Laura Cartwright

Ever so slightly later than planned, our first art & design feature for 2008 is Laura Cartwright, whose cool graphic design work ties in very nicely with last months featured photographer - read on to see what we're on about!

To track down Laura, check out her page here!

VOLTCASE LAURA CARTWRIGHT INTERVIEW:

Hello there, and welcome to the almighty Voltcase! How are things?

Things are brilliant at the moment thank you for asking but I’m even better now I’m talking to Voltcase!

How would you describe yourself to a stranger in just three words:

Short-Stubborn-passionate.

So, your design work - is it all vector based, and what programs do you use to create it?

Well I use two programs Illustrator & Photoshop, Illustrator I use abut 95% of the work in which is all Vector and I use Photoshop for the finishing of the piece.

And where do the models, or subjects, come from? Friends of yours? Or just random victims?

Well I work with some of the most talented local, national and international photographers. I prefer to work with local because when exhibition the work they can come and see it. But there’s one in particular I love working with and that’s Chris Harrison from Drive by Shooting his work just inspires me. He has such an eye for a perfect photo and I find I create the best work from his images.

You seem to be quite proud of living up north, is there much of an art or, for that matter, an alternative 'scene' going on up there in the 'Toon?

Whay aye man! I’m an extremely proud Geordie and Newcastle or normally call “The Toon” has a thriving art scene. There are some of the best galleries showcasing the best of local talent, but what I’ve noticed is that were a very tight nit community of artists we all support each other no matter what the medium. Personally I feel very lucky to have worked with and exhibited beside such talent! But for other scenes we have an amazing Rock scene I should know I’m part of it! We have the best Rock pubs and clubs and the people are amazing just your normal Geordie rockers. There’s one bar that just all scene’s can enjoy good food, music and cheap alcohol and Newcastle wouldn’t be Newcastle without it and that’s Trillians!

So, 'Nerd of the Herd' - what's that all about, then?

Well anybody who knows me knows I’m a total nerd and I am your Stereotypical Nerd, who wears tank tops and glasses! I’ve always been called one through school and now work so I stuck with it! Being a Nerd aint a bad thing I feel proud to be one.

Do you go to many exhibitions or conventions with your artwork, and, if so, do you enjoy them or are they a necessary evil to promote you work?

Oh yeah I love exhibitions! Most of my weekends are taken up with travelling to exhibitions and shows etc. I just love to see new work and meeting new people who have a love art too. But I have plugged my own work to get a show but that’s part of being an artist, if you didn’t work hard to get your work out there you wouldn’t get anywhere at all! But most of the times I get asked to show work so I’m lucky in that scene.

Loud rock n roll plays a big part in our lives here at Voltcase towers, does music influence you at all? Any artists in particular that you fancy name-dropping?

Music doesn’t influence my work but I do love music! I’m one of these people with such a varied taste from alternative, metal and even good hip-hop. It really all depends on my mood. Well on my MP3 player at the moment there’s Aphex Twin, Aim, Perfect circle, prodigy, Daft Punk, Gorillaz, tool and many more. Variety is the spice of life!

Why should the lazy general public make the effort to check you out, and what are your plans for the future?

Because my work is full of fibre, it’s good for the heart and lowers cholesterol! Well I have my first solo exhibition in June and for future plans I guess just keep doing what I’m doing.

And finally..... what does the word 'Voltcase' mean to you?

A highly electorally charged mad man or a new dangerous version of an Olympic game!