Owen Gent:”I love seeing my works come to life in new ways”. He is an Illustrator for publishing and communication, and he impresses with his ability to condense complex stories and concepts into an image of rare poetry.
Owen, tell us your story. How did you get into art?
I’ve always drawn and painted. I don’t remember when I started, but my career formally began when I started studying illustration at Falmouth University in England. It was there that I truly began to develop my personal voice as a painter and illustrator, creating the first works that felt truly mine.
After graduating, I started painting signs, painting boats, and doing other odd jobs. After that, I found soon my way as an illustrator for publishing and advertising. At this time ,I also work on personal projects.
What inspires you?
I experiment and draw inspiration from many things; I also always look beyond the world of visual art. As a musician, I owe a lot to folk music and folk tales. Nature is also a great inspiration for me, especially when I travel to hike and swim in wonderful places.
What techniques do you prefer?
I use a combination of traditional and digital techniques. I start with pencils and watercolors, then scan the painting to manipulate the color, composition, and texture using Photoshop. Many of my textures are things I’ve found or created by hand, then transferred digitally. I have a huge library of textures, including pieces of wood, aged paper, used etching plates, and even organic materials like leaves, which I then turn into paintings.
What do you think of Cinquerosso Arte?
I believe it’s a great opportunity for my work to reach a new audience! I enjoy seeing what happens when one of my pieces is placed in a new context, as it gives them room to breathe and becomes part of their story.