Rude Gal Of the Week- Robin Clare

Wah Gowon People?
Time for some Monday motivation!
Robin Clare is an illustrator/ artist based in Sydney whose work is colorful vibrate and represents her Jamaican roots. Many of her drawings are heavily inspired by Dancehall music and culture which happens to be an important part of my everyday life. 
Her work depicts Jamaican Culture in a fun, vibrant and sometimes a little controversial way and has been seen around the world. She’s also collaborated with some of the coolest company’s like Stussy and Dance JA.
I got the chance to ask her some questions about her day to day life as an illustrator and what inspires her.
You can check out more of her work on her website wwww.robinclare.com
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1. Can you describe what a typical  day in your work life would be like?

Well I try to treat my job as a 9-5 thing. Although in reality it's more like 8-7 on a good day thing haha. My typical day starts when I wake up I'll answer emails and such over coffee. I then try to fit in an aerobic workout, although a lot of my work requires me to be on my feet hovering over my desk or easel I can often hover there for hours without leaving my studio so exercise is an important bit of my daily routine. It's also great for clearing my head. I'll then spend the rest of the day in my studio working on various projects. When I'm super busy I'll be in there till the late hours, but most days I finish up at around 6pm.

2.Besides obviously drawing some of your inspiration from Jamaican
culture is there anywhere or any thing else that inspires you?

I'm very inspired by movement and dance. Although I'm not a great dancer myself I love it as an art form and I enjoy applying my art form to it and merging the two. I also love history and anthropology and I often will use that as a starting point to approach a project whether it be looking at the history of a particular style of dance or for instance in my zine projects writing about the history of Ja music and it's cultural connections.

​3. While working on a project has anything accrued that surprised you?

Most projects have those moments where I end up surprising myself. My practice constantly evolves with the research that I do in preparation to start a new project and that can lead to my approaching my subject matter in a different way or using different materials or just using my existing techniques to explore new subjects.

"I've especially enjoyed working with DanceJa and it's founder Latonya Style, she's such a creative and motivated person, it's great when you can get that energy and vibe going."

4. You have worked with many different people/ companies on projects,
what has been your favorite so far?

I've really enjoyed them all, collaborating or being commissioned by companies has always presented great challenges and pushed me in directions I'd never have gone in otherwise. I've especially enjoyed working with DanceJa and it's founder Latonya Style, she's such a creative and motivated person, it's great when you can get that energy and vibe going.

5. How did you fall into the line of work you are in now?

I've always loved drawing and working with my hands so it was just a natural progression I suppose.

6.Is there anything that would surprise someone out side of your line
of work that occurs sometimes or that may have happened to you?

I'd say a lot of people seem to be surprised at how much discipline I have to have. I have to be very self motivated and the pressure at times can be intense when I'm working to a deadline, so time management is a very important lesson I've learned.

7. In your line of work who would you consider the "top dog" ?

There are loads of top dogs in the art world. My list of personal heroes is massive, here are a few off the top of my head - Tony McDermott, Sheppard Fairey, Ferry Gouw, Steve Powers & Mr Nurse of Nurse Signs

8. 5 years from now , where do you see yourself career wise?

Doing what I love best :)

9.Is there anything different about some of the projects you've worked
on that you would want to do differently?

Not really. Every project offers a learning opportunity. I try not to look back on projects and say what could I have done better, that will just drive a person mad. I prefer to look at them and reflect on what I learnt and how I can apply the lessons to the next projects.

10. What some advise you would give someone who aspires to do the same
thing you are doing?

Be self motivated; Use fear and uncertainty as creative fuel; Keep going.
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​-Low
All photos via www.robinclare.com and www.saatchiart.com​