Eddie K

Where are you from and where do you reside?

I grew up about forty minutes outside of London in a town called Henley. I now live and work in east London.

Where do you find your day-to-day inspiration?

Tricky question. As you get older, you realize that things like walking, cycling, playing sport, going for a pint, or cooking something tend to be when you come up with your best ideas. Even though you feel slightly guilty not being in the studio, the time away from it is very valuable. I’m only really realizing that now.

When did you begin your current practice?

I started this series about three years ago.

Your current body of work proposes a fictive, futuristic environment. Where did you get the idea for this setting?

I'm not quite sure to be honest.

Are you influenced by any artist that does something completely different than you?

I think that film, in particular science fiction has a huge affect on my work. The creation of parallel worlds is something I’m fascinated by. Music also drives the days and nights I’m working in my studio.

Are you a fan of science fiction generally? Or are these works more about leisure?

I think these works are a little bit about leisure. I want people to look at them and be able to relate to them somehow. However, I also want to create a visual world people haven’t seen before. You are basically observing a species you understand and are familiar with but in a setting that’s a bit different to what you know.

What themes or motifs are you consistently drawn to?

Like I mentioned, I’m interested in creating different worlds. Parallel universes that live by slightly different rules and regulations.

I want people to look at them and be able to relate to them somehow. However, I also want to create a visual world people haven’t seen before.

Eddie K

Are these worlds generally better than the one we currently occupy, or are there trade-offs?

I think they are neither better or worse. Just different. They just go about things slightly differently to how we go about things. Including swimming and sunbathing.

Do you find that environment relates to your work?

I think your surroundings do affect your work. I think BeachLand Guildford is me liking the idea of being somewhere other than a cold studio in London.

How solitary is your art-making process?

My art making process is quite solitary. On one hand, I love it as it’s quite a personal and focused. Then, on the other hand, you can go a bit crazy spending hours alone in a studio living in an artificial beach environment in your mind.

What necessities do you require when making your art?

Because my paintings are large I need plenty of space in my studio. It’s just about big enough, but it’s a bit of a tip.

I've always painted using a palette knife. For some reason I feel I had more control of the paint and I'm able to keep the colors clean and vibrant without them ever getting dirtied.

Then, on the other hand, you can go a bit crazy spending hours alone in a studio living in an artificial beach environment in your mind.

Eddie K

Does painting with a palette knife take longer, since the paint is probably thicker than if applied with a brush?

It doesn’t take longer, if anything you can be a bit quicker as you add paint then wipe the blade clean rather than having to clean a brush each time. You simply concentrate on mixing color and applying it to the surface. It does mean the paint is applied to the canvas thicker than it would be by a brush. Which of course is a different finish.

How do you incorporate chance in your creative process?

I wouldn’t say I leave anything to chance, but experimentation is key. One needs new ideas about what you’re painting and how. New techniques and new materials is something I get excited about

How do you choose your materials?

I've always painted in oils. For me, they have a quality that other paints don’t.

I also like the idea that however contemporary the subject, the material itself is actually quite classic.

How has your work developed in the past few years, and how do you see it evolving in the future?

I like creating worlds in my work. I think this will continue into the future. What that will be I can’t give away at this point.

What’s next for you?

At some point it would be good to take a holiday. I’m planning a new series and a holiday seems to be the best place to stop thinking about things which usually means you will come up with something good by accident.