Andy Smith
Hastings, United Kingdom
Bio
Andy Smith is a thoroughly nice man, but you do have to feel a little sorry for his neighbors. Janet, who lives a couple of doors down, was the inspiration behind and the name of his Omen-inspired hood piece for Infectious. Andy has also created a character called Fatty, again based on one of the residents of his street. He describes his work as illustration and typography that has “humour, energy and optimism”. Since graduation from London’s Royal College of Art, Andy Smith has worked for clients like Nike and Mercedes, been stocked in stores like Magma and Colette and has won a ton of awards.
Interview
Describe your style in one sentence:
All guns blazing.
What’s the name of your Infectious art piece and can you tell us the inspiration behind it?
Its called ‘Beasts’ and its inspired by the Omen 666 stuff, but it’s really just an excuse to draw some monsters. I called one of these creatures Janet just because I thought it would be good to give them a normal everyday name. My old next door neighbour was called Janet so I thought why not name one after her. I’m sure she would be pleased. The rest of them shall remain nameless, it’s best not to get too attached to those type of creatures…
What’s the most unusual thing that’s ever inspired a piece of your art?
When I lived in London’s East End the carpet shop up the road used to have an old hearse that they used for delivering the carpets, which made a nice poster subject. My other big inspiration is my neighbours, I have a character called Fatty based on a guy who lives two doors up. I have to move home quite often…
What’s the first picture you can remember drawing as a child?
I can remember copying a picture of St George killing a dragon in pencil
What inspiring things surround you in your studio right now?
Right now there’s loads of screwed up bits of paper as it’s been a busy day and my bin isn’t big enough. I also have a lot of cardboard tubes which I like to hoard. You never know when you will need a tube.
What’s the most unusual canvas you’ve put your art on?
I have had a couple of advertising jobs that involve building wraps in London and it was good to see my stuff covering an office building and to know that it was full of office workers slaving away.
What car or vehicle would you love to see your art on?
I’d love to see my characters down the sides of one of those mirrored airstream caravans.
What is your dream car?
My dream car would be the one the Ant Hill Mob goes around in in Wacky Races.
If your art was music, what would it sound like?
Beethoven’s 5th.
What websites do you look at for inspiration?
I sometimes look at ffffound and itsnicethat to see what’s new. I also like checking the weather forecast. I like to go to the 24 hour one and control the cloud movements.
Who are three artists you’ve seen recently and loved their work?
Alan Aldridge, Bob Zoell and Jeff Canham.
What are your vices?
Cashew nuts and chocolate milkshakes.
If you had to change careers, what would be next?
A carpenter, I like bits of wood.
Any interesting projects coming up that you can share with us?
I’m about to start a massive screen printing poster session that will last up to Christmas, so am trying to pull lots of ideas together for that. They will be available from my website when they’re done.
Any advice you’d like to give other artists thinking about submitting out there?
Yes make sure you make your files big enough so you don’t have to redraw them all to blow up to car size. Unlike me. I should have thought that if it was going on a car it would need to be big….
9/17/08
