How did you get into art?

Dunno really, I've always drawn I mean ALWAYS, I can't remember a time when I didn't, I remember my father teaching me perspective when I was about 4 or something, which put me a light year ahead of everyone in my school class from day one, since then though, I continually find people catching me up or miles ahead up the field, but, it gives something to aim for.

How do you get inspiration for the pieces you produce?

I don't' really know, a wonderfully insightful answer I know, um, words often. Sometimes someone will say something funny or interesting and my mind just starts ticking and it becomes a character or a gadget or an entire plot line.

What has been your best creation to date?

Got to be my comic Candleman, I came up with him years ago now, and just can't leave him alone, stories just keep coming to mind for him and his world.

How much do you think hype affects the public perception of what good art is?

Public opinion, in my view, is greatly swayed by hype, but artists themselves I think are far more opinionated and tend to make their own decisions ‘I know what I like'. But good art is an opinion any way, art itself differs from person to person, half the stuff in the tate modern I'd probably use for fire wood, but someone else clearly differs and thinks it's 'duh bomb' so art can't really be specified I don't think, only by the individual observer.

Last CD you bought/downloaded/shoplifted?

Er, I really can't remember the last time I went into a record shop, but I think the last thing I bought was Back to Black by Amy Winehouse.

How did you feel when you realised that art could make you some money?

I don't know, I kinda always wanted to get into comics from a young age (I haven't yet) and being paid for it never came as a revelation, but I remember when I found out you could go to college for animation. My mum bought me a video camera and I used to make my own animated films for years and then, one day I went to an open day in the summer holidays and found out that you could go to college to learn how to do it, and that blew my mind.

Why do so many people spend money on music yet so few buy art?

You know, I'm not sure where you buy art, especially the kind you'd want on your walls, I love comic art and would wallpaper my house in it if I could, but I think my girlfriend would have something to say about it. We're kinda back to that public opinion of art again, with comic art being seen as the realm of geeks, and fine art being hugely over priced and the realm of the rich, and no one really views those prints you by in woolies as art at all.

Basically, music's more the social norm I guess, everyone has a stereo.

What makes you happy?

Doing a drawing that I can look at the next day, and still like it.

What makes you sad?

Being inconsistent in my standard of work, and never being as good as I'd like to be.

Sex, drugs or rock n roll?

Oh defiantly sex and rock n roll, oh and sex.

Last book you read?

Harry Potter and the half blood prince, and I'm on the last one now.

What's your favourite film?

Oh, um, as with anyone who takes film or music seriously, I like loads and can't really pick one. But I just saw Transformers and that left me warm and glowy.

What's your worst habit?

Oh I have so many.

Is there a drawback to being so talented?

I dunno, I'll tell you when I am...

What was your nickname at school?

Nothing affectionate, I had a crap school life.

Quote us your favourite song lyric?

Um, anything by Simon and Garfunkel, they were lyrical wizards, oh and Tom Waits too.

Describe your perfect day?

The day I have a comic book series on the shelves in forbidden planet and I get a phone call asking me if I want to direct the movie version, that would pretty much rule.

What else do you like other than art?

My girlfriend, food, sunshine, motor bikes, beer and good company.

Any regrets?

Not having made a motion picture yet.

Final thoughts?

Are tap dancing cuttle fish the weirdest thing you can think of?

Interview - Mr. Burrows 31/07/07