Interview with illustrator Ken Smith
Today’s interview features the very cool work of Brisbane illustrator Ken Smith. He’s been working hard this year to keep up his regular illustrating and drawing. And he’s definitely an artist to watch!
Ken’s strong vector art style of illustrating lends itself to bold gig posters and t-shirt designs. And ultimately, that’s where Ken wants to go – he’s working towards his passion for drawing comics and posters for a living.
Ken is completing the Bachelor of Creative Industries majoring in design at QUT while also designing t-shirts part-time with a local screen-printing company. If life wasn’t already busy enough with uni and a job, Ken’s been busy getting his name out there with his work in several exhibitions this year.
You may have seen Ken at the last Sprinkl event in Brisbane. It was a live Design Off with Kalin Thompson in front of a live audience. Ken’s design won a round of voting after the event! Congrats!
And Ken’s been busy showcasing his work and collaborating at a few other events, including the BAD Club showcase last month, the ETCC Remix exhibition at Shooting Gallery, and currently at the Comb Art Space at Coolangatta.
See Ken’s website for his latest work.
How have you got to where you are today?
I’ve always been interested in drawing, never took it too seriously though. After high school, I ended up in the printing industry for a few years.
Then in 2008 I took a holiday to the USA, and ended up at San Diego Comic-Con. Hands down the craziest event I’ve ever been to. It was four days straight of partying with all these amazing, talented artists.
They were all following their passions and living their dream jobs, so it got me super-inspired. When I got back to Australia I enrolled in a design course that would be nice and flexible and spent the next three years practicing, learning, and drawing as much as I could.
In a few words, describe yourself…
Easy-going, excitable, and stubborn, makes a good gin and tonic.
What are you spending your time on at the moment?
I have a few prints going into different galleries next month (keep an eye on the blog for info on these), so that’s keeping me fairly busy. Apart from that, I’ve been out hunting down freelance design work. Gotta pay the bills somehow!
Do you have a ritual for getting into the creative mindset? Or a creative process?
I drink a lot of coffee to get me through those long colouring sessions. I also carry a notebook around which is handy for writing down those ideas that hit me at the most inconvenient times.
Mostly it’s just getting into a habit of drawing regularly. And drawing a lot… 30-odd hours most weeks.
A lot of what I draw never makes it out of the sketchbook, but after a few pages, something will leap out at me, and I’ll save that idea for a future illustration. My studio days generally involve a lot of coffee consumption, my favourite albums on repeat, and a big fat sketchbook. I’m also constantly learning as much as I can, and not just about illustration.
There’s this podcast I listen to a lot, called Studio 360. It’s got such an eclectic mix of the arts, design, and pop culture. I think that’s really important with learning. Casting your net broadly, and not just sticking to your favourite subjects.
What or who inspires you?
So many people inspire me, and sometimes that can be a bit intimidating. It’s hard not to be impatient with your illustration skills when everyone around you is producing amazing work. But most of my heroes are in their forties and fifties, so that’s reassuring.
If we’re talking comics I’d have to list Adrian Tomine, Becky Cloonan, Daniel Clowes, and Chris Ware. Brisbane’s actually got a pretty talented
bunch of locals too, and these folks are great motivation.
There are also a couple of books I keep by my side, that are invaluable – It’s Not How Good You Are by Paul Arden, and Six Memos by Italo Calvino.
My family is also very inspiring. My parents and my three brothers are all creative in different ways, so there’s a bit of friendly competition. I’ve also got an extended family full of painters, musicians, and circus performer, so I’ve definitely grown up in an environment that supports the arts. I think that’s been a big help.
What are you most proud of?
I’m proud of how much I’ve managed to achieve this year on top of my studies and part-time jobs. I’m also proud of having a great bunch of friends. They’ve been such great support over the last few years, and I certainly wouldn’t be where I am without their encouragement.
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I think I wanted to be a Hollywood director or something. Or a rock star. Perhaps they can be my fallback if the art thing doesn’t work out. It took me a while to work out what I wanted to do after high school though, so I’m just happy that I wake up in the morning, excited about the day ahead of me.
