This month we're delighted to introduce a brand new artist to the Wraptious team! Rikki O'Neill won our Artist Competition back in Autumn 2022, and we're thrilled to be able to add his colourful, atmospheric landscapes to our giftware range. Here's a little more about him!
Where are you based?
Dundee, Scotland
What mediums do you work in?
My mediums are photography and digital art, acrylic painting and collage. The house images are a combination of photography and digital painting effects.
I often paint textures and scan in with a further photo texture for a digital finish.
Which artists have influenced you?
Influences are endless for me but probably mainly by naïve folk artists like Terry Runyan, Jill Mayberg or Nat Mather. This probably comes from my many years as a children's illustrator. I joined D.C. Thomson Ltd as a trainee cartoonist on leaving school, eventually working as a ghost artist on their comics. I also illustrated cartoons in Scottish Sunday Paper for many years. I then worked as freelance illustrator for Greeting card companies and also was an illustrator for Bernard Thornton Artists Ltd London.
What’s your top tip for other artists?
My tip would be take a risk and step out of your comfort zone and experiment with new ideas and techniques.
What is your favourite piece of your own work and why?
The last piece of work created is usually my favourite until I've created the next one. I did really enjoy painting the large Penguin and the Oor Wullie for Wild in Art.
Where do you create art, and why?
I work, create and paint from a room in my home. I have probably fulfilled most of my art and photographic challenges but I'm generally just delighted to keep creating.
Favourite quote!
' Art is chaos taking shape' - Pablo Picasso
What three things would you take on a desert island?
Cheese, scottish oatcakes and a crate of spiced rum...
You can find Rikki's brand new giftware range on his Wraptious page. Give him a follow on instagram at @rikkioneillartist
