Ross Carvill
Ross Carvill is a freelance illustrator from Dublin, Ireland. Illustration is more than a job for him, it is quite a large passion. He has been drawing every single day since he could hold a pen. He loves to draw everything from lobsters mixed with roosters to documenting a conversation with a stranger on the street.
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What is your job?
+I am mostly an illustrator, although I do not limit myself to one title. I do everything from fashion, video making, stage shows, sometimes television!! And everything in between!
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When did you know you wanted art to be your 'job'?
+I never did not know, I have been making art ever since I could hold a pen! I was very lucky when I was a teenager because I always knew what I wanted to be! It is amazing having my job now, I have turned my love of drawing into a career. If you keep it up and stay passionate you never know what will happen!
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Did you attend art college?
+I studied Visual Communications in IADT, Dun Laoghaire. It was a great experience, I learnt a lot. I also was introduced to a world of like-minded creative people who still are my close friends today! It was basically a very broad graphic design course, I might not be working in graphic design now, but I still apply lessons I learnt everyday!
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What is the job of art (or of artists)?
+To create worlds that exist beyond ours and to show them to the viewer.
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What is art to you?
+Art to me is a chance to make someone smile. If I can make one person smile with my work, then it has been successful! I like to use my art to bring colour into a world that is often sad and grey.
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Why is art important?
+Art is important because it opens windows into worlds beyond ours. It has especially shown its importance in Covid times when people were stuck at home. It allowed people to explore beyond the boundaries of their four walls while staying safe.
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Do you have a favourite type of art?
+Tattoo art has always been a huge inspiration for my work. I usually use very thick lines which are inspired from tattoo art. I like surrealism, I also love old scientific animal diagrams, I love a lot of art from all over the place!
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What inspires you and your art?
+Everything from animals from exotic lands to conversations with strangers on the street. Inspiration exists everywhere from inside your kitchen cupboard to the top of a mountain. You just need to keep your senses open!
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What artists inspire you?
+Lots of tattoo artists from around the world. Salvador Dali and Picasso have always been inspirations as they really pushed the boundaries of reality. But I have to say that there are some amazing, amazing inspiring artists right here in Ireland. Some of whom I am lucky enough to call my friends!
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How do you know if you are a good artist?
+This is hard to answer as an artist because you are so consumed by your own work that it is sometimes hard to reflect on one's progress. My personal measure for success is if people are enjoying my work and smiling at my work then it is a success. If I am adding positivity into the world through my work then that is a success!
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Do you have a creative philosophy?
+Always be open to inspiration, inspiration is like a spark if you do not nurture it, it will go out.
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What advice do you have for young artists?
+Make lots of work, experiment, explore lots of different types of art, find what you enjoy and most importantly have fun!!
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What are you most excited about for This Is Art Club?
+I am most excited for young people to see that creativity is a viable life path. There are hundreds if not thousands of ways to make art your job. Never give up your creative dream, someday it will be your job if you have the passion and commitment!
