‘You’ve got to dance to the beat of your own drum’

Some people notice things that others do not; they look at the world in a different way. And these people, it seems, often go on to become artists – sharing their viewpoints and works of imaginative wonder with others. Luke Edward Hall is one of these people. The London-based artist told us more about his practice, and we hung on his every word:

Where did you love of creating stem from?
I’ve always been drawing, always making things. As a child, I remember designing dresses one minute and water-powered cars the next. At college I did a bit of photography, some fine art and graphic design too – I loved dabbling in different disciplines, and I still do.

What inspires you and your work?
I find inspiration in lots of places – the English countryside, history, novels, music… Travelling always inspires me too – I especially love going to Italy – the architecture, the people, the landscape, the food… All very inspiring… I look to the past a lot too because I’m a bit of a romantic.

You’re at a dinner party and someone asks, ‘what do you do’? How would you describe your day-to-day life?
It’s always a tricky one! I do lots of different things and it can be a bit hard to explain. I usually say that I’m an artist and designer, working on commissions and my own drawings and paintings and ranges of fabrics and ceramics.
You’ve been involved in some exciting collaborations.

Do you enjoy the process of working collaboratively?
I do! At the moment I’m working with a company who make lacquered furniture and another one who make brilliant hand-painted table linens. It’s really fun collaborating with people who are experts at what they do.

What have been some of your biggest career highlights to date?
So far, I’d say working with Burberry on their spring/summer 2016 campaign and the installations we created inside their shops. When I first set up my studio at the end of 2015 I produced a big set of illustrations for a hotel in Palm Springs, California, which was also lots of fun.

Which artists have inspired you most?
I’m a big fan of Cecil Beaton, William Morris, Andy Warhol, the Bloomsbury Group… People whose work spanned lots of different disciplines – from set and interior design to fabric design, ceramics and painting. I like working in this way, so these people have always been very inspirational.

Tell us about your working space, do you surround yourself with colour and stimulus or do you keep things minimal? And, does your home interior differ to your studio’s style?
Yes I do – my studio walls are painted bright pink and I’m surrounded by my bits and pieces. I have a giant pin board covered in letters, postcards and cuttings from magazines, piles of books, jugs of flowers, scraps of fabric, bits of old furniture and boxes of tools and materials. It’s important for me to have all of my lovely things around me. My studio is probably a bit more chaotic than my home, but the style is pretty much the same. Lots of colour and pattern.

What colours are you most enthused by at the moment?
Lilac and gold!

What are your tips for bringing more colour into your life?
Don’t be afraid – I think people can sometimes find the idea of introducing colour into their homes intimidating. Try painting or wallpapering a small room to begin with, perhaps. Remember you can always paint over a colour if you end up not liking it.

What advice would you give someone who hopes to follow similar creative pursuits to your own?
Try lots of things out, experiment, make things and have fun! When I was working full-time as an interior designer I was also producing my own fabrics and drawing every single day. I think it’s important to not just talk about your hopes and plans, but to get out there and make your ideas happen. I also think it’s very important to talk and listen to other people, but mainly to follow your heart. You’ve got to dance to the beat of your own drum.

What’s coming up next for you, Luke?
I’m working on a few fun projects and collaborations here in London that will be launching in the autumn. I’m also starting to work towards putting on a solo show of drawings. Summer is approaching, so I’m planning trips to Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast which I’m very excited about because they’re two of my favourite places to visit.