ALEXANDER MILLAR Artist based in Newcastle and Glasgow.
Who is your favourite author and why?
I love all things spiritual and enjoy the books by Dr Joe Dispenza as I think there is more to life, healing and tapping into our unconscious to help you along in your life…plus I’m completely bonkers too.
What would be your three Desert Island Discs?
There are so many to choose from, but Life on Mars by David Bowie would be one. Good Vibrations by the Beach Boys and Jessie Rae’s fabulous Scottish funky song, Over The Sea. Who is your favourite film star and why? Peter O’Toole as his acting looks so effortless which I’m sure was helped along the way with a few drams before going on set.
What are your top three films?
1. Forrest Gump. The scene at the end where he meets his son for the first time always brings a tear to my eye.
2. Gregory’s Girl as that is exactly me when I was a big gangly, awkward teenager not knowing how to be comfortable in my own skin, plus I met Clare Grogan a couple of years ago in Glasgow and she still makes my heart skip a beat even today.
3. My all-time favourite film is The Quiet Man with John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara. I know every line in the film and always mime along to every scene. Favourite line in the film is “here’s a fine stick to beat the lovely lady.”
Which poem left a lasting impression on you?
That would have to be If by Rudyard Kipling. A must for every father who is looking for inspirational words to impart to their sons.
What box sets have you enjoyed?
It’s took me an eternity to get around to watching “Game of Thrones” but my god what a series. I’ve also enjoyed “Ozarks, Peaky Blinders, and The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills…Just kidding.
Who is your favourite artist or performer?
For a singer songwriter that honour would have to go to David Bowie, truly inspirational. As for artist that would be Claude Monet. I’ve visited his house about half a dozen times throughout the years and I’m always entranced by his world seen through the layers of his pond at the bottom of his garden.
What is your favourite venue?
I adore the Theatre Royal in Newcastle. I wanted to be an actor when I left school and had the chance to join the Scottish Drama Association, but my dad heard the word thespian and thought it sounded too much like lesbian so marched me to a building site in Glasgow and a three year apprenticeship as a joiner…thanks dad. However, I did do an audience on the stage a few years ago where I did a live painting in front of a packed house at the Theatre Royal so a big tick off the bucket list that night.
Which musical instrument do you particularly enjoy?
That’s would have to be the triangle as it’s the only one I can master, I’ve tried guitar, piano and penny whistle…complete disaster.
From the world of Arts and Culture who would be your ideal dinner party guests?
I’d have to have David Bowie, Maya Angelou, Laurel and Hardy and Peter O’Toole for the craic.