Adam Graff interview

So a couple of months back Adam Graff was a guest talker at tuesday club, and it was great, he gave me some of the best advice ive had on this course. Naturally I have stayed in contact and conducted an interview with him. Enjoy...

www.adamgraff.com

Firstly, could you give a few words about yourself and your artistic background.

A creative path was always going to be the one I followed, there was never any real alternative. It was always the thing I loved to do most and that I was best at. You naturally pitch yourself against your peers and all through my education I seemed to rank high.  

Who has been your biggest artistic inspiration throughout your personal work?
My inspriration comes from so many places, from living from being interested in whats going on. There will always be artists and fellow illustrators who I'm inspired by, but these change with time and my natural evolution. I have been very keen to look at the work Maira Kalman, Luke Best, Demitrio Psillos, Jonny Hannah, Paul Davis, Andrew Foster, David Shrigley, Nathalie Lete 

Have you encountered any problems involving copyright? If so how was it delt with?
No, I don't believe I have.

What made you decide to go into teaching?
I actually drifted into teaching by initially doing some workshops at my old college. It seemed to naturally suit my sensibilities. I loved imparting information and receiving inspiration, a beautifully symbiotic relationship. I was recommended for a job as a Visiting Lecturer on a Foundation Course and that's where I made a place for myself. It might sound a little 'hippy' but if you are open to receive, I believe that the right things come to you. Teaching is right for me - I love it.

Do you have any artistic regrets or anything you would change/do different given the opportunity?
Many images I create I regret. Hmmmm... not so much regret because I think it might be right sometimes to do shit work, but that I wish hadn't appeared in the public realm. Apart from that I am happy the way my creative life is/ has been up to now. Perhaps I'd like a second go at my MA with a different area of investigation.

Do you live by any Artistic rules? Style over Substance? Quality over Quantity? or just free Reign?
yes: content and substance - a good idea is paramount. I like to include humour hopefully intrinsically. Love what you do; enjoy the process; from the heart; keep it joyful.

What, in a few short words makes a fantastic book cover?

A good book cover for me should encapsulate the flavour of the book and suggest something of its content. 

It should grab your attention and be beautiful to look at.

And finally, what piece of advice would you give to any up and coming artist/entrepreneur?

 Like life, it's not for the faint hearted. Be bold, be brave, be extraordinary and don't give up even though there will be many times you feel like it!