Artist Interview - Liam Lefr (Pt.1)
Your art is so individual with echoes of JRR Tolkien. Please tell us why you fell in love with folklore & fantasy?
- That’s quite a compliment, thank you! I have always been interested in history, my Dad would always take me to castles all around the UK as a child, I suppose that a lot of fantasy is derived from history and that’s where the interest began. I really found my love for folklore at university after meeting certain artists like Clive Hicks-Jenkins and a trip to Kraków, Poland.
Your court cards (JQKA) are unique, beautiful characters - please introduce us to some of them and the world they are from?
- Well the characters I created for the Forest Folk deck are created especially for FLICK! They are all from several imagined communities that live within a forest, all of which use magic and strive to become closer to nature. I imagine the female characters as the most magical ones, especially the Queens! My favourite is the King of Clubs AKA ‘Aurel’ as I imagine him as an artist!
HUGE congratulations on your Bachelor of Art with Honours! How much did those folk of Novea get you through University? Do you have bigger plans for them? Does the Novea clan keep growing when you least expect it?
- Thank you! Well my world Novea was actually my final year at University, so it got me through the hardest part. Creating that world was my favourite project, I enjoyed it so much, and I was very proud of the map I created of part of Novea, Tärn. I do have plans to continue fleshing out Novea, all of the characters I create are, in my mind, in that world. And I will be making more maps, I even have the paper ready, although it has been ignored for quite a few months…
How did you find the process of making cards for FLICK? We know it is not technically your first time creating cards, do check out Liam’s nod to an Old Maid card game on his Instagram!
- I found the process incredibly exciting! I could not wait to see them in game. And as always imagining the characters and seeing them come to life is always enjoyable for me.
Favourite FLICK deck, and why?
- I love Bhavya Patunjal’s Impeccable India deck, I love the style of the character illustrations, and the patterns are beautiful. I also love Sasha Lupine’s Christmas deck!
What three skills help most as an artist?
- Well, I think determination is a big one, especially if you’re wanting a career in the arts. Imagination, and patience.
Do you play any other video games?
- I do! I play The Elder Scrolls Online, a super fun fantasy MMO! I am also, which surprises a lot of people, a football fan, so I play my fair share of FIFA too!
When did you start drawing? Do you remember a particular thing/person that inspired you?
- I have drawn all my life, and it was only about 4 years ago that I started to really take it seriously and pursued a career in the arts. I am a huge Star Wars fan, I used to draw a lot of Star Wars stuff as a kid, I think also what inspired me is that most people in my family are artistic on some level, and I’m fairly competitive, so I wanted to be the best!
Your wonderfully imaginative mind conjures the most beautiful and detailed art pieces, would you say this is what you are becoming most recognised for?
- Yes, I think so. My drawings have always been detailed, even when I was a kid. I think that’s where I really enjoy myself most, when I lose myself in the details. And there is nothing more satisfying than taking a step back and seeing a finished piece that you have put a lot of detail into, it’s always worth the time!
Who was the first person you told about designing cards for FLICK?
- My girlfriend! She is very supportive and was very happy for me.
Favourite place in the world to be?
- To be honest there’s a lot of places in the world I would love to visit but I haven’t, I don’t think I have found my favourite place in the world to be just yet, I love Poland, and in general I am always happy in the woods!
Can you be a slave to social media? How important are platforms such as Instagram for artists? Any advice for aspiring artists on how to manage creating plus social media?!
- I think I can be yes, or at least feel like I should be. Social media is hugely important for artists, gaining my following on Instagram was the only thing I could do after graduating really, because of the pandemic, but it has created lots of opportunities! My work can be time consuming, therefore I can’t post every day, and I do get stressed when it has been a while since I posted. But everyone tells me that it isn’t worth stressing about, and that people who love my work will wait! I suppose I would pass that advice along.
Pt.2 coming soon….