Nikalas Catlow
Childrens books illustrator
Do you believe there is reason within your work?
It’s difficult to answer this with a YES or a NO. When I was younger I felt that everything in life had a purpose or a reason but as I get older I’ve started seeing things just for what they are. I work specifically in the field of Children’s Books and there are several levels of reason for the existence of those books. One of those reasons is to teach litracy to children and a lot of people might see that as the primary reason. Another reason is to entertain children or inspire them. I guess this is probably the main reason behind my work. I love to see the books in the hands of young readers and see their reaction to what you have created. It’s a very gratifying moment if you’ve managed to create something they enjoy.
Do you feel the need to be involved with something greater then yourself, and your personal experience and views, professionally?
My work is all about stretching the imagination and exploring the extremes of what is possible. In this sense I guess that is greater than myself. I wouldn’t say that my work is autobiographical in any way though, other than me drawing on my own childhood fantasies and memories of what I liked and how my state of mind was as a child. Sometimes it seems almost possible for me to leave my house in the morning and travel to the moon and back during my day of work because of the immersive nature of the work. This can be both satisfying and exhausting.
Is success important to you, do you feel successful?
Success is hugely important to me. If I didn’t feel I could make a success out of the work that I do, I don’t think I’d be bothered to get out of bed every morning. Personally I don’t see the point in creating a book that doesn’t connect or speak to people. A funny person can make their friends laugh but a successful comedian can make thousands of strangers laugh and I think that’s the difference between just tinkering away something and being successful at it. I wouldn’t say that I feel successful, I think every creative person always feels that can do better next time and that there’s always the potential for improvement. That just the creative nature.
What role does art play socially in your view?
I think art can play a very important role in people’s lives. Sadly, people these days are very focussed on material things in life and aspiring to have things they can’t afford. Creativity and art can fill that void in people and make people feel that they have a sense of purpose. Being able to create something out of nothing can be very empowering and it’s something less and less people seem to know how to do now, although a lot of handmade crafts like knitting and sewing seem to be enjoying a resurgence. It is these ‘hands on’ kind of folk arts that I feel are more important to society than going to art galleries and looking at pictures.
Would you call yourself and artist? If so why or why not?
I would never have the guts to call myself an artist. I always refer to myself as an illustrator. I think there’s always been a certain sense of divide between art and illustration. Artists tend to look down on illustration as some kind of vulgar, commercial world where creative people are prepared to sell themselves to clients. On the other hand I think illustrators tend to see artists as ‘full of shit’ with very little to add to society.
How do you experience the balance between personal and commercial work?
I’m very lucky that all my work is self generated. By that I mean that I come up with an idea for a book I want to do and then get a commission to go and do it. Because of that I get to work completely in the areas and subjects that I’m interested in and to me it all feels like my personal work. When I’m not working I sometimes draw and have certain ideas that I pursue just for my own entertainment. My work is so immersive however that when I’m not working I tend to enjoy doing something completely different such as cooking, gardening or making films. I feel now that it’s very important to shut the door on your ideas on a regular basis in order to give yourself a rest. If I didn’t make a conscious effort to do that then I would go insane.
What role does insecurity play within your work and work experience?
I wouldn’t say insecurity plays any role in my work. For the past year I’ve worked completely as a partnership with another illustrator. We both write our stories together and then illustrate them together. I think it’s a good test of your insecurities to work closely with someone like that as you have to be adaptable and open to criticism.
Do you feel that art is elitist (if so) is this a problem? Are you elitist?
Art galleries are definitely elitist. I don’t think that art galleries have any relevance anymore to real people. That area of the arts is all about money and show business. There’s plenty of areas of the arts which aren’t elitist though. Anyone can walk into a bookshop or borrow a book from the library and Children’s very first taste of art usually comes from picture books.
What is the relationship between your personal and professional life?
I’ve always found it hard to ‘switch off’. To be constantly thinking about work is a familiar scenario but recently I’ve discovered little interests in other things that I relish doing while not working. I definitely think my work benefits from me doing other things in my personal life and expanding my horizons into other things. I have a passion for non fiction books, mostly about history but also about other things such as philosophy and economics. I also have a passion for documentary films and probably watch about 5 or 6 per week. I’d definitely say that these interests find their way into my work.
What has been your greatest success/achievement/moment?
I think my greatest moment so far was walking into a publishers office earlier this year with an idea for a series of books for 6-9 year old boys. Myself and my partner spent 30 minutes explaining the idea to the publisher and they offered us a deal there and then which we shook hands on immediately. Normally it would take a publisher many weeks to decide whether or not they wanted to commission you and then many more weeks of negotiations to finalize a deal.
What do you strive to achieve through your work, what do you wish to communicate?
I think the main theme in my work that I want to communicate is that life is pretty limitless, and the power of the imagination is something that can change people’s lives.
