‘I try to capture moments of melancholy’

Hampshire-born street artist My Dog Sighs has garnered an impressive reputation for his striking and emotive work which ranges in scale from vast walls to discarded drinks cans. We had a quick chat with him about this weekend’s Upfest, inspiration and what he’d really like to paint in a dream location.

The photographs on this page show him painting his latest piece in the run-up to Upfest on Hotwell Road.

What inspires your work?
I try to capture different moments of melancholy. Unspoken glimpses and stories lost in pools of reflection. Either that or huge childlike effigies of joy. Wow. I’m poetic today. Must be the paint fumes!

When and why did you start painting on found objects?
I stumbled across the street art scene about twelve years ago and loved the way it is placed in the community for the community. But the whole vandalism thing and damaging property didn’t hang well with me so I began finding rubbish on the streets, bringing it to life then putting it back out for people to find. I called it my freeartfriday project. It blossomed into something way beyond my expectation and has given me the opportunity to paint right across the world.

Your work has been described as melancholic, would you agree?
Absolutely. There’s something quite cathartic about pouring your soul into something then leaving it on the street to fend for itself and make some sort of connection with the finder. I always run parallels with the homeless. Invest a little time, effort and love and they can become something valuable again. 

What was the idea behind Free Art Friday in your home town of Southsea?
It was my way of interacting with the urban environment, reaching a wide cross section of society and without permanently damaging someone’s property. Painting on rubbish has ecological messages woven in and it was a free canvas!

How long did the Upfest piece on Hotwell Road take?
It took 40 years and a little bit longer. Lol! Every piece I produce is a result of all the work and practice I do. I am quite quick, so once the background emulsion is dry I can usually get finished on a wall in one day. 

After Upfest what next for you?
I haven’t had much chance to breathe for the last few months with exhibitions in Turin, London, Denver and Chicago. I’m planning on driving down through Spain in August to re-inspire myself (and maybe paint a few walls) before working on some big wall commissions and a new body of work for a solo show at the end of the year.

What artists should street art fans look out for at this year’s Upfest?
Croation artist Lonac is definitely one to watch out for at Upfest this year. He’s got a great style. There’s also quite a few southsea artists represented with Farkfk, Lex&Mimic and Los Dave putting the south coast secret on the map. I’m hoping I can spend a little time over the festival weekend to find out a few more. That’s what I like about Upfest, there’s a great mix of established and new artists. 

If you could paint a wall anywhere in the world where would it be?
I’ve never painted in New York so it would be pretty good to get out and splash some paint there. 

And what would you paint?
See, now I’m getting greedy as I’d love to give NY a big Everyman hug but it wouldn’t feel right without splashing a huge pair of glassy reflective eyes up somewhere too.

Upfest runs from July 25 to 27 across multiple venues in Bedminster and Southville. For more information, visit www.upfest.co.uk/page/upfest-festival