dorling kindersley books

Interview with Neil Buchanan

You’ve been presenting the show for a long time; do you find it difficult coming up with new ideas for Art Attack projects, where do you get your inspiration?

I get my inspiration from anywhere and everything. Walking down the street, going on holiday, sitting watching the telly, even playing with bubbles in the bath!

Has an Art Attack creation ever gone wrong - have there been any disasters?!

Two things are my pet hate. Sticky tape – it always curls up and seems to have a life of its own when used in the heat of the studio lights. I suffer from wind – no, not that type! When I am doing my Big Art Attacks outdoors there has been the odd occasion when I have been near the end of the picture and a gust of wind has blown it away.

Do you think children are still as enthusiastic about Art now as when you first began presenting the show?

I am convinced that all children are born creative. If the mail that I receive is anything to go by, every child up until about the age of seven thinks that they are the greatest artist in the world – and quite right too. 

It is only when children get to the age of about seven or eight that well meaning teachers, parents and older siblings start to pass judgement and they start to question their own abilities. I firmly believe every child’s creativity is their own personal statement in life as to who they are.

Do you have a favourite Art Attack project you’ve worked on, or a favourite show?

Yes, I have to confess my favourite Art Attack project I worked on was when I created a massive Santa Claus in the snow up in the mountains of Breckenridge in the USA. As you can imagine there was lots of snow fun to be had on that trip.

4 Quick Questions:

1. Who is your favourite artist?
   Toulouse Lautrec and Walt Disney. Toulouse had the style and Walt had the imagination and ideas.

2. What is your favourite book?
   The Hobbit – for it’s fantastic storytelling, and Alice in Wonderland and Wind in the Willows - for their illustrations.

3. What is your idea of happiness?
   My idea of true happiness is being on an adventure somewhere in the Everglades in Florida.

4. How would you like to be remembered?
   I would just like to be remembered.