8 Questions with Philip Mckay - ORIGINAL issue

Philip Mckay is a self-taught award-winning digital artist from Liverpool, United Kingdom. His art has been exhibited in many galleries across the world. Philip Mckay started to create surreal art when he came across the work of Belgian surrealist Rene Magritte and graphic designer storm Thorgerson, who was better known for designing music album covers for pink Floyd. Philip describes the art he creates as idiotic with scenes of unreality and imaginary places that come from his imagination.

As time went by, Philip's work started to get noticed by galleries, art publishers, and art websites. He also was contacted by a book cover publishing group to design book covers, and he has created many book covers for famous authors.

Interviewed by Mohamed Benhadj.

philipmckayart.com | @phillipmckaydigitalart

Philip, before talking about your art, could you tell us about yourself? Who is Philip Mckay?  

I am a self-taught digital artist that lives in Liverpool, united kingdom. I have been creating digital art since 2008, and I have an interest in photography.

How did you decide to pursue a career in digital art?

Before creating digital art, I was interested in outdoor photography, mainly coastal and long exposures. For many years, I traveled to different places and took photos of coastlines close to where I live and places afar. It was delightful doing photography and the traveling that was involved, also visiting various sites for the first time. I liked the tranquility of being at the sea and coast. There came a time when things changed for me, as coastal photography did not seem to be the same anymore. I just lost interest. The enjoyment and passion were lost.

I still carried on doing photography, but I never took it as seriously. I needed a change or maybe a rest from taking coastal photos. I never did any photography for months. In the meantime, I was looking at other photographers' websites and art websites. It was then; I came across the art of Belgian surreal artist Rene Magritte and graphic designer Storm Thorgerson. That is when I entered the world of digital art.

What inspired you from the surrealist Rene Magritte and the graphic designer Storm Thorgerson?

Before I started photography and digital art, I was familiar with the work of Storm Thorgerson.

Being a big Pink Floyd fan, I would look at the art that he created for album covers, mainly Pink Floyd. That led me to dig deeper into his art history.

He formed his own art company called "hipgnosis," who created the most brilliant art that I have seen. I dug deeper into the art hipgnosis created. The art that storm Thorgerson and "hipgnosis" created had a significant influence on me, and that was the direction I was heading for in the art world. It was the madness and surrealism that attracted me to art hipgnosis' art.

There are a lot of surreal artists past and present, and what I like about his work is that he paints simple everyday life with added surrealism. I admire how he combines simple objects and turn them into a surreal scene. When I did come across his art, I was influenced by what I saw. Rene Magritte, along with Storm Thorgerson, changed my direction and led me on the path to creating digital art.

What do you see as the strengths of your pieces, visually or conceptually?  

I think conceptually because of the amount of work I put into my art. It can take me a week to finish. Before I create an artwork, I always work around the title. The title comes first. Then after that, I have to plan out how it will look with rough ideas I create.

Can you give an example of a digital collage that you have made that you feel especially successful? Will you walk us through the process a bit, and talk about how and why you ended up with the result that pleases you?

There are a couple of works that I am pleased with, including the artwork that I will choose, which is one that means so much to me, and it is called "staring at the sea."

I love this artwork, and it is about me. The story came about when I was doing coastal photography long before digital art entered my life.

Doing low light long exposure coastal photography is a lonely experience. I take photos of about two hours before it goes dark. The beach is empty, and everyone has gone home—just me on the beach taking photos in low light. Everywhere is so silent as the dark clouds gather, and the night sets in. I wanted to capture that atmospheric mood and tranquility and create it in digital art.  

Before I start to create the artwork as always, I have the title; also, it has to be atmospheric, and the mood has to be the same, just like the lonely evenings on the beach. The finished piece is perfect and exactly how I want it with the lone figure representing me on an empty beach staring at the sea. This artwork sold well for me not only for the visual side of it also for the story behind it. 

Today, the world is facing the pandemic COVID-19. What is a typical day like for you? How do you continue doing your art under these circumstances?

Since the COVID-19 virus pandemic started, I have had more time to create art and catch up on things that I never got around to do also finish unfinished work from months ago. I am reading more about art, also experimenting with different ways I can improve my art. I am working with textures and creating 3d shapes.

Yes, I do get very bored because I do like to get out and take photos to add them to my artwork. I love taking photos of clouds in different formations to add to my art, but sadly I can't because of the lockdown here in the UK.

What advice can you give to beginning artists?  

Never give up, work hard, and analyze the advice given to you. When I first started to create digital art, things never went to plan. I did not give up. I listened to the critics, and I worked hard—fantastic valuable advice I got given.

Are you working on any project that we will be able to see soon?  

Due to COVID-19 lockdown, I am spending time finishing a backlog of unfinished artwork that has been lying there for months. I want to get that finished while I have time on my hands, also art galleries, and the art world is tranquil since the COVID-19 outbreak. Once we get the all-clear and life goes back to normal, I will probably start on a new project and create original art.