Art / Interviews
Inside the mysterious world of Jim’ll Paint It
From his home in Easton, the artist known as Jim’ll Paint It receives suggestions for what he will illustrate next on an archaic version of Microsoft Paint from people across the world.
Since making a promise online in 2013 to paint anything, “no matter how specific or surreal your demands”, he has painted some 400 requests, covering everything from Thom Yorke the Tank Engine to Mick Jagger disappointing customers at the paint mixing station in B&Q by matching every colour as black.
This project has proved so successful – with more than 750,000 fans on Facebook alone – that Jim has branched out into selling prints and t-shirts of his creations, and is currently crowdfunding to publish his second book.
is needed now More than ever
“I moved to Bristol about ten years ago for the music,” Jim tells Bristol24/7. “It was the hub of breakcore and dubstep. I originally moved to Gloucester Road but recently moved to Easton because we can actually afford to buy a house here.”
Sitting on the sofa in his cosy home, Jim explains that his work as an artist saw him using Photoshop and Illustrator. “Using Paint was different and fun,” he says, describing using Photoshop as the equivalent of an easel, whereas Paint is like using a Biro.
As for the reason he takes suggestions from the public for his pieces, it’s simple: “I’m lazy and thinking of stuff is hard! I’m not drawing from any sort of strife, and anyway, it feels more two-way, like a collaboration, doing it like this. It pulls it away from just being about me.”
Jim keeps his identity anonymous
Jim recently fell foul of Facebook censors with a picture he painted of Prince Philip driving Boris Johnson, Theresa May and Jacob Rees-Mogg off a cliff in a Rolls Royce has been deleted.
Writing on Facebook, he said: “I can’t work out why that got reported over, say, Holly Willoughby bludgeoning Gino D’Acampo to death with raw spaghetti. My picture of HRH The Queen being serenaded by bum-trumpets also got deleted making me suspect Zuck is in league with our lizard overlords.”
Facebook deleted this recent picture by Jim
What’s his favourite piece? “There’s a piece I did of Kanye West giving birth to Kanye West. That’s my favourite. Technically, it’s one of the best I’ve done.”
As a full-time illustrator, Jim also works on commissions such as creating the artwork for Bangface Weekender in Southport and Raised by Owls’ new album.
When asked what keeps him in Bristol, Jim lists the independent businesses, especially along Gloucester Road, the thriving music scene and the creative expression of the city.
However, the main reason he moved to Bristol and remains here is because of a single moment, more than ten years ago.
“Just before we moved here, me and my mates had been on a night out, and we were getting breakfast the next day. It was, like, the middle of the day, and there were these people dressed in full scientist suits, skateboarding down Gloucester Road. It was just so mad, I loved it. I think that sums up Bristol.”
Jim’s love for his adopted hometown saw him recently recreate parts of Stokes Croft and also a few of his favourite pubs using his distinctive MS Paint style:
Stokes Croft
The Bag of Nails
Small Bar
Here are just a few examples of requests that Jim has painted:
Dear Jim, please could you paint the carnage that ensued when the commentator Jonathan Pearce merged realities and commentated on a Premier League football match between the cast of house robots from Robot Wars and Chelsea?
Tom Hackwell
Hey Jim, could you please paint Thomas The Tank Engine, made of flesh (except for his wheels) with a face that reflects the agony of being twisted into the shape of a train. While the Fat Controller laughs beside a pile of failed flesh locomotive experiments? Cheers,
Adam Hughes
Dear Jim,
Please, please paint me Donald Trump and Piers Morgan having a date in Greggs on Valentine’s Day.
Amy Bee Sting
Dear Jim, for Xmas could I have Mad Max protecting the Coca Cola truck from an assault by competing soft drink providers (Pepsi, Cresta, Barr, Panda Pops, etc…)? He has to escort it to Chesterfield for some reason.
Jamie Baynham
Dear Jim, Can you please paint a picture of the Thundercats terrorising the Thunderbirds? One of the Tracys could be up a tree, Lion-O could be presenting a mauled Brains as a present, like a good kitty.
Many thanks, Adam Barnsley
Tory squat party. Boris has a nosebleed from snorting too much speed, May is drinking special brew and Hunt is burning the Criminal Justice Bill while Farage, in full hunting gear, is calling the police. As requested by Matt Durstan Tilke.
Read more: Bristol artist’s pixel pet project
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