5 MINUTES WITH GREG STRAIGHT

Kia ora and welcome back!

This week I was fortunate enough to interview Auckland based illustrator, artist and surfer - Greg Straight.  For those who don't know who Greg is, I'm pretty sure you would have seen his work around the motu (country), as Greg's collaborated with some of the worlds top brands including McDonalds and Nespresso - and more recently, Warner Music and Ed Sheerans NZ tour. 

Along with the commercial gigs, Greg also sells fine art prints in his online store and it was this work that caught my eye roughly 4 years ago.  I was instantly struck by the nature (specifically ocean) themes running through his work and love the pops of colour and elements of Kiwiana as well.  Without giving too much away I reckon Greg tell's the story better so put the kettle on and settle in.

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Who is Greg Straight?

I'm a sea lover and keen surfer.  I'm a dad to Chloe (11) and Leo (7) and husband to Hannah - who curates the online art store, Duett Design.  By day I work on commercial illustrations and design for companies big and small, based here in NZ and overseas.  I consider myself an artist, illustrator and graphic designer and live and work from home in sunny Beach Haven on the North Shore of Auckland.  Life is good and always seems busy, but, I kind of like it that way.  We also live with 2 pets, a dog called Millie and Pebbles the cat.

Greg In his element - Photo by PhotoCPL

What's your art backstory?

I can't really remember how old I was when I first started drawing, probably about 3 or 4.  I basically started and never stopped. 

Through my school years I excelled in art and after high school I enrolled at Elam, majoring in painting and experimented with printmaking.  Once graduated, I had trouble turning my art training into a viable income, so after a few years trying different things I decided to do a computer and design course at AUT, which I totally sucked at.  Somehow I managed to bag a design position in the marketing department at The Warehouse HQ, where I stayed for a couple of years before doing my OE to the UK. 

I spent 6 years living and working as a freelance graphic designer in London and this is where I met Hannah.  We got together and partied hard for a few years before returning to NZ to get married, buy a house and start a family etc.  Along with the new responsibilities, we decided that I’d better get my shit together and get a full-time job!  A job came up (which seemed like a sensible move) and I stayed at this uncreative design position for a staggering 7.5 years.  During this time I gradually built up some freelance graphic design work and started to get illustration projects.  This meant lots of late nights working, but, I gradually cut down my hours at the full-time job until eventually I took the plunge and quit.  I also ventured back to my fine art roots and started making artwork again. 

I’ve been self-employed now for almost four years, Hannah and I formed GS Studio last year.  This is an ‘umbrella’ company that covers my illustration work, my art sales and Hannah’s business Duett Design.  She’s helped me grow the business, taking care of administrative work, accounts and the websites and together we are pretty focused on getting it to the next level.  I’m about to be represented by an international agency called Illustration Ltd who represent illustrators globally and have offices in London and New York – exciting!

Warner Music gig

What is drawing/illustrating to you?

A form of self-expression, a creative outlet and a way of doing something I love while feeding my family.  Getting back into drawing and making art was one of the best things I have ever done.  It wasn’t easy at first and it’s been a long journey to get to this point, but you have to start somewhere and that’s often pen or pencil on paper. 

Letting it all out - Photo by Allan Wrath

Whats your favourite thing about what you do?

Working from home is pretty awesome and doing something I love - making art and illustrating every day and not having a boss (except the wife)!  Also spending more time with my kids is really nice. I get to work with some pretty cool people on some amazing and large projects.  I love having time at the beach surfing when everyone else is working 9-5.

Greg at home / Source - Homestolove

Hannah & Greg / Source - EndemicWorld

What and or who inspires you?

Inspiration is everywhere - on a trip to the beach, the tui in the trees outside, and looking at other artists and illustrators work on Instagram.  I'm slightly obsessed with IG and am following some incredibly talented people.  I see their work and it lights a little fire inside me and I think... stop watching Netflix and pick up that bloody pencil!  You've got to keep trucking-on and pushing yourself to try and create more. 

Gregs office

Any advice for people pursuing a career in your field?

Stick with it!  It's definitely not an easy ride, but, if you want it badly enough and stick at it you can do it - anything is possible!  There will be a lot of late nights, working weekends and sacrifices you have to make along the way (and nightmare clients with very limited budgets and ridiculous deadlines).  I've had two projects over the past few months where the deadline has been one day, and another illustration job that was two days from pencil sketch to finished vector artwork - stressful.  Also, get a good accountant and never use Comic Sans!

'Three feet and Rising' / open edition print - Photo by Ant Green

Any other passions in life?

Art, design, and surfing are my main ones and skateboarding occasionally.  I’ve got a couple of new surfboards and had an incredible summer of waves, it was the best summer to live in Auckland with both coasts firing most of the time.  I also love spending time with my family and friends.  My kids really are my life and we have a lot of fun together.  A bit of sunshine, BBQ with the family and friends and a cold beer in my hand after a morning of waves is pretty much my perfect day.  I couldn’t be happier.

Perfect days - Photo by PhotoCPL

4 facts about you that not a lot of people know?

I've never set foot in a gym in my life.

I hate sport and have no interest in Rugby, sometimes I even lie about seeing the game.

I was born in the UK and emigrated to NZ when I was 9.  I never became an NZ citizen and still, travel on an English passport (must sort that out soon!)

I worked at Georgie Pie for four years part-time! I was given the nick-name Pieman from my surfing friends and still get called that today!

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For me there's a couple of things I really love about these interviews; 1. it's a chance to get to know the people I look up to a bit better and; 2. it's really motivating to hear what inspires and drives them to do what they do!  Greg's an artist through and through and the fact he makes a living practicing his craft every day is such an inspiration.  I know it's not easy leaving the 7-5 (I was a shearer for a decade) world to simply do what you love, so I take a lot from Greg and others like him - kudos my man!!!  Oh yeah and the surfing when everyone else is at work is pretty cool and something I can relate too - when there's surf.

Anyway, that's it for this week.  I'm thinking of doing a giveaway for my next blog so let me know in the comments what image you'd love to win and I'll look at chucking it in the mix.  

Ma te wa ✌️

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