The Art Of Inspiration

JAKE SPICER and MARK CASS are on a mission to bringart to the masses. SALLY HALES and NATALIE MILNER find out why.

- Sally Hales And Natalie Milner

Any aspiring artist will understand the importance of getting the right support. Good experiences early on a creative journey can be the difference between being inspired to greatness and giving up. That’s why when Cass Art owner Mark Cass came across Jake Spicer’s first book, Draw, around five years ago, it was a game changer.

Previously, his stores hadn’t carried many instructional art books. Mark felt they had become a little out of touch, but Jake had something special. As well as being a gifted artist, he is also a “genius” tutor. Draw made its way into all branches with enormous success, and the pair has been working together ever since.

Indeed, Jake’s accessible and modern style of teaching was the impetus for what has become a huge roster of workshops across the company’s 13 stores. “It’s always been my passion to encourage other people to draw,” says Jake. “And that seems to dovetail nicely with Mark’s attitude of making art accessible to everybody.”