To see more of Paul’s work visit: www.atriumimages.artweb.com
Being an artist
Please give us a few words of introduction about yourself
My name is Paul Duffy and I am the person behind Atrium Images. I am a digital artist, illustrator and photographer.
When did you decide to pursue art as a career?
I started studying art seriously at college and then university. Afterwards it took a few years to get started and connected to the right people. I have been designing things and taking pictures for years.
What training did you have?
A degree from the Art College U.U. Belfast as well as a foundation diploma and GNVQ from the N.W.R.C. I have also worked as a photographer, studio manager and freelancer.
What has been the high point of your career so far?
Rankin asking for some of my work to be submitted to Hungertv. Being published in Eyes In magazine and doing photography work for the likes of DJ Andy Smith. I am also happy with a recent range of tshirts I have put out.
General Questions
What’s your favourite quote?
‘So far, so good, so far so good. It’s not the fall but the landing that counts’
La Haine – Mathieu Kassovitz
Who is your favourite artist?
Warren Du Preez & Nick Thornton Jones because the work in many different disciplines and are always innovating and finding new techniques. I’m also a big fan of Peter Saville. They are pop artists and advertisers of our generation.
What are you aiming for?
My Art is a combination of ‘photo painting’ illustration and montages. I also do a range of different graphic design experiments. I work with colour and light in photoshop and illustrator to create my images. It would be good to see my work gaining some interest on this site.
How will you get there?
We will see how popular this work is to start with and I’ll be able to decide soon. I have a lot of other ideas.
Is anything holding you back?
Getting recognition and an audience. If anyone can help with promotions that would be a big help.
You and art
What feelings or reactions do you hope to arouse in people who view your work? Are you ever surprised by reactions that you get?
There’s a wow factor I am looking for with my viewers but also a familiarity as it’s pop art. I’m trying to get people to see things from a fresh perspective. Digital painting isn’t that common yet but it is everywhere.
From start to finish, how long does it take for you to create your work?
Each piece takes 1-2 days which is normally about 12 hours or so to do it properly.
What music do you like to listen to when you work?
Jazz, funk, soul, Radio 1. Good trip hop or hip hop beats normally help too. I have very eclectic taste.
What are you working on next? Any future plans or projects in the pipeline that we should look out for?
I’m planning or starting a new range of more graphic abstract pieces as opposed to portraits. I want to do more with typography. It depends really anything goes. I don’t set myself briefs unless I get them from another client.
Being inspired by art
Who (living or dead) inspires you? and why?
Andy Warhol. He made Pop Art what it is today, accessible and fun as opposed to snobbish and elitist. Unpretentious art tends to be the most popular and best. His techniques working with colour, photography, painting and screen printing stared a new way of thinking back in the 60’s.
What feelings, subjects or concepts inspire you as an artist?
Fun. Trying to do something outside the usual constraints of consumerism or capitalism. Being an innovator. Pop Art. Finding interesting ways to render images and create fresh styles.
What is your favourite work that you’ve produced so far and why?
The Lady Gaga Butterfly. It’s a fun piece of work. Colourful, eclectic pop art. It looks really good!
an artist’s advice
For those thinking about turning a passion for art into a career, could you give any advice?
Sacrifice is the only way to get to a standard higher than the next person. This means putting in the hours, finding a style, researching, sourcing imagery, materials etc.
Any tips on how to get your work seen and get the commissions coming in?
Network online. Use social media. Call agencies and studios. Look for freelance work. It’s a constant process to keep work coming in.
