Jake is a commercial artist working with paper cut-outs and printmaking.
year of birth: 1993
birthplace: Leeds, UK
current residence: Newcastle, UK
started taking illustration seriously in 2015.
Where did it all begin?
I’m not from a creative family, or a family that really appreciates culture at all. Strange really. I grew up in a working class area without many reference points for this sort of thing. I decided to study an art & design course in my late teens and discovered printmaking and collage. My eyes were opened.
What is the worst advice you’ve heard?
It will happen when it happens.
Most beautiful moment during the creative process?
The mess, the unexpected shapes, letting go. The flow state.
What doesn’t inspire you?
Computers. Public transport. The news.
What are you proud of?
I recently created my first illustration for The New Yorker. This was right up there at the top of my bucket list so I’m extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to work with them.
Who would you like to meet or who would you like to work with?
I would have loved to have met the late David Hockney. The greatest of all time in my opinion and a fellow Yorkshireman. My grandad went to school with him in Bradford which is pretty cool.
Favorite material?
Paper.
What would you have done, if not this?
I think I’d be a horticulturist. I enjoy being outside in any weather. Definitely something tactile and productive whilst giving something back.
When was your biggest moment of doubt?
Working various horrible jobs in my early 20s, living in London, in the rat race whilst trying to develop my illustration style. It’s easy to give up and think it’s not gonna happen.
Who is your biggest supporter?
I think you always have to have your own back. But truthfully, it’s definitely my wife – she keeps me moving forward when I need it most.
Favourite image?
My dog having the time of her life at the beach during a recent promo shoot. Pure happiness.
What is to you, the most beautiful sentence?
“It’s the very process of looking at something that makes it beautiful.”
― David Hockney
You can’t really argue with that.
What do you still want to do?
So many things. I’d like to collaborate with more people to keep learning. I’d like to add some motion to my work. Oh and I’ve always wanted to have an exhibition in Japan.
Where do you work?
I work in a few different places actually. I’ve got a home studio that I work in 2 days a week. I use a shared studio space with a risograph machine, large scanner, paper cutting machine and plenty of desk space to make a mess, I create lots of work here. I also use my pals printmaking studio from time to time to create editions and experiment with new techniques. I find that mixing up my environment keeps things fresh and allows me to utilise different materials and processes. I would struggle to stay in one place all the time.
makers over hun passie. 