q) What is your name and what do you do? a)My name is Mike Maxwell and I am a craftsman.
q)When did you really get into art?
a)The second I could hold a pencil.
q)How did you come to the realization that you should try your luck at art on a more serious level?
a)In 99' while working for Shepard Fairey, I learned that making art doesnt just have to be just a hobby, that supporting yourself through art making was a possibility.
q)How did you discover the particular style that you have?
a)I didnt really discover it but more specifically learned and honed the style over many many years through practice practice practice.
q)How would you describe your style?
a)Sub-realism
q)Who or what influences your art?
a)Every single thing in existence.
q)How often do you create a new piece? a)I make art everyday. q)What kind of success have you had with your art? a)I’ve been able to support myself solely through art making for the past 7 years q)What would be the ultimate goal for you and your art? a)The reality is that Im living my goal already. Im doing what I love to do and I am not compromising my beliefs and ideals to do it.
q)What do you see as an accomplishment in the way of art?
a)Surviving I guess. Peer acknowledgment is always nice. Having a children come up to me and say how much they like the things I make. Making someone smile or laugh or cry or get angry. Those sorts of things.
q)What kind of message, if any, do you try to convey through your art?
a)My name is ZEROTEN, and I'm an artist and illustrator based in LondonUK.
q)When did you really get into art?
a)It may sound a bit pretentious, but I think generally artists are born as artists. A priest told my parents when I was about 4 that I would become an artist, and I guess he was right. I was always drawing throughout my youth, mainly pictures of Michael Jackson and wreaking balls and all my school reports said I had problems with day dreaming. I think all those elements are what developed me as Zeroten.
q)How did you come to the realization that you should try your luck at art on a more serious level?
a)It was more of a progression rather than a realization. I became aware of artists like Craig Atkinson and the way in which they got their work noticed, through things like zines and I thought maybe people would be interested in seeing what I had to offer.
q)How did you discover the particular style that you have?
a)It's an ever evolving process. I was always interested in collage because of my fondness for Dada and Fluxus when studying art at school so I guess that's where that came from. Also, I have very vivid dreams that have been instrumental in developing the way I make things.
q)How would you describe your style?
a)A bit like Willy Wonka maybe. It's friendly with sinister twist.
q)Who or what influences your art?
a)In terms of artists I think David Hockney has probably influenced me most. I also like Peter Blake, Egon Schiele and Jean Michel Basquiat. There's a lot of great artists working at the moment like Craig Atkinson, Pica Pica, Paul Davis, Philip Grisewood. Other than other artists, I suppose dreams inspire my work most. Last night I dreamt I had a fit and foam came out of my mouth. The night before I dreamt about a man that was pulling his organs out of a hole in his chest and throwing them at me.
q)How often do you create a new piece?
a)I go through prolific periods where I make 4 or 5 pieces a day.Other times, I just spend a week sitting in cafés, making observations and day dreaming.
q)What kind of success have you had with your art?
a)I wouldn't know how to measure success really. I like to set goals, and about a year and a half ago I set two goals, one to get into Cafe Royal, and secondly to get in Amelia's Magazine as they are both publications I appreciate greatly. I have since achieved both of them so I'm pleased about that. I am currently working with the fashion label Rodnik which I am very excited about.
q)What would be the ultimate goal for you and your art?
a)I don't know. It's hard to say because I look into the near future rather than thinking in terms of what I ultimately want to achieve. I think the dream would be to be remembered.
q)What do you see as an accomplishment in the way of art?
a)It differs from person to person I suppose. I think recognition from people I respect is what I take as the biggest accomplishment.
q)What kind of message, if any, do you try to convey through your art?
a)There is no message as such. It's very personal. Sometimes my work includes codes and little revealing secrets that people can use to work me out I suppose. But I am not really trying to alter peoples way of thinking. Maybe just get into their brain and do a hand stand.
