Instagram Pick of the Week | Bobby Redmond
We love Instagram! Why? Because it gives you access to tonnes of visual art at your finger tips! Follow @thisheadstuff to stay up to date with our finds on our favourite app!
Every week HeadStuff’s Visual Arts Editor will feature posts from their favourite artists on Instagram. So add the hashtag #thisheadstuff to be featured!
Up this week is Bobby Redmond aka @bobsterbob, an illustrator and designer from Wexford. He moved to London a year and a half ago after graduating from Vis Comm in NCAD. He currently works a design job that pays the bills, but says that “all I can in the evenings and weekends to engage with projects I am passionate about.” His biggest fear? Becoming that old disillusioned designer that doesn’t even make birthday cards anymore.
What is Instagram for you?
For me it’s a couple of things. It’s a great source of inspiration with top notch great eye candy. I try to limit my social media apps on my phone, as I dislike how they can intrude on your life. However, I think Instagram gets away with it as there’s a sense of curation and artistic thought behind what people post. It’s also such a good confidence booster in terms of artwork. I think it’s really important to believe in your own work, but it’s also nice when other people literally ‘like’ it.
Why/when did you decide to start sharing your work on there?
The first time I remember posting my work was when I had finished my first week at college. It’s always been a place that i posted artwork mostly since i feel a bit weird posting my work on other social media.
How would you describe your style?
I have a pretty rough and ready approach to my work. I like to work quickly as I enjoy fast gratification. Imperfections and inaccuracies are important for me. I feel they allow you get to a more satisfactory product instead of being focused on design rules. I tend to trust my eye for composition and try not to be a slave to a grid. I really do love and appreciate clean and crisp design though; I just have to work a little harder to get it all to line up.
What materials do you use?
I always start on paper. It’s really important for illustration and design. For my drawings I always start with ink as i find the movements are freer than pens. Then I add more details with Poscas and Promarkers, then I scan them in and often draw more with my tablet. I also like to involve other materials where I can; I did an etching class last year which was great and I’m doing a pottery class at the moment which I’m really enjoying too. I really like anything with a process, and where I can incorporate my design or illustration work. It’s always fun to try new things and push yourself creatively.
Who has been or currently is an influence on you?
I’m inspired by who and what is around me, so my housemate Hannah (@hannahpresdee) tends to egg me on a lot as we often team up on projects. I do always find myself coming back to pros like Keith Haring, Basquait, Egon Schiele and Hokusai. I’m hoping to do some large scale paintings soon after seeing the beautiful work of @cristina_banban, and for Halloween I tried to dress up as a drawing by @lynnie.z. I’ve also started working on an erotica zine so people like @james.unsworth and @safiabahmedschwartz push me to draw genitalia without shame.
What are your must-follow accounts on Instagram?
I have Instagram fan phases so it changes all the time. Some of my pals from college post such dreamy work like @liaddh & @joshua.fanning. @mica_warren is another favourite. Oh and for pure joy in every post you have to follow @tinygentleasians.
What’s the best hashtag going and why?
I appreciate hashtags for their networking abilities and their power to get your work to a wider audience, so i go for the basic bitch ones like #illustration. But I think the true value of hashtags lie in comedic value so depending on the photo something like #booty can be the best option.
