Kevin McHugh

I grew up a monster kid by the misty bogs of Fermanagh, wanting to draw comics and illustrate books and when left to my own devices, the monsters DO show up. I get to indulge this side of me when drawing for Hollow Hill Apparel, the creepy clothing company my wife, Jo, runs. As well as illustrating, I create murals, both with a power-washer and with paint. I don’t find it easy to relax but there’s something about painting a large scale mural that I find very therapeutic. I love the nuts and bolts of it - the brushstrokes, blending colours and seeing them melt into one another, playing with light and shade. I do enjoy the end result, how an image can transform an otherwise bare wall but to be honest it’s the feeling of DOING it that I really love so I’m generally more interested in the next mural than the last one. I love painting crows and given the opportunity I’ll find some way to incorporate them into a design. I’m still hanging around waiting for someone to commission a mural of the classic Universal monsters and when that day comes I’ll be there, brush in hand and a big stupid grin slapped across my face!