I came accross Mr. Mermaid’s website by accident while looking for vector design. He have an extensive portfolio and nice looking artworks. I send him some questions and let see what he have to say.

Q. Tell us a little bit about your background.
A. Some say I was born in Iceland, but I’ve been here in Bermuda for as long as I remember, picking clams, dealing in small arms and now recently making illustrations.

Q. Can you describe your style?
A. Rough yet technical, part late ’90s graffiti, part graphic design, part oatmeal on the beach.

Q. Who or what have been your major influences, both in life and as an artist?
A. In life, I’d say my main role model and source of inspiration is a man by the name of Karl Pilkington. And as an artist, my influences are mostly from the graphic design world, but then there’s also a mix of contemporary british illustration and street art.

Q. Have you done any exhibition or won any awards?
A. You mean have I won any prizes for my work? Not really, no.

Q. Do you have any training in fine art? Why did you choose vector art to express yourself?
A. I have a BA degree in graphic design, and while I don’t know about vector art so much, the reason I like to work with digital media is that it’s so accessible and easy to manipulate. Both in making up for lack of skill in craftsmanship, and also just because there are so many possibilities for exploration and playing around without any real consequences.

Q. Have you done any colaboration with other artist?
A. There was some of that at art school, but for the most part I like playing by myself.

Q. Did you think there are too many graphic artists out doing the same old style, without bothering to find their own identity? What do you think make you difference from other graphic artist out there?
A. The dilemma with originality in art and design is taken far too seriously most of the time; the reality is that you are going to have influences, and it’s good to be aware of it instead of denying it and spending all your energy trying to appear original. Many people never get anything done because most of their attention is focused on trying to be original, or at least trying to make people think they’re original.

In my case, I haven’t really had any one big influence and so I think my work is fairly original, but that could also be a case of heavy duty denial right there. I really haven’t a clue.

Q. Who are some of the people you would like to meet or work with?
A. Umm… I haven’t really given that one much thought. Probably some of the current crop of UK illustrators would be fun to work with, some noodlers and doodlers.

Q. What other project that you’re involve in apart from graphic design?
A. I’m currently working on setting up an oatmeal stand on the beach here in Bermuda, to compete with the hot dog people. I’m spreading the gospel.

Website: http://benjaminmermaid.com

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