Witchcraft Hardware owner, music enthusiast and Savakas contributor French Sayer talks Skateboarding, artwork, heavy music and the Benihana…
Tell me a little about your background in Skateboarding, and drawing/painting?
Well I’ve been skateboarding since 1991, and I’ve been a freelance artist since 2005. In that time I’ve created artwork for allot of skateboard and skateboard related companies and clothing brands, in the UK, Europe, Japan and the USA. I’ve also exhibited in the UK, Australia, Israel, France, Germany, Sweden, Denmark and a few other places. There’s actually a select client list on my website if you’re that interested. I studied fine art at Staffordshire University and I have a 1st class BA Hons in it.
When, and why did you start creating any form of illustration?
I was just drawing allot of pictures all the time and making artwork and my friend Marcus suggested that I should try sending them to people and see if the companies I liked would be into using them. I just want to draw really.
So how did Witchcraft come about?
I wanted an 8.5″ board in the same shape, each time, with a death metal style graphic . So I thought I better make some.
Witchcraft Tour ’11 from Sam Bailey on Vimeo.
Do you feel any incentive to express any personal ideas/values in your artwork? Or do you just like to draw upon your influences, things you like, and just enjoy it? Or all of the above?
I just draw what I’m into really and what I want to. But it depends, if its work for me I make what I like and sometimes you have to draw what other people like for them. Thats the nature of the job.
Tell me a bit about your musical tastes, and how they play a part in your artwork?
I like death metal, Thrash, Black, classic rock, classic metal. If you take a look at my work you can see how that effects it.
I know you have done artwork for both FBM, and Savakas (amongst other non-skateboarding projects), how do you feel about illustrating a world outside of skateboarding?
Works work mate, and if it something fun and credible then thats even better. I never thought I’d do work for a BMX company, but if you do I think FBM could be the best one. I like working for different people and creating different things.
Whats your opinion on the Benihana? The Nac Nac has had rebirth in BMX, as they came form the same mother, i wondered if there was a possibility of a Benihana resurgence in skateboarding?”
I fucking love them, I think they’re a legit trick, have you tried it?(Ed-No!) Its actually really hard. I’m also down with roast beef’s. Its just that some people make them look stinky.
WITCHCRAFT
BLYTH SHIRT
FRENCH
