Knowing me, Knowing you…
I was recently interviewed by The Courier, they wanted to find out a little more about all this Grey Earl business. Some of the questions/answers that I gave, didn’t make the final cut…. now you dear reader, get access to some of those nuggets of knowledge that would otherwise have been lost in the sands of time… lucky you!
Q Who/what is your creative inspiration?
A I’m a big fan of the art and ethos of Grayson Perry and I adore the work of Nick Park, a brilliant balance of comedy and joyous animation. As for illustrators, I love Shaun Tan’s work and of course the great master, Quentin Blake.
Q What was your Plan B, in terms of a career?
A I had my heart set on being an American fighter pilot after watching Top Gun, but when leather jackets and aviators went out of fashion, I knew it wasn’t for me… also when I realised I wasn’t American
Q Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know?
A I was struck by lightening in my youth. It explains the straightness of my hair
Q What was the last book you read?
A Squash and a Squeeze by Julia Donaldson… I have two children under 5
Q Describe yourself as if you were a fine wine?
A medium aged, moving towards a vintage and rather smelly
Q What makes you happy?
A hanging out with my family, being in trees, running, drawing and eating curry. Ideally all at the same time, though could be messy.
Q What makes you sad?
A Turner and Hooch
Q What are you proudest of?
A Up until having my children and them taking the top shelf, I guess setting up and running a business. Becoming an Earl was quite a proud moment, though admittedly it was self appointed and probably wouldn’t stand up to much legal scrutiny.
Q Who do you admire most?
A Grayson Perry I think is up there. I love his enthusiasm, openness to creativity, sense of humour, exuberant fashion choices and of course, his filthy laugh.
Grayson Perry, 2018 © Tim Walker
Q Write your own epitaph?
A Not really an Earl, but royally missed
Q What keeps you awake at night?
A Usually having a 2 year old’s elbow in my eye, or a 5 year old’s toes up my nose.
Q Which musicians inspire you?
A I’m into all sorts, from old school Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchel to more modern electronic outfits like Sylvan Esso. I hoovered up everything by Frightened Rabbit when I was living in Glasgow.
Q Your house is on fire, what one item do you save?
A With a child under each arm, a guinea pig balanced on each ear, whilst being given a piggy back by my partner (thank you darling), I’m not sure if there would be much capacity to save anything else. If possible, my guitar… gaffe taped to my head.
