interview with an illustrator
Sarah Beetson
Melbourne, Pink
Flamingos, Anna Piaggi,
Belvedere Vodka &
celebrity BMI's . . .
u SB What first drew you to illustration? Sarah: I spent a large
part of my childhood in British pubs. My parents gave my brother
and me colouring books and felt tips to keep us quiet. I don’t think
they really thought of the consequences – my brother is now a
graphic designer! u SB Do you have any formal training? Sarah:
I studied Illustration at Falmouth College of Arts in Cornwall for
three years. It was an incredible experience, being in a beautiful
seaside town with a great creative gang of student talent from
around the globe and lecturers who are also practitioners within
the field. u SB You live in Melbourne. What drew you there?
Sarah: I came for a visit in 2005 and fell in love with this city.
There is an Arts Festival literally every week, a great fashion and
live music scene, and the best coffee in the world! u SB Where
is your studio? Sarah: A converted dairy building in lush tropical
Queensland! u SB What is your biggest inspiration? Sarah: Film.
I have been known to hop around London or Melbourne taking
in five movies a day. Film director John Waters is my biggest
inspiration. I like that he perversely twists all that is mundane in
popular culture and presents this screwed up, bastardized view
of it. Pink Flamingos is one of the greatest movies ever made. u
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