Aimup - Painter

Painter - Jonathan Purday

What's your job?
I'm a semi-professional painter. I have another job as well that helps pay the bills. I paint in the evening, on days off and at weekends - so basically I work seven days a week. I make acrylic paintings of all shapes and sizes. I produce paintings for solo and group shows and as private commissions for clients. (I was recently commissioned to produce the artwork for the cover of Gomez's new album.)

From canvas to album cover: a story

How did you get started?
I have drawn and painted all my life. I started winning art competitions when I was very young. I went to art school, although I took a few years out before going. At college I learnt skills, perspectives and approaches that provide a solid foundation for my work. I also learnt that it would be quite a few years before I would be able to make a living from painting alone.

I got a part-time job three months after leaving college and started work on my painting again. I started off in my bedroom but a year later moved into a tiny studio space in Deptford. I've moved around since, but now I'm back in the same studio complex - but with a space five times bigger.

How did you change something that was fun into a job?
In 1999 I was made redundant and decided to set up my painting as a business. I wrote a business plan and got a small loan from The Prince's Trust. I used the money to buy an Apple Mac, printer and scanner, and put the rest into a business account to use for overheads and expenses to get me going.

The first year I made a small loss, but last year I sold 30 out of 40 paintings I made and came out with a small profit. Things are getting more and more enjoyable now as the shows and commissions become more interesting and diverse.

What does your job involve?
Firstly, of course, making paintings. I work on different scales from pocket-sized to giant paintings six by ten feet. I use acrylic paint that dries quickly and is ideal for making flat glazes or layers of form and colour. I take subjects from a variety of sources and often take images from my own photographs, as well as video stills and magazines. I used to make all my own canvases, but now I buy them off-the-shelf or get them made for me.

My job also involves lots of networking and self-promotion. I'm in negotiation with an agent who will help me promote and sell my work to curators, art dealers, corporate clients and collectors. I hope this will give me a chance to exhibit internationally - in New York or Japan, for example.

What do you like best about your job?
Making a painting that works first time or that I'm completely satisfied with. Seeing a series of paintings I've made for an exhibition hung and being able to relax for the opening night. Getting a chance compliment about a painting. It is always ideal for an artist to make the work they want and for someone to appreciate it so much that they pay decent money for it.

What is the worst thing about your job?
When a painting doesn't work or needs constant re-working. My work being misunderstood or trashed. Dealers or gallery owners showing an interest, but still not placing me in a show. It's hard work keeping the PR engine running all the time.

What should I do if I want to do what you do?
The ideas are important as the work itself - so have something to say. Work out what you're really interested in (in my case, nature and the artifice of film) and work out how to 'realise' it. You do need to get to know the right people, to network and to develop a way to explain your work Build connections with other artists to help promote your work as well. Try to get some discipline into the way you work - David Hockney has a sign in front of his bed that says "start work immediately". Be fiercely determined, single-minded and willing to make sacrifices.

From canvas to album cover: a story

Gomez's current album 'In Our Gun' features artwork by painter Jonathan Purday on the cover. This is the story of how that happened.

Get noticed
The Art Director of the graphic design company commissioned by a popular record label to produce the album cover spots Jonathan's painting on display in a fashion shop. He contacts Jonathan who takes his portfolio in to the design company.

Get the job
The Art Director gets the label's provisional approval for the commission. A meeting takes place between the label, the design company and Gomez. They decide they like the painting and commission Jonathan to produce the artwork for the album. Costs are agreed.

Agree the brief
Gomez goes to Jonathan's studio to discuss what they're looking for. They decide they want one painting re-made and another commissioned.

Produce the work
Jonathan produces two paintings for the possible album cover. The paintings are reviewed by the band, the label and the band manager. The band and label choose which image should be used for the cover and which for the back. Meanwhile communication goes on regarding extra artwork for the inner sleeve.

Photography
Jonathan liaises with the design company. The paintings are sent to be photographed.

Produce layouts
The album artwork photographs are sent to the designer to begin the layout process - importing jpegs into the Mac software (Freehand/Quark) to proportion and manipulate to fit the CD, and adding text. The designer produces mock-ups of different CD covers. Jonathan reviews these with the designer. The band and record label choose the final design.

Get sign-off
The record company is happy with the work and agrees that Jonathan can invoice for it.

The end-product
Jonathan receives copies of the album CD, vinyl and posters in the post.

And more work
Jonathan also produced artwork for two singles from the album.