interview with an illustrator
Alan Baker
From being penniless
in Afghanis tan to
building a house of
towers, with a bit of
Britart and extreme
shepherding thrown in.
u SB What drew you to illustration? Alan: I started out on the
sensible road of science, then in 1970 with £35, I hitch-hiked to
Afghanistan. I ended up stuck out there, very ill and pennyless.
It was a life changing experience. I came home filled with the
energy and drive to really focus everything into doing what I
loved most. u SB Do you have any formal design training?
Alan: I went to Croydon college of art and then on to Brighton to
do illustration. u SB Where do you live now? Alan: Near Brighton,
high up on the south downs overlooking the sea. It’s peaceful,
windy and beautiful. u SB You live and work in an unusual house.
Alan: I bought it about 25 years ago. It was relatively small and
I then added extensions and towers. One tower has a 35ft high
ceiling with hundreds of small plaster cast patterns stuck on it
and looks like the inside of a mosque. u SB Describe the view
from your studio window? Alan: A garden full of rabbits, and
open downland running downhill to the sea. u SB What is your
biggest inspiration? Alan: Mostly contemporary music from
the 1960s to now, and looking out of the window. u SB How do
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