design tavern

Swedish Illustrator, Mattias Adolfsson has kindly allowed us to show some of his impressive work from a series called ‘architecture.’ Adolfsson’s unique style is largely imaginative (though he does traditional works as well) and has the ability to stir memories and emotions like something straight out of a childhood dream. His sketches explore the bizarre and the dreamlike in a beautiful, intricate cartoonish way, infused with care and precision. Adolfsson can also boast one of the most popular sketch blogs on the net and has travelled the world with his work – His last exhibit in downtown Melbourne!

Thanks for agreeing to this interview Mattias, could you tell us a little bit about yourself?
My name is Mattias Adolfsson I’m a 43 year old Illustrator living in a town called Sigtuna just outside of Stockholm Sweden. I moved here a year ago after living in Gothenburg for 18 years.

At what age did you begin illustrating? And when did it become a profession?
I’ve been Illustrating almost all my life but didn’t take it up as a professions until last year (the same time as I left Gothenburg. I’ve been working with computer games and 3D animation ever since I took my Masters at fine Design.

What people (artist or otherwise), places or things inspire you?
There is a lot of wonderful artists out there, but I tend to try not to be too much inspired by other artists (that takes away parts of the enjoyment in watching them). I get a lot of inspiration while moving about, walking or running, while reading or listening to music.

Are you professionally trained or were you self taught?
I majored in graphic design, in that education there was some tutoring in Illustration but not very much. Most of my drawing skills are self taught, that goes for my skills in 3d Animation as well.

What are your most used ‘tools of the trade’ (i.e markers, pens, etc)
I draw with a fountain pen (a namiki Falcon) and use watercolors for coloring, To be frank this is what I always use.

What are you working on at the moment?
I just started a course in comic creations, I have to start doing much more print. Apart from that I’m working on some children’s books projects and some freelance commision stuff

I’m particularly interested in your ‘architecture’ pieces, what inspired these?
Prior to studying Graphic design I went to an Architecture school (for two years). I always loved classic buildings and have been drawing them since starting studying.

What are your other interests beside art?
I’m very interested in Science, technology and history as part from music and films.

What’s the best and worst parts of being a full time, working artist?
The worst thing of course is the unsecurity and uneven cash flow at times. The best is the freedom, the ability to steer your own time.

Any advice to up and coming artists?
Make the most of your time at art school and take all possibilties you can take to spend some of it abroad (if possible). I often feel I didn’t make the most of my time studying.

Thanks Mattias for taking the time out to answer our questions- It’s much appreciated and an inspiration to us all!

Visit Mattias’ site here: http://www.mattiasadolfsson.se/

and also his blog here: http://mattiasa.blogspot.com/