I just basically drew a lot of really crappy drawings until I got to the point I’m at now. Basically trial and error. Learn from failing. Just like skateboarding.
Illustrator, Pigeonboy aka Matt Lauricella is originally from Sydney but made the move to Melbourne and works out of Black Lake Studios. Matt has one hell-of-sense of humour which you can see in his works and is heavily influenced by skateboard culture and cartoons which he deems he is “most passionate about.” He studied Graphic Design but apart from high school art he is self-taught. AR caught up with Matt in his creative studio…
Name: Pigeonboy aka Matt Lauricella
Occupation: Illustrator
Hometown: Sydney
Current Location: Melbourne
When I was a kid I wanted to be… a cartoonist. I always wanted to draw the comics in the paper. You know like the Far Side and Peanuts etc. hopefully I can have a strip published one day.
My earliest, fondest memory is…defeating Super Mario Bros, that shit was so hard! Kids have got it too easy with video games these days.
The studies I took was…Graphic Design but I never studied art aside from art class in high school. I just basically drew a lot of really crappy drawings until I got to the point I’m at now. Basically trial and error. Learn from failing. Just like skateboarding.
I’m most creative when…I’ve had my morning coffee.
I choose this career because…I’m lazy and not a very good employee so I probably should be my own boss and pull my own ass into line from time to time rather than someone else. But truly I just can’t stop drawing my silly little drawings I’ll do it forever even long after people stop caring.
The tools I can’t live without…pencil, pen, laptop, skateboard, food, water.
I’m most passionate about…skateboarding and drawing.
I’m inspired by…skateboarding, skateboard graphics, comics, cartoons, movies, series, music, other artists, illustrators and creatives, humans, animals, most things really.
I’m currently reading… Thrasher Magazine
The website I hang out on the most… Pornhub
I’m currently listening to… Propagandhi (actually right now as I type this)
The last film I watched was… Away Days the Adidas Skateboarding Video
Travel is… something I want to do more of. Hopefully I’ll get overseas again real soon.
My travel essentials are… skateboard, sketchbook, pens and pencils
One thing I would like to do but haven’t got around to it yet… Landing a Backside Lipslide down a handrail, I’m 30 this year and I can’t even do them on flat bars so things aren’t looking too promising.
The challenges of being a creative… explaining to people what you actually do for a job and paying rent. Having constant good ideas and staying motivated is also a struggle.
The highlights over the past 12 months have been… Having a solo show at Forgotten Worlds, Going to Townsville to teach a workshop about designing and painting skateboards, Illustrating articles for Slam, Doing what I love every day.
The advice I have to share for those who want to follow in my footsteps… Just keep at it and don’t let anyone tell you that you’re not good enough or can’t make it or whatever. People have told me that before and it doesn’t mean anything. Try because you’ll never know if you don’t try. Failing is good. It’s how you learn. You’ll get better. Immerse yourself in your passion. Go to art shows, go to galleries, read books, watch films. Meet people who are like-minded and collaborate with them. Art should be collaborative not competitive so create art with your friends. Keep drawing and develop your own style, work on it, change it, refine it. It takes time but you’ll eventually get there. Do it for you. Do it because it makes you happy. If you’re doing this to make money well then you’re an idiot you should be doing this because no matter what you just can’t stop. But really the most important thing is to HAVE FUN.
Do What You Want… as long as what you want is not to ride a razor scooter. Don’t ride a scooter. Ever.
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Photo: Tom Terlakk