This week, we caught up with Pippa Toole – the UK artist known for her bold illustrations of badass babes, inspired by music, alternative fashion and all things spooky.
Let’s introduce you. Can you tell us a bit about yourself and what you do?
Hiya! My names Pippa Toole and I’m an artist/illustrator, currently based in Brighton, UK. I mostly draw a lot of cartoon ladies who are heavily influenced by punk and goth fashion, and if I can add a skull somewhere I will. My prized possessions are my badge maker, a collection of ceramic ghosts and my two copies of Slash magazine.
In three words, how would you describe your style?
Spooky, spiky, skull-y.
Music seems to be a big inspiration for you – what are you listening to at the moment? If you had to choose just one musician/band to create work for, who would you pick and why?
Music is my biggest inspiration! I’ve really gotten back into a lot of 70’s punk stuff, which has been inspiring my work a lot recently, but it changes all the time. Right now I’m listening to Love.
As for a band I’d like to make work for… it’s gotta be The Cramps! It would be so cool to be included in their legacy, their music and image has been one of the most inspiring things for me over the years.
Which artists do you look up to? Who would be your dream collaborator?
There’s a bunch of artists that I love – Ryan Heshka, Gene Bilbrew, Aubrey Beardsley, Shawn Kerri, to name a few. But I really look up to a lot of the people who I’ve got to know via social media over the years who are running their own businesses and being amazing at what they do, like Adele Mildred, Rock Roll Repeat, Cecil B. Moxie and Jukebox Mama/Sarie Gessner. I’d collab with any of them in a flash!
What materials do you usually work with?
For years it’s been pencil, a tiny brush and ink. I got an iPad during the very first lock down in 2020 which I use a lot now – I felt a bit conflicted about getting one but I’ve always found Photoshop a bit of a drag so the iPad makes digitalising work a little less painful for me. I try to see it as learning a new skill rather than a cheat. I’ve also been re familiarising myself with using watercolour and ink to colour my work, I like having a pile of physical drawings to rummage through.
What’s been your favourite project to work on so far?
There’s been a few over the years but recently I was lucky enough to do the artwork for a split single by L.A. Witch and The Coathangers which was a dream job. Both bands rule and were really chill to work with, plus they were covering tracks by The Gun Club and Blondie so it couldn’t get any better. Plus it got released on vinyl which was awesome, I love having something physical at the end of a project.
You’re stranded on a desert island and can only have one book, one record and one movie. What do you pick?
I’ll definitely change my mind on all these in a split second – I’ll go with my sketchbook, I’m Never Gonna Die Again by These Immortal Souls and Big Trouble in Little China.
Has anybody ever had one of your illustrations tattooed? Do you have any tattoos of your own? And who are your favourite tattooers?
People often ask but sadly I’ve only ever seen one that’s been done! I’m all for it, so if you’re reading this and you wanna do that then go for it and send me photos.
I don’t have any apart from a wonky cross on my ankle, people are usually surprised that I’m not covered from head to toe.
My number 1 tattooer is Marcelina Urbanska who makes the most beautiful paintings (she’s also a Rowland S Howard fan girl like me). At the moment I’m really into the work of Cris Cleen who also makes great paintings.
I love looking through old wonky flash for inspiration too.
Lastly, what are you working on at the moment? Do you have any exciting projects in the pipeline?
Currently I’m working on new bits for my shop. I’ve got some fun collaborations coming up with some talented pals which I’m excited about. Hopefully I’ll have some Kentucky western bow ties added to the shop in the coming weeks! And as always, more stuff with skulls.
