First Impressions: Socar Myles
Discover why birds feature heavily in the work of this Canadabased artist
Discover why birds feature heavily in the work of this Vancouver-based artist.
Where did you grow up and how has this influenced your art?
I grew up by the sea and in the suburbs: in Prestwick, Scotland, and in Fonthill, Canada. Whenever I was in Scotland, I wanted my Canadian dog and my Canadian friends; whenever I was in Canada, I wanted to swim in the sea and listen to the birds of the British hedgerow. So a lot of my art’s about longing and nostalgia, and that irritating feeling of having left something behind.
Can you describe the place where you usually create your art?
I work at a drafting table by the window, with a can of pens at my elbow. I like to keep the TV on in the background, so it feels like I’m in a workplace with other people around.
Do you have an art tool or ritual that you simply can’t live without?
As far as art tools go, I only use three: a pen and a ruler, and a computer for scanning things. I can get by without the ruler and the computer, but there’s not much I can do without the pen. My favourite nibs are Hunt Artist Pen 100s.
What, outside of art, has most influenced your artwork?
My artwork is mostly about preserving what’s in my head, so it won’t be forgotten. I want to hold onto very nearly everything, so a variety of subject matter finds its way into my art: friendships I’ve made; birds I’ve found on my morning walks; ideas and dreams and disappointments; silly things
My artwork is mostly about preserving what’s in my head Socar is an artist who enjoys birdwatching, peoplewatching, and playing jokes on the neighbours. (Harmless ones, of course.) She believes that people don’t reach out to each other often enough and that art’s a good way to change that. You can see more of her work at www.gorblimey.com.
people have said in my presence. I also like to depict the world as I see it, so everybody else has to look at the same blurry, confusing no-specs maze I blunder through every day.
What is the character or scene you’ve painted that you most identify with?
I don’t have a good answer for that. They’re all self-portraits, in a way – even that time I drew Donald Trump with tentacle hair, and it was hilarious, and everyone laughed. But I will say that I feel very much at home drawing birds. Probably because birds are always there. They live everywhere human beings live, so they’re there in all my memories.
Is making a living as an artist all you thought it would be?
Well… I mean, I certainly enjoy it. I love to draw. But it took me 20 years to save up for a very, very tiny home, and I have horrible teeth because I can’t afford a dentist. I’d recommend that anyone who wants to make a living as an artist go about it better than I did. Take some business classes. Develop your own intellectual property early, and be diligent with your self-promotion. If you’re the sort of person who just wants to sit and draw, consider an in-house job.
None of this is intended as discouragement: if art is what you love, be an artist, and keep being one as long as it brings you pleasure. But be an educated one with a business plan. You’ll need that.
What advice would you give to your younger self to aid you on the way?
You don’t need to have a recognisable or consistent style right out of the gate. Experimentation is fun, and it’s how you figure out what you like, what you’re good at, and what your audience responds to. Try everything.
What does the future hold for you?
I don’t know. I’ve been thinking about drawing maps, lately – decorative ones, not utilitarian ones. I’ve always liked maps. I used to go and look at old ones, from before the world had been plotted out, and admire the fanciful borders and embellishments. Maybe I’ll try some of that, only with modern places that I simply haven’t explored yet.