While the internet is full of “artists” and artists, it’s rare to come across one so iconic, so daring, and so pure as @Tw1tterPicasso a.k.a. Picasso Baby. The alter ego of an Australian man named Corey, the Twitter account has racked up nearly 8,000 followers in just a month — thanks largely to its production of breathtaking art.
Drawn with a basic ballpoint pen, his works are simple, yet possess a striking surrealist edge not unlike the style of Picasso Baby’s namesake. He operates mainly on commission. “If u want a drawings straight away PayPal me anything more then $3 and leave your @ name,” Picasso Baby explains in his Twitter bio, though he has also been known to render Twitter avatars into art for free for followers who ask nicely.
Select All briefly caught up with Picasso Baby via Twitter DM to find out a little bit more about the rising star.
First, can you tell us a little bit more about yourself?
I come from a pretty artsy family and have been drawing my whole life. I studied art in school, but unfortunately I failed. I would love to see my teacher’s face now knowing he failed someone who’s been called the greatest artist of this generation. I made this account and started drawing the good People of Twitter about four weeks ago
That’s some high praise. Who has called you “the greatest artist of this generation”?
Quite a few of my followers.
Damn. So you said you started the account four weeks ago. What prompted you?
I had two weeks off work for holidays and was bored so I made a Twitter. While I was tweeting my 2-year-old sister was on the floor drawing, I was like wow, she is a really good drawer and it inspired me to get back into my art that I once forgot.
Can you tell me a little bit more about your art background?
I used to draw a lot as a child. I always got in trouble for it though, because it was usually on the walls. I developed my skills pretty early and was able to colour in the lines by the early age of 16. I won my first colouring in competition at the age of 20, but unfortunately I couldn’t get the credit for it because I coloured it for my sister’s year four school colouring in competition.
Your style is pretty distinct, can you tell me a bit more about that?
I used to draw a lot with Sharpies and to be honest I think accidentally inhaling the fumes has influenced my current style.
Yeah. Those fumes will get you every time. So explain how the name “Picasso Baby” came to be?
Have you heard the song by Jay Z called “Picasso Baby?” I got it from that.
That’s what I figured. What do you think the real Picasso would think of your art?
I think he would love it. I knew his name, but I wasn’t familiar with his artwork. It is purely coincidental that we have a similar style. Although, I think if he was alive today I would still have more Twitter followers.
This interview has been condensed and edited.
