Arrest All Mimics Podcast: 10 year old freelancer Liam Gall

It’s funny how we begin creating for pleasure. Wax crayons, felt-tip pens, glitter-glue, pencil-crayons, all tools that we use to depict something that makes us happy or interests us in some way. Liam Gall is a 10 year old who freelances as an artist, illustrator and cartoonist at primary school.

The first time I tried to make any money from my creative skills came when I was 14 years old. My friend convinced me that there was money to be made by sketching David Beckham with no clothes on. I panicked and destroyed the masterpiece before we ever found out whether there was indeed anyone willing to pay for such mischief.

Many of us abandon the innocent enjoyment of making something from nothing when adult life starts to come into play. Parental pressure, grades in education, living costs, self-imposed ideals and trends are just a few of the factors, but I wanted to talk to Liam to see how he felt about his creative talent and how going into business at such a young age had happened.

We discuss the lack of tonal range in felt-tip pens, how it feels to know your work is on a girl in your class’s bedroom wall, the difficulties in drawing human beings instead of cartoons, the patience and practice required to develop your skills and what role Disney and WWE’s John Cena play in all of this.

LISTEN HERE to this heartwarming podcast