Brett Breckon
Last updated: 01 December 2008
Have a look at Brett Breckon's Slideshow
What's your name?: Brett Breckon
Where are you from originally and where are you now?: Originally from Shropshire, I happily stepped over the border into Wales in 1977 to attend Newport College of Art for my degree, and have since settled most happily in Pembrokeshire, a land without equal.
What medium / media do you work in?: I use gouache and watercolour in much of my commercial work, but also really enjoy working in monochrome with scraperboard. Recently, a lot of my work gets done on the mighty Mac, but it always comes back to drawing first.
How would you describe your work?
My work has long had a very realistic approach, but I like to create realistic worlds where that reality doesn't otherwise exist. Typical of this was the series of paintings I made of dragons which became the book 'Dragon Days'. I do get excited about all sorts of imagery though, and have gone from 'Fifties chrome and jukeboxes, through aircraft, cars and many bits of technology, through medieval knights and armour, to dragons and witches and wizards in my time, and I'm sure there's lots more to come.
What are your influences and inspirations?: My influences are diverse and don't always seem to go obviously hand-in-hand, but they work to me - I love pop art, the Pre-Raphaelites, Futurists and Medieval Art. I have a passion for early 20th century American illustration, but am staggered by the amount of brilliant computer art out there today. I bookmark hundreds of artist and illustrator sites to take the time to absorb what is going on. I hope someone bookmarks me!
Which piece are you most proud of and why?: I have been illustrating on a freelance basis for nearly 30 years, and I've done some truly embarrassing pictures, but I have a lot that I'm proud of too. I like my Dragons from Dragon Days, and my scrapeboards from 'Dark Tales from the Woods'.
Have you had any exhibitions - if so, where? Do you have any planned in the future?: I hope to mount a retrospective exhibition in Pembrokeshire somewhere in 2010 to celebrate 30 years of freelancing as an illustrator. Watch this space.
Please give a brief description of one or two of the projects you've worked on recently.: I am currently working on what might hopefully be a follow-up to Dragon Days, this time I'm writing it too!
Another recent thing was the cover for a novel for teenagers about Hedd Wynn, called 'The Black Chair', written by Phil Carradice. It was painted in two pieces, and then composed finally in Photoshop, so it's kind of a cross-over piece!
What are your views on the current arts scene nationally and in South Wales?: There's good stuff about, but a lot of the best isn't necessarily what makes the headlines. I'm fed up with big names getting glory for pretty sloppy stuff, while there are many minions slogging away unseen producing fabulous images worthy of any gallery. Scour the internet for artist blogs and websites - there's a lot of rubbish, but the gems really shine!
Website: http://www.brettbreckon.com
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites
|
|
|
