Iconic Images
From pop-art to portraits, wildlife to local landmarks, the artwork of Austin Hacking can be seen in some surprising places
Having worked as a graphic designer, Austin Hacking moved into the construction industry, but over the years he has never lost his love of art.
Today, he is the talent behind many pieces of striking work, perfectly executed in many different genres. From pop-art to portraiture, he loves to experiment in wildly varying styles.
Working as a graphic designer, Austin immersed himself in the world of art after his studies at art college, as he recalls: “I love anything to do with art. At one point a friend asked me to spray some graphics on his motorbike, which I really enjoyed doing. After that, as word got around quite a few other people asked me to do their bikes too. It was something different.
“I would have loved to have become a full-time artist but with a home and family you need a regular income. I still get to draw and paint but it’s more of a hobby.”
Working from his studio at his home in Barrow, just outside Clitheroe, artistic inspiration abounds in the open countryside, the wildlife, the architecture and of course, the people.
Moving to the Ribble Valley nine years ago, keen photographer Austin became good friends with Tom Jones at the Whalley Wine Shop as he explains: “We have always loved Whalley Wine Shop and got to know Tom and his wife socially. When they were getting married, I did a little drawing of the shop for them, which they really liked.”
The drawing of the shop became the inspiration behind the Whalley Wine Shop’s first signature King Street gin label, after asking Austin for permission to replicate the drawing: “I was very flattered,” says Austin, who has gone on to design five more labels each corresponding to the name of the gin.
Each label is beautifully executed in ink and watercolour – additional editions include the River, the Abbey, Vale Gardens, the Arches and more recently, Springwood gin that features botanicals, including Himalayan pink balsam, from the Whalley woodland.
“All the gins have botanicals relating to the area after which they are named. I have also been asked to design a label for the winter edition, which I think is going to be the Nab. Tom tells me what edition the next gin is going to be and where the botanicals have come from – he may specify a dominant colour for the label but then he leaves it up to me.
“The Abbey edition was a good one for me as I used to live in Whalley and walk through the abbey grounds so that really inspired me. The colour specified for that label was blue and luckily, when I took the photographs on which the label was based, there was a beautiful vivid blue sky that dominated the picture.
“The Himalayan pink balsam label was slightly different in style as the colour is bolder than usual and while it is still watercolour, it has given it a more graphic quality.”
The majority of the gin labels Austin has designed are in his signature soft watercolours with ink detailing, but for the Arches edition Tom specified red – albeit a muted shade: “When he said red I was quite taken aback, but the softer shade of the red bricks of the historic viaduct works really well.
“With all the labels, the location has to be recognisable, but I am very careful with the ink detail. Too much and it can look muddled because the labels are relatively small.
“I thoroughly enjoy getting involved in each project – but I do get nervous when I drop the original artwork off at the shop. I hand them in – and run! Luckily Tom has liked each of the labels I’ve done – and to be fair I do get all the first edition bottles, which is an added bonus!”
His work with Tom at Whalley Wine Shop gave Austin’s artwork an unexpected boost, when the Whalley Wine Bar opened next door to the shop: “As friends, we all helped out when the bar was being refurbished and when it was finished there was a large expanse of wall at one end. Tom asked me to hang some of my work on there and it sold really well!” adds Austin, who says he is inspired by eminent artists such as Francis Bacon and Picasso – as well as American illustrator Drew Struzan: “He is known for his iconic movie posters like the ones from Star Wars and Indiana Jones,” says Austin, who when growing up, had unlimited access to films from the family video shop.
“From a young age I was a bit of a film nerd and I still collect sci-fi memorabilia! That’s why I love the work of Struzan.”
austinhacking74@gmail.com
