Meet The Artist: Rob Art

What inspired you to become an artist, and when did you first realise that you wanted to pursue this career path?

I saw an image of E.H.Shepherd's Winnie the Pooh at age six and was drawn to the line style and shapes. So I tried to emulate it and this started me off loving art.

What are some of your favourite materials and mediums to work with, and why do you prefer them?

At present I am a digital artist, but when being traditional I adore 2B Faber Castell pencils. They work very well on good quality art paper.

How would you describe your artistic style, and how has it evolved over time?

How would I describe my style? I would say digi-traditional. I use traditional drawing skills in the form of pencil drawing and then scan and render in digital art programs, so the outcome is a combination of the two.

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What themes or ideas do you explore in your artwork, and why are they important to you?

I love to do artwork based around animals. I have been doing a series called Animal Behaviour for the past 12 years and they are all inspired by the beauty and fascination in animals and nature. These are important to me as much as nature should be to everyone.

Can you walk us through your creative process, from the initial concept to the finished piece?

I try to use a technique called Lateral Thinking to initiate an idea and then if a clever aspect pops into my head I draw some concepts  in miniature form to get a basic composition. Once grounded I developed into a render candidate where I finalise the lighting and elements. Once completed I will paint the artwork up in Photoshop.

What challenges have you faced in your artistic career, and how have you overcome them?

Many challenges! Rejection from people, hard work to get a name, and worst of all copyright infringement. I persist, this is the only way to get over these issues, mainly as they will always be there so you need to learn to love what you do and make that stronger than the challenges.

Who are some artists or other creative figures that have influenced your work, and how have they inspired you?

I would say that Van Gogh is my biggest inspiration. Not only his work and style, but his motivation through many a difficult time. He is a true artist.

How do you stay motivated and inspired when you hit a creative block or rough patch?

I am lucky I feel. When I wake up in the morning, I just want to do stuff, be creative, get started on work. Even if it's client work or my own work, I have this drive that gets me through illness, rough patches, etc, so I don't really need any major motivational elements.

What advice would you give to aspiring artists who are just starting out on their artistic journeys?

My only real advice would be to choose a path very specific to your love in art and stick with it regardless. Trying to table in many areas has been a let down and waste of time in my career and now that I concentrate on illustration I have had more success and work.

What are your goals for your art in the future, and where do you see your career going in the next few years?

I am looking for my next project area, that will lead me further into people's minds. Again something to do with animals I think, but in a new approach or style. Maybe even returning to full-time traditional art.

What's your favourite piece that you sell on Fy! and why?

All my animal art is precious to me, but I have a fondness for the big apes, so I really enjoyed doing "The Pawns", and it is proving to be popular with customers as well.

How do you see your art contributing to the wider cultural conversation, and what message or themes do you hope to convey through your work?

I would like my art to be seen as a conversational starting point about animals. The importance of animals and the need to protect and encourage the natural world in the impending climate catastrophe that is beset us. Some of my pieces directly mention this, but some are also just an attempt to make humans understand that we are all part of the same ecosphere of life.

What advice do you have for aspiring artists who are just starting out in their careers?

Be good at what you do. Practice and take criticism well.

Tell us about the artwork you hang in your own home and how this fits into your interior style?

My art on my own walls is either client based illustrations that have been printed as art, or left overs from my exhibitions. There are also a few spots on the wall that have been assigned to my daughters artwork, who is in art college. The place is packed with images now. The house if very eclectic, so it fits in perfectly.

Where is your artwork best suited in a home?

I have actually had a lot of my artworks used in diners and bars in the USA!