Where are you from? Tell a few things about yourself.
I’m from a working class family in Liverpool UK. My Dad is an Engineer in a shipyard and my Mum is a Caterer. Both my parents are quite artistic themselves and I remember my Dad used to draw and paint a lot when I was younger. they’ve always been very supportive and encouraged me to pursue a career in art.
How and when did it all start? Tell the story of the creation of your first artwork.
I’ve always loved drawing, so I couldn’t pinpoint an exact piece when it all began but many of my creations as a kid were characters inspired by cartoons, video games and comics. I still consider these as influences to this day, although now I’ve merged those with slightly more mature influences from art history, symbolism and the world around me to conjure up an interesting melting pot of artistic references.
Your favorite piece by you.
Difficult to say really. It changes from day to day. It’s always refreshing to look back at work I did a while ago and sometimes I really like it and others…. not so much.
My favourite pieces to actually paint are the live outdoor work on walls at painting events. It feels more free and you get an energy from the crowds watching and the other artists painting alongside you, plus there is usually music and alcohol flowing which can oil the cogs of creativity ;)
Any other interests?
I’ve studied Karate since I was a child and train a couple of times a week with my local club. I also love Football and support Liverpool FC I’ve travelled across Europe to watch them play over the years.
Who, what inspires/inspired you?
As I touched upon before my parents have always encouraged me and I consider Comics, Video Games, Cartoons influences that stem from childhood, but there are also elements of Abstract expressionism, cubism, modernism, futurism, art deco, symbolism and graffiti art in my paintings. I studied Graphic arts and illustration at Liverpool John Moores Art school so they also influence my style.
Hanging around with other artists at live paint events gives me a buzz to push myself forward.
Were have your works been exhibited? Where would you like your works to be exhibited?
I’ve exhibited throughout the UK from Liverpool and Manchester in the North to Bristol and London in the South.
In terms of where I’d like to exhibit, I think it would be nice to do some international shows at some point in the future.
Dreams and plans?
The Dream is to become extremely successful and not have to worry about paying the bills but that only comes about through putting in the graft, so the plan is to keep working hard at my work pushing myself with ideas and techniques whilst making sure as many people as possible get to see it. I’m hoping to put plans together for a solo show sometime next year.
Any favorite artists?
In terms of art history I’ve been looking at Francis Bacon, Picasso, Pollock, kandinsky, Klimt and Schiele.
Contemporaries that I’m feeling at the moment include Matt Small, Chuck Close, Adam Neate, Dave Kinsey, Maggie Hambling, Jenny Saville, Jaybo Monk, the list could go on.
Other artists that are mates of mine I’ve met through various shows and events are Ben Slow, Snik, Joseph Loughborough, Otto Schade and Julian Kimmings amongst others.
What is the most important element of art according to you? What should art say, reflect? What purpose should it serve?
I honestly believe there is no right or wrong answer to this. No matter what you do whether it be painting pictures because they look pretty or making conceptual art to try and challenge peoples perceptions or provoke thoughts and reactions, it’s all good. As long as your doing what you believe in and what you feel inspired to do. There is a lot of art that I don’t particularly like but I’m not going to slate it because it has no appeal to me, plus I’m always open minded with regards to changing my opinion, much of what I like now is not what I was into years ago.
For me personally it’s a case of if it feels right then go with it and follow my instincts, it’s important for me to enjoy making my art and over thinking things just wastes time. But I’m aware that’s not the case for everyone, others may wish to dissect every action they make, which is fine as long as that’s what they feel they should do. So to summarise what I’m trying to say: be true to yourself and do what feels right for you, listen to others opinions but if you disagree with them then don’t feel obliged to act on them.
Make sure to have a look at some of Danny’s artworks.
Apres Ani jan!!!!
yes menak harcer em tvel Anne jan. Inq@ apri :)