James Eagle

Describe a typical James Eagle day…

Coffee. Most days I work as a tradesman.  This is my ‘bread and butter’. A Mexican guy walks up to me “Amigo got a light.” At lunchtime I sketch him. I’m always looking for inspiration and it often comes in the most ordinary places. Bike home. Sketch a bit more jump on the computer and work on what ever it might be freelance or personal. Burn my screens ready to print. Bath.

What first got you into illustration?

I traveled Europe in a camper when I was 8 with my folks and my big brother. Traveling has always given me new ideas. The year of 99 I went to a Keith Haring Exhibition at the Wellington City Gallery. Haring’s work influenced a lot of the work I did when I studied visual arts. Skateboarding has always been in my life. I was inspired by Jim Phillips' skateboard graphics as a kid. I wanted to be able to draw like him.

How has your style developed over time?

I went back to school in 2012 and studied at Shillington College. Since graduating my style has changed quite a bit. Not so much the things I draw but the way I work.  My computer has become a new tool. It’s abled me to add depth to my illustrations by combining my hand drawn illustrations and incorporating overlays, colour and textures. I love being hands on too. I have a small screen-printing set up at home. When I draw or work on the computer I am always mindful of how it would translate to print. Having experience as a screen printer has taught me a lot about process and colour. I have learnt that good things take time.

What’s on for 2014?

I am working on a mural for my local café. I’m illustrating some tee shirts for a friend’s new brand. Also I hope to get my new range of caps out in the next few months. I need a website. I want to screen print more posters this year. And I’m on the look out for a more permanent creative roll.