Say hello to Calum Heath!

This week we are super excited to be welcoming Illustrator Calum Heath to the Brilliant Artists Roster! Calum’s work expertly blends sharp ideas and complex stories with a handcrafted touch, taking a peek at the everyday through a surreal lens. You may recognise his work, from the daily New York Times column accompanying their hit online game, Connections.

We’ve been admirers of Calum’s brilliant work for a while so we enjoyed catching up with him for a Q&A to hear about his inspirations and life as an Illustrator – read more below.

What made you want to become an illustrator?

I had a strong desire to create something that was mine; my parents are both musicians so there was always a strong creative energy in my upbringing. When I was younger I channelled a lot of this energy into music, but that changed when I was in my early 20s. I discovered illustration out of a more general love of drawing, and realised I could try and make a solid career as an illustrator, which inspired me and drove me on to develop my work and style.

Where do you take inspiration from for your work?

Initially I was inspired mainly by looking at other more established artists. Weirdly, I became more directly interested in illustration through being into ‘The Horrors’, who’s frontman was also an illustrator and I loved his drawings. I started copying him a lot, then started copying other people too, and somewhere along the line my own identity started to come through in my work.

These days I take inspiration from scenarios that life throws at you. For example, experiences I’ve had, relationships, observations, more general life moments that make me want to draw and express myself with images.

Are there any other illustrators or artists you admire? What do you love about their work?

Yeah there are many. As a student I discovered Paul Blow, who’s work I continue to enjoy and admire. Another favourite of mine is Christoph Niemann; I love the intelligence and clarity of his images. More then individual artists, I just really love illustrations that take me by surprise and move my thinking into a different place.

What is the best thing about being an illustrator? And the worst?

The best thing is the level of freedom I have in my daily life. As long as I get the work done, I feel I have a lot of autonomy over how to spend my time. It’s also been really rewarding to build something that belongs to me; and I still find the craft of drawing/image making a mystery that I want to explore!

On the flip side, the worst thing is probably the financial uncertainty of being freelance. Consequently it can be hard to switch off from ‘work more’ sometimes as you’re always wondering where the next job might be coming from.

What do you have to have in place before you start work?

Something to eat! Something to drink (Non alcoholic). I used to be very routine about my working schedule, but this has gone out the window since the arrival of my baby daughter, so now I use the quieter or spare moments of the day to get my work done.

How do you overcome a creative block?

I think you just need to keep turning up. It’s easier with illustration that there’s almost always a clear brief or creative destination, therefore you can work towards a clear goal. I’ve found it harder when I’m working on my own, more personal work. Probably my best advise if you don’t know what to draw, start by drawing from observation, the things around you.

What are 3 of your favourite films? Which one would you love to illustrate the poster for?

Not sure they’re necessary my favourite films, but I loved ‘Parasite’ when that came out, and more recently ‘Anora’ made a huge impression on me, I felt really emotional leaving the cinema. For a third I’m going to say, ‘The Big Lebowski’. I’d happily make a poster for all three!

If you could work on the book cover for one book, which would it be?

My sister is a keen and talented writer and one day hopes to write a book, I’d be happy to illustrate her book cover.

What would be your dream studio location and set up?

A desk in the middle of a square room, with four huge windows one each side. In each of the windows is a different scene: a safari, an underwater landscape, a space window looking out at the universe, and a window that looks out onto the Aria shopping centre in Watford. Also, there would be no door to the room.

If you could have any artwork in your home what would it be?

I went to Nice last year and saw the Matisse exhibition with Joan Miró; I could have had any of the work at home, it was such an inspiring and beautiful exhibition. I’m hoping Brilliant Artists are going to buy me some of their work.

See more of Calum’s fantastic work here.