Teens in Art: Tom Moore -- Interview

The Heart2Art Project's Gillian Rule interviewed Tom Moore, an 18 year old graphic illustrator living in Norwich, England, about his artistic journey. Here's what he had to say:

GR: What is your passion and when did it begin? How did it develop and grow throughout your life?
TM: My passion for art started when I was really young, I always loved to copy the artwork from cartoon magazines like beano’s and Dennice the menace, those kind of snazzy magazines. But I still tend to use elements of that style in my work today so big up Dennice.​

GR: How do you express yourself creatively? What mediums do you use?
TM: I used to use a wide range of mediums with my work but I now find myself using solely digital processes. Mainly because my style uses a lot of bold solid colours and black outlines which are just much easier to create using digital softwares. Really it’s because I’m lazy and can draw digital work much faster and be more experimental because of the undo button.
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GR: Where do you draw your inspiration from? Is there a particular artist that you find inspirational?
TM: The main artist that I take inspiration from would be an illustrator named Jimbo Phillips. I’ve always loved his bold pop art style and his random subject matters, I think you can clearly see elements of his style in my work.

GR: What kinds of obstacles have you faced in pursuing the arts, either as a hobby or career?
TM: I haven’t ever really had any major obstacles to overcome in regards to art. I suppose making people give a shit and look at my work is hard but more people seem to be doing it so I must be doing something right.

GR: While more spotlight is being brought to the voices of our generation in recent years, history has shown that the perspectives, activism, and art of teenagers are often dismissed. Have you personally experienced this as a teenager?
TM: That’s a deep question, Erm well to be honest older people look at my work and just ask if I was high when I did it, so yeah, old people don’t care about young people’s art, they care about bills, politics and complaining about how our generation is ruining the world because we’re nice to people.

GR: What does the youth have to offer to the world (whether this means perspective-wise, activism-wise, the sharing of art, etc.) and why is it important that this is recognized?
TM: The youth offers lots of things to the world. Firstly I think that younger people today are more accepting of people as individuals in regards to their race, sexuality or gender, I think that we just don’t care as long as the individual is happy with it. I just think we are more open to things than older generations have been. This is important because we’re currently in a time where there is so much division in the world when we should just all be mates.

GR: Why do you make art?
TM: Because it relaxes me.

GR: Do you have a favorite piece that you have created? Can you explain it and why it is your favorite?
TM: My favourite shared piece is the one with the zebra urinating on the lamp post because it’s just a bit weird and I find it funny because I’m extremely immature.

GR: Describe your art making process in three words.
TM: Think, draw, done.

GR: Do you feel like your art is representative of your experiences as a teenager? As you get older, do you think that your artistic style will change?
TM: I try to keep my work separate from my deep thoughts as much as I can, I use it as a way to get away from my personal experiences. My drawing style always goes through phases and it will continue to as I get older, I can’t yet predict how it’ll change but I guess I’ll see.

GR: Any last words or advice you would like to share?
TM: Erm, Don’t be a dick, is always good advice. Also thank you heart2art and feel free to follow @gooey_shit and tell me your thoughts.

Follow Tom!
Instagram: @gooey_shit

Gillian Rule
VP of Social Media + VP of Communications + VP of Publications
@gillianrule

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