![[Valid RSS]](valid-rss.png "Validate my RSS feed")
« Spraygraphic Featured Member: Jane Magtoto | Main | Spraygraphic Featured Member: Uotmi »
Spraygraphic Interview with Illustrator Olaf Hajek
By Spraygraphic | May 26, 2010
Spraygraphic Interview with Artist Olaf Hajek
SG: Please tell us about yourself?
OH: I was born in the north of Germany, studied graphic design and work as an illustrator and painter
SG: Where do you currently live and work?
OH: I work and live in Berlin.
SG: What mediums do you work with?
OH: I am working as a painter, so I am not working digital..my medium is acrylic on cardboard, paper or wood.
SG: Describe your working process when creating a new work.
OH: I am doing a sketch and then cut the cardboard or paper into the size I need for my painting. I normally use black colour for the priming paint. Then put on different layers of background color and then start with painting the elements.
SG: What kind of things do you do when you get blocked or find it hard to create something?
OH: When I get blocked I take a break…go to a bookstore or look at magazines….
SG: Where are you currently finding your inspiration?
OH: Books. magazines and of course galleries in Berlin…..or just from my last trip to South Africa.
SG: How did you get into being an freelance artist/designer for companies?
OH: After my studies I moved to Amsterdam where I painted and copied the work and sent out to different magazines. I got my first assignments and won some design prizes…from that moment on I worked as a freelance illustrator.
SG: What kind of deadlines do you work with when producing this kind of work?
OH: It always depends on the assignment….some editorial jobs have to be done in one day, others can have much more time.
SG: Do the companies come back to you and say “change this” or “change that?”
OH: I am a painter and changes are a bit more difficult, but of course possible..I do a sketch for the client to appoint proportions and places of the single elements…but of course there are some clients who always have changes… my agents have contracts in which 1 or 2 changes are included in the fee, anymore changes have to get paid.
SG: How much are you willing to change? Is there some kind of negotiation process you go through?
OH: I am only changing content-based things, but I would never let the client change my style.
SG: Where has your work been seen?
OH: I worked for so many different clients and that’s the beautiful and interesting part of being an illustrator…the diversity. I worked for magazines, like the New Yorker, The New York Times, but as well as for financial magazines, Like Business Week or Capital, magazines like Architectural Digest or PLAYBOY…I worked for Clients like Macy´s , The Ritz Carlton. Theatres, Films, Exhibitions…there are so many ways to see my work…and not to forget the monograph of my work from GESTALTEN Publishers, which just came out and shows a lot of my paintings and Illustrations from the last years!
SG: Where will it be seen next?
OH: My next big exhibition is in Berlin, which will opened the 14th of May.
SG: What is your dream art assignment?
OH: I think I would love to do Illustrations and artwork for the window decoration of one of these amazing departments stores like Barneys!!
SG: What is your favorite color?
OH: I love all colors, but often work with blue, green and brown tones…Love the combination with black.
SG: Who is your favorite artist or designer? And Why?
OH: I really dont have a favorite artist, there are so many who are inspiring me, but I love the work of Henry Darger and indian miniatures or African native paintings
SG: Ever do a self portrait? Where is it now?
OH: That was a long tim ago and maybe its in one of the boxes down in the cellar of my studio?
SG: What book/magazine are you reading this week?
OH: I am addicted to World of Interiors, because of its eclectic articles about unique appartments and buildings. But also, I love fashion magazines and art magazines. The book I am reading is a travel report featuring China combined with a crime story.
SG: Where is your favorite place to hang out?
OH: Berlin Mitte is a great place to relax, get good coffee and see art……
SG: Any final words of advice?
OH: Always try to move on…extend your style…get inspiration, see art and books and and do a lot of personal art and let this experience flow into your commercial art!
Topics: Artist Interviews, International-Art |
Comments
You must be logged in to post a comment.