WHAT iS YOUR INSPIRATION?

There are a few points of reference.
I always try to embrace my inner child when I’m creating, imagine 5-7 years old Jeff. At that age a child has no preconceived ideas of what “good art” is. If they want to draw mum with extra long wiggly arms, purple hair and a tail they will. I am also a big over thinker and planner, so by embracing this approach it allows my mind to switch off a little and my cogs to loosen up.

I explore nostalgia through pop culture references like the TV shows and movies I would watch as a kid, the comics I’d read, the games I’d play, the clothes I would wear and everything in-between.

Ideas of world building and miniatures is also a big part of what I do. Bringing together elements of the natural environment, video games, colour play and pattern to depict surreal and playful work. I love the idea that my audience can step into these worlds that I’ve created. Whether if it is physically stepping into an installation or activation or by imagining themselves in the illustration.

Finally, I am also inspired by the idea of what I call the “on mass” effect. Taking a single unit and repeating it to turn it into something impressive when you see it on mass. Eg: A can of spaghetti on a shelf by itself is nothing special. 2000 cans of spaghetti staked high filling an entire shelf. That will get your attention. I use this approach when I’m making wearable pieces and coming up with repeat patterns.

WHATS YOUR PHILOSOPHY WHEN IT COMES TO CREATIVITY?

It’s simple. Enjoy the process of making, stress less and be patient.

DID YOU STUDY ART AT UNIVERSITY?

Technically not fine arts. But I did studied Design for Theatre and Television at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga.

WHAT’S WITH ALL THE EYES IN YOUR WORK?

The eyes represent my “ah-ha moment” when I first realised I didn’t have to do realism or what’s considered “traditional art.”

I grew up in rural NSW and my exposure to art was through school and the art classes I attended after school. I thought in order to be a “proper” artist you had to paint and draw realistic people, building and/or cows scenes. I also use to try and draw pictures of bands and movie star out of 90s/00s magazines like Smash Hits. I would always struggle with drawing people realistically, in particular the faces, eyes and hands.

Fast forward to 2008 and I’m at university doodling in my visual diary. I am drawing some geometric patterns and decided to draw a simplified eye and add it in the work, and then it clicks. I DON’T HAVE TO DO REALISM! I can just draw and make whatever I like. Mind - Blown!!! Since then it I’ve played around with different ways to represent the eye, but at its core the eye is a remind for “you do you”.

WHEN DID YOU START USING CARDBOARD AND WHY?

It was coincidently at a very similar time to even my “ah-ha eyes moment” happened. It was 2008, my second year of university and I was designing a set for a theatre production. I had a budget of $100 and my brief from the director was to transform the space into looking like the streets of Kings Cross. The space was a drama typical classroom with timber floors and brick walls.
I ended up constructing a 22m long cardboard wall that wrapped around the space. It was in this moment I realised how amazing cardboard is. I can build with it (3D), I can draw and paint onto it (2D), it can be super strong but can also curve and bend, it’s recycling and it’s free!

After the production I continued to experiment with it and very soon I realised I was loosening up and enjoying the making process as I wasn’t experiencing the “blank white canvas” effect. Partner that with this newly found freedom from realism and it was a perfect storm for my creativity. 

WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR CARDBOARD FROM?

It depends on what I am making. Sometimes I need big thick sheets and other times I need thin smaller pieces. Mostly it comes from a bike shop and the local groceries store near my house. Sometimes if I can’t find what I need I will have to resort to buying it. Which means a trip to Reverse Garbage or Bunnings. But that happens very rarely.

WHAT HAPPENS IF THE CARDBOARD GETS WET?

No worries at all. The varnish I use locks in the design painted onto the cardboard, so it won’t bleed or run. And because they are so light they won’t rip or tear if they get soaked. You just have to let them dry. Nice and simple.

WHAT KIND OF VARNISH DO YOU USE?

It’s a general water based varnish from the hardware store. If you are looking for something to use I would just suggest experimenting.

IF YOU DON’T PAY FOR THE CARDBOARD
THEN WHY DOES IT COST SO MUCH?

When you buy my work (or anyones work in fact), you are paying for the price to make the physical product and also the monetary value I have put on the time and effort that has gone into developing the product. I could spend hours, weeks, months or even years developing processing and perfecting techniques to get the product ready for sale.

So while the materials to make my work is not high. There is the time in labour to make it and there is the 10+ years I have spent perfecting my craft. That’s what you are investing in.

WHAT’S YOUR PROCESS WHEN YOU ARE MAKING WEARABLE PIECES?

It’s a pretty fluid process that relies on me focusing on one step at a time. It’s rare for me to know at the beginning what the finished wearable pieces will look like once it’s completed. 

I tend to experimenting with the material first and work out the different textures I can make  with it. Then I experiment with how it move with the body. I then consider different garment shapes and silhouettes and then go from there. 

WOULD YOU BE OPEN TO COLLABORATION?

Always! I love to collaborate. You could be an artist, animators, painters, musicians, performers, makers etc. I don’t mind. But I’d also love to collaborate with more people outside my immediate creative circle. People like cake makers, cooks/chefs, gardeners, homewares developers…It’s endless. Just shoot me an email and we can chat :)

WHATS A DREAM JOB OR PROJECT?

There are three projects. 
1. Make music videos
2. Creative Director for a pop musicians album era
3. Make a giant Jeff World theme park

Do you have A QUESTION?
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