Jon Fox Interview

A couple of days ago I emailed a few illustrators some questions, and Jon Fox was the first to reply to my questions. This is his reply.

Hi Stephen

Thanks for getting in touch
and thanks for the kind words, it makes me truly happy to hear that my work has inspired other artists (this is always my hope when making the work). so cheers i really appreciate it.

I'll try my best to answer your questions..

Q.) What’s your favourite illustration/commission you have work on?

well firstly, to be honest, i wouldnt consider myself a true illustrator, i say this as i very rarely take on commissions in that sense..i have done many a commission for paintings (portraits..dogs ..wall paintings.. all sorts down the years!) so i guess i would consider myself more a painter than illustrator ( if it really matters!?,,probably not)
Anyway, to answer your question..i have to say i have a couple of commissioned projects coming up in the very near future which, although i have barely started, im very excited about them. One is for a NY fashion brand and one is for a huge wall mural here in France. I cant say to much more about them yet...but they're already my favourites.

Q.) Looking at your work I can see that you are influenced by Japanese Woodblock prints and other sources from that period. Is there anyone’s work today you find interesting?

there's plenty of people work around today that i find interesting and inspiring..too many to list them all. But a few that come mind now: Julie Mehretu, Remed, Pete Fowler, Mike Swaney, Kyffin Williams, Pablo Palazuelo, Thierry Martin, Patrick Heron, Delta, Zedz, Will Sweeney, Brecht Vandenbroucke, Miro, Kandinsky, Doze Green, Caravaggio, Michael Andrews...(i know not all these are still alive today..but their inspiration is).. so many more, i try to keep an eye out for anything fresh and inspiring, even if its an artist from the past.

Q.) Have you ever considered using digital programs like Photoshop?

I have ..and in a very primitive way i do actually use photoshop. Mainly just scanning, printing..a bit of cut and paste, that sort of thing. I try to keep the computer influence to a minimum though, i find it very difficult to engage and absorb myself into work that is not there to touch. Im very much a hands- on artist, and i feel the sense of touch is infact the most important of all, and is what actually keeps painting alive and relevant still today. You dont get a feeling of human presence from all the vector j-peg stuff kicking about..than you do standing infront of a huge oil painting for example. The history and pattern of its making, its history of creation, witnessing the captured creative process..its something thats more important than ever i believe.

Q.) You use limited colour in your work. Is it something you think about before you start an illustration, or do you think about it later?

Colour is a difficult thing to plan and understand i find? I think its something that just grows and develops as the painting takes shape..i definetly start with a plan of a particular colour scheme and combinations..infact many works start as dreams or flashes in my mind as just simple colour compositions..its what i chase down until i have filled it with a narrative that works with the colours i want to use/explore.But then once you start a piece it chops and changes throughout the process..i guess you could say it starts dictating the colour/ light more and more as it goes on..i just try and listen to what its saying and try and keep up!

Q.) What advice would you give to someone about trying to get their work out there?

my main advice..is simply just never give up. Its the old cliche..but if you truly believe in youself and your work, and keep at it..pushing your limits and striving for the best you can do with the ability you have..you'll get there in the end. Be open to change..to all potentials and possibilities within your work. Build a solid portfolio..a collection of work that you feel is genuinely the best you can do, that you feel proud of and would be confident to share with the world. Get it up on a website..and dont be afraid to get in touch with everyone and anyone that you think could open a opportunity...prepare to be blanked, turned down, ignored whatever..but if its good enough, someone somewhere will open a door for you, and give you a chance. Take it with both hands..and keep going, keep building, keep creating..

hope thats ok, and of some use to you,
all the best with your degree!

cheers
Jon