Ian Francis was born in 1979 in Bristol, England, and graduated from the University of the West of England with a degree in Illustration. His work concentrates on the particulars of modern experiences — things like television, world events, celebrities, and day-to-day living. He held his first US solo show at BLK/MRKT in 2007.
Describe your process of creating a new piece.
I spend a lot of time watching TV/films, reading books and looking around the internet... I save loads of photos I find interesting from all kinds of different places. I then flick through them, and try to think about how ideas link together, and mock up roughs in photoshop. I like combining different elements of photos of people with abstract sections of old paintings I've done. Once I've got an idea of what I want to do, I try and figure out how to paint it... sometimes the final piece looks a lot like the rough, sometimes it changes drastically while I'm painting it. When I'm painting, I just switch back and forth between paint, drawing, collage or anything lying around.
How would you describe your style?
I normally describe what I do as mixed media painting... the idea is to get different kinds of marks to work off of each other - so sometimes I'll paint/draw fairly accurately, then work quite loosely on a section, then break up elements of print on another section. At the moment I think a lot of the painting I do is too tight, it should really be looser and more expressive.
What brought you to Bristol?
I've lived in Bristol all my life... sometimes I'm tempted to move to London or abroad, but I'm happy here for now.
What do you love most about it?
It's really compact... there's a lot of different bars/clubs within walking distance, which I appreciate a lot more now having been to LA a few times. The people are pretty cool. There's a lot of old Georgian buildings which I really like too, I'm moving here in the next few weeks.
If I came out for a visit what would we do/ where would you take me?
I'd rely on my friends to come up with interesting things to do, because I've been working a lot lately so I'm pretty boring right now (or, always)... it'd probably involve getting very drunk and going to a club to see a genre of music that ends in 'core'.
What are you really excited about right now?
Lost season 4, going to All Tomorrow's Parties to see Portishead and various other people, and hopefully having a bit more time to work on some paintings for a show next year... there's some ideas that I'd really like to get down on canvas.
When are you the most productive?
Usually at night, although my schedule's pretty random... I do artwork pretty much every day, but it can be anything from less than an hour to about 10 hours.
Favorite place traveled?
Probably Barcelona, although I really like London sometimes
Music?
The last few weeks I've been listening to Scout Niblett, Crippled Black Phoenix, Health, Japanther, Thurston Moore, White Rabbits, Radiohead's new album, the Inland Empire soundtrack and a weird album of Reiko Ike's.
What were you like in high school?
Awkward & geeky, with bad hair. The bad hair continued long into my 20s until I just got fed up and shaved it off.
///////// I particularly like Ian's Sculpture work. I believe deep down he is a Sculpture. Or an Alchemist. Written by Ben Tourista on 2008-01-31 22:14:24
///////// I really like his paintings Written by Evert on 2008-02-01 04:33:14
///////// love the intense colors Written by marikeeler on 2008-02-01 07:32:11
///////// amazing works! Written by valenpaulucci on 2008-02-01 08:07:19
///////// This dewd is almost a mash up of MICALLEF and LISTER.... Like his work a lot! Written by Mr.Bello on 2008-02-01 09:18:42
///////// Ian F is one of my favorite artists right now. I love the idea of abstract expressionism(although his is more planned) mixed with representational images. Can't wait to see the next level of his work in a couple of years. Written by Thoraxreunion on 2008-02-01 10:27:22
///////// Mix of styles. Illustration and fine art painting in a figurative and abstract style. This dudes smart. I especially like how he leaves out some non important information. I am working on that myself. Written by Nat and the trex on 2008-02-01 23:15:13
///////// beautiful Written by twoheadedboy on 2008-02-03 09:29:51
///////// Ian Francis is one of the most inspired artists out there right now. An unbelievable talent. Must see his originals in person. They are so dynamic. Deathstar will blow you away. Written by psychogringo on 2008-02-03 11:53:58
///////// great taste in music, he has! Written by downrodeo on 2008-02-04 18:53:06
///////// His work is great, I love it. Written by nappyhead on 2008-02-05 09:17:42
///////// really great...a good combination of tight and expressive, i love all of the varied marks this is something that i use a lot of in my work, trying to bring in my detailed line drawings and then adding big washed marks with other compositional accessories Written by jgardens on 2008-02-06 09:40:52
///////// Ian Francis
Great work. These are very well developed paintings, i would llove to see them in person to appreciate them even more. It is refreshing to see some decent art in her other than all the rest of the Niche artists trying to be different but always being the same. There are some issues with some of the work, but to remain positive i will endorse this with a Thumbs up interview. Looking forward to watching this Artist grow. Written by IHATEJUXTAPOZ on 2008-02-07 23:05:19
///////// Spectacular! I love the depth amist the emptiness. Inspiring! Thanks. Written by Nicole Wichman on 2008-02-14 07:23:54
///////// Amazing Written by Devin on 2008-04-07 19:19:07
///////// I get totally sucked into this guys work. I don't really know what it is, but I can stare at his art for hours. Written by Workweak on 2008-06-06 07:53:53
///////// Marvelous, Phenomenal. Written by brentmalone on 2008-07-26 04:47:22
///////// damn good work indeed. Written by rodeojones on 2008-07-31 18:39:17
///////// greeeeeeeeeat Written by Lux on 2008-08-11 17:25:21
///////// so beautiful. i could look at these for hours. Written by monster on 2008-08-20 22:30:05
///////// WOw, the figures have such amazing detail and expressiveness. loved watching your process as well, thanks for sharing! Written by meg.design on 2008-08-25 12:15:09
///////// I love this work so much, and hoping one day I'll be able to paint this well . Such wonderful imagery/colors/everything!! Written by nighthawk327 on 2008-08-30 23:26:47
///////// love his stuff, really beautiful style Written by zonnebloem on 2008-09-07 16:07:00
///////// preety good !null Written by michelle.D on 2008-09-09 20:43:37
///////// my favorite is the fourth one down. Written by MRC on 2008-11-04 14:35:12
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. Such wonderful imagery/colors/everything!!
"#22, the best so far !" //
