We first became aware of the work of Liam Brazier through the image bookmarking site Ffffound. His illustrations of Star Wars characters and superheroes in a distinctive, skewed style caught our attention = simple, stylish and refreshingly original. We checked out his portfolio and saw a wide range of varying styles and techniques in both static and moving image for clients such as Dazed & Confused, Creative Review, Design Week, Glastonbury, the Museum of London and Virgin TV. So, we thought we’d get in touch to see if Liam would be interested in answering our Ten Questions. He kindly obliged and gave us the following insight into the life of an illustrator – although please, don’t call him that.
1. How do you describe what you do?
To be utterly flippant about it I actually try to avoid describing my day-to-day activities, it seems so trivial and unconvincing to say “illustrate” – it’s as vague as a singer stating “I make noises” but yes; my tax return states illustrator and animator so if you’re dishing out name cards feel free to scribble that.
2. What made you want to do what you do?
I have always drawn, and been told I was somewhat competent at it for as long as I recall. There was never really any chance of me being as good at anything else to be honest, and I like to theorise that whatever increased skill I have in that area helps explain how idiotic I am in other respects.
3. How would you describe your workplace?
As someone currently surrounded by bin-bags full of my belongings following a move I can honestly answer with some sort of unprintable curse word. Mainly though my workplace is my head, and what a dark and uninhabitable place that is let me tell you…
4. What is your favourite colour?
Oooh, that’s so unfair on all the other colours! I’m not sure I have a favourite, that would be incredibly decisive and not like me at all, so I’ll go by my favourite colour candies; green.
5. Who is your favourite artist or writer?
I have many, many loves. Edward Gorey I discovered quite late in life and instantly wanted everything he’d ever penned forcibly injected through my eyeballs – genius.
I probably get a lot having starred for hours at Charles Sheeler’s paintings.
I never got on with his longer works but Jeff Noon’s short story collection ‘Pixel Juice‘ is a fantastic idea explosion, some crazy (yet oddly sane in context) mental meanders in there. Equally similar brain juice like David Eagleman’s ‘Sum’, or Asimov’s ‘The Last Question’ make my head smile.
6. What was your previous job?
I’ve had a few, from working in the cinema during Sixth Sense’s premiere and actually physically feeling the drop in oxygen in the room from group gasps at the reveal, to Photoshop retouching Elton John’s zipper closed on the family snaps for Lulu’s biography. I WISH I was joking.
7. Do you work within a team? If so, how many people do you work with?
I am freelance but often work with others. I produce work with Littlenobody and Epipheo Studios and so forth, but it’s mainly just me and the cats in the flat shouting at the computer to do something I want it to.
8. Do you listen to music whilst working? If so, what do you listen to?
Absolutely need it like cars need fuel. I love stumbling across new music that excites me. I could produce you a list a mile long if you absolutely insist on painting me as a dullard, but according to Last.fm my big hitters are the likes of Low, Mogwai, Radiohead, Suede, Morrissey, IAMX, R.E.M., and a load of people you probably have never heard of because I’ve probably never heard more than that track from them and got their name wrong in iTunes.
9. Who inspires you to do what you’re doing?
Other illustrators work is endlessly inspiring, and yeah; movies, music, pizza toppings, anything and everything (although the pizza thing may be an excuse I tell my girlfriend).
10. Which advice has helped you the most?
Do what you like. I don’t know who said that, I mean, obviously I just said it and I don’t trust me as far as I can throw me.
–––
Huge thanks to Liam for his involvment. You can see more of his excellent work on his site and follow him on Twitter. Liam is also currently exhibiting some new work at The Brick Lane Gallery in London where you will be able to get your hands on signed and numbered print. They’re limited to 50 each so be quick!
We’d love to hear what you think of Liams work so feel free to comment below or get in touch.
Thank you for reading, until next time…
Mat
