Paul Guest aka Monkey (1962–2021) was one of the founding fathers of modern blotter art and the UK authority on blotter art design and production.
Monkey started working with Jon Blackburn around 2000. He began producing work around this time, dividing his time between his home in the UK and California where Jon would act as a mentor and friend.
During this time Monkey learned by doing. He learned how to use Jon’s huge and legendary Heidelberg press as well as the precise art of perforation. He spent years honing his skills in printing, design and production before buying an English press back home and starting his own production.
Monkey initially founded BlotterArt.Ltd in 2007 before buying BlotterArt.com from Jon Blackburn in 2010. Around this time he bought the Heidelberg press and had it shipped to the UK along with the original perforation boards built by OG blotter legends Jon Blackburn and Thomas Lyttle which have perforated some of the famous blotter designs ever produced.
Monkey had an eye for detail which was unparalleled. If there was ever any colour discrepancy or a perforation that wasn’t precisely in the right place, he would start again until his high standards of perfection were satisfactorily met. Monkey quickly became well known for creating some of the highest quality blotter art in the world. Monkey was known as the producer of choice for the majority of the established and well known artists on the scene due to his perfectionism and consistency and went on to become one of a small handful of the world’s true blotter masters.
He not only served as a producer of high quality blotter art for artists, but also built up a portfolio of his own designs which are becoming increasingly valuable and sought after.
Paul was a beautiful person with a fantastic mind. He was always generous with his time and would take pride and pleasure in supporting and mentoring new and recognised artists as well as advising both established collectors and newcomers about the unique scene that is blotter art collecting.
Lucifer met Monkey in 2004. Monkey took a shine to this young artist with a unique style and a similar eye for detail and precision. Lucifer quickly became a key part of the crew, learning the techniques, skills and secrets that established Monkey as the king of his craft. They worked closely together and formed a close friendship as well as a wonderful working relationship.
Monkey passed away in 2021 aged just 61, but not before teaching Lucifer everything he knew and expressing his wish that Lucifer continues to carry the torch that Monkey had held.
Lucifer has focused on continuing Monkey’s legacy of impeccable production standards, the best customer service, connecting collectors with the right artists’ work and nurturing the creativity of new artists. He has been running blotterart.uk for a number of years and is now continuing his work on https://www.acidlucifer.com/.
Lucifer continues to proudly champion the approach that made Monkey one of the kings of his craft. He refuses to compromise on quality and will always take time to give advice and support to new artists. He works closely with some of the most prolific blotter art collectors in the world who will always testify to his skills, dependability and quality, running his business so that Monkey would be proud.
– The blotterart.uk Team-