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Biography:
none
Website:
briancronin.com
How did you get started in the
illustration field?
i studied graphic design / typography at college ( the national college of art and design in dublin ireland ) and was introduced to milton glasers work by my tutor in the second last year before i graduated.
he wanted me to be aware of a designer who also could draw as i was very much interested in drawing and painting and had debated switching sides over to fine art!
i later had the opportunity of working as an inter for him that following summer but was now less interested in being a graphic designer and more interested in making images as an illustrator. as you know milton is a graphic designer and illustrator and this fascinated me.
after graduating college i painted for a year and did the odd illustration in dublin ireland where i'm from, i built up a portfolio of images and hit the road to the good o'l us of a to shlep my work around and much to my surprise i found some work quite soon after arriving so i was able to stay and support my self. |
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How did you find
your style? Has it changed since you started?
my style was quite dark when i started out i was interested in political drawings and thought they needed to be serious in tone and style, my work today is a lot brighter on the surface but retains a dark side without being so obvious. my style has continued to develop over the years and has gone through some significant changes and i'm always looking for a new approach something that shakes it up for me and keeps me interested in the next stage!
What is your process when working
with clients? Can you run us through a typical job?
i find every job to be different there is no one approach. i am constantly working with different clients different art directors who react differently each time so i try to just do what suits me and hope they will understand and we can work together. usually i get the story read it and then give a sketch (nothing new there right?) then all hell breaks loose (just kidding) but really after that its out of my hands it goes through the various channels and then it either gets a thumbs up or down if its down i'll usually give it another go around so i can make sure i have covered all bases. |
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What is your creation
process (start with sketches, etc…)?
reading the story, then sleeping on it (literally) i prefer to let the story sink in before i start putting images down. then sometimes i'll check out words for other meaning definitions and see if that leads me anywhere then i start doodling messing around with any thoughts i may have even if they have nothing to do with the story and the process just plays out like that. i may consult some visual books magazines to jog my mind get me into the piece start thinking about the mood i want to portray etc. etc.. |
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How do you market/promote
your work?
annuals. and sending out the odd postcard.
Do
you have a rep? Why/why not?
I have recently engaged Riley artists reps. (www.rileyillustration.com)
Having a rep allows me to focus on my work and not on the day today business, that can be a huge distraction for me. Im not the most organized person when it comes to the business side of things so having someone that is a relief for me. |
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What was one of
your favorite assignments?
i don't know if i really ever had a favorite i usually see it after the fact after i have an illustration completed and if i like working on it and how it turned out then that becomes my favorite!
What is the best part about what
you do?
i have never had a "regular" job like being in an office or working on a farm although i have done jobs on farms and i have worked in an office and a hospital and as a postman but all for very limited periods of weeks so i cant say i really have had to deal with office politics or getting up every morning and commuting to work. So i guess having a lot of time to myself and the freedom that allows and working to my own personal timetable. Of course this " freedom " has it's drawbacks you are always alone working which can get a bit lonely at times but knowing who i am i still couldn't work with lost of people around me all day. |
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Describe your work
setting.
well right now i'm not working in my regular studio which is upstate new york and is in a beautiful 18th century barn surrounded by tranquil fields and hills its idyllic but right now i am in the city for a while working from an apartment in the east village of manhattan i love the neighborhood and have my favorite cafes etc but the space is not great so i'm looking for some place else hopefully by years end!!
Do you have side projects you work on?
i don't have side projects i'm not really that kind of person who have numerous "projects" going on at the same time. I see my self primarily as an image maker and when i'm not illustrating i continue to make images. my main concern is finding my own voice through images this struggle continues all the time.
How do you maintain balance in
your life between work and play?
i work when i feel like it and i play when i feel like it its one of the advantages of being a freelancer, of course it not always that simple but thats what i try to do. |
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Do you ever have
creative slumps? What do you do then?
i'm in one now!!! i just try and ride it out go to galleries, read, watch movies, reflect on my work and where i think it should be. i question my work a lot which can be a good and a bad thing as i can be overly critical at times and this can just grind the creative process to a halt for me!!!
What do you do for
fun/when you're not working?
working as in making images, well i like to go to galleries walk around the city looking at people and animals i'm a big dog fan sadly my own dog "patsy" passed away in march so i'm thinking of getting another when the time is right. movies i like going to see them or bringing them home (at the moment i'm looking at a lot of french flicks) reading, driving, i like eating and drinking and seeing friends and drinking !!! and just hanging out. i want to do more traveling over the next year. |
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What has been inspiring
you lately?
i was recently in portugal and i found lisbon to be a beautiful city as is the entire country. It is unlike the rest of europe in so many ways it is softer and more tender a city than many of the other european capitols, i guess it's off the beaten track and that appeals to me somehow.
the roads and side walk are all decorated with bright cobble stones and the building are covered with colorful ceramic tiles with beautiful designs i'm tempted to move there the light is so magical and the people are fantastic.
Any advice for others who are
pursuing creative goals?
i'm not big on advise but since you asked. !! i would say try and be as honest with your self as possible when it comes to your work and in life in general don't do thing for just the money do things that make you happy if you can. obviously we all have to make a living i guess don't destroy what you love for money. or do something else for the money and keep your art for you.
Thank
you for this interview, Brian! |
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