Paul McClintock

_{questions: Paul McClintock (stolen from) Jo O’Brien
answers: Natalie Perkins}

How does being a creative person and pursuing your creativity affect other aspects of your life?

Creativity, and in turn creation, are at the very core of my life: my daily activities, my work, my short and long term goals. My attitude towards life is use every possible opportunity as a platform for creating something, however I think that my definition of “creativity” differs to the popular definition.

In the Red Bubble community, I’m sure there are more than a few of you who have experienced a someone using the phrase “OH! you’re so creative!” as praise. My problem with this, is that it mystifies the role of a creater (or artist) and it feels plain old redundant. My response to this kind of praise is usually “Well, of course I am. But tell me how you feel about what I have created. That’s what I’m really interested in!”

In my mind, creativity is the process of being presented with a problem and then solving it. Artists are not the only creative people in the world, indeed I’ve met creative businessmen, lawyers, bankers and sportspeople. The kind of creativity I employ deals with questions of design: line, shape, colour, perspective, scale, proportion, space, etc!

In my non-design life, I eventually relate all things back to visual-spatial elements. So if my husband, a fiscally minded man with a gift for understanding language, is explaining how to stick to our budget I will utilise colour coding and clear formatting to get the “gist” of it. Some people understandably get frustrated with my continual linking back to the elements of design, or the history of art, but I guess it’s just my way of understanding the world. I can’t really separate my need to create and other aspects of my life, because one informs and fulfils the other!

Tell us about one person or moment that has made your time on redbubble particularly special or meaningful

When I first got a bubblemail from someone who was a fan of my work (and from someone who I wasn’t related to, or friends with!) It’s pretty awesome to have people who like what you do be able to contact you and to talk with you. When I received this bubblemail I then realised – hey, those other artists that I admire on Red Bubble – I can talk to them too!!

It’s this level of interaction that sets Red Bubble far apart from all the other artists’ communities that I have been a member of. I have made some lovely friendships on this site!

Show & tell us about five works on redbubble that have moved or inspired you

Jezebel by Eveline Tarunadjaja

Floating Rabbit Kills Thousands by ghostpatrol

And the mother said by martinz

untitled by braidy

In Bloom by Shannon Crees

So, what is it about paisley that rocks so hard?

I like paisley as a symbol that can speak the story of many symbols. The paisley pattern is so named for the Scottish town of Paisley, which started manufacturing textiles featuring the emblem. Originally developed in Persia, it was styled on fig, palm, pine and cypress trees and known by many words: boteh, buta and carrey. Some people thought the symbol imbued the wearer with eternal life, and it decorated crowns and capes of royalty. Soldiers returning from war to Scotland in the 19th century brought home shawls and other items from India, and the pattern was so popular that I guess the textile manufacturers in Paisley decided to start making their own.

I find it interesting that the symbol enjoyed great popularity from the 1500s, but the name it has today was given by a rather late manufacturer. It’s interesting how our relationships with things are influenced by the last most memorable thing that happened. Previous histories can be squashed and made very hard to find. Most people who look at my drawings are prompted to remember the 70s (if they were around to enjoy it!) and aren’t aware of the history that pre-dates even them!

I also like paisley because there are so many variations on the theme. I think I could spend the next 10 years exploring them to the exclusion of most other representational forms. There’s a world in lines and shapes, and as I explore that world I find more time to reflect and meditate on the other things in my real life.

My own personal battle with paisley is a sort of rebellion against the ongoing injury I suffer in my wrist and shoulder from working as a graphic designer. I am drawn to it, and drawn into it, in spite of the pain.

Thanks Natalie! Especially for the insight into paisley!
Remember Natalie is now obliged to share the love and interview two more bubblers, so watch her journal intently.