James Cartwright: An Introduction

Our new intern James Cartwright is a man of many identities. Illustrator, editor, zine-specialist, bearded. There’s loads more too we’ll probably find out about over the coming weeks, but suffice to say he’s one talented chap. Ahead of his inaugural post, we asked him to bear his soul a little.

How do you explain what you do to your parents?

I tell them I’m making the big bucks in the big city – they seem to be ok with that.

Who do you look like?

Right now I’m not sure, but a few years ago I looked a lot like Justin Lee Collins. A friend of mine met him at Paddington once and told him she had a friend that was his doppelgänger. He agreed to say that we were brothers if he was ever asked. Justin, if you’re reading this, who’s your brother?

Did your education count?

If I hadn’t done a degree I ‘d have spent three years staring out of windows pensively, trying to draw everything hyper-real and working in a bar. Thankfully I barely stare out of windows now, my sketchbooks are really scrappy and I haven’t had a bar job for almost three years. Thank you education.

What’s the best mistake you have ever made?

There was an awkward moment in an interview for a BA where I was discussing my dislike for somebody’s work. It later emerged that he was a tutor on the course I was applying for. I didn’t get in.

When did you realise that this is what you were good at?

I’m not really sure what I’m good at. I’m still working that one out.

What rules do you live by?

Don’t piss people off. Much.

What makes your day?

Getting everything done that I need to get done. It doesn’t happen as often as I’d like, but when it does it feels real good.

What did you want to be when you were growing up?

A plumber named Alan. Alan was a real plumber I knew when I was about five, he always had good sandwiches for lunch. Good sandwiches were my primary concern in 1993.

What one thing would you like to be remembered by/for?

My fantastic baking skills. Not many men are remembered for that. Except Mr Kipling.

What’s your favourite combination?

Caramel and salt.

What’s the funniest thing you have EVER seen?

Something that a good friend of mine once did in his sleep. Recounting it here would break my rule to live by though, so let your imagination run wild.