Artist Interview: Phillipp Igumnov
Phillip Igumnov is an artist and a student living in Russia. I’ve seen his work popping up around the internet for a while, without knowing anything about the artist behind it. I love his imaginative collages, and whimsical drawings, and I especially love that he is so prolific simply because he enjoys making art. You can check out his work on his flickr stream.
When did you first start making collages?
About three years ago.
What are your favorite tools to work with?
I like to use noisy textures and old photographs
What inspires you?
Music inspires me more than anything else. I especially like slow and soft music like Sad Souls and Saycet.
What are some of your favorite things about living in Russia?
I dont know. First of all, I like it here because it’s where I was born. I’ve never been to other countries, and so I have nothing to compare Russia with.
Is being an artist your full time job?
No, right now I don’t have a job. I’m a student and I study economics. Sometimes I have one-time jobs. Eventually, I’d like to work in the advertising and pr sphere.
What are three things you never leave the house without?
I think it’s keys, money and underwear
Why do you make art? What, if anything do you hope to accomplish with it?
I just like to do it, nothing else. It calms me
Can you walk us through your creative process?
Okay, first I will get an idea for a new picture. Then, I think about what it can look like. It can be a drawing or a collage. If it should be a drawing, I’ll draw it on paper and then scan into the computer. If it’s a collage, I’ll search for the pictures I need with google or in my own archives. After that I make color corrections and add some masks. The picture is done.
How long does it usually take you to complete a collage or drawing?
Well, usually it takes about 5 hours, but sometimes it’s quicker. If it’s a collage, it depends on what pictures I have and what pictures I need to find. If it’s a drawing, it depends on my pen (if it’s broken, I will need to go to the shop and get another) and probably mood
