French has been pushing the boundaries of skateboard art. Richard ‘French’ Sayer, renowned artist, illustrator and art director, has captivated audiences worldwide with his distinctive and edgy artistic style. French’s artwork blends elements of skateboarding culture, Black Metal music, 80’s VHS horror artwork, and skate graphics. We caught up with the artist on the eve of Volcom Garden Experience in Bristol to get the lowdown on his creative process.
Can you tell us a bit about your artistic journey and how you became interested in illustration and graphics?
I was also into drawing and making art when I was kid, I think that comes from my Mum. She has always painted, drawn, made stained glass and super into gardening. She also worked at an Art College in the 80’s and 90’s and I used to go to work with her when I has days off school and I was always super keen to see the art students work and give it a go myself. I think that combined with my brothers love for Warhammer, D&D, Fighting Fantasy, 2000AD and Heavy Metal, it all spiked me into seeing all the artwork and inspired me to make stuff myself. I wasn’t any good at reading and writing, so I think making art was more the thing I swayed towards. Once I started skating I just loved all the graphics and design involved and I wanted to see and do more myself. I loved old Santa Cruz and Zorlac boards and my brother was always showing me sick metal album and fantasy art. I guess I just kept going from there.
You were deeply influenced by skateboarding culture and Metal music. How have these influences shaped your artistic style?
I mean, skating has really change my life, not just with art, but with my whole attitude towards life and metal is pretty much all I listen to. I don’t want my work to be a rip off of metal album artwork or look like any skate artwork in any one era, but I know it has a nod to certain eras of both metal and skate graphics. You can’t be that into something and not soak it up and splurge it out in your artwork. I like to mix up influences and ways of working and try to make something thats mine and fun. I think thats what I like most about both skate design and metal artwork, its fun, raw and often very DIY.
Your illustrations can be found across various industries, from music album covers to skateboards and clothing apparel. How do you adapt your style to suit different mediums and industries?
I think so, every job is different and every client has a different need and intention for the artwork they ask to be created so I would like to think I work hard to give them something that works for them but at the same time keeping it very ‘me’. I guess thats why I get asked, is cos clients want it to look like my style.
How did your collaboration with Volcom come about?
I’m not really sure. I did some shirt and stuff for Volcom in the states in about 2010 and the again around 2012/13. But it really kicked in a few years ago when I started to work with Helene at Volcom in France and we work on the ‘Featured Artists’ stuff. It was super fun to come up with ideas and work them out, then make an event and murals exhibitions. Its been like a little festival every time I get to make a series of artworks.
When did you realise you could make a career out of your art?
I haven’t realised it yet!! I wouldn’t say I have ever considered this a career, that implies something negative to me, like its something you hate, like working in a bank or digging graves in the rain. Without sounding like an idiot, this is just what I do. I don’t make millions, but I survive from my art but even if this wasn’t my ‘career’ I would still be making art. I’m just fortunate enough that the energy I’ve invested in work has gotten me to a place where brands, companies, galleries all see something in my artwork that they can sell and help me to make a living from it. I wouldn’t say I’m lucky ‘cos I’ve worked really hard to carve my own path and I’ve always tried to stay on a positive level with it, even when works tough and money is low, its still better than any real job. But the hard work has been so much fun, I love what I do and I’m stoked I get to meet so many rad people and go to so many places with my artwork. Other than making art all I’ve done is work in skate shops and then most of the time I was standing at the counter drawing in a sketch book.
Which piece of work has given you the most satisfaction in producing?
The next one I make.
As an artist who has exhibited both solo and in group exhibitions worldwide, can you share some of the highlights of your exhibition experience?
I really love group shows, cos you get to meet so many other artists and interesting people. I was always really hyped on the group exhibitions at the ’Scion Gallery’ in LA. I was super excited to curate a show and get to ask some of my favourite artists and friends to come and take part. Scion flew the artists from all over the world to the show.
I think as well taking part in the ’Side Effects Of Urthane’ exhibitions in London in the early 2000s was super good. Meeting Marcus Oakley really shaped my idea of what sort of artist and person I’d like to be and that I’d like to follow illustration. Marcus is a very exceptional artist, person and mentor, he really helped me so much.
With your extensive experience in the fields of illustration and graphics, what advice would you give to aspiring artists who are just starting their career
Follow what you know and love. It’s great to take inspiration from others, but always be true to yours and what you love and what you want to do. Disregard trends, take advice and never stop experimenting with what you do. Make friends and have fun. But most of all, just keep making.
How do you stay inspired and motivated in such a dynamic and ever-changing industry?
By making sure that my work is developing and changing, no matter how slow and by so little. I think its important to look at what others are doing, have done and make sure you have an interest in other things. I think whats helped me so much in the past 5 years is returning to painting and experimenting with media. Airbrush, paper, fabric, neon paint, ink, making my drawing looser than it was. Maybe the key is fun.
Skateboarders often seek out unique and challenging spots to ride. Can you share some of the most memorable travel destinations you’ve explored for skateboarding, and what made them stand out?
I’ve been all over, travelled to so many random spots to skate. Once Grim, Rich Gilligan, the Ox and I drove to Limerick to skate a full pipe in a concrete factory. Actually come to think of that, it was the day after we got busted by the police for skating a tranny way in a sewage farm near Dublin. I once drove from Seattle to Longmont, Colorado to skate a mini ramp cos it had a parking block from a 7/11 for coping at my friend Dave Fullers house. In fact all this winter I drove 120mile round trip every Tuesday to skate a curb in a carpark with my friend Munt cos its the best spot in the world.
What city do you find most inspiring and why?
Melbourne. It’s just the best vibe, good people, lots going on music and art wise. Anything you want to skate you can find there. Its great to ride a bike around and you can get out to country side and its just where I feel most at home. You get all the weathers, but not too cold.
How has traveling as a skateboarder and an artist broadened your perspective and enriched your understanding of the world?
I think travelling in general makes you broaden your perspective. I think the best think I have realised is there is no weird or odd. Cultures, ways of living and ways of thinking are very different everywhere. None are wrong, none are right, its just different and as long as you accept it and go with the flow and try to keep a sense of humour you can grow from it. When I moved to Germany I found the paper work and rules side really hard to work out and live with but as soon as I accepted it and laughed at it I could see some of the reason for it. I mean the English could learn a lot from the organisation of the Germans and the Germans could learn a lot from the disorder of the UK.
Are there any upcoming projects or collaborations that you are particularly excited about? Can you give us a sneak peek into what’s next for French?
There’s news DEATHRITES stuff coming out soon, a Dungeon / Lovenskate Collaboration, a shirt I did for Raw Cult the punk band The Exploited, more stuff for Heroin skateboard and I’m always working on paintings.
What soundtrack do you work to?
Depends on the day of the week. I listen to Motorhead everyday and at the moment a lot of Wishbone Ash. This is my current guide to what I’ve been listening to (band name first) :
MÄLHEÜR – NOCTURNAL FORCES
ATLAIN – living in the Dark
Disembody – Reigniting Hellfire
Hellcrash – Demonic Assignation
CRYPT DAGGER – FROM BELOW
BLACKEVIL – FOREVER BAPTISED IN ETERNAL FIRE
Evil Angel – Unholy Fight for Metal
Hexorcist – Evil Reaping Death
Crossspitter – demo
Diabolic (USA) – Supreme Evil
FRENCH – PUSHING THE BOUNDARIES OF SKATEBOARD ART
