Iain Macarthur

"Born in Swindon, I became a fanatic of art at the age of eight when I was first introduced to art through the medium of cartoon shows and comic books. In 2008 I graduated from Swindon College with a degree in HND Illustration.

I am influenced by many artists and illustrators – all with differing styles and mediums – and have turned to their work for artistic stimulation over the years. Among them are Alphonse Mucha, Gustav Klimt, Lucian Freud, James Jean, Aurbrey Beardsley, Sergio Toppi and harry clarke. I’ve also gained much inspiration through anime art, american and polish folk art, art nouveau, textile patterns, geometry and different forms of organic patterns and shapes.

My work can be described as surreal and unique in its own way. Using mostly pencil, watercolours and pigment pens, I create portraits of ordinary people but create them in a unusual way by, embellishing patterns and watercolour effects into the portrait to give a vivid explosion effect—transforming their faces from something plain to something entirely bizarre and wonderful at the same time".