It’s a crazy world out there

What pieces or projects have you been working on lately?
Lately I’ve been working on a commission for a client in London — a large piece, about 160 × 130 cm, that will eventually hang in a beautifully designed living room in Mayfair. The client wanted me to bring in my usual palette of blue, red, and white, along with my signature ink pattern. After our chat, I sketched out a few ideas and we quickly chose the one that clicked.

What did you learn (or unlearn) while working on it?
I always work with the raw side of fine linen canvas, which I stretch myself. It looks and feels amazing, but it can be tricky — when the paint hits it, the whole thing wants to shrink and misbehave. Before, I’d just accept the chaos and fix it at the end by re-stretching. This time, I tried steaming the whole canvas right after stretching it on the bars, before touching it with paint. Game changer. From now on, that’s my ritual.

What words, ideas or emotions were running through your head?
This painting carries a really warm energy. The four shapes represent my client’s four children, and the black form — like a woven net stretched across the canvas, unbreakable and strong — became a symbol of family bonds. The words that stayed with me were family, trust, connection, resilience. While painting, I also found myself thinking about my own family and relationships. My signature repetitive pattern is like a meditative chant to me — once I get into it, I sink deep into my thoughts. It was a really nice vibe to tune into, and the painting carries a really warm energy.

Was there any conversation, film, music or book that found its way into this work?
With my commissioned paintings, it is always the conversation with the client that sparks the vibe for the sketches, so for this one that interview/hangout played a massive role. Music-wise, this time I had frequency sounds on repeat. My all-time cute favorite movie is “About Time”, and this painting keeps reminding me of it.

What was the most difficult thing you faced this month in your creative process?
Shortage of Golden’s Cobalt Blue Hue paint in my local art store. Also my mum visited, and the smells drifting from the kitchen were impossible to resist — my focus wandered to the oven and my work rhythm definitely took a hit that week.

If you could have dinner at any restaurant in the city tonight, where would it be and what would you order?
Dinings in Chelsea. I’d order the yellowtail cured belly with preserved spiced yuzu zest. It’s to die for…The space actually used to be an artist’s studio, and it still has that spirit. I love their original, heritage listed fireplace that totally steals the room. It feels like eating in a place that still remembers paint in the air. Great wine too!

If your life were a movie this month, what would its title be and who would make the soundtrack?
“It’s a Crazy World Out There” — soundtrack by the Looney Tunes Orchestra.

Recommend us an artist you follow, someone who inspires you, and tell us what you like most about their work or their way of working.
Benjamin Spires! He’s an incredible painter with outstanding technique and a truly unique imagination. His sense of style is unparalleled, and beyond the work, he’s also a wonderful person.