[rank_math_breadcrumb]

Ralph Steadman

About

Ralph Steadman is a prolific artist who in his 40 year career has produced thousands of groundbreaking and influential artworks. He is an artist, writer, sculptor, cartoonist and designer who has illustrated such classics as Alice in Wonderland, Treasure Island and Animal Farm. His books include the studies of Sigmund Freud and Leonardo da Vinci, while with Hunter S. Thompson he collaborated on the birth of GONZO journalism with his classic illustrations for Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.

Describing What Ralph Steadman Does | I think rather more than I should have done!  I can’t stop, you see.  No sooner do I think, well that wraps it up, along comes something else. I wonder if the young generation are just bored, and not motivated by their own creative possibilities. For them it is all on a plate. They wait for some other Gizmo to appear – they can stuff up their Apps and be ‘inspired’ yet again! I think that the electronic revolution has robbed them of all their own personal struggle.

My Best Piece Of Work | Perhaps ‘I, Leonardo’ – and I have ‘The Last Supper’ on the bedroom wall to prove it! I wanted to do 3 things that Leonardo had done, so I set about them with determination.

Advice To Succeed |  I am compelled not to take myself so seriously.  If I did that, the work would not be half as entertaining – wouldn’t you agree??

The Creative Process | The ‘creative process’ begins with a mark on a white sheet of cartridge paper (350grams) pure white. Then the image takes over and leads me to God knows where – but that is creation!

Using Online Resources To Be Inspired | I try to avoid them – and if it ain’t wet to start –  then you ain’t started!

Advice To Young Artists | Probably when the drawing – or painting – is nearing completion, then I do something spontaneous – and I either succeed, or its buggered!

When Are You Most Creative | Afternoons.  It gives me confidence that all is well with the world.

If You Were Not An Artist, What Would You Be Doing | I would be sweeping the streets, or perhaps a Tesco Store. Because I was once a stock-room boy at Woolworths in Colwyn Bay in North Wales. Every night I swept the store and I am not in the slightest bit ashamed. It was honest work, and somebody had to do it!

My Most Memorable Experience | Working for Oddbins from 1987 until 2000.  We went all over the World nosing and sipping some of the best wines in the world! I had to do the drawings too, of course…

Your Favourite Book | ‘Inherit the Wind’ – the film story of lawyer Clarence Darrow. He is one of the most legendary and perceptive lawyers we have ever known.  This was a film starring Spencer Tracy. The book of his life is called ‘The Old Devil’, by Donald McRae. Darrow defended the first ‘Thrill Killers’ – teenage lovers- in the twenties.  Then he defended a schoolteacher in a small Tennessee town called Dayton where fundamentalism was rife. The court proceedings became known as ‘the Monkey Trial’ because the teacher was talking about Charles Darwin when he was arrested in the classroom.  He was played by Spencer Tracy in the film. Darrow then defended a black doctor and his family in Detroit. They were charged with murder because the family had fought off a lynch-mob.  All gripping stuff!

Identifying With Edward, The Mynah Bird In The Documentary GONZO | Hunter used to grab Edward and say, ‘EDWARD!! I am going to KILL you! Edward!  You are going to die, EDWARD!!’ I thought he was referring to me!

If You Could Be Any Bird… | I would choose the bird that is not yet extinct – like a humble pigeon.  People are always throwing them bread and anything edible!  What else do you need?

What Is Next For You | GOD is done – so maybe the DEVIL is next!!

Interview Questions

[everest_form id="26923"]

View further interviews.

The Legacy Project

Stephen Koch is a professional speaker, climber, snowboarder and mountain guide. His list of alpine ascents and descents include some of the most notable firsts anywhere in the world, most of which have never been repeated. He is best known as the first and only person to snowboard on all Seven Summits, the highest peak […]

Jason Silva Legacy Project

As host of National Geographic Channel’s Emmy-nominated series, Brain Games, Jason Silva Legacy Project will guide you through the twists and turns of your grey matter. Through a series of man-on-the-streets and experiments, Silva will be joined by top experts in the fields of cognitive science, neuroscience and psychology, who will give you the “why” […]

  • Keynote Speaker
The Legacy Project

Jeremie Kubicek is the founder of the GiANT Companies (GiANT Worldwide, GiANT Impact, GiANT Partners, GiANT Capital and GiANT Experiences) and the author of Making Your Leadership Come Alive (a Wall Street Journal and INC. Magazine bestseller). They own and operate the global brands and events, Catalyst and the Leadercast. My Definition Of Success | My […]

The Legacy Project

Andy Fenner is the co founder of Frankie Fenner Meat Merchants which is responsible for starting a conversation that can now be heard at butchers, restaurants and dinner tables across the country. The meat merchants are getting in touch with the origins of our food, asking questions about the farmers and the animals, and eating […]

The Legacy Project

Fred Roed is the Founder and CEO of Heavy Chef Pty Ltd, which is a community platform for entrepreneurs. The name ‘Heavy Chef’ comes from the saying never trust a skinny chef and aims to celebrate the ‘people that eat their own food’. Heavy Chef is a learning platform for entrepreneurs, offering regular learning experiences […]

The Legacy Project

In 2009 Ntsoaki Phali decided to become the change she wanted to see — and so began Beyond Ability Talent Solutions, a self-sustaining recruitment agency for the physically disabled. As a former human resources co-ordinator, Phali struggled to meet her employment equity target when recruiting employees with disabilities. She knew it wasn’t for want of […]

Tumi Frazier

Tumi Frazier Legacy Project is a passionate South African entrepreneur, a powerhouse in every sense of the word. Through her inspirational leadership, combined with an ambitious vision and an endless source of energy, her company, Tumi Frazier International, is helping to develop thousands of new women leaders in Africa. Tumi Frazier Legacy Project Tumi Frazier […]

  • United States
  • Business
The Legacy Project

Vusi is a professional speaker and businessman. He is not only rated as Africa’s No 1 public speaker, but also of the worlds greatest. Vusi is known as ‘The Rockstar of Public Speaking and has spoken in 4 of the 7 continents and to over 350 000 people each year. He was described by Nelson […]

Disclaimer
The profiles and images embedded on these pages are from various interviews conducted by The Legacy Project.

These remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by WeSpeak Global.

Our Mission

We are your partner creating memorable and engaging experiences that go beyond the event itself.

© All rights reserved 2025. Created using VOXEL THEME