Interview with Ben Jones...

My latest blog interview is with former Stockport college student Ben Jones. Since graduating Ben has gone on to have a very successful illustration career, he is still spoke of highly throughout staff at the college, often a reference point to up and coming students, so it was only fitting I track him down and get a few words...

http://www.benjonesillustration.com/

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

I am a freelance illustrator based in Manchester. I studied at Stockport college graduating in 2006. Since then I have worked for clients including The New York Times, The Folio Society, The Guardian, Rotland Press, BBC History Magazine, Penguin books amogst others.

Who has been your biggest artistic inspiration throughout your work?

Eastern European illustrators and designers such as Jan Lenica, Bohumil Stepan, Roman Cieslewicz and Karel Tessig mainly inspire me. DADA and surrealism also inspire me. But I would say my man inspiration is reading both fiction and theory. I also tend to let my political feelings have an impact on my work when I get the opportunity.

Have you encountered any copyright issues during your work?

Nope. Most publishers, magazines, newspapers have editors and lawyers that look over the work. Just make sure to use copyright free imagry.

Do you have any artistic regrets or anything you would change/do different given the opportunity?

Earlier on in my career I tried to hard to be a commercial illustrator. Now I make work that I enjoy making and looking at. I guest what I am trying to say is it is important to trust yourself and make work that you like and not to try and create work that is not you because it may seem relevant at the time. A timeless visual language is more important than a fleeting style.

Do you live by any Artistic rules? Style over Substance? Quality over Quantity? or just free Reign?

I think a good illustration should be astatically pleasing first and foremost but should have a depth in its content. I think an emotional response is also important.

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

Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Work hard because of your passion for your subject. Get work in front of people by email and in person. 

Don’t be a dick to people. 

Big thank you to Ben for this.