PAUL PILON - Interview
Why did you choose to study in Brighton?
The course open day. I liked the people who showed
me around, and the students sketchbooks. Also being by the sea.
What was the best thing about the
Illustration course?
Tutorials. It was a really good group of students,
so a friendly atmosphere. It was nice because we were right in the centre
of town, it's good to see real people in Post offices etc.
What were the best moments in the
three years you studied?
College fancy dress parties. Snogging
seven girls in one night, watching someone throw a table out of the
window, watching someone fall down the stairs, girls dancing topless.
What did you expect would happen
once you'd finished the course?
Nothing specific - possibly a few more contacts
generated from the degree show, I was a bit disappointed with the lack
of interest in my work, otherwise I didn't expect a great deal.
What are you doing now? What are
the problems involved in being an illustrator?
I'm still passionate about pursuing an illustration
career. The problem is how to promote oneself. How do you go about being
noticed? After a few false starts I was advised to contact art directors
by phone. Sending promotional material doesn't really pay off. Art directors
are notoriously lazy. Cold calling puts them in a corner and forces them
to see you.
And what do you see yourself doing
in five years time?
I see myself in five years time as a successful
commercial artist, owning a batchelor pad, a cool 60's sportscar and with
a gaggle of sexy groupies after my money.
What do you think was the best piece
in your degree show?
'Snorting Speed' embodies
my central passions: the relationship between specific people and their
environment; dynamic and cinematic compositions; narrative work; and the
use of simple colour schemes which create a harsh contrast between light
and dark in order to muster up atmospheric scenes. Also I enjoy humour
in my work. The brief was to illustrate the word 'Energy' which I portrayed
by showing someone indulging in amphetamines.
Life as an Illustration graduate
in Brighton?
Brighton has a lively art scene and quite a large
illustrator community. BIG
(Brighton Illustrator's Group) is also here, it has a large number
of members. A great deal of my contempories stayed on in Brighton too which
is useful fo comparing notes on getting work. And if it all goes bad I
can just chuck myself off Beachy Head. |