Posted on October 16 2015
Sid Dickens, can you tell me a bit more about yourself and why you began designing? I grew up in a small coastal town in Northern British Columbia, Canada called Prince Rupert. The desire to be an artist was always there. My mum tells me that when I was 2 years old, all I wanted to do was sit at the table and draw! In my teens I was producing water colours and selling them at local art shows. It was after my trip to Europe in the 80s, and studying Bronze Sculpture in Mexico, that I returned to Vancouver and began doing my art in my studio where the tile idea was born. 21 years later, the ideas are still fresh with an ever evolving process when designing and producing the tiles.
Where are you based and does this inspire your work? I am based both in Vancouver and the Queen Charlotte Islands, which I consider home. The creative influences are on the Charlottes where I am surrounded by pristine nature, beautiful mountains and the ocean. At home I have an amazing garden which brings me inspiration and nurtures my soul and my spirit.
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? I don't think I had a particular focus on being something. I know it was innately a part of me to be creative and to capture joy from whatever I was working on at the time.
What do you do when you aren't working? My mind is constantly going. I love to garden and be a part of nature and my influences come from something so simple. I love to read and scour through books on design, architecture, and religious iconography. TO answer the question, when do I not work?!
Where's your favourite place in the world? My favourite place in the world is my home in the Queen Charlottes!
What advice do you have for aspiring artists? Artists; we are a curious lot! Believe in what you are doing! If you have to be creative or you will die inside, then your success is measured by how you feed your creative soul. I was fortunate to have designed a product that people liked, and importantly, I had the ability to translate my creative sense to the left side of my brain!
Do you listen to music when you are working? If so - who are your favourite bands / singers to have on in the studio? My music is always on and my collection of music is varied. I can listen to electro pop music to opera just depends on my mood. Love Adele.
If you inherited an acre of land what would you do with it? That is easy - plant a beautiful garden! The difficult decision would be to plant a flower garden, a vegetable garden, or a natural wild garden!
What would you be doing if you weren't an artist? It never crosses my mind what I would be if I wasn't an artist...¶
Are artists born or made? What is the definition of an artist, what constitutes one to say they are an artist, what is art,¶ now that would be a long discussion wouldn't it?!
What are your indulgences? Indulgences: my partner and my family. Family is the most important thing for me.
How would someone else describe you in 5 words? Creative, Focused, Kind, Generous and Loving.