Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do. I’m an illustrator and printmaker who lives in Helsinki, Finland.

What are some recent, upcoming or current projects you are working on? I’m currently putting a lot more time and energy into printmaking. I just ran a workshop and exhibited at the Druck Screen Print festival in Berlin on the 13-14th of August, and doing a month long residency in Amsterdam at AGA in October.

What is one of the bigger challenges you and/or other designers are struggling with these days and how do you see it developing? Where to start? One of the biggest is certainly shrinking budgets. Being asked to work for a big company for shit pay is insulting and does no one any favours. If I think about how this is developing then I feel gloomy indeed.

How did your interest in art or design begin? I can pinpoint it exactly. Seeing a poster of Dali’s Soft Construction with Boiled Beans on my secondary school’s art room wall. I was so transfixed by this image that I made a copy of it in watercolours. Wish I still had it.

How has living in Helsinki affected your practice? I’d say that Helsinki has formed me as an artist. It’s pretty quiet here — at least in comparison with London and Berlin where I’ve also lived. This has allowed me mental space to develop, though I’m often frustrated at the lack of opportunity here.

What materials do you use in your work and what is your process like? My process is a fair 50/50 split between computer and analog. My main materials are pencil, various pens, air brush, gouache and printing techniques.

Tell us a joke. All my jokes are visual.

What artists or designers are you interested in right now? I just saw the Duane Hanson show at the Serpentine in London which reminded me of just how stunning his work is and that it has perhaps been an unconscious influence. I’m fascinated by all the little details in his work and feel they evoke the period in which they were produced so powerfully. Probably not his focus but true nonetheless.

What is your snack of choice when working in your studio? Snack would have to be a voisilmä which is a sweet bun with a dollop of butter and sugar in the centre. Hits the spot every time.

What are you listening to right now? Actress – DJ Kicks. The best mix I’ve heard in a long long time.

Can you share one of the best or worst reactions you have gotten as a result of your work? I had a regular illustration gig with an up-market women’s magazine which was a bit of a strange fit. Once the Art Director said that my illustration of reclining lady was freakish. He was probably right. The relationship didn’t last.