What inspired you to create Read Between The Lines, and what does the title signify to you?
It has long been a dream of mine to put together and release a book of my art. I love the idea of a physical product that people can sit with and enjoy. Something to hold on to and maybe display on your coffee table.
The title is a playful idea around the fact that a lot of my art has lines running through it in one way or another. And I like the idea that even though there are very few words in the book, people might want to read into the meaning of the pieces.
Was there a particular moment that made you say, “It’s time to make this book happen”?
Not sure if there was one particular moment, but I have wanted to show my art in a different form to just people scrolling past it on their phones. I have been creating art for a long time now and have an extensive catalogue of work. It felt like a good time to put together a collection.
How did you approach curating 150 pages of work? Was it more about showcasing your best work, or were you looking to tell a larger story with the sequencing and selection?
It wasn’t easy and has definitely taken longer than I thought it would. The overarching theme is my digital art that has lines as part of its makeup. Outside of that, I wanted the book to have a nice flow to it. You get to see a common thread, but I’d like to think that there’s a lot of variation in how it’s presented.
Your work has a distinct aesthetic. How would you describe your editing style, and how did it evolve over time? Were there any key influences—photographers, artists, or even music or film—that shaped the way you process and present your images?
I feel like I’ve developed a strong visual language. I think if your art can be identified without someone needing to see a title or caption, you’ve hit a pretty sweet mark on establishing your own style. It is definitely something that evolved over time. When I first started working in digital art, I was very much learning from others and trying to emulate what they were doing. As I got more confident in my skills, I really wanted to experiment with what I was doing and create something that I could call my own.
Having said that, I do have some key influences in my art journey. Stanley Donwood is a major one. He creates all the art (alongside Thom Yorke) for Radiohead. Stanley is a traditional artist that works in a number of mediums like printmaking, paint and pencil. He has an aesthetic that really appeals to me. I’m also drawn to the work of Storm Thorgerson. He (and his studio) work with photography in such a surreal way. He also creates album artwork for a large number of well know acts. A huge inspiration.
What’s your typical camera setup when shooting? Are you loyal to a specific camera and lens, or do you switch things up depending on the subject and setting?
I have quite a few toys… I’m not particularly loyal to any one camera or device. I tend to use whatever will get the job done. My main camera is a Canon 5d Mk 4. I use that most of the time, but I’m also a fan of iPhone photography and creating with whatever I have on hand.
A large portion of my art starts out as photos of land or sky and then gets manipulated into something completely differen
When it comes to post-production, what’s your workflow like? Are there any particular techniques or software tools you rely on to achieve your signature look?
I do a lot of creating in post. There are a number of programs and apps that I use to generate the assets I need to create my art. There was a time when I was beta testing iPhone photography and editing apps which gave me a real insight into what could be done with my phone. As a general rule though, all my art ends up going through the Adobe suite and put together in Photoshop.
Beyond photography, your work has a strong artistic element. Do you see yourself as a photographer first, or more broadly as an artist? And how do other artistic mediums influence your approach to photography?
I definitely see myself as an artist. I grew up with a strong interest in drawing. Through my teens and early adult life my focus switched to photography and I studied it and printmaking at University. I also had a strong interest in graphic design. When Instagram became a thing, I took an interest in digital art and design, but that all stemmed from photography too. As I have worked more as an artist full time, I’ve become more and more interested in just being creative through any medium I can get me hands on.
The book launch at @oshi_au isn’t just about the book—you’re also offering signed prints, merch, and creating an entire experience. What do you want people to feel when they step into the exhibition?
I’d like to think that people can step into my world for a little while. Art can be a great escape for both the artist and the viewer. I love the idea that someone can get drawn into my digital and surreal landscapes and they can go on a journey of sorts. Even if it’s just a little moment when their eyes do a little dance due to the digital lines. And hopefully there’s a sense of joy or wonder attached to it as well. I am aware that my art can give a feeling of isolation and maybe feel a little dark, but often if you check out the titles, that is countered with hope and opportunity.
You’ve spent a lot of time working on this book—when you finally held the finished copy in your hands, what was that moment like for you?
It was an amazing and surreal feeling. Holding the physical product and flicking through all that work. I’m really proud of it and super stoked with how the book has come together. The final product is as good as I’d dreamed it would be. Possibly better…
Looking back, what were the biggest challenges in bringing Read Between The Lines to life? If you were to do another book, would you approach it differently?
I knew going in that I would need help. If I had tried to do this on my own, it would never have got done. As a freelance, full time artist, you often have to put client work ahead of your own. So I enlisted the help of my graphic designer friend Paul of Vanda Graphics. It was the first time either of us had worked on a book, so there was defiantly a learning curve on getting everything right on the templates and working through how to piece it all together.
I feel like the second time would be easier…
Now that Read Between The Lines is about to be out in the world, what’s next for you? Do you see yourself diving deeper into publishing, or are there other creative projects on the horizon?
I’ve always got 1000 projects on the go (either in real life or in my head). I’ve already got the concept sorted for my next book and can definitely see myself doing more physical products. Most of all, I just love the fact that I get to be creative for a living. Whatever that looks like at the time…
