Dave Colton

My drawings are stories. These stories come from my imagination, but also from connecting my experiences and the way that I see things. How each of us perceives reality is largely personal and subjective. We each create our own reality, and these images are part of mine.

My drawings are influenced by many things not just by art and artists - I like to watch people, television, films; listen to music, explore cities, cultures and nature, ideas can come from anywhere if you really look...

As for artists, my drawing is influenced by Hieronymus Bosch, the Surrealists; particularly Magritte and Dali and the Dadaists, especially Max Ernst, Hugo Ball and Tritan Tzara. Other later influences include the French artist and writer Roland Topor, the English-Mexican artist Leonora Carrington and Belgian artists Felicien Rops, James Ensor and Jean-Michel Folon.

Early influences on style were Fairground art, Topps bubblegum cards, the drawings of the English artist and magician, Austin Spare and the occult illustrations of Jan Parker. Other huge influences on my work have been the absurdity of Spike Milligan and Monty Python, and the stories and song lyrics of Kate Bush and David Bowie.

Mostly, I work in Conte Crayon, pastel crayons ...

I have a PhD in contemporary art from Manchester Metropolitan University.