For the latest of Troy’s projects, check out his blog here.

See and hear Troy talk about his artwork, inspiration, past and upcoming projects at the AWESOME Analogue/Digital Conference coming to the Sunshine Coast on 4th May 2012. (Updated April 2012).

Chloe Cabbage

Christina Corncob

Anita Avocado

When asked about his creative role and how he works, Troy replied with these 4 pointers…

1. Nimble – it’s good to be planned, but I like to keep things relatively unstructured in terms of the creative and marketing facets of my role. If you understand the big picture or objective of your business, being nimble can be a very positive thing.
2. Intelligence – whether you are selling a toothbrush or building an identity for a brand, it is really important and empowering to know about the market you are creating something for, or selling something to.
3. Childlike naivety – don’t get too serious, have some fun, keep things lighthearted, don’t be bogged down by the details, but make sure you can also deliver on promises and continue moving forward.
4. Enjoy yourself – if you are passionate about whatever it is you’re toiling over, you’ll always deliver a better result and your passion will show through. The countless hours you spend also won’t matter, you’ll enjoy them.

How have you got to where you are today?

I grew up surfing and skateboarding, and I was always drawing. I think somewhere in the early 90’s when I was heavily into skateboarding, I got very into artists and artwork and started to get more into art myself.

It was pretty early on for me that I decided I wanted to work in the surf and skate industry. I had no idea what I wanted to do, but I thought it would be cool to be a part of it. I started working in my local surfshop, then 5 years later moved into a better retail role with Billabong. During this time, I studied Graphic Art, it felt like something I would enjoy, and I did, but before I could finish my degree Billabong had moved me out of retail and into a Sales role which saw me travelling alot.

From there I moved into a role with Element when the business was bought by Billabong in 2001. Over a period of 4 or 5 years I worked my way into the head marketing role, and just now have moved over into a brand management role across 5 growing brands.

I always wanted to be a part of something I was passionate about, so I’m thankful that has happened, but man it comes with alot of hard work and megaloads of hours! I’m so wrapped to be working on such a diverse range of responsibilities that allow me to be involved in alot of creative stuff, and alot of business stuff.

In a few words, describe yourself…

Restless, excited, young at heart and silly.

What are you spending your time on at the moment?

I’ve been invited to exhibit in a three person show in Sydney in Feb – March of next year, so I’ve started some new works on paper for that. I’m also working on new works for a solo exhibition at the gallery that represents me in Queensland around the same time, the gallery is called Retrospect Galleries – it’s awesome!

My wife and I just launched a business that deals in the discovery, sale and hire of vintage and unique items, it’s called Archer & Archer, that’s been amazing and a lot of work.

I’ve also just started this new role at work, managing DVS, Lakai, Matix Clothing, Plan B and Element’s skate hardware division, that’s like a baptism of fire right now because 4 of those brands are still in their early stages of life. Most exciting out of all of it, we’re putting in new fences at home. Damn, no wonder I woke up tired in New Zealand this morning.

Do you have a ritual for getting into the creative mindset? Or a creative process?

I do, it goes like this… Feed the dog and take him for a wee, that way he won’t bother me for a couple of hours, grab my little orange iPod Nano, put my headphones on and chose an artist that I have about 30 songs from, someone like Antony and the Johnsons, Sia, Cat Power, Archer, Alicia Keys (I listen to pretty girly music), turn on my computer, write silly things on people’s walls, look at WATIM and The Opening Hours for 5 minutes, get up and make myself a cup of tea, grab some chocolate, go get whatever I’m working on from the spare room, sit down, grab my biro and start pushing it around on the paper.

What or who inspires you?

I’m inspired by the work other artists do, and I’m inspired by the depths of character that the elderly have. I’m also really inspired by Harry Truscott and Jay Woods.

What are you most proud of?

Being alive, it’s a long story. Life is very fragile and well worth loving. I’m also really proud that I was able to stack seven 50c pieces on top of each other, end on end.

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be Tom Carroll first, then Marc Johnson, then Salvador Dali. I never wanted to be a fireman or a police officer, or an army man or a doctor.

See more of Troy Archer’s artwork and read more artist interviews.