APART FROM BEING successful international artists, there are few things that The Cranberries, Prince and Kate Bush have in common.
One thing that ties them all together, however, is the fact that they’ve each been drawn by Irish artist Jacob Stack.
After graduating from Limerick School of Art and Design in 2012, Stack has been “extremely fortunate” to work with some of his favourite acts, such as Ham SandwicH, The Gloaming and The Eskies. “Some of the are a bit of a dream really,” he says.
Below, Jacob chatted us through nine of his favourite works, from the most difficult to the pieces that came with ease…
I think the most difficult piece was actually working on this. It was more of a mental barrier working with such an iconic band from when I was growing up, and knowing the size of the fan base too I got quite nervous about it!
The video for The Gloaming was a new kind of challenge as well. I hadn’t recorded a process video of a drawing from start to finish before. There were a few practice runs. I think it was the third attempt at it that I got the full video. There were a few mishaps along the way. Again, there was the surrealness of working with a band that I’m a massive fan of! Also, I find it’s great music to draw to.
Working with We Cut Corners (another band I was a fan of before working with them) was a different challenge again. It was a great, fun weekend spent drawing while some of the process was being projected over them.
The perhaps easier pieces to work on would be the ones of Bowie, Prince, Kate Bush and Seu Jorge. There wasn’t pressure as they weren’t commissions, they were just drawn in the sketchbook while listening to them.. The fact that they have such striking, unique looks, it’s simple to communicate who you’re drawing with one or two colours.
This ‘Golden Age of Radio’ piece is a favourite, too. It’s personal piece, and I enjoy getting lost in those more detailed pieces. Josh has long been a favourite artist, so his music and excellent lyrics with powerful imagery have been knocking around my head for a while. There are nods to several albums, songs, album covers, and lyrics hidden away.
The record cover for Hedge School’s album Magnificent Birds came together quickly. It was great meeting up for a cuppa with Patrick Barrett and we had a great chat about it.
He didn’t have any specifics in mind, but by the end of the pot of tea I had a clear idea of how it should end up. There was a less clear thumbnail sketch scribbled out, which Pat was kind enough to go along with and trust it would work out. It was a bit of a thrill getting to see record and cover all printed and pressed and on the shelves of Tower Records.
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