Ian Stevenson – The Man from the Moon!

1. Describe your-self with three words!
Mr Ian Stevenson

2. An old time classic. Do you like Greece?
I’ve never been to Greece but I do like houmous.

3. What inspires Ian Stevenson, why do you draw? (exclude other artists)
I enjoy doing it but also it has to be done to keep me mind free from the ideas.

4. Are you influenced from other artists to any extent?
I like doing my own thing and not following trends so I try not to look out there too much and get on with my own work. There are many artists I respect and I enjoy comedians too.

5. How many moments do you spend with your pens?
I’m with them at all times and when being used they have my undivided attention.

6. Did you discover your true artfulness before, after or while at the Camberwell
College of Arts, and how did it contribute to you as an artist?
I was a graphic designer after college but after a few years I realised this was not for me any more. I then started to draw and enjoy my own mind and now I run free.

7. What are the best and the worst aspects of London?
The best aspects are being able go to many different places and I enjoy my friends too. The worse things are the busy trains and slow buses.

8. How important has travelling being to you as an artist? International exhibitions, contrasting landscapes, have you ever been to the moon?
Yes I went to the moon in 1968 but it was never televised and it was kept secret. I enjoy going away for exhibitions as I get to meet people and I generally create some of the artwork while I’m there so I get to focus on that.

9. Do you believe in the existence of God / UFO’s?
Not really a believer in the lord but there are always some enjoyable 90 minutes UFO adventures from the world of Hollywood.

10. If one of your clients offered you the exciting option of moving to the Moon for an entire year to produce drawings for a worldwide advertising campaign, would you go? If the answer is yes, do you think your departure would make your fellow artists jealous, and what would you miss most from planet Earth?
I would definately go and hopefully the accommodation would all be paid for and there would be enough food so I can’t see any problems there. I would also enjoying floating about and I’d like to have a robotic friend too. I’d probably miss having random surreal conversations but I can imagine they would be more fun on my return as my mind would have turned inside out after one year in space.

11. Do you enjoy working with big names such as Microsoft, Mtv, Perrier and London Transport? What are the advantages and the disadvantages for the artist in such collaborations?
All the jobs I’ve done have been great as the companies have got in touch knowing what I do and have enjoyed my ideas. It only becomes a problem if they start coming up with ideas that they think are funny and they are not.

12. Your drawings combine your very own illustrative style with a great sense of sarcastic humour, how are people reacting when seeing your work?
I hope people enjoy the drawings but sometimes they do seem to get confused. If some people don’t get it then that’s ok and maybe I won’t get them either.

13. Do you think incorporating political and sociological elements with art makes it even more interesting,  adding a further meaning?
Art has to have meaning or does it… It should connect with the viewer and create a reaction either good or bad.

14. Are you trying to convey a message to the world through your work?
All of my work is basically my thoughts and opinions from my mind. I try not to talk about it too much as I feel the work should do the talking and not me. If it’s need me to help explain then I’ve not done it right.

15. Can you name the key of your success?
Not following trends and not copying other people. I just do my own thing and hopefully people enjoy it.

16. If you could make a wish to come true, what would it be?
I’d like to catch a mermaid.

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