It's two days after i released two more of Vincent Fraser's designs into the wide open space. CIRCUS is one of them and it keeps floating back into my mind. I had to ask Vincent some questions about it.
Alex: The CIRCUS - with which element did you start composing this design?
Vincent: I usually have a rough idea in my head beforehand - then it’s a matter of gathering various elements together to use in the design. Once that's done I begin experimenting with different compositions until I'm satisfied with the result. So I guess I don’t start with any particular one element - it's more a combination of elements fused together, but if I was, it would be the background to set the mood of the whole illustration.
Alex: What was your rough idea that sparked into the bloom of CIRCUS? If you say it was no more than a mood, i understand, but was there more involved - an intention?
Vincent: Well, I wanted to create something that was quiet surreal and give the viewer something to think about - kinda like it’s telling a story I suppose. This was my initial intention so the clown and the field of vibrant orange daisies and daffodils really were the starting points followed by the vector tear drops in the foreground to give it that travelling Circus theme.
Alex: During composition, what entered onto the scene first - the clown or the owl?
Vincent: Definitely the clown :)
Alex: Does the owl carry the key to unlock the hidden treasures in the field of daisies?
Vincent: The owl is the surveyor of chaos, the herald of revolution and a more enlightened existence.
Alex: Chaos. Should this design be worn in protest to the day-to-day juggle?
Vincent: Is the day to day juggle something to be protested? or celebrated……it depends on the perspective of the individual.
Alex: What remedy do you recommend to conquer clownish misery in this world?
Vincent: Look for the beauty in everything.
Alex: A few days ago, Cirque Du Soleil launched the ONE DROP Foundation (onedrop.org). Isn't this amazing?
Vincent: I think it’s a great idea and I hope it will bring public awareness to the serious water issues around the world.
Alex: I think it's wonderful conceptually that the Circus - the arena of individual artistic expression - has been Cirque Du Soleil's starting point to enable such efforts from which we all can benefit. I hope i'll catch one of their shows.
Vincent: Oh definitely maybe we can go together - I think they open on January 6th 2008 at the Royal Albert Hall if your interested?
Alex: I am. I dream of a city with sideshows on every corner. Would you join me on a crusade to force municipal authorities to give up the streets to seriously funny people?
Vincent: I will be at the forefront with all the other graphic pimps!
Alex: Great, i'll bring the armor. By the way, do you juggle a lot?
Vincent: Without a doubt (lol) At the moment I'm juggling baby nappies with pantone colours!
Alex: Baby nappies ... thats's something else. Is this going to be an ad?
Vincent: Hmmm....an ad sounds good I'll bear that in mind.
Alex: When did you start designing?
Vincent: It’s been about ten years now in terms of digital art but if we include my whole design background then were looking at fifteen years at least. I originally came from an Interior Design background so the progression to digital illustration was a natural one.
My main goal is trying to use my experience and combine both disciplines to create something new - similar to what KinkyForm are doing at the moment.
Digital print technology is evolving so quickly it’s allowed new doors to be open for artists to present their work in many different formats never thought possible a few years ago.
Alex: That's right - and i thank you for enriching the Shufflesome collection with your art! By the way, i will be releasing yet another design with Vincent Fraser's art - next weekish.
Check out Vincent Fraser's portfolio at talentdatabase.com.
To wear his art on your Shuffle, choose from among his Shufflesome designs.