Sit Down With Our September '20 Featured Artist
SP: Zero
Instagram / @SPzero76
Facebook / @SPZero76Art
Featured Artist / September 2020 ScrawlrBox
SP:Zero is an illustrator and street artist based in Bristol, UK. He has a varied portfolio, which includes everything from live drawing, magazine art and illustration through to large scale murals, children’s books and computer game art.
He’s regularly works alongside Mitsubishi Pencil Co, promoting Posca and Uniball, and some of his other past and ongoing clients include Lamborghini, Samsung, The BBC, Luctra, Devitt Insurance, Nass Festival and Doncaster Council.
He has painted and created art around the World, from New York to Australia and featured in several books and magazines
Are your characters based off real life inspirations? Or do they come from the imagination?
My characters are from my imagination generally. I’m sure I will have seen something that inspires me, but I’m not always sure what that is. Ha.
Are there any particular artists that you admire?
Wow. So many!! I’ve been a part of and following the street art world for so long now, but over the last couple of years I have started reading comics again so have had loads more inspiration there too. Lets see! Off the top of my head HRVB, DXTR, Nychos and all the Weird crew. There are so many. In the UK Gent48. I could go on forever.
And in Comics its got to be Jim Mahfood, J Scott Campbell, JP Meyer and Ryan Stegman.
Are you always satisfied with your work?
Ha ha! Not usually. I’m my own worst critic. All us artists are our worst critics.
What is your first artistic memory?
I won a colouring competition. Can’t remember the details. My Mum will know. Ha!
What is the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning?
Cuddles with my Wife.
Do you have any words of wisdom for aspiring artists?
Keep creating art. Over the years I have been rejected for so many things. I used to collect a folder when I was in my 20s of rejection letters from Artist Agencies. Every rejection made me want it more. I still get rejected by agencies these days but I don’t care anymore. Ha.
What are some of your other interests outside of art?
I love going on walks with my Wife, reading comics, movies and TV series, drinking beer, running and my fur babies (cats). I’m sure I do more things but I cant think right now. We got into baking over lockdown.
What is the best piece of advice you have received?
My University lecturer laughed when I asked if I would still be creating art as an artist in 8 years time (I was lazy at Uni). But the fact he didn’t think I would be, made me want it more. I left Uni 21 years ago now, and after working as a Concept Artist at a Computer Games design company, I have been a freelance artist for over ten years.
What’s the best thing about being an artist?
I’m a fan boy of all the other artists, yet I get to work alongside/ with them. It’s great!
Dogs or cats?
I do love dogs…. But for me its Cats. I have two at home. Jabba and Wookie.
What is the thing you enjoy most about being an artist?
Being creative is the best way to enjoy being artist that means you are free and you are happy when you realise your work. I don’t care what the time is when I am creating it’s the best moment of my day!
Favourite beverage?
Beer, Chocolate Milkshake and Margaritas. Not at the same time! Well, beer and margaritas at the same time. Ha.
What is the most difficult part when working on a project?
The Client. Ha ha! Not really (well sometimes)!
Is there a particular project that you have enjoyed the most?
They are all great. It’s fun to be doing different things all the time.
Do you have any upcoming projects or plans that you are excited about?
I’m working on my own ten issue comic book… but that may take me a while...
