13.1 / One Horse Town / Justin Poulter

What: Illustrator and entrepreneur
Where: Cape Town, South Africa
Websites: One Horse Town

History...

Both my parents are/were designers. At school I was an art nerd and didn’t really pay much attention in other classes except history. I studied graphic design at Cape Peninsula University of Technology, majoring in illustration. I started One Horse Town with Simon Berndt, who I met at college at the beginning of this year.

Work...

I am an illustrator and partner/founder/manager of One Horse Town. I love collecting old toys, frames, photographs and other antique trinkets. I also collect music and DJ occasionally too.

Learning...

Well, studying taught me a whole lot, but I've always been keen on drawing/painting and have put a lot of time into it through the years. Also, keeping tabs on other designers, illustrators, photographers and art directors has guided me along the way.

Childhood...

I was quite introverted and anti-social. This has changed since and I'm quite the opposite now. I loved surfing, skateboarding and punk rock. I still do but time evades me.

Confidence...

I think the positive response to my work from a young age was a great encouragement. The fact that my parents went the creative route was a further encouragement.

Right now...

We are currently working on posters for Gazelle’s 2010 European tour. We also have some ad jobs on the go.

Pros and cons...

I like being able to draw all day. I dislike difficult art directors but most of them are not bad at all.

Places...

I grew up in Simon's Town and Hout Bay, in Cape Town. I think the seaside town lifestyle has had a bit of an effect on me.

Encouragement...

My friends and family are very supportive of what I do.

Family...

Broken but good. Support from both sides has helped me a lot.

Collections...

Old toys, figurines, music from the 50s, B-grade grade films and vintage pictures.

Inspiration...

Blogs, books, long walks, certain friends and music.

Favourite things.

My studio, The Cramps, The Kinks, Bukowski, Mirage Magazine, old travel posters and films.

Websites...

Ffffound.com – there are lots of interesting pictures and I'm a bit obsessed.

Relaxation...

Good friends, good food, good wine, good films and mountain walks.

Admirable people...

Parra, Alejandro Jodorowsky, Xander Ferreira, Gary Taxali, Gary Baseman, David Chou and all the very talented, local illustrators I have been lucky enough to work with.

Plans for the immediate future?

Just to do as much work as possible. The more I work, the more I learn.

Dream life…

Ideally, I’d be drawing whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. A lot of travelling would be nice too. 


Advice...

Know your worth. Keep up to date with current illustrators. And I think the best advice is to draw everyday.