Lou Graves is a lifelong Glaswegian, illustrator, and artist, with a body of work encompassing two decades. He utilises his finely honed skills in drawing and painting to portray his remarkably vivid dreams – insights into a vaster, richer, truer world than our own; incredible landscapes where vast spiralling towers and staircases organically mingle with and grow into endless expanses of land, sea, and plant life that together almost seem to wake from dreaming and distantly regard you from the frame as you pass. You are invited to step inside his work. Perhaps this will be your first insight into the real world – or perhaps you have seen it before?

See Lou’s work as part of our annual Summer open call, Something in the Mirage, which runs July 17th to August 8th, featuring an incredible collection of works by twenty nine artists inspired by the dreamlike shimmering of summer sunshine, heat hazes, lingering afterimages, or maybe the momentary glint of something half-seen and half-imagined in the dappled golden light.

Thanks for joining us, Lou, always a pleasure! Can you tell us how your artistic journey started?
From the first time I picked up a crayon as a baby, I just never stopped drawing. The first time I tried to draw something I had dreamt was in primary school, with felt tip pens.

How did you arrive at the theme of your work?
I have always had very intense, memorable dreams, so it felt natural to start drawing and documenting them. There is a sketchbook I keep by my bed, so that when I wake up from a dream I can sketch it all out while its still fresh in my mind. My fiancée told me that I have seizure-like symptoms in the night, often on nights when I say I woke up from a dream. I had an MRI last December and was told it was ‘normal’, so we may never know what my brain is really doing.

Are there specific advantages or challenges associated with working in your chosen mediums? Have you experimented with other mediums or techniques?
Oil paint is my favourite medium by far, but it is a slow process. That can be frustrating when I’m excited to get a particular image out of my mind and onto canvas. In my younger years, I taught myself to draw with a dip pen and ink, because I was intent on drawing comics. It is still my favourite way to draw line work, but again, is a very slow process. Day-to-day I use a cheap ballpoint to doodle and sketch first drafts because it’s quick and much less frustrating.

Which artists inspire you? Are there non-artistic influences such as literature or music that impact your work?
I am always on the lookout for work that seems to have been made by someone who has also seen the world I have seen. I think of them as “other dreamers”.

What advice would you give to artists who are just starting out?
Make art that is just for you. Don’t show everyone everything you do, and don’t make art with the intention of showing it to other people. You will get a lot better a lot quicker if you keep sketchbooks that are for your eyes only.

Is there anything else you would like people to know about your work or your experiences as an artist?
Whenever I show my work, there are always people who say they recognise some of it, or that they’ve dreamt something similar. If you feel that, I’d love to hear from you!

Are there any upcoming events or additional information you would like the audience to know?
My own solo show at Six Foot Gallery later this year, 28th August – 11th September 😀

Find out more about Lou’s work on Instagram. Something in the Mirage runs at Six Foot Gallery until Friday 8th August 2025.