In Process with Andy Gilmore

Each time Andy Gilmore provides new work for release under Ghostly International Editions, we find ourselves newly amazed by his evolution as an artist. While the work speaks for itself, we remain ever curious about Gilmore’s processes. To help shed some light, we asked Andy a few simple questions about his approach.

[GI] In the past two years, your portfolio has grown considerably. To produce so much work, we imagine there must be one dozen Andy Gilmore clones working in a dimly lit studio 24 hours a day. What’s the reality?

[Andy Gilmore] The reality is there is but one of me working 10+ hours a day in a dimly lit studio—a lot can get done in 7300+ hours.

[GI] In addition to your increased output, we’ve witnessed a greater complexity to your compositions. We wouldn’t dare ask a magician to reveal his secrets, but could you shed some light on the process and time involved in creating one of your works?  

[AG] Generally, I build a form/pattern in Illustrator line by line, piece by piece—values are then assigned across the form to create the illusion of depth and movement. I essentially then use Photoshop to develop the image as if it were film. This all can take days or hours.

  [GI] Do you start with a particular feeling or direction you want the work to take, or does the shape develop organically? Principia, for example, appears to have some Indian or Eastern Asian undertones. Was this intentional from the outset?

  [AG] Oftentimes I have a particular direction that I have been exploring and I just continue to build upon it. Overall, its a very Gestalt approach to image making—in that I just allow the suggestion of form to guide me along. Indian and Eastern themes certainly influence my thinking and make their way into work unintentionally.

[GI] Speaking of directions, where do you see your work heading? What interests you most at this very moment?

  [AG] The work has moved in directions that I could never have anticipated so I can’t really say for sure. New questions are posed everyday that can lead to any number of new directions and opportunities to explore. Drawing always interests me most of all.

[ View Andy’s recent work for Ghostly International Editions ]