Maxime Francout AKA Max F. is a French illustrator/designer living and working in Montreal, Canada. He loves fine art, design, drawn typography, and illustration. He makes drawings, paintings, t-shirts, books, magazines and exhibitions. Besides that, he hearts skateboarding, ping-pong and chai lattes.

When did you first discover that you wanted to do design/illustration for a living?

I discovered lately that I could and that I wanted to do design. I first started as a colorist for comic books in France, and as an illustrator for children’s books before I got to a more personal and underground production. It took me some time to master this style that has emerged over the time. Initially I’m just someone who likes to draw on a street corner. I grew up surrounded by the skateboarding culture influenced by people like Mark Gonzales, Ed Templeton and Fost. Gradually I was able to establish partnerships with clients in time and consider a career in design and art. It’s not difficult to be an artist but living off your art is something different. Personally I’m not entirely living off my work because I don’t want to do compromises on my drawings, I don’t have enough fame to sell expensive pieces of art, besides I’m not even sure that i want to. I see art and design as something fun, I don’t really take it seriously and I think I’d quit if I did.