Who are you, what do you do and where are you from?

“Well, my name’s Tom. I was born in England but I’ve lived in Australia for most of my life. After leaving high school in 1989, I pushed trolleys at the local supermarket to save money to go to art college. By the mid nineties I’d completed a degree in graphic design and I had the opportunity to launch into my shiny new career by designing the back of shopper dockets. A job that I quickly turned down because I didn’t want to use my talents for something so mundane. Besides, I was into comic books and movies and I aspired to be a fantasy artist. So I decided to pursue those dreams while I made a living from working in retail. Over time, things have changed and with the introduction of computers and the advent of the internet I’ve been able to start promoting my artwork online. Today, I still work for a large department store selling computers and televisions but now I’m endeavouring to supplement my full-time income by selling limited edition prints and originals of my work. Just lately, I’ve been rediscovering my love for painting and I hope to have an exhibition sometime in the near future.”

How would you describe your style?

“My style varies quite a lot depending on my mood and inspiration. I get bored quite easily so I’m always keen to explore different techniques, both traditional and digital. About 18 months ago I become enamored with street art and pop surrealism and now I create artwork in a style that I like to call urban expressionism. It’s still heavily influenced by comic books and popular culture and it usually involves strong, bold line work and emotive colours and textures. Sometimes, I simply use shapes and patterns to evoke a sense of rhythm and mystery within a composition rather than to convey any particular meaning and I’m also interested in exploring more stream-of-consciousness type stuff. I used to think that I had to get my art out there for the world to see. Now, I believe that creating art is something I need to do to keep me centred; to take my mind off other things. It’s turned into a kind of therapy in the same way that someone might enjoy the challenge of doing crosswords.”

Tell us about Funky Karma.

“Funky Karma is my official online store. It’s based on a concept that I came up with after finishing high school. I started making t-shirt designs that were inspired by the beach and surf culture that I’d grown up with on the Gold Coast. In 2004, I got round to creating a website and today it’s become a portal for customers to buy t-shirts, greeting cards, prints and homewares that feature my artwork and designs. Each item is printed on demand which means I have no up front costs and I can just focus on the creative process. The downside is that I have limited control over the type of materials and the quality products that are used. But it does give me an insight into what sort of stuff people like and which way I want to go with my art if I intend to give up my day job.”

Describe a normal day in the life of Tom Deacon.

“My days and nights are very busy at the moment. You could say I’m a bit of a workaholic. I have a full-time job as an electrical sales consultant and I recently became a father so when I get home I look forward to spending some quality time with my partner and our five month old son. But once they’re asleep, I’m on the computer or I have my pens and brushes out creating new artwork until I eventually run out of energy and hit the sack.”

Any tips for beginners?

“Just keep plugging away. Forget the naysayers. Go with your heart. If you love what you do it will show through in your work. Find a balance between artistic integrity and commercial gain. Be aware of what others are doing and try and create a niche market for yourself.”

Cheers for your time Tom, is there anything else you’d like to add?

“I’d just like to say that it’s wonderful to be involved with a website that is enthusiastic about promoting and encouraging street art and urban graphics as a legitimate art form.”

Check out Tom’s full PimpArtworks gallery – Urban Art

• linked fromhttp://pimpartworks.blogspot.com/2010/03/pimpartworks-introduces-tom-deacon.html

Who are you, what do you do and where are you from?

“Well, my name’s Tom. I was born in England but I’ve lived in Australia for most of my life. After leaving high school in 1989, I pushed trolleys at the local supermarket to save money to go to art college. By the mid nineties I’d completed a degree in graphic design and I had the opportunity to launch into my shiny new career by designing the back of shopper dockets. A job that I quickly turned down because I didn’t want to use my talents for something so mundane. Besides, I was into comic books and movies and I aspired to be a fantasy artist. So I decided to pursue those dreams while I made a living from working in retail. Over time, things have changed and with the introduction of computers and the advent of the internet I’ve been able to start promoting my artwork online. Today, I still work for a large department store selling computers and televisions but now I’m endeavouring to supplement my full-time income by selling limited edition prints and originals of my work. Just lately, I’ve been rediscovering my love for painting and I hope to have an exhibition sometime in the near future.”

How would you describe your style?

“My style varies quite a lot depending on my mood and inspiration. I get bored quite easily so I’m always keen to explore different techniques, both traditional and digital. About 18 months ago I become enamored with street art and pop surrealism and now I create artwork in a style that I like to call urban expressionism. It’s still heavily influenced by comic books and popular culture and it usually involves strong, bold line work and emotive colours and textures. Sometimes, I simply use shapes and patterns to evoke a sense of rhythm and mystery within a composition rather than to convey any particular meaning and I’m also interested in exploring more stream-of-consciousness type stuff. I used to think that I had to get my art out there for the world to see. Now, I believe that creating art is something I need to do to keep me centred; to take my mind off other things. It’s turned into a kind of therapy in the same way that someone might enjoy the challenge of doing crosswords.”

Tell us about Funky Karma.

“Funky Karma is my official online store. It’s based on a concept that I came up with after finishing high school. I started making t-shirt designs that were inspired by the beach and surf culture that I’d grown up with on the Gold Coast. In 2004, I got round to creating a website and today it’s become a portal for customers to buy t-shirts, greeting cards, prints and homewares that feature my artwork and designs. Each item is printed on demand which means I have no up front costs and I can just focus on the creative process. The downside is that I have limited control over the type of materials and the quality products that are used. But it does give me an insight into what sort of stuff people like and which way I want to go with my art if I intend to give up my day job.”

Describe a normal day in the life of Tom Deacon.

“My days and nights are very busy at the moment. You could say I’m a bit of a workaholic. I have a full-time job as an electrical sales consultant and I recently became a father so when I get home I look forward to spending some quality time with my partner and our five month old son. But once they’re asleep, I’m on the computer or I have my pens and brushes out creating new artwork until I eventually run out of energy and hit the sack.”

Any tips for beginners?

“Just keep plugging away. Forget the naysayers. Go with your heart. If you love what you do it will show through in your work. Find a balance between artistic integrity and commercial gain. Be aware of what others are doing and try and create a niche market for yourself.”

Cheers for your time Tom, is there anything else you’d like to add?

“I’d just like to say that it’s wonderful to be involved with a website that is enthusiastic about promoting and encouraging street art and urban graphics as a legitimate art form.”

Check out Tom’s full PimpArtworks gallery – Urban Art

• linked fromhttp://pimpartworks.blogspot.com/2010/03/pimpartworks-introduces-tom-deacon.html

Super Marilyn by Rene Gagnon.

Buy it here: http://bit.ly/9em70W.

Until next time.

The Wall Pimper

For more great art visit my gallery at www.pimpyourwalls.co.uk

If you’re an artist, run a gallery or publish prints, feel free to send me details of what you’ve got, and if I like what I see, I’ll give you a plug. Click here for a big-up.

• linked fromhttp://wallpimper.wordpress.com/2010/03/27/new-from-americas-favouriteonly-post-graffiti-abstract-expressionist/

Art Republic Talk to Grant Dejonge

Art Republic have had a good chat with Grant to coincide with the reveal of the huge wall in Brighton that is displaying his art, ‘Lost’. Check out ‘Shit Street’, another piece by him that we’ve not seen before…

Grant Dejonge, the creator of ‘Lost‘ and victor of over 250 submissions to the Art Republic street art competition, was the self-confessed wild card in this year’s campaign. His apparent unexpectedness to be shortlisted, let alone win, was testament to his humble attitude, as well as artrepublic’s liberal selection process.

“In all honesty I never considered winning any competition. I’ve entered so many in my life and in 42 years never won anything, so winning Street Art, after seeing the high standard of work, is a real joy,” said Grant. “Also as the competition was advertised as street art, I believed they’d choose a more urban style rather than a traditional oil painting. It’s down to the judges’ open mindedness why I’m here now, so I’m extremely grateful to them.”

The wall that now projects Grant’s work, situated next to MyHotel, off Jubilee Street in the heart of Brighton’s North Laine, is commissioned by artrepublic and acts as the perfect exposed (and legitimate) platform for the artist. This is evidently the break Grant has both wanted and needed for some time; however an opportunity for creative success has presented itself before.

“I’ve painted all my adult life and even managed to make a living at it at times, but I did turn down the chance of the Venice Biennale once (a major contemporary art exhibition that takes place once every two years) because I didn’t know what it was!” Grant admits. “I was rather young and naïve, certainly more naïve, so I often wonder “what if?”. But, I also believe that that particular decision was made for a reason and now is my time for some degree of success.”

“However, I am still no different from many other talented artists who live in Brighton and generally struggle,” continues Grant. “The Brighton art scene is certainly thriving, but I often wonder if there’s enough money to support it. That’s why a competition like Street Art helps promote local artists, not forgetting that fact it raised the profile of a good charity too.”

The charity was Street Smart, a fund raising scheme that works closely with participating restaurants to provide over 90 regional homeless charities with well needed financial support between November and December. This event occurs in cities throughout the UK and artrepublic wanted to highlight Brighton’s contribution by involving StreetSmart with their campaign.

“When we devised the competition, we thought that Street Art could provide an ideal platform for raising awareness of the homeless situation in the UK and Street Smart were very enthusiastic from day one,” says Andrew Milledge, Marketing Director at artrepublic. “We’re extremely proud to help the cause of a charity that does some much good. We were overwhelmed by the high quality of the entrants, the four judges Pure Evil, Inkie, Ben Eine and Static had a challenge when choosing the winner. However they all agreed that ‘Lost’ is an outstanding work and a well deserving winner.”

Although Grant was already familiar with Street Smart, he wasn’t aware of the Street Art competition until a good friend educated him whilst decorating his house as a favour; practicing his artistic ability in a more pragmatic manner.

“Yes, I have to confess that fortunately a friend informed me of the competition as I, ironically, had a paint brush in my hand,” says Grant. “I often disappear off the radar and work in my studio, so it wasn’t at all surprising that this was news to me. I paint pretty much constantly, but if I’m not doing that I occasionally use a kiln to produce ceramic-based pieces. I ran a gallery with studio space on the sea front for six years and ceramics was my main output. However, painting is my primary passion.”

And when asked who influences this passion: “Well, my favourite painter is Bacon, however my influences are varied but pertinent to me,” says Grant. “I particularly love Otto Dix and Max, as well as Beckerman. Painters such as Matta and ‘Tanguy Futurism’ were an early influence, but in truth most of my day to day influences are my friends and fellow artists who no one has ever heard of – and my wife Jacqueline.”

You can see ‘Lost’ by Grant Dejonge on Jubilee Street in Brighton, UK, or at Art Republic online.

Check out the World Graffiti interview with Grant Dejonge earlier this year.

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Related Articles:

1. Grant DeJonge Wins the 2010 Art Republic StreetSmart Street Art Competition
2. Street and Urban Art at Art Republic Gallery, London
3. Banksy Exhibition – New Art Show in Bristol Now On!

• linked fromhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WorldGraffiti/~3/B_a3frHvrD0/

Tonight Kayali – Omer and friends will be giving us a musical treat of soulful, jazzy, urban reggae grooves to start our weekend in the right way.

8.30-11pm – Free – Come down!!!

• linked fromhttp://theartshouse.blogspot.com/2010/03/friday-26-march-kayali-play-live.html