How did you get into art?

Just drawing a lot as a kid really, mainly recreating drawings I liked in comics and commodore 64 magazines!

How do you get inspiration for the pieces you produce?

I get lots of inspiration from the music I’m into at any one time, I allways have music on when I’m creating stuff and I think this helps determine what I’ll do, for instance what I’ll make when listening to Slayer will be different to what I’ll come up with when listening to beard driven folk music. Apart from music just everything around me really and what kind of mood I’m in, I try not to forget to have fun with it aswell.

What has been your best creation to date?

I recently did a 3 board series of graphics for Enjin Skateboards, that turned out really well. I did them in my good old trusty signiture style but felt it really evolved a notch with those decks.  I always try and out-do myself really, try and push things a bit further with every piece I do, so alot of the time my favourite piece is the one I’ve just done, for instance I’ve just finished a canvas which I used some new anatomy techniques I’ve been learning so I’m stoked with that at the minute too.

How does being interviewed make you feel?

It's wierd but nice at the same time, I think alot of your readers will appreciate the sizable chunk of your life you have to dedicate to making art, so it's nice to at least know that some people are interested in what your doing!

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

Totally, people like to be led, its human nature. Its a two sided sword though, if an artist gets too much hype and becomes really popular, good old counter culture kicks in and they could be yesterdays news very quickly, a good example is the whole Banksy thing, Some people who thought his stuff was amazing a few years back resent him now Brad Pitt is buying his stuff. Its a fine line.

Last CD you bought/downloaded/shoplifted?

Last CD I bought was “Cripple Crow” by Devendra Banheart, last one I downloaded was ” Gravity X” By Truckfighters.

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

It makes you money?!

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

Because its cheaper basically, I’m sure alot of people who buy lots of music would like to have some original art as well, its just that they simply cant afford it alot of the time, a £10 cd is alot more of a justifyable purchase than a £300 painting in a climate where alot of people are struggling to make ends meet. It's tragic really as for me these are the people I’d really like my stuff to connect to, but the disposable income of most people and the cost of art doesn't quite meet in the middle most of the time. I think this why screenprints sell well at the moment, it's human-made art for a cheaper price.
Anyway music IS art isnt it?

What make you happy?

Going to the zoo, chinese food, sunshine, countryside, doodling, my cat & my girlfriend, My Steadtler clutch pencil, Ju-jitsu.

What makes you sad?

Animals in pain, death, Patrick Swayze, Celebrities, X-Factor, Losing paintbrushes and pencils. Lonely old men, Wars

Sex, drugs or rock n roll?

All 3 please!

Last book you read?

”and the ass saw the angel” by Nick Cave. Awesome, so dark.

What's your favourite film?

Probably Gummo.

What’s your worst habit?

Smoking, definitely.

Quote us your favourite song lyric?

” We'll retire with the turd on our lips,
Under a pair of knowing eyes,
I'm gonna take a few down with me,
And drop my good side,
You can't kill it”
- Cuckoo For Caca – Faith No More

Did you do well at school?

Not really no, me and my mate used to punch each other in the face so we would get nosebleeds and have to leave the class, teachers can’t argue with nosebleeds! There’s a tip kids.

Describe your perfect day?

Probably getting some superpowers like being able to fly around and stuff, or be invisible and look at boobies.

What else do like other than art?

I do martial arts, namely combat Ju-Jitsu which I love, allthough it hurts alot! I think more artists should learn how to dislocate peoples arms definitely. I’m an obsessive music nerd as well so I spend alot of time searching for new stuff to listen to.

Any regrets?

Not too many, probably starting smoking, not doing much art betwwen 14 and 20 years old, that kind od stuff, no major regrets.

Final thoughts?

I cant think of anything remotely wise so I’ll just finish with a basic website plug then, www.lowercaseindustry.com for shirts and other stupid stuff. www.michael-latimer.com for my personal stuff.

Interview - Mr. Burrows 09/04/07