PPP3: Chat with Micheal Kirkman

A while back I was reminded that there is another illustrator/artist in the family (not counting immediate relatives who all seem to be creatives), so I thought I'd reach out and ask a few questions:

Firstly, could you describe what led you to your current profession? 

Your linocuts are fantastic, what is your studio set-up like, do you operate from home?

You seem to have received a good amount of commissions from clients, how do you approach commercial briefs compared to, for instance a more personally driven project?

 

- I studied illustration because when I started my art college training the painting courses weren't into the traditional crafts, it was all about concept.  I opted for illustration as it was important for me to draw. I then learnt allot about illustrating as a profession but also developed a interest in printmaking from some brilliant tutors and technicians.
I went on from college showing my prints in galleries that approached me from my degree show work and illustration work came from people seeing the prints.

- I work in Edinburgh printmakers to edition my linos. It is a shared studio space that I am a member of. I also work on paper at home and oil at a studio I rent about 20mins from my flat. 

- I never hunt out comercial briefs or commisions as they are not my main focuss. They come along from people that see my work online or in galleries and those folk get in touch. They can pay well and more importatly they are guaranteed money.
Some I enjoy others can be a pain.
Most of the time I work on my own paintings drawing and prints for group shows, gallery stock and the occasional solo show. This part of my practice makes up about 3/4 of my income.
When I do get commisioned for a brief then I work hard and fast, and ensure the fee is broken up so I am paid for most of the work before the finished work. It is hard to make any money as a artist so you have to take control of any opportunity quick before people lose interest. 

I haven't particularily considered that gallery and exhibition work might prodcue a decent income, so I will certainly consider that option going forward. I suppose the print fairs and Thought Bubbe have been a taste of that side of making money from artwork. Micheal mentioned his use of a local workshop to produce his prints, which is something I have been considered doing, as I certainly do not want to sustain a home  set-up especially as I will be stuck in rented accomadation for the forseeable future.