Now Representing Patrik Mollwing

We are very happy to be welcoming Swedish illustrator Patrik Mollwing to Brilliant Artists. With a background in art direction and hugely influenced by the graffiti of his hometown Umeå, his illustration has a wonderfully trippy aesthetic with distinctively fluid characters and a hand drawn sensibility.

We caught up with Patrik as he joins us to find out a bit more about his inspirations:

1. Do you listen to music while you draw/paint/illustrate? And if so, who or what gets the most plays in your studio?

I prefer listening to audiobooks, but not all parts of the process lend themselves to that. At the beginning of a project, during the concept and sketch phase, I prefer instrumental music.

2. Which other illustrators or artists do you most admire and why?

I used to have a bunch of idols, but with age, I have realised it tends to cool down a bit. But having a child and reading a lot of children’s books, I have come to really admire Sven Nordqvist; his technique is pretty great. I also like Gunilla Bergström and Poul Ströyer.

3. What is the best thing about being an illustrator/creator? And the worst?

A hobby becomes your work and vice versa. The coin has two sides.

4. How do you overcome a creative block?

If I have time, I give it a good night’s sleep. If not, I keep going.

5. What are 3 of your favorite films? Which one would you illustrate/embroider the poster for?

Top of mind would be Barry Lyndon (1975), The Emigrants (1971), and Taking Care of Business (1990). The Emigrants probably.

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

How about Hurricane Season by Fernanda Melchor? It contains many unforgettable characters.

7. Dream studio location and setup?

On the porch of a forest cabin, 20 degrees Celsius, blue sky, pine trees, light breeze, Eurasian curlew singing.

8. Best trip you have ever been on?

I’ve had quite a few great trips, but I really enjoyed going camping with my grandparents and their caravan growing up. Driving through summer Sweden, reading comics, eating melting chocolate and ice cream in the backseat of the Volvo 720. Not sure where we were, but I remember Örebro had a great water park.

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

I’m not picky but 100% battery, headphones, and a cup of coffee would be nice.

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

Julie Mehretu, Stadia II (saw this at Louisiana in 2007).

Check out more of Patrik’s marvellous portfolio here.