CDG interviews artist of the month Mr Four FIngers.

Name: Mr Four Fingers (Craig and Doug)
Discipline : Most things that make a mark but I do like pen, ink and digital.
Age: 30
Where do you live: London
Where did you study: Cumbria Institute of the Arts
Life ambition: Infiltrate every home on the planet (with our art that is).

Who, or what is your greatest influence on your life and art?

I have folders upon folder of artists on my computer that I look at occasionally to remind me of what can be achieved and to stop being lazy. Antony Micallef has been a big inspiration for many years as his looser approach to art, his mixing of styles and dark themes are something I aspire to.

I’m going to add a second in the form of Gary Leary my college lecturer whose lessons continue to inspire to this day.

Who is your favourite artist at the moment?

As I’m doing a lot more ink work I have been looking more into that work of Tim McDonagh. He has such clean and colourful work bursting at the seams with detail.

Describe a typical day in the studio in no more than 5 words.

Is that the time already.

Spontaneity or planning?

My lists have lists.

What do you do in the event of a creative block?

I look at old sketchbooks for ideas. I fill about 5-6 small sketchbooks a year so there is some stock in hand.

Do you have a favourite piece of your own work?

Well I have a piece that I drew from a comic when I was 14 that I then redrew at 17. It’s one of those things you draw for yourself as a youngster. It’s a pencil drawing of a character from 200 AD comics, possibly a character from Rogue troopers. It’s in my sketchbook from 2000 that I have in front of me now.

What is the most challenging aspect of your work?

I think it can only be called challenging when you challenge yourself (yes that sounds cheesy) so if I think it will be hard to draw bear fur, then I will go ahead and draw it.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years time?

Selling bear fur drawings in Siberia.

Please recommend one piece of essential reading.

Jonathan Livingston – Seagull

If you could time travel to one era or event, when would you choose?

Easy. The wild west. As in cowboys, bad teeth and guns.

Tea or Coffee?

Even bad coffee is better than tea.

Who would be your dream dinner guest?

Optimus Prime. Imagine getting drunk with a massive robot.

What super power would you have for a day?

Well as I have one already I guess the other could be the ability to draw with both hands at the
same time. Just imagine seeing a video of a guy drawing the same image, but two identical
images at the same time. Youtube feeding frenzy. Boom.

What are you listening to at the moment?

Commentary for England Vs France in the Six Nations Rugby ( I feel like I have to add the
word ‘fuck’ to make this sentence exciting in some way.)