WHO? (Name, title, age)

Paul Roberts, 27

www.monstersmonsters.co.uk

WHERE? (Your home or current location)

The midlands.

WHAT? (your title, or brief job description)*

Is this where I say artist?

Can you give a brief description of what you make.

I mostly make and paint and draw monsters.

Prefered medium/tools?

Material, needle and thread, wood, pen and paper, paint.

If I come and visit you where would you take me out?*

The local pub maybe, which, in turn, isn't really that local. *where are a few of your favourite places to hang out (eat, drink, galleries, bookshops)  Theres not really a lot of "hang outs" around me, maybe Cannock Chase the forrest up the road thats real nice. As for galleries go to Studio 4 at the Custard factory in Birmingham.

What are you currently listening to, reading or watching?* I've been listening to a fair bit of Minus the Bear again recently, i'm always listening to some music or other. I'm reading a book called Slaughterhouse 5 by Kurt Vonnegut and i've been watching a film called Wristcutters.

*can you give top 5 track play-list. In no particular order because it was too hard... I'm a loner Dottie, a rebel - The Get up kids Love and some verses - Iron and Wine Drilling - Minus the Bear Pitseleh - Elliott Smith Cut up - Ned's Atomic Dustbin

Lo-down: what current or recent projects have excited you or kept you busy. This is for you; the collaboration show has kept me really busy, after having it in Brum last year, taking it up to Manchester and down to Nowhere North.

What future projects are you working towards or hoping to work on? I'm working on some pieces based on 80's movies at the moment which i'll hopefully do something with and i have also been invited to take part in a group show in Bristol November time with the theme of Hopes and Fears which should be pretty cool.

How much does the professional reflect/effect the personal. And visa versa. I don't really see myself as a professional really, i'm just doing stuff that i like doing and having fun with it.

How do you measure success? People saying kind words about my work is always nice.

Give a few examples of key inspirations that feed your practice. Nostalgia, films and family and friends.

What artists have influenced you in your lifetime?* My favourite artists who have probably inspired me more than anything are without doubt Travis Millard and Michael Sieben, also people like Jeremy Fish, Mel Kadel on the drawing/painting side of things. When it comes to my plush toys Heidi Kenney and Jenny Harada...completely influencial and amazing work!

*any shout outs? (Friends, foes, web sites) www.themlot.co.uk collective that me and you are in put together by James Bourne, friends; www.drawntoplay.com, great guy and sweet artist! www.stuartkolakovic.co.uk, if you haven't seen him already you will very soon, he's from my home town! A big thanks for everything to Log Roper who has pretty much got me to where i am...studio4gallery.blogspot.com And last but by no means least Han, my better half.

Favourite quote”?” "We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will" - Chuck Palahniuk Or alternatively maybe just read the lyrics to "If you want to sing out, sing out" by Cat Stevens rather than a short quote.

The show set up: