PARIS HAIR
July 23rd, 2004 by susanna
Neil McFarland will be dazzling Art Trail visitors with some live art painting alongside his old school chum Pinky. We quizzed him on his alter-ego Paris Hair…
What do you do?
‘I animate, illustrate, paint and write. I would prefer to call myself a cartoonist as it is the comic/cartoon aesthetic that has always informed my work.’
How did you get to where you are today?
‘I took a wrong turn at the crossroads of fate, I should have been a scientist.’
What do you mean?
‘I had the choice of doing science or art based A levels and chose art. It’s probably for the best, really, as I would have no doubt used my knowledge to develop WMD.’
How did you get involved with Pete Fowler aka Monsterist?
‘I got involved with Pete because all British cartoonists seek each other out. We’re collaborating on a book – a guide to the Woodland on Monsterism Island, a place Pete and I are exploring and opening up for the world to see. It’s very exciting. All Pete’s characters are from there, it’s really a wonderful place.’
What got you involved with The Big Chill?
‘Simple, I was asked to participate.’
What are you planning to do at The Big Chill this year?
‘This year I will be creating a huge painting of love with my old school collaborator Pinky. We have worked together many times in the past and hope to spend the three days creating something really special for those interested enough to come and watch us work. There is a lot of freeform live painting going on now across Europe and the whole world, almost a circuit, it’s a vibrant scene that we have contributed to over the years and hope to demonstrate its appeal at the Chill.’
What do you think to the Art Trail?
‘The Art Trail is a great idea because these festivals need as much going on as possible and the idea of confronting art in this environment seems to suit it perfectly. People will be in a naturally open state of mind and ready to be pleasured by what the art has to offer.’
Are there certain aspects of outdoor art which are difficult to handle?
‘The weather is crucial, other than that, on a legal project like this there is nothing to worry about!’
Have you been to The Big Chill before? What’s your impression of it?
‘I went twice at to the ones held at Larmer Tree Gardens. I thought it was chilled.’
What are your current plans in work or otherwise?
‘I am currently completing a 10 minute animation for the forthcoming Mixmasters series on ITV and I’ve just finished the aforementioned book which will be illustrated by Pete Fowler.’
Paris Hair’s book ‘We Are Animals’ is available from Knee High Media. A link to Knee High Media exists on Paris Hair’s website.
Check Paris Hair and Pinky’s painting up the Art Trail at Eastnor 2004
