Artist: Huw Barrett
Website: theanimalkingdom.co.uk
Who are you, where are you from?
Hello, My name is Huw Barrett, I am a web designer/illustrator, originally from Pontypridd in South Wales, currently living in sunny Cardiff.
What do you do?
My full time job is website design, which has thankfully led me onto other creative paths such as art and illustration. As long as it’s doing something creative, I’m all for it!
Why do you do it?
One of the best reasons for starting The Animal Kingdom was to accommodate all of the little doodles I have drawn over the years. It’s also a great antidote to web design which is more fluid, whereas once I’ve completed an illustration there are no outside influences making me change it, no tinkering (hopefully)!
How do you create these images?
As with most illustrators, my first tool is a pencil. I just start sketching away and see what comes up. I didn’t really attend any design courses so I’m pretty much self taught illustration and web-design wise, having studied BA (hons) engineering and a Masters in Computing. I am sure there is still plenty to learn and I would love to learn to incorporate a bit of 3D work into my designs too!
Who are your influences?
The Bauhaus, Super Furry Animals, Pete Fowler, Corbusier, David Attenborough, Jospeh Heller, Matt Joyce, Mr Bingo
What inspires your work?
The need to always to be active. I don’t think I will ever be the type to sit down every night and watch Eastenders, if I wasn’t drawing I’d be doing something else creative.
Pete Fowlers Monsterism is a big influence. I like the idea of creating the characters, but also the world in which the characters live in, hence my website being a bit more involved than a static portfolio format.
How does the place you live impact upon your work?
Very much so, I have been lucky enough to display some of my artwork in a number of exhibitions in The SHO Gallery in Roath, Cardiff. Through my website design I have also met other artists and designers such as Mr Shrew, Weknow and Ysbryd-yr-Nos, who formed the ‘Masseye Collective’ and invited me to join a few year ago. Also, my girlfriend is an Art & design teacher and practicing artist in her own right, so I also have an honest critic in her!
What do you like?
Music, films, crap jokes, down to earth people and toad in the hole:)
What don’t you like?
Red trousers and Fearn Cotton.
Find Huw Barrett here:
Buy The Animal Kingdom book here
www.theanimalkingdom.co.uk
@animalkingdoms
