Professional London Mural Artist Darren John responds to a handful of thoughtful questions from Leeds University Student, Morgan Bates.
It’s been over a decade since I was at University myself. I didn’t have a clear idea of what I wanted then and it’s wild to think that my hard work would develop towards being a successful creator with a studio output alongside being a professional London mural artist.
As the first in my family to study at higher education, leaving for university was quite a big deal for me. Moving away from the area and social setup that I grew up around would bring many new and welcome challenges. Challenges that are difficult to prepare for when you’ve no relatives who’ve experienced similar and can advise or share guidance.
The course I studied (Visual Communication) was a multiple choice approach to learning with almost no professional preparation or emphasis on specialism. In hindsight, I see it as quite an expensive waste – a fantastic business model for the University but not so much for those unsure of how to navigate towards a professional and creative future.
I found that I learnt more from my peers and from reaching out to people around the world online than I did from the course I was paying to be on. One particular conversation that had a substantial impact on my development was one I had with a graffiti artist from America who I recall being called Ryan.
Dithers: The Cutting Edge of Underground Art From Across the Nation
Asking for resources for inspiration and guidance, Ryan directed me towards a documentary called Dithers. Dithers was released in 2004 and documents 25 different American artists across various genres of works from skateboard, urban, graffiti and fine art disciplines. Through interviews, the documentary shares their motivations and inspirations, cultivating in what was an incredibly eye opening and inspiring watch for me.
Recalling this pivotal point in my creative career, I’ve always made time to answer questions and give advice to those who might themselves be in a similar position to the one I found myself in during university.
Recently Leeds University Design Student Morgan Bates got in touch with some questions for me and below I will share with you my answers.
So, let’s get in to it!
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MB: Could you sum up what you do in a single sentence?
DJ: As we move into adulthood our creative spirit can become diluted, so I make and sell paintings to revive the creative imagination.
MB: How would you describe your creative process? Where do you start?
DJ: For me, each painting heavily informs the next set of paintings. So for me, in a way, I started over 10 years ago and this is where I currently am. It’s like a saved game on a PlayStation. I’ve got all my data, saved goals and information and each new painting can resume from the very last save.
Working this way means I can apply what I’ve learnt to date and develop new ideas organically through my investigations into making pictures.
“I build paintings like you might compile a meal – with separate elements all working in harmony.
Colour + Form + Composition + Process.”
London Mural Artist Darren John
– Colour is a very instinctive thing for me. I learnt a lot about colour from graffiti and now I completely trust my judgement to navigate paintings by what feels right.
– Form is set out by shapes and symbols, often inspired by graffiti, architectural shapes and illusions that excite me.
– Composition tends to be the glue that puts everything together which is quite often developed while the painting progresses.
– Process is where things get really fun. I’m obsessed with finding new ways to experience the process of mark making. It’s not always driven by what the marks look like – but more about how they feel for me to produce. The placement of these in the paintings are intuitive and create a really feature rich action that’s recorded in paint on the surface of the canvas.
MB: How have you found working during the COVID-19 pandemic? Has it affected your process?
DJ: During the quarantine I actually left my studio and set up a desk in the kitchen of my partners house. I think despite the circumstances I’ve creatively flourished during this time.
My entire project promotes creativity as a tool that can enrich our lives through our imaginations. But it also encourages exercising our creative mind as it enables us to be more adaptable and resilient in times where we need to problem solve.
I tackled the restrictions with the same mindset and the same energy. What parameters have I got to work with and how shall I navigate this best?
My Creativity under Quarantine project was the result of this and it’s been a fantastic resource for people in schools, home schooling, for people from all walks of life and creative ability.
MB: What’s your favourite project you’ve worked on? And is there anything exciting you’re working on?
DJ: My most recent project Creativity under Quarantine has been a really special project for me. It’s allowed me to grow my audiences and deliver a huge amount of value and encouragement in a time that so needed to have artistic and creative liberation.
The project was a 26 part painting video series, using whatever I could find in the house. The project aimed to show people that by viewing our surroundings through a lens of playfulness and curiosity, we are able to enrich our experience of our worlds and as a result, live a more enjoyable life.
As well as the works I’m producing in my studio, I’m also putting a lot of time and energy in to my other business, Absolutely Studio. We are a team of professional London mural artists producing large scale painted projects for great artists, worldwide! We’ve produced tons of amazing public artworks and we’ve a lot of really exciting projects in the works for this year!
MB: Do you collaborate with other artists and if so how do you find working with collaborators?
DJ: Collaboration in the most obvious way – two people painting on the same surface – has never been something that’s appealed to me. This is because I’m so accustomed to working independently and my project is something that guides all of my output.
I see the paintings and the way they are received and engaged with, as a collaboration though. One that actively invites engagement and can flourish most when this takes place. Because when someone views what you make and engages with this on their own terms, the torch of creativity is passed on and with each pass, more fuel is added to the fire. As a result, we all grow collectively through ideas and communication.
I’ve just recently started working with an incredible 3D artist in America and it’s been one of the most exciting experiences I’ve had in a long time. We each contribute quite different things and this means we don’t tread on each other’s toes. I’m really excited to see how it all pans out!
MB: If you weren’t doing art what would you like to be doing?
DJ: I never had aspirations to be an artist – I’ve actually just navigated my way here by doing what feels right and exciting.
I think if I wasn’t doing what I am right now, I’d be doing something quite similar. Or rather, I mean I’d be doing something and navigating it with the same motivations. To share what I have and make people happy. To explore, ask questions and to share the answers.
Ultimately to create something bigger than myself and to be the best version I can be throughout it all.
It’s been one helluva ride so far and I’m just getting started!
