interview with an illustrator
Liam O’Farrell
The architecture and
reportage illustrator on
his love of travel and his
desire to illustrate war . . .
u SB What drew you to illustration? Liam: No conscious choice,
a desire to draw and paint has always been there. I suppose
it’s just a part of me like any physical part of me such as eyes
and ears. u SB Do you have any formal design training? Liam:
Yes, Portsmouth College of Art in the UK. u SB Where are you
originally from? Liam: Portsmouth, UK. u SB Where do you live
now and what drew you there? Liam: After 23 years in London
I now live in Pilton which is where the Glastonbury Festival is
held. I have always loved the village. It is in a secluded dell with a
stream at the bottom. Very quiet, most of the time! u SB Where
is your studio and can you describe it for me? Liam: Well I work
outside much of the time, though as a base I have a studio in the
Georgian cottage we live in. A drawing board to one side with
paints and pencils scattered about. You will also find a computer
and printer on a table, beneath which our cat Poppy spends
most of the day sleeping. A window looks over the garden and
beyond this a hill, just over that hill is the Pyramid stage of the
Glastonbury Festival. u SB Do you keep a scrapbook? Liam: No,
though I do however take a sketch book everywhere and they
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