Interview » Alex Mathers.

01. Deepest Fears
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Alex Mathers is a prolific and gifted self-taught illustrator and designer currently based in London. I purposely say “currently” as I suspect he might not live in London for an indefinite number of years gathering from his multinational, nomadic childhood. His childhood not only offered him a rare learning opportunity to see and understand a great deal more of the world than most individuals but it understandably influenced his work aesthetic as well—an aesthetic that is wonderfully minimal and pleasing to the eye with an abundant use of stylized organic forms and limited color palettes.

02. Gas Network
Illustration for New Zealand company
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Somehow Alex finds time in his dizzy schedule to author two blogs. Ape on the Moon is a visual eye treat featuring the work of contemporary illustrators. It includes a great blend of pure illustration posts and illustrator interviews. In recent months, Alex also launched a second blog titled Red Lemon Club which took off with quite a bang. This latter site provides a host of pragmatic advice on online promotion methods for creatives. But honestly, much of the information is applicable to anyone trying to gain marketing traction online.

I am quite pleased to present Alex’s terrific work here on AQ-V along with the following interview. In addition to being wonderfully talented and super professional, he is disarmingly humble and warm which you will get a taste of below. Keep reading to learn more about Alex and his work…

03. Forest Visitor
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Q: Please tell us about yourself and your background.

I’m currently working as a graphic designer, writer and illustrator in London, and loving it. I’ve had a bit of a winding journey to get here, having studied geography, then real estate at university, but I like to think at least the geography has played a role in inspiring the work I do. My interest in property and the built environment won’t disappear either.

Because of my dad’s job, I’ve seen a lot of the world. I was born in Copenhagen and had a childhood that took me to places like Barbados, Sweden, Jamaica and Iran, but not for more than three years at a time. I’m used to a nomadic life, and I think this is now part of my blood. I’m not very good at staying still for too long!
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Q: What prompted you to pursue illustration?

A: I’ve always been ok at art and had an interest in design. I’ve grown up with a strong interest in book and editorial illustration, and developed a love for contemporary art at school. When I had some time off after my university course I decided to teach myself Adobe Illustrator and build up a portfolio of work with the hope of getting some part-time design work instead of taking a year off traveling.

Selling work on iStockphoto.com was a strong driving force behind creating (and completing!) illustrations too. The fairly strict inspection process meant I had to learn quickly, and create decent quality work, otherwise it would be a waste. Now that I’ve had some positive feedback on the work I do, I’m more driven than ever to create more illustration work and keep improving and working on my style.

04. Fig Season
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Q: Your work is wonderfully fresh and minimal with a distinctive style. What/who inspires this aesthetic?

A: Thanks! I have been looking for a style to hone for three years now since I started illustrating and I feel it is only now starting to fall into place. I’ve put in thousands and thousands of hours illustrating now, and yet I only feel I’ve just gotten warmed up! I like to feel that I’m starting fresh on each new piece I start, even though a bit of practice has dictated a style to do them in.

I’m inspired by so many artists to mention, mainly from people I can call friends who are illustrating today. The minimal aesthetic coming out of Japanese and Scandinavian culture has an especially strong effect on the work I produce. I’m always looking to give priority to simple shapes in my work, even in more complex, busier illustrations. There is a lot of work to do in getting to the level of some of the more accomplished artists out there.

05. Red Lemon Club
Online Promotion Methods for Creative Freelancers
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Q: Tell us about both your contemporary illustration blog, Ape on the Moon, and your newest endeavor, Red Lemon Club. Plus I’m curious to know what inspired these projects and a couple things you have learned to date as a blogger?

A: Ape on the Moon started as a simple blog to go with my own online portfolio last February. I’ve enjoyed showcasing other illustrators’ work, and having the opportunity to engage with them so much that I’ve continued adding content to it, re-designed it and set up a shop through it.

Since becoming a full time freelancer a year ago, I’ve spent a lot of time working out how to best promote myself, as I found trouble with this, and noticed it in other creatives. Since then, I’ve found tonnes of great ways to better promote my work, so that I could see more regular work. I set up Red Lemon Club to focus my thoughts and research on what I think is the most powerful form of promotion these days, which is online marketing. The site helps me learn, to help not only myself but any other creatives interested in promoting themselves and their websites.

Blogging itself, even though I haven’t done it for so long, has certainly taught me that keeping blogs going isn’t all laughs. It requires a bit of a push sometimes to keep things going. As I’m interested in what I blog about, the drive is there to keep them both going. I think there are so many benefits one can get from blogging, including having a focus, being more aware of the topic of your blog, and not to mention improved writing skills and an opportunity to engage with the online community.

06. Azure Explosions
This and the following illustration are available for purchase (in a variety of sizes) alongside other great prints in Alex’s shop. They are also available as iPhone wallpapers on Poolga.
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Q: If you had not become an illustrator, what career instead might you have pursued?

A: I’d probably have looked to get into environmental sciences. Maybe a volcanologist, as I love volcanoes. Either that, a property developer, or I’d work as a scientist on a space station on the moon.
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Q: Do you have a dream project? If so, what might it be?

A: Without sounding arrogant, it would be pretty cool to have a collection of my work published in a coffee table book!
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Q: And lastly, what would you like to be doing in the future?

A: What I’m doing now could lead to so many new ventures, especially as I’m always fickle with ideas. I’d like to eventually get involved in film-making.

07. Snow Apes Portrait
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08. The Entertainer
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09. Workspace
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10. Alex in Kyoto, Japan
A place that inpires. (Alex is making another trip to Japan this spring and I’m quite envious.)
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[ All images ©Alex Mathers ]

>> Alex Mathers
>> Prints Shop
>> Ape on the Moon
>> Red Lemon Club
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Super thanks to Alex for sharing his excellent work and his time!
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Tagged as: Alex Mathers, Ape on the Moon, Illustration, Interview, Red Lemon Club, UK