pixelh8, M83 & Lali Puna.
If you could go anywhere tomorrow, where would you go?
Stockholm or Barcelona.
Who are you all-time favorite artists?
Bruno Munari, Pieter Bruegel the Elder and H.R. Ocampo (a Filipino artist).
Who has been the most inspiring non-artistic person for you?
My parents.
What is the most bizarre dream you ever had?
I was a superhero in one of my dreams. That was really weird. And I was fighting zombies... I shouldn't have shared that, no? Haha.
If you could meet any great name from known human history, who would it be?
I would love to brainstorm with Bruno Munari.
Thank you!
~~~
Brand Nu (UK)
NUANCES
by Brand Nu (UK)
Limited edition of 30. Price: 180 EUR
Artwork description by artist
"Nuances" represent the thin line between the right and wrong, the left and right, bright and dark, happy and sad. What would happen if you were to sit down for a minute, pondering where you find your next answer to ever so present questions of a day. Presence of Brand Nu trademark colours inject a positive feeling, evoking inner warmth and happiness. You are invited to lose yourself in the inner thoughts of being a little on the side of subtle difference.
Biography
Radim Malinic aka Brand Nu is an award winning freelance illustrator & graphic designer based in Southampton, the UK. He is one of the most sought after, internationally renowned creative artists working today, with an extensive and diverse clientele counting the BBC, O2, Harrods, Sony Ericsson and more as his regular clients. In November 2008, Radim released a follow up showcase publication ‘BOOK of COLOURS’ which has been widely critically acclaimed.
How would you describe your personal style?
It's an even mixture between vector shapes, photoshop brushes and photographic elements. Actually, I used to call it 'splatters, shapes & colours' and it's pretty much valid label. Lately, I've tried to make less complicated images, going more for simpler but more vibrant concepts. I've become known for the multilayered work but as anyone else in the game you push in new directions to break away from the masses of plagiariser. As with anything else, I don't have a set plan or formula I go by, I just go with the flow and see what happens.
When you were a child, did you want to become a designer?
Quite franky, I never had a plan to become a designer, it just somewhat happened. Since my childhood to my late teens I played ice hockey and thought I'd go to play in NHL. Then I got into music, started a band and got through those alleys to the work of visual creativity. In my twenties I brushed off the basics I had learned and I worked my way up to where I am now. I knew I wanted to work in different way and do for living something that would satisfy my soul on daily basis. I can't imagine going back to join a company and work on some soul-destroying briefs.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
I believe inspiration comes to you, hits you on the nose wherever you go. Everyday you encounter various elements that shape your thoughts and moods. There's many in the mix, you just choose the ones that you digest.
Could you describe your working process?
Depending on a brief or idea, it could take from a couple of hours to a couple of days to make start on a piece. I'm rather spontaneous character and sometimes go with the initial concept and see it through. Sometime though, I have time to think about a project for a few days before I make start which produces interesting results as I change the plan almost everyday. I could go and scrap a few ideas before I get to draw a first stroke.
What would be the ideal working setup for you?
Since 2007 I've worked from home and it's been great. I truly don't envy any other creatives who have to commute every day for hours on end. An ideal set up would be bigger work space with more room for other desks and a messy corner for experiments. I'd love to buy some disused warehouse or a factory and turn it into a studio and a home.
What do you love the most about your life as a designer?
It's all about making your own decisions, every minute of every day. Of course you get clients and art directors to point you in some direction but overall, you rule any project. Then it's the seeing of your final work out there. The other day I came across some of my latest work in shops and on billboards and was nicely surprised. I love when people find my work inspiring, admire it and explore it. A good piece of illustration could be compared to a song. You love it, you hum it, you can't get it out of your head.
If you had to do something totally different for living, what would it be?
I guess I'd be a TV producer.
What kind of music do you listen while working?
All sorts, all sort of everything from jazz, nu-jazz, neo-soul, acoustic to rock and dance music. I'm open minded and longing to explore new music, discover new artists. I don't have anyone to argue about music with, so on days (with a tight deadline) I could be blasting out some dirty drum'n'bass (Nu:Tone or London Electricity quite likely) to keep me sane throughout the project. Also, now you can watch a lot of TV online in the UK, so I catch up in the evenings with some of my favourite comedy programmes and TV shows on the second monitor.
If you could go anywhere tomorrow, where would you go?
It's a toss between New York or Tokyo.
Who are you all-time favorite artists?
Alfons Mucha, Vivaldi, Picaso, Jack Kerouac, Salvador Dali, William Burroughs... all of them timeless and genius.
Who has been the most inspiring non-artistic person for you?
I believe everyone is artistic in their own way. I can't think of any one in particular, but I do admire a lot business savvy people.
What is the most bizarre dream you ever had?
Hmmm... it might be too bizarre to tell you.
If you could meet any great name from known human history, who would it be?
I'd like to hang out with James Brown for a day.
Thank you!
~~~
Gary Fernández (Spain)
AN ORDINARY DAY IN THE PARK #1
by Gary Fernández (Spain)
Limited edition of 30. Price: 210 EUR
Biography
Gary Fernández, born in 1980, is a freelance illustrator and graphic artist based in Madrid, Spain and currently living in Vancouver, Canada. He is also the co-founder and creative part of the T-shirt brand VelvetBanana (founded at the end of 2005).
Gary has worked with global brands such as Coca Cola, Volkswagen, Camel, Nokia, etc.
Recently, he finished his first own-published book called “Introduction to Fantastic Girls, Future Landscapes & The Most Beautiful Birds Ever Seen”. The leitmotiv was to explore new ideas and concepts as well as to develop all that imagery that he started saving in his sketchbooks a long time ago already. The outcome has become the beginning of his new frame of work, which he is currently working on.
How would you describe your personal style?
It’s a combination between the things I love, the things I believe should exist and the experiences I’ve had.
When you were a child, did you want to become an illustrator?
I didn't know what an illustrator is. But I’ve been drawing since then.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
No specific path. Traveling, talking to friends, reading, just walking or listening to music are good ways to get inspiration and good stories.
Could you describe your working process?
I usually start with the topic I want to develop. Then I do some sketches and review my notebooks. When I get the overall vision I start to define each element and its details. Then, when I’m quite sure about the composition and its elements, I start to make the final version and to color it.
What would be the ideal working setup for you?
A big, empty and sunny space with big windows furnished with just a very big table to draw and a comfortable chair. It also requires big speakers to get each detail of the music I love to listen to.
What do you love the most about your life as an illustrator?
The possibility of creating new worlds.
If you had to do something totally different for living, what would it be?
I can't imagine doing something different. I mean, something not creative. Right now, I think I wouldn't be able to do anything else.
What kind of music do you listen while working?
I usually listen to different styles of music. It depends on the project I’m developing. The only requirement is to listen to really good and original tunes.
If you could go anywhere tomorrow, where would you go?
I’d go back to the Death Valley in California. It’s impressive.
Who are you all-time favorite artists?
Amongst others, I really love Hokusai and Aubrey Beardsley.
What is the most bizarre dream you ever had?
It’s difficult to remember... I have quite odd and bizarre dreams on a daily basis. Even when I'm not sleeping.
If you could meet any great name from known human history, who would it be?
Obama.
Thank you!
~~~
Irena Zablotska (Ukraine)
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SECRET PASSAGE
by Irena Zablotska (Ukraine)
Limited edition of 20. Price: 210 EUR
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Biography
Irena Zablotska was born one shiny morning in Lviv, Ukraine. Influenced by fiction and semi-psychedelic soviet cartoons, "The Music box" and "The Mystery of the Third Planet" in early childhood. She grew up and realized that she want to express her emotions and feelings with drawings. She's working as a graphic and web designer, also drawing lots of non-commercial works. Irena have taken part in several exhibitions in USA, Europe and Russia, featured in lots of projects. Now she is a part of a little newborn design studio Keepa.
How would you describe your personal style?
Someone once called it "elegant horror". I like that definition and use it frequently to describe my works.
When you were a child, did you want to become an illustrator?
No. When I was a kid I used to dream that I would become an astronaut, have a nice helmet and all that stuff. To become a superhero in a word. All my creativity on paper was based on another astronauts, stars, planets or UFOs. I had dreams about other worlds. I decided to become an illustrator about four years ago.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
I find inspiration in music, beautiful views, my wonderful friends and country trips, in love, in sufferings, in dreams that have not come true.
Could you describe your working process?
I think on my next work for a very long time, imagine, live with it, spoon-feed it. Than I draw it, rather quickly. Mostly thinking takes more time for me than implementation. I put my soul in every work.
What would be the ideal working setup for you?
Big attic room with an old European city roof view.
What do you love the most about your life as an illustrator?
I love the freedom in my work. Freedom of thoughts expression and that some people like it. This is marvelous.
If you had to do something totally different for living, what would it be?
I think I could become a good composer. When I was a child I wrote beautiful strange music. Maybe an archeologist, in a literal manner I love to touch history.
What kind of music do you listen while working?
I like electronic experimental music and I just love funk. It's very vital, optimistic music.
If you could go anywhere tomorrow, where would you go?
I've always wanted to go to South America.
Who are you all-time favorite artists?
Otto Dix and Ukrainian artist Maria Primachenko.
Who has been the most inspiring non-artistic person for you?
It's a secret.
What is the most bizarre dream you ever had?
In my childhood I wanted to learn how to get out of my body and fly around the city, go into peoples' houses and watch them. Or a cap of darkness. Present days I frequently represent myself as I wake up in a strangers' body - human or animal. I imagine a scenario of what I will do, whom I will talk to, what words and what deeds. It can not be called a dream, it's rather things I am afraid of very much. I like to scare myself.
If you could meet any great name from known human history, who would it be?
Jesus Christ.
Thank you!
~~~
Mar Hernández (Spain)
CITRUS FRUITS AND BIRDS
by Mar Hernández (Spain)
Limited edition of 10. Price: 270 EURR
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Biography
Malota is the pseudonym of the multi-talented artist named Mar Hernández.
She was born in Jaen, a city located in the south of Spain in 1980. She has a degree in Fine Arts and over recent years she has been developing her flair and craft as a designer and illustrator.
Her work as an illustrator can be seen at her website www.malotaprojects.com. Here you will find some of her most interesting work. She has become a reference point in the world of illustration for monographs, reports and interviews with specialist publications.
How would you describe your personal style?
Synthetic, stylish, colorful, hieratic and cerebral while being close and sensitive.
When you were a child, did you want to become an illustrator?
I never wanted to become “something” when I was child, I just loved to draw, so when I grew up I thought it could be a good idea to continue drawing often.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
I find inspiration everywhere. If you're willing to be inspired by the things they will do, so I think you can find inspiration in anything.
Could you describe your working process?
This is such a complex question, it depends on the work. What I always do before getting to work with a pen or my computer is thinking. Thinking a lot at the beginning, trying to imagine how I’m going to do this or to resolve that… and then I begin to work hard on it.
What would be the ideal working setup for you?
I love to learn different creative techniques so my ideal working setup will be always changing… One day I would like to sew, another one I love to paint, the next day I will feel like playing the piano and who knows what’s next?
What do you love the most about your life as an illustrator?
That it allows me to imagine and think like a child everyday.
If you had to do something totally different for living, what would it be?
What’s totally different? An astronaut?
What kind of music do you listen while working?
Wow, I’m a music friend, so this is such a horrible question… It depends on the day and my mood… Something nice and fresh like Adriana Calcanhoto, Parade (my ex-band, I’m a pianist)… I love to work with 50’s and 60’s music, Carol King and Gerry Goffin’s songs and stuff like that.
If you could go anywhere tomorrow, where would you go?
Tokyo maybe, I really would like to visit Tokyo.
Who are you all-time favorite artists?
Charley Harper.
Who has been the most inspiring non-artistic person for you?
My mom.
What is the most bizarre dream you ever had?
I always forget dreams, despite that they were really bizarre.
If you could meet any great name from known human history, who would it be?
Charley Harper.
Thank you!
~~~
Micah Lidberg (USA)
TWO HEADED LAVA WORM DELIGHT
by Micah Lidberg (USA)
Limited edition of 15. Price: 240 EUR
Biography
Micah Lidberg was born in 1985 and was raised in Kansas City, Missouri. He spent the majority of his childhood being absolutely enamored with the fields, forests, and volatile weather that surrounded him. After many years of traveling, Micah has now returned to Kansas City where he happily spends his days cutting, pasting, and drawing.
His illustrations are highly populated and detailed intersections of nature and his imagination. He has been featured in publications such as Computer Arts, Beautiful/Decay, and Society of Illustrators LA. He was recently named one of the Top Ten Illustrators of 2008 by Computer Arts Magazine and was also included in the Illustrative 08 show in Zurich, Switzerland. Micah also recently had the privilege to join the very exciting agency, Hugo & Marie.
How would you describe your personal style?
I like my work to have the feeling of being a sort of alternate reality - a place where things half exist. I like to draw by hand and use a lot of patterns.
When you were a child, did you want to become an illustrator?
Yes and no, I didn't know it was called illustration then, but I wanted to draw pictures like the ones I saw in books. However, drawing and making things was always second nature to me so I didn't know it was something I could 'be' when I grew up. I had a lot of other occupations in mind when I was little. For a long time I wanted to be a veterinarian or a meteorologist.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
Sciences are very interesting to me. Biology, ecology, meteorology, physics, astrophysics, neurology - the list is long. I think it's the basic curiousness and willingness to explore that really gets me going about science. I also really get inspired by anomalous phenomena as well. Weird and unknown events represent a part of our reality that we can't define yet. I think the fringe of our knowledge will always a very special place for me.
Could you describe your working process?
I do a lot of visualizing and daydreaming. Listening to music and watching documentaries helps me build spaces and moods to work from. After I form a sort of mental landscape, I lay out everything on the paper and go through a series of refinements until I have the final drawing. At that point I usually scan in the work and color it digitally.
What would be the ideal working setup for you?
I really do prefer to have as large of a desktop as possible. I enjoy spreading out so I always have a pretty big desk. All my light bulbs are daylight balanced and I like big windows. I also like a simple and organized space so that it doesn't become a burden or distraction.
What do you love the most about your life as an illustrator?
I think the absolute best part of it is being able to explore and wonder as an occupation. Also, the creative industry is very social. I really enjoy being able to meet extraordinarily interesting people and exchanging beautiful things with them.
If you had to do something totally different for living, what would it be?
I think I would really like to get into social work of some form. I'd love to make a direct and positive effect in people's lives. If not that, then I think I'd really like to be a researcher of some sort. I totally don't have the discipline for it but being a professional learner sounds fantastic.
What kind of music do you listen while working?
I listen to all kinds of music while I'm working. Potency is a big part of the music I listen to. If it makes me feel something pretty deeply then it'll find it's way on to my playlists. I also listen to a lot of lectures while I work. Sometimes, I work better while listening to someone talking. It just depends on how I'm feeling.
If you could go anywhere tomorrow, where would you go?
Maybe the ruins of Machu Picchu, or maybe Chichén Itzá on the Yucatan peninsula. If I were to just go to a region in general I think I would love going to Mongolia. I've always thought that it's an absolutely fascinating part of the world.
Who are you all-time favorite artists?
Kara Walker and Henry Darger have had a big impact on me. Their work is very beautiful, very personal, humbly constructed, and is somewhat unsettling. It's a lot like reality.
Who has been the most inspiring non-artistic person for you?
Nikola Tesla. He was eccentric, persistent, brilliant, mysterious, intuitive, curious, and our current society wouldn't exist without him.
What is the most bizarre dream you ever had?
I had a lucid dream where I was sitting crossed-legged in front of a wall made of old dry wood. I wanted to see what the material of my dream was really made of so I pulled down on the wall and it started to sag and stretch. Apparently, everything in my dreams is made out of spandex.
If you could meet any great name from known human history, who would it be?
Maybe Pythagoras of Samos. Geometry, mathematics, and knowledge were meaningful to him in a way that I feel we've lost.
Thank you!
~~~
Pablo Alfieri (Argentina)
CHAOS THEORY
by Pablo Alfieri (Argentina)
Limited edition of 25. Price: 180 EUR
Biography
Pablo Alfieri is a graphic designer and illustrator born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. In 2002 he started the career of Graphic Design in U.B.A. (University of Buenos Aires) when discovered his passion for design, illustration and typography.
In January of 2008 he created "Playful", a showcase of his personal works, a free space where he plays and has fun with colors, typography and geometry shapes, the bases of his creative work.
He worked at local Studios like RDYA and PUNGA Visual Consorcio, place where now he unwrap like Art Director. Recently his works was featured at magazines like Computer Arts, Digital Arts, books like Stereographics from Victionary and websites like Fubiz, NotCot and Design and Design.
How would you describe your personal style?
My personal style, is full of color. An imaginary world full of organic and geometric shapes. A mix of chaos and order, structures and diagonals. A world where the typography are the best friend of the triangles, squares and circles.
When you were a child, did you want to become an illustrator?
No, I wanted to be architect! But I'd always be fighting with the mathematics and physics so when I discovered the graphic design I fell in love.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
From my dreams, the galaxies and stars, the love and my lovely girl, the books, the music and all that blows my eyes.
Could you describe your working process?
I love to investigate at internet, do a huge research, then do a couple of drafts and a list of words to have a basement. And for last, select the best way to create the imaginary world that I have in mind and then make a couple of drafts with this technique.
What would be the ideal working setup for you?
I think that in this moment I have all that I want. A full time work at Punga Visual Consorcio with a lot of great talents that enjoy, and then my free space where I do what I want, like I want and when I want.
What do you love the most about your life as an illustrator?
I really don't considerate myself like an illustrator... I love to play and manipulate digital and visual images to create what I have in my mind, but I'm and designer and if I choose something that I love the most, I choose the possibility of be playing all the time. I'm lucky to do what I love to do.
If you had to do something totally different for living, what would it be?
I will die maybe... No no, maybe to have a little restaurant with homemade food. I love to cook!
What kind of music do you listen while working?
My favourites bands! And they are, Radiohead, Muse, QOTSA, Foofighters, Coldplay and a local singer, Gustavo Cerati.
If you could go anywhere tomorrow, where would you go?
I need to know Machu Picchu, the Bauhaus, Barcelona and the MOMA.
Who are you all-time favorite artists?
In the beginning of my career my favorites artists were David Carson, Herb Lubalin, Rodchenko, Paula Scher and Paul Rand. They always will be my basement. Now I adore the work of studios like NonFormat, Hort, OneLab and SerialCut.
Who has been the most inspiring non-artistic person for you?
My father and mother, they taught me everything.
What is the most bizarre dream you ever had?
I don't know I always have the sames... I'm always flying around at lovely places! The worst is when I fall and then wake up.
If you could meet any great name from known human history, who would it be?
Maybe Salvador Dali... I don't know how he had this great mind!
Thank you!
~~~
Sebastian Onufszak (Germany)
DOG
by Sebastian Onufszak (Germany)
Limited edition of 30. Price: 180 EUR
Biography
Born in Breslau, Poland in 1978, Sebastian Onufszak is a German visual artist focusing on print, interactive media and motion graphics.
Since 2002 he has been working as a designer and director for an international range of high-end clients. Alongside he is reknowned for his experimental live visuals which supported Funkstoerung, Mouse on Mars, Michael Fakesch and many more.
His works were featured in numerous publications and exhibitions worldwide. He is founder of the well-known artist collective "Propagandabuero".
How would you describe your personal style?
That's a hard one. It's very difficult to describe my personal style. Every time I start a project I attempt to create something new, not to stick to old attitudes. My first step is to figure out what I could optimize and which new inspirations I could include. Most of the time it's really tricky because you always take the easiest way to solve a design challenge by using the same techniques or ideas as in a project before. Do you know what I mean? This is how one could describe my own style: it is the attempt to create somthing new and in the end be a miserable failure!
When you were a child, did you want to become a designer?
When I was a child I always wanted to become a graphic designer. And now I want to do this job with the same passion and the same fun just until the end. I want to create new styles, never mark time, keep pushing forward.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
When I have no idea, I try to get inspired by my environment. I read an interesting book, view the latest fashion magazines or walk through the city watching people doing their stuff. A good many times it is the details that lead to a brilliant idea. An alternative is to find several different words in a lexicon and to attempt to combine them in a special kind. But also a talk with colleagues or a brainstorming within your team will help you to start a project successfully, too.
Could you describe your working process?
That's always different. Commercial projects are created according to the wishes and needs of clients. It's important to look into the subject in the run-up. Especially when you are developing design concepts for campaigns or something. Compared to that my personal works are relatively different. On one hand I love to experimentize with shapes, lines, plains and colours using my computer and creating abstruct ideas. It is my small laboratory, where I can design without any guidelines and where I have the freedom to be artificial without any certain ambition. It is like a journey, you take your bike and just start travelling. Thereby you are influenced by your natural surrounding, at crossroads you decide to turn left or right spontaneously. Hence your journey could always lead to a different place, depending on your mood. The inspiration arises from the way you choose. On the other hand I start with a particular idea. For example, currently I am working on a series of hand-made illustrations where I pretend to use human beings. I design without any examples, but during the process I keep looking for key words. I may then integrate in a graphical way.
What would be the ideal working setup for you?
Apple G5, 30" display, a sheet of paper, tidiness. I can't stand messy workstations. Nothing must disturb or influence me when I am working at a project. I am quite fussy, maybe even paranoid. My psychiatrist says I'm on the up and up though. Then in the meantime I like listening to music - using headphones of course so I can totally focus on my tasks.
What do you love the most about your life as a designer?
Being creative and have the possibility to beautify our environment.
If you had to do something totally different for living, what would it be?
Don't know what. Jobless. Maybe I would become a gardener cropping a flowerbed with roses, vegetables, fruits next to a small pond and a ant-hill. And besides there is of course a blinking LCD screen saying: "Think different!"
What kind of music do you listen while working?
Depends on my personal mood – it's always different, but mostly electronical.
If you could go anywhere tomorrow, where would you go?
I would like to take a ride from Toyko to Singapore, Berlin, London and New York within half an hour and directly into my office (of course). So that I could absorb all these amazing impressions, be inspired by people and surroundings and could finally include all of these new ideas into my projects.
Who are you all-time favorite artists?
Pablo Picasso, Egon Schiele and Salvador Dali.
Who has been the most inspiring non-artistic person for you?
Yoda and Tron.
What is the most bizarre dream you ever had?
Do you dream in colours or black and white? I think my most bizarre was the yellow one.
If you could meet any great name from known human history, who would it be?
Ludwig van Beethoven.
Thank you!
Thanks for your invitation. It was a pleasure for me.
~~~
Ville Savimaa (Finland)
TOMORROW THEY WILL DO IT AGAIN
by Ville Savimaa (Finland)
Limited edition of 30. Price: 210 EUR
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Biography
Ville Savimaa is an illustrator and graphic designer. He has been working as an illustrator since 2005. Ville has a background in advertising, but nowadays he works full-time as a freelancer.
Ville sketches his illustrations by hand and finishes them in Photoshop. Mostly he likes to draw somekind of characters in mystic athmospheres. His illustrations were featured in last years Pingstate book.
Ville's clients include: King Finland, Publicis Helsinki, Misc Management, Supplement Facts Records and Tulva Magazine. Currently he works at his home studio in Helsinki. Ville is represented by illustration agency Pekka.
How would you describe your personal style?
The heart of my style consists from mystic characters and world around them. Either in colors or grayscale, it doesn't matter so much.
When you were a child, did you want to become an illustrator?
No. I wanted to be a pilot or truck driver. Quite normal futureplans for a boychild.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
From wild places. Usually these places have elements that human cant build or understund so well, like stormy sea. Also music inspires me a lot.
Could you describe your working process?
First I start to draw with regular pen to a paper. For me it's best way to find my personal lines. I finalize my images with Illustrator and Photoshop.
What would be the ideal working setup for you?
Ideal studio would be old penthouse with beautiful oceanview. Also a wooden floor and fireplace should be there and large drawing table with enough light. Of course one Apple, scanner and printer at the corner and lot of good music.
What do you love the most about your life as an illustrator?
Freedom to do work whenever I feel like. I hate nine to five rhythm.
If you had to do something totally different for living, what would it be?
Something physichal. Runner or road maker. One option could also be chef.
What kind of music do you listen while working?
Folk, Cornelius style of electro or melancholic pop.
If you could go anywhere tomorrow, where would you go?
At the middle of route 66.
Who are you all-time favorite artists?
Harry Clarke and Picasso.
Who has been the most inspiring non-artistic person for you?
My grandmother and grandfather, Helmi and Reino.
What is the most bizarre dream you ever had?
Can't say just one. The thing that makes my dreams bizarre is that familiar places have turned out something totally weird.
If you could meet any great name from known human history, who would it be?
One of Pharaos. Anyone of them.
Thank you!
~~~