DANIEL FROST
Daniel Frost is an award-winning Illustrator based in London, who graduated from the Royal College of Art in 2010. His work draws inspiration from the magical, weird and wonderful to create strange and playful characters (usually caught in a moment of action). His practice includes both 2D image-making and 3D objects which are all coherent with his playful imagination.
Where did you grow up? What was it like?
I grew up in the midlands in a small town called Rugeley. The town itself is quite boring, but it was really great growing up their as you kind of had to be a little more inventive with how you had fun. It also has some really strange characters who live/lived their who still provide a lot of inspiration for my work.
What are you up to at the moment?
At the moment, I’m currently preparing for a stamp-making workshop that I will be conducting at gallery in Sweden. Alongside that I have a few illustration commission that I’m working on and will be out soon. I also have and on-going project called FROSTVILLE, which I started at the beginning of this year. Its a fictional town that’s I’m in the process of building in both 2-D and 3-D. I’m really excited about it and I have some big plans for it. I think that’s going to be great to see it develop.
What inspires you?
It’s quite difficult to say where my inspiration comes from, because l’m inspired by lots of things. I’m always amazed by the kind of inspiration that you get when you are not looking for it and as I’m quite keen on drawing when I’m out and about I often find myself being inspired by a small idea that I have in my sketchbook. But If I was to say one thing in particular I find myself being most inspired by my friends, family and strangers.
Where abouts in London do you live and why?
At the moment I reside in a small one bed flat on Chatsworth road in Clapton, which also doubles as my studio, so it’s pretty packed with stuff. But the road that I live on is amazing, it’s nice and quiet and away from the madness of the city, without being too far. It also has some really nice cafes as well as a cool toyshop and has an amazing Sunday market. It feels like living in a town with in a city, so it’s the best of both worlds really.
Where’s your favourite place in the city?
In a vast city like London it’s quite hard to narrow down what my favorite areas are as I have many favorite spots but for different reasons. But to name a few; I like the Barbican Centre, because of its old futuristic atmosphere, Jermyn Street is brilliant for window-shopping, Arnold Circus because it’s quiet and peaceful, and the Museum of Childhood because it inspires me.
How does living in London inform your work?
I think London is a fascinating place to live, there’s such a rich source of inspiration here that grows every day you live here. But I think it’s mainly the characters that I encounter and their stories that inspire me the most.
What are your plans for the future?
I have a lot of plans for the future. But most of all I would like to work more on FROSTVILLE to develop some ideas I have and to push it further. I feel that I have only just scratched the surface with it so far, so I would love to develop it.
I would also like to make some toys, books and maps too, but I think they will also be products that stem from the FROSTVILLE project.
What makes a true Londoner?
I think anyone can become a true Londoner, that’s the beauty of London – its richness in culture.
I think anyone can become a true Londoner, that’s the beauty of London - its richness in culture.
l'm inspired by lots of things
