The Art of Okse

Hiya! My name's Okse, but you knew that anyway. Welcome to my website, a place where you can get in touch with me regarding commissions. This is also a place where you can purchase comic book covers, comic strips, pet portraits, and all manner of Oksefied goods.

Have a browse on the site - it's pretty cool.

Bio 

I've always been able to draw and I can't remember a time when I couldn't. I even remember the first time being praised for a drawing in primary school – a deep-sea diver with goggles. It was pretty good and had all the correct breathing apparatus and huge flippers. You should have seen the seaweed floating round him as well! I don't wish to brag, but it was so good that whenever there was a need to draw seaweed, I was always the first port of call.

When I was at school, I used to love sitting in class doodling. To be honest, I should have been more focused on the lesson, but that's what goes on when you're a creative. Thank you, Mr Hayden, for encouraging me to draw cartoons in your class and if you're reading this Sir (old habits die hard), you do realise it was an English class!

After I finished school, I studied art at Stourbridge Art College in Stourbridge (hence the name). I’d like to say I learned quite a bit, but man, who am I kidding? It was the most confusing time in my life! Tutors would always have conflicting views - "You haven't shaded that negative space correctly!" What!? I do understand negative space now though, so please don’t worry dear reader.

Anyway, once I finished Art College, I ended up joining the games industry, working on racing titles for Lego and the Bafta award winning Sydney 2000! I've still got a picture of me holding the Bafta award, and while I’d like to post it up, it's not the most flattering pic. I am a bit porky and I'd likely eat up all your bandwidth!.

In 2005, I left the industry (redundancy) and was kind of at a loss of what to do. A good friend of mine said, 'why not have a go at painting?" To which I responded, "yes, I think I will." So I did and it was cool. My first piece was of the late great comedian Bill Hicks. I decided to focus on comedy icons as I was doing stand-up at the time and wanted to combine my two loves – comedy and art. In my first year as a freelance artist, I got signed to a publisher and my prints flew off gallery walls. It was a great boost to my confidence.

After a few years, I took the decision to represent myself, using social networks to boost my profile. I was even second most viewed plinther on Anthony Gormley’s One and Other installation, where members of the public could go on the fourth plinth in that fancy London gallery for an hour and do whatever they wanted to do (the reason I came second was because a lady got naked!). I passed an hour taking requests and drawing and my Twitter following and profile started to grow.

I'm based in sunny Leamington Spa and I've produced many pieces for collectors all over the world, as well as for stars of stage and screen.

Famous people I’ve worked for - name drop time!

Sarah Millican, Jon Richardson, Jason Manford, Theo Paphitis, Justin Moorehouse, Jason Cook, Robin Ince, John Thomson.

I've also donated works for charity. Although I don't like to talk about it, but I will do because they're great organisations:

http://www.caft.co.uk
http://www.act4africa.org
http://www.westmidlandslupus.co.uk
http://www.comicrelief.com
http://www.sportrelief.com

If you're a charity and you'd like me to donate some work, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Here's a list of the products and services I can offer. 

Bespoke Comic Strips

Commissions

Pet Portraits 

Prints 

T-shirts 

Illustration 

Logos/Mascots

I also welcome trade enquiries for galleries that would like to sell my art. If you would like to be part of the Okse Newsletter, please fill in the subscription box in the corner. You can also follow me on the old social networks in the other corner.

I look forward to creating art for you!