Artist Proof: Craig Watkins aka Wotto76 is a 10 year verteran illustrator and character designer from Stirlingshire, Scotland currently working in Southern California who received his art degree from De Montfort University. His style incorporates traditional as well as digital methods and if you are familiar with the t-shirt design scene online, you are probably very familar with his body of work… this guy is a hard work and keeps it comin! You may aslo know Wotto as the Art Director for Teefury as well as TeeInvaders.

AP: What inspires your art?

Wotto: Having been an illustrator for some time it’s hard to say, I draw inspiration from everyday life and the things around me. I am a bit like a sponge in that I suck up everything visually and obviously that includes other peoples artwork. I like many, many artists, too many to list but they range from Street Artists to the classic masters.

Having grown up in the 80’s I am very inspired by the skateboard graphics and the awesome cartoons of that era. I have also been active in some street art so I also get a lot of inspiration from there. I like how inspiration can strike at any given moment.

AP: What is the relationship between technique and content in your work?

Wotto: Drawing is key. I draw constantly, I doodle on everything. Nothing is safe. I think being able to draw well is the ultimate tool in this trade. I use both digital and traditional ways of working. As a T-shirt designer content is always important, people like a T-shirt to carry a message. Luckily most of my work has a narrative or idea behind it. My characters usually have whole life stories and environments, it’s just the way my mind works.

All shirts designed by Wotto in ‘08 & ‘09

AP: Describe your first experience of making art and how it affected your life’s journey

Wotto: I have been drawing and creating from a very early age. The first thing I ever got printed was for a local dance school, a T-shirt. I was very proud at the grand old age of 12. I got the bug then, I never got paid for it and it is still for sale in their shop now, swines! My first paid piece of work was a local student magazine cover, which was a lot of fun. I have been at it ever since.

AP: Describe your most recent experience of making art.

Wotto: T-shirts. I design a lot of T-shirts and it seems to suit my style very well. I am currently branching out and doing other projects but my ‘bread and butter’ work is tees.

AP: Take us on a guided tour through a day in your life as an artist

Wotto: This is a strange question because for me no two days are the same. Some days I paint for an entire day other days I got sit outside and doodle away. I usually add something to my blogs, check emails and look at who’s been visiting my website (www.wottoart.com) In a day I basically do what clients request me to do. That’s my job. I am very appreciative of the job I have and I hope to do it for many years ahead.

Check out Craig Watkins aka Wotto76’s Artsprojekt Store here