A Day's March with
Dennis Eriksson
Over the past three decades, Dennis Eriksson’s distinctive illustrations have been hard to miss. His work has appeared everywhere from Dagens Nyheter to The New Yorker, Financial Times and Noble Rot, alongside work for clients including Hermès and Spotify. Alongside his commissioned work, Dennis works as an artist, exhibiting his paintings in Sweden.
What does a day look like in the life of Dennis Eriksson? We spent one with him in Stockholm, following him between the studio, meetings and whatever else the day had in store. Along the way, we asked him everything from his favourite pen to how he knows when a painting is finished.
How’s your day?
Today I’m continuing to produce pieces for the wine magazines I’m currently working with. Did a trip to the southern Rhône this summer with Törst magazine, classic field trip illustrations. However, I don’t draw on site, I just take snapshots and then finish the drawings in my studio. Also finalizing work for Noble Rot, the UK-based wine magazine. On top of that, I’m saying goodbye to a canvas a buyer’s picking up. Multitasking.
What’s going well for you at the moment?
My canvases are getting some good attention. That’s satisfying.
And what’s stressing you out?
Not having a good workspace. That everything falls to pieces, haha.
"But once you start drawing, things can take unexpected turns. Hopefully for the better."
Do you think before you put pen to paper, or do you think with the pen?
Of course. You need to have at least a rough idea of what your work’s gonna be about. Sometimes that’s really one of the highlights, to chisel out the concept. But other times you’re totally out of ideas, that’s horror. But once you start drawing, things can take unexpected turns. Hopefully for the better. It’s always a process. Even though some images come very directly, and you nail it on the first take, you can never know in advance. Other pieces need endless drafts. You know the idea is the right one, but the drawing lacks the right energy. Energy is the key. At least for me. Other artists can have a different approach. It all depends on your style.
When did you last laugh properly?
Yesterday at tennis practice.
What painting would you like to own, and why?
My God, that’s a hard one. So much great art out there. But a big wave by Raymond Pettibon would be nice. He’s an old favorite of mine. You know his work from the cover art of Sonic Youth’s Goo album.
What’s the last thing you read, watched or listened to that stayed with you?
I’m reading Ursula K. Le Guin’s The Left Hand of Darkness right now. Low-key, but eerie.
Is there anything you’d rather not draw?
Don’t know. I tend to get bored drawing things that are trending, things that everybody else is drawing. My experience is that topics you think are gonna be dull to draw end up being surprisingly fun. It can be refreshing to see an odd topic in your style. Did illustrations for the Stockholm Medieval Museum once. That was unexpectedly joyful. Far from food, wine, pop culture or social issues, which are often the topics of my commissions. But I guess if a political party wanted to buy stuff, I would think twice before doing it.
What’s something you spend too much time thinking about?
The state of the world.
Is there anything you’d rather not draw?
Don’t know. I tend to get bored drawing things that are trending, things that everybody else is drawing. My experience is that topics you think are gonna be dull to draw end up being surprisingly fun. It can be refreshing to see an odd topic in your style. Did illustrations for the Stockholm Medieval Museum once. That was unexpectedly joyful. Far from food, wine, pop culture or social issues, which are often the topics of my commissions. But I guess if a political party wanted to buy stuff, I would think twice before doing it.
What’s something you spend too much time thinking about?
The state of the world.
"I don’t like fancy art supplies. It feels inhibiting."
How do you know when a painting is finished?
That’s a strange and unpredictable thing. You just know. Or, at least when it’s 98% finished. Not overdoing a piece is perhaps the hardest part. You need to make a halt and see. Keep the rawness. Often you start on a canvas and it feels like it’s going nowhere. You can’t imagine how it’s ever gonna turn into something interesting and good. But suddenly you reach a point where everything comes together. Even though it’s far from finalized, you know you are onto something. It’s a wonderful thing.
What would you spend 100,000 SEK on?
Would like to buy art for that amount. Unfortunately, it won’t get me close to being able to afford that Pettibon. In reality, it would probably end up in the summer cabin.
What’s your favorite pen?
Simple felt-tip pens. Copic, Pilot, Sakura etc. No fancy stuff. I don’t like fancy art supplies. It feels inhibiting.
Do you have a bad habit you have no intention of changing?
Drink way too much coffee. Endless cups all day. (Maybe I need to change that habit.)
What went through your mind when you decided what to put on today?
My sneaker era is coming to an end. I will go for men’s shoes this autumn.
What’s next for you?
Now I’ll go for lunch with an old client and former studio buddy. Catching up.
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