A Cloud In The Shape Of A Killer Cameo
From shark art to Spielberg portrait, Tomasz Shafernaker is one of the UKs top weather forecasters, an amazing artist and a huge Jaws fan.
The meteorologist even popped up in our Jaws WeMake uttering those immortal lines originally said by Peter Benchley, "a cloud in the shape of a killer shark." What other lines could you give a weather presenter?
The Daily Jaws caught up with him to talk all things sharks, art and Jaws.
The Daily Jaws (TDJ): Your Steven Spielberg oil painting is amazing, how long did it take to complete and how long have you been painting portraits for?
Tomasz: The oil of Steven Spielberg took around two months, but I’m still quite new to portraiture! I’ve done a handful of oil portraits and a few in watercolour and colour pencil since late 2017.
TDJ: How is it working in oil compared to your usual medium?
Tomasz: I’m still in a development stage so I try most mediums. Oil, however, is both the easiest and hardest at the same time. Easiest to manipulate and correct but takes ages to dry.
TDJ: Your hyper real artwork hit the headlines recently for your stunning portraits of Dame Judi Dench, Harrison Ford and Will Smith, what was the reaction like?
Tomasz: Mostly: “Eh? But your a weatherman?”
TDJ: In another interview you mentioned you listened to the scores to Bladerunner whilst painting Ford, I Am Legend whilst painting Smith and Bond music whilst painting Dench. Was it John Williams all the way for Spielberg? And did you listen to Jaws?
Tomasz: I think I did play it at some point, yes! And watched the movie.
TDJ: How does playing associated music help?
Tomasz: Music ultimately changes your mood. It can relax, inspire or help you have fun.
TDJ: What do you like about the Jaws poster, by Roger Kastel, from an artist’s point of view?
Tomasz: Great question! I bet when Roger Kastel created it, he had no idea it would become one of the most, if not THE MOST, iconic movie poster of all time. It’s everything. The combination of simplicity, storytelling and power in that illustration is phenomenal. It’s obvious that countless movies have based their own poster design on that classic JAWS format. I, OBVIOUSLY, have the poster framed on my wall.
TDJ: Ever thought about doing your own recreation?
Tomasz: Oh, sure, for a bit of fun. But that poster is ultimate and shall remain timeless.
TDJ: What do you love about Jaws?
Tomasz: The characters are perfect. The storyline is perfect. It’s not just about the shark - it’s about the comedy, drama, mystery and horror all in one. But, ultimately, it’s the about the fin appearing in the water and that EPIC MUSIC.
TDJ: What’s your favourite moment or line of dialogue?
Tomasz: Same as everyone else’s - “You’re gonna need a bigger boat”
But, we all seem to say “We’re gonna...”
And...”You walk straight ahead” makes me laugh each time.
TDJ: Do you use any Jaws quotes in real life?
Tomasz: Oh sure!
TDJ: Ever been tempted to say ‘you’re gonna need a bigger brolly’ when presenting the weather.
Tomasz: I’ve probably said it already!
TDJ: We’ve spotted you present the weather in a shark tie, would you ever present it in a Mayor Larry Vaughn anchor suit?
Tomasz: What a great idea...*logs onto amazon*.
TDJ: What character in Jaws do you most associate with?
Tomasz: It would have to be marine biologist Matt Hooper. He’s kind of an “earth science specialist”...sort of the closest to my job. And besides, I wanted to be a marine biologist anyway.
Did you spot Tomasz’s cameo in Jaws Wemake [34 mins 28 secs]?
TDJ: Talking of film, you once said that if any played you on a film it would probably be Dermot O’Leary (British TV and radio presenter for those outside the UK), as people always mistake you for him. Did you know he was a huge Jaws fan and follows The Daily Jaws as well?
Tomasz: Actually, my manager said that I think, ha! I had no idea...now I know.
TDJ: Wasn’t it sharks that got you interested in drawing and painting in the first place?
Toamasz: I think a shark was the first recognisable thing I probably ever drew. And, yes, it was sharks everywhere and on everything...including walls.
TDJ: The Guardian described you as having ‘a preoccupation with sharks’. How long have you ‘been in’ sharks?
Tomasz: As long as I can remember! I would have been in a pram.
TDJ: What is it you love about sharks, in real life and as an art subject?
Tomasz: Their elegance and the mystery around them. A combination of both danger and beauty at the same time. Just like storms!
Their “flowing aqaudynamic curves” (gestures) combined with contrasting sharp angles of fins make for a dramatic and contrasting design - unmistakable icon.
TDJ: Have you a favourite species of shark?
Tomasz: Blue Shark for it’s insane iridescent blue skin. And the Great White. But I love all of them.
TDJ: You even like extinct sharks, you were fortunate enough to go to the UK premiere of The Meg, how was that?
Tomasz: It was...interesting. I’ll also add that don’t think there’s any need of asking how it compares to Jaws BTW.
TDJ: What other shark films are you a fan of?
Tomasz: There is one recent, half decent movie out there - The Shallows. Again, a good and simple storyline with no gimmicks...apart from the ending *covers face and shakes it*.
TDJ: You’ve said in the past that cage diving with sharks was on your bucket list, any closer to getting it ticked off?
Tomasz: It’s been cancelled twice now I think. It’ll happen.
You can watch Tomasz and over 100 other Jaws fans recreate Steven Spielberg’s classic shark thriller in our special 45th anniversary film, ‘Jaws WeMake’.