Meet Decoy, the self-proclaimed “artist with a passion for being kick-ass!” Decoy is responsible for the mural occupying our ground floor coworking space. Check out the video below to see Decoy in action at The Tara Building back in 2018, shot and edited by talented Tara member Alex Foster.
We caught up with Decoy recently to find out how his work has been going since then, and to get some advice for fellow creatives who may be struggling right now.
Why do you do what you do?
Painting as a vocation is very rewarding for me. I look back only 6 months ago and see how my skill or style has progressed. This gives me a sort of personal satisfaction that is vital for my well-being. I hope to show this in my work through my own visual language. I’m trying to give fun to the viewer of my art.
How has covid impacted your approach to your work?
There have been many ups and downs during this time.
At first, it gave me some time to focus on a personal style that suited me. This was good. The first summer of Covid was busy for me and I sort of just surfed this wave. Towards December I decided to take a break and reassess my artistic direction. Because of the last lock down a good few opportunities were delayed or canceled. This was a bit of a struggle as everything seemed to stop/start.
Things have picked up a little now but I am cautiously optimistic!
Any tips for people struggling from creative block during isolation?
And if that doesn’t work – then just keep on drawing.
What are you working on right now?
All sorts of ideas. Soon to be painting at the Dun Laoghaire Street art Festival ‘Anseo’. Looking like it’s going to be a great festival full of friends and fellow painters. Lots of colour and activity. Big lifts and buckets of roller paint!
I have ideas for more cat-inspired artworks as well. And aside from this just some smaller private commissions in people’s gardens.
If you had one piece of cheesy life advice to give, what would it be?
Curiosity never killed creativity!
