MICHAEL COWELL INTERVIEW

We had a word with Michael Cowell to see what he thinks about posters and all that malarky! A lovely chap and very interesting read, hope you like it...

Where are you from and where are you now?  

Currently living in London, prior to that I was in Nottingham for six years after finishing my degree in Derby.

How would you describe your style of work?  

 I find doing that kinda difficult.  Usually I just go with 'skinny naked chicks floating through space' or 'crappy brown moldy looking paintings', but I think if I was forced to intellectualize it a bit more, I'd say something along the lines of 'Explorations of symbology and representative meaning centering around the strength and fragility of the human character'.  That probably doesn't mean anything, though...

What's the nicest thing someone has said about your work?  

 That they like it.  It always makes me happy when people say that they like it.  It makes me feel like I'm getting something right.

How did you start designing posters?  

 I was starting my final University project and was adamant that I wanted to do something animated set to music.  Then I realised exactly how hard it is to produce a half decent animation with no previous experience and had to find something else to do.  Whilst bounding emails back and fourth with my girlfriend, who was based in Birmingham at the time, we started sending each other these cool posters we were finding for bands that we liked, and I figured I could probably have a go at something similar. After a bit of research and contacting a venue I thought might be sympathetic towards what it was I was wanting to, I started making gig posters as my final project.  My tutors never did get it...

Any words of wisdom for aspiring artists?

  Keep doing it.  View everything in relation to your work; if something isn't conductive don't let it fill your head, it's like eating junk food.  If something doesn't feel natural, don't force it, it'll only end up taking twice as long as it should and you'll never be pleased with it.  Never be pleased with yourself, only ever see your flaws and how you can work to better them.  Always feel like the new kid, nobody likes an arrogant artist.  When things go wrong, get really drunk.

What have you got lined up for the future? 

 Lots of work with The Flood Gallery, some album sleeves, A few posters and my comic project collaboration with Michele Toler, Indra's Net, which might even see the light of day if I can spent the time on it that it deserves...

To view more of Mike's posters and other work check out his website by clicking THIS link.

Comments

[Jo | Online Flyer Printing]

Those poster designs are astounding. What a candid and inspiring interview. Michale Cowell is truly a one of a kind artist.

[Kassandra | Federal Posters]

I craved for these posters/arts when I saw all of 'em, where can I find posters/arts like that? Im really interested.

[Jo]

You can buy Michaels posters from his online store www.michaelcowell.bigcartel.com and at any Screenadelica Exhibitions or The Flood Gallery London.
Thanks

[Steph Harison | Safety Posters]

Michael Cowell's style is unique. I can identify his artworks easily. Thumbs up for the blog post!! Love the posters!!!