Solitude – the opium of the artist
We went to see Chris Morris at his studio in North London. The pencil drawing illustrator focuses his work on celebrity portraiture, including drawings of Uma Thurman, Sigourney Weaver, Jack Nicholson, Basquiat, Aretha Franklin and many more – and surreal scenarios of animals helping each other.
Photography and interview by JC Verona
Manchester Tryptic
Where are you based and where are you from?
I was born in Manchester, moved to the Lake District when I was 10, moved to London when I was 20,... and here I am 30 years later, living in my studio with a fantastic view of the city and Woodberry Wetlands.
When did you decide to start drawing?
I have been drawing since childhood. At school I was arguably the second best at drawing... and terrible at everything else. I had a couple of failed attempts at studying fashion and design, but rediscovered my love for drawing as a mature student at Camberwell College of Arts, where I completed a BA in Illustration.
Chris Morris at his studio
What materials do you use? And how long does it take?
I use Faber Castell pencils and Saunders Waterford watercolour paper. I've worked with many other materials but always come back to these.
Drawing times differ depending on size, but I always time my drawings so I have a pretty good idea of how long they might take.
“The pencils, the paper, the solitude… all excite me.”
So, what's the average time scale to complete a piece?
My last A4 - 27 hours, A3 - 36 hours and A1 - 95 hours
Tell us about your A-Z Series
My first A-Z is called A-Z of animals helping each other out. It was originally just a drawing of a crocodile for my daughter Carmen, which grew into this A-Z series and then into an exhibition at Manifesto in 2017, thanks to the support of Mikey and Corrado. The second A-Z is called A-Z of inspirational, iconic and idolised women. From Aretha Franklin to Zadie Smith. This collection is currently exhibited at Manifesto and I hope lockdown will be over soon and people will be able to see it. I like the challenge of creating an A-Z, coming up with the different scenarios, animals and personalities.
Hippopotamus helps Flamingos strike a pose.
Why do you draw celebrities?
My first celebrity drawings were of Robert Smith and Morrissey at school in the late 80s to try and impress girls. I guess I’m still trying to impress.
“My first celebrity drawings were of Robert Smith and Morrissey at school in the late 80s to try and impress girls.”
What are you working on at the moment?
I have just finished a drawing of Michael Caine, skateboarding outside the Beverly Hills Hotel in LA, which is part of a celebrity skating series I’m working on. I’m also drawing a portrait for a commission. And working on getting an illustration agent.
Who is your favourite illustrator?
I try not to look too much at contemporary illustration. I feel there is so much out there, it can lead to a feeling of inadequacy and have a negative effect on the output. Having said that, I do enjoy the work of Conor Langton, Laura Laine, Ozabu, Marc Burckhardt, Andrew Millar, Olaf Hajek and Edward Kinsella.
“I try not to look too much at contemporary illustration. I feel there is so much out there, it can lead to a feeling of inadequacy and have a negative effect.”
Where do you get inspiration and what’s your artistic process?
Movies, music, fashion, food, painting, nature, design, architecture, beauty, travel, literature, my daughter and Evelina.
I’m a big fan of the drawing process and find most pleasure in the drawing experience. The pencils, the paper, the solitude… all excite me. I don’t get this experience from computers. I also think a lot of contemporary illustration looses its soul by over use of computers, everything starts to look a little bit too similar.
How are you coping in lockdown?
Great! Solitude is the opium of the artist.
Check and shop Chris Morris prints on his website and follow him on INSTAGRAM.
Zebra disguises skunk’s aroma
We asked Chris Morris to make a playlist for ZERO.NINE
1. DAVID BOWIE Sound and Vision.
2. PUBLIC ENEMY Fight the power.
3. THE SMITHS Please please please let me get what I want.
5. THE VELVET UNDERGROUND Sunday morning.
7. FELA KUTI. Egbe mio (carry me I want to die).
8. NICK CAVE. Brompton Oratory.
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