How did you get into art?

My father and mother divorced and I got a Stepdad whose family were and still are artists on all sorts of levels: glass design, furniture, painting, sculpture and architects. What I do has nothing to do with their art work but the environment around this addition to my family ignited something in me. These guys somehow showed me that it was possible to do your art and have fun at the same time. That combined with my childish personality gave birth to a lot of doodles. Actually, I don't know. Haha. But it sounds good.

How do you get inspiration for the pieces you produce?

Cooking, driving in trains, staring into refrigerators, clouds, sleeping, books I don't understand. Sounds in the night. Old people telling stories - kids telling stories. Indian food. Looking at my daughter making beasts and beings out of peas and milk.

What has been your best creation to date?

My daughter Sonia. Although she is her own creation. Still I'd like to think I have some role in her making - along with my wife of course. Artwise I think it must be a book cover I did for a Danish poet called Broby Johansen. It's not my typical kind of work but it somehow captures just what that book is about. It's a piece without the usual character based design I do - it's a collage (click). I like it.

How did you feel when you realised that art could earn you a living?

It sounds like a wonderful thing. When will this happen?

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

A lot. And in such a little country as Denmark even MORE. It's sad. It's not about perception - it should be about feelings. Does that yellow lump up on that piece of wet cardboard make me smile - does it make me sad. Does it make me want to go away very quickly. It's so odd that one should be interested in what other people say is good art.

Last CD you bought/downloaded/shoplifted?

A collection of some old Blue Note recordings and a danish rap orchestra called Malk De Koijn. Oh and the latest Johnny Cash CD - get that one - a voice like a rusty steam engine going uphill in a loud thunder storm.

Describe your perfect day?

Hours and hours of breakfast, an old Peter Lorre movie and chocolate. I quite like that kind of weather where it's stormy and sunny at the same time. A beautiful autumn day.

What make you happy?

Seeing stuff for the first time. Only topped by my daughter seeing stuff for the first time.

What makes you sad?

Bitterness and lack of empathy.

Sex, drugs or rock n roll?

Tea, ginger biscuits and Jules and Sonia - my wife and daughter.

Last book you read?

A weird German childrens book called Biks & Baks. Not sure of the original German title.  Biks and Baks are twins. They adopt, like all kids do, what grown ups say and do and they use it in their childrens world. The book shows what goes on inside the heads of six-year olds and how painting all the walls in pink and black crayons makes perfect sense. It is one of those books that made me laugh out loud in the train where I read it going to and from work. You know, the kind of book you feel like reading out to the nearest bystander.

Tell us a secret?

I have to go to the toilet. Also I like cats.

Whats your favourite soup?

Potatoes, garlic, carrots, spring onions, green beans, rosemary + some homebaked bread with salty butter. Also I'm a sucker for stuff with ginger in it.

What else do like other than art?

Getting lost in book stores, throwing stuff up in the air and see what it looks like when it lands and smashes into tiny pieces. Drawing on surfaces not meant for doodling on. Throwing myself into other people and see what happens.

Any regrets?

No I think I'm fine. Maybe that I didn't go to Sweden to see Tom Waits when he was there.

Ask yourself (and answer) a question!

So Sune, what are you doing today. Well, Sune I'm off for a long walk in a nearby wood with my wife. The trees are very old there and I'm not.

Final thoughts...

Don't concern yourself with other peoples ideas about who you are and what you do. They don't get it anyway. Life is short. Make things you find beautiful right now and don't wait for things to come to you. Go for them now.

Duudlecollaborators:

All the images are from sketchbooks I am doing with other illustrators. The books are going back and forth by snailmail. Nothing quite so lovely as getting a package, opening a book and seeing how brilliant people draw.

Nuno valerio
Raymond Teitsma
Traces de Freins
Jon Burgerman
Michael Rytz
KOA
Melvin
Henrik Drescher

Interview - Mr. Burrows 16/09/06