Al Murphy was recently voted the Best Illustrator in the World at the first annual Al Murphy Illustration Awards. His work has been exhibited in toilets the world over, and his reputation for a rudimentary grasp of the mediocre has won him next to no fans.
WHEN YOU GET A NEW PROJECT FROM BLUE Q, HOW DO YOU BEGIN? WHAT’S THE STARTING POINT?
I meditate and read some eastern philosophy. Then I go to church and I pray. I pray hard. And thereafter, the visions begin to appear. It’s very deep and spiritual.
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU NEED A BREAK?
I take a break.
WHERE DO YOUR BEST IDEAS COME FROM? (DREAMS, SHOWER, MUSEUM, TRAIN?)
Stealing other people’s ideas. But in my defense I do only steal their BEST ideas.
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE THING TO DRAW AS A CHILD? WHY DID THAT LODGE IN YOUR HEAD?
I was pretty into death. A lot of death. I’m still into death. My fear is that I’ll suddenly not be into death when death is upon me.
WHERE DO YOU WORK? WHAT’S YOUR WORKSPACE LIKE? ANY OBJECTS YOU’VE HAD A LONG TIME?
I work from a spare room in my house that’s tiny and crammed full of junk and dust and post-it notes reminding to tidy up and do some dusting.
