Artwork by Nathalie Dion

As a working illustrator, do you still find time to create art for yourself?
In the last few years, my schedule has been filled for weeks in advance, so my sketchbook has become the playground where I create art for myself. Still, I do use every opportunity to sit down, preferably not in my usual work environment, and follow the inspiration of the moment.

What type of transition needs to be made between creating art for yourself and creating art that is commissioned?
The sketches I do for commissioned work are very precise and if approved, ready to go to final. To make the transition between work and sketchbook I have one rule: No sketch allowed. The first draft is the good – or bad – one . Straight to paintbrush. Judgment-free!

What type of artwork do you have hanging in your home?
Framed prints from some of my favorite illustrators: Jean-Philippe Delhomme, Maira Kalman, Miroslav Sassek, Michel Rabagliati… An original Aron Leighton collage I bought on eBay. And a constantly evolving cork board – at present filled with stuff I picked up at Montreal’s Expozine.

What accomplishment so far in your life stands out as most important?
Making a living as an illustrator is in itself my biggest accomplishment – a cliche, but oh so true! I am still grateful for it after all these years. The “Urban Babies” board book series is especially important to me. The adventure began five years ago with “Urban Babies Wear Black”. Initially, it was meant as a single book. But we were asked to create a follow up. One title after another, it turned into a successful series. Michelle Colmann Sinclair is now working on the next manuscript, so I’ll soon be sketching the 10th volume.

What is your favorite way to get out of a creative block?
I doodle freely and watch the idea unfurl on the page.

Is there any one publication that you still have aspirations to see yourself in?
I’d love to illustrate a children’s book story that’s been in my mind for years.

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Malgré les demandes de votre métier d’illustratrice, trouvez-vous toujours le temps de créer pour le plaisir ?
Ces dernières années, mon agenda est complet plusieurs semaines à l’avance. Il est difficile de prendre le temps pour des projets personnels d’envergure. C’est pourquoi mon cahier de croquis est devenu mon terrain de jeu. Je profite de toutes les occasions pour dessiner en dehors de l’atelier; salles d’attente, cafés, bibliothèque…

Comment effectuez-vous la transition entre la création sur commande et la création pure ?
Les croquis que je produis à des fins professionnelles sont très précis; prêts à passer à la couleur dès qu’ils sont approuvés par le client. La règle d’or qui distingue ma création personnelle de ma création professionnelle est simple : Croquis interdits ! Le premier jet est le meilleur (ou le pire, dans certains cas ! ). J’y vais directement au pinceau. Sans jugement.

Qu’est-ce qu’on peut voir accroché aux murs de votre maison ?
Des impressions encadrées de quelques-uns de mes illustrateurs favoris : Jean-Philippe Delhomme, Maira Kalman, Miroslav Sassek, Sara Fanelli, Michel Rabagliati… Un collage original d’Aron Leighton acheté sur eBay. Et un babillard de liège en perpétuelle évolution. En ce moment, il y a un tas de bidules dénichés au salon Expozine 2009 de Montréal.

Quelle est selon vous votre plus grande réalisation personnelle ?
Le fait de vivre de mon métier d’illustratrice, c’est déjà beaucoup en soi. C’est peut-être un cliché, mais c’est tellement vrai. J’en suis toujours aussi heureuse après toutes ces années. Ceci dit, je suis particulièrement attachée à la série de livres pour enfants Urban Babies. L’aventure a commencé il y cinq ans avec Urban Babies Wear Black. Au départ, il ne devait y avoir qu’un seul livre. Puis on nous a demandé une suite. Les titres se sont succédé, et c’est aujourd’hui une série populaire. Michelle Colmann Sinclair rédige présentement le manuscrit du prochain livret. Ce qui veut dire que je vais bientôt commencer les croquis du dixième volume de la série.

Quelle est votre méthode favorite pour sortir d’un blocage créatif ?
Je gribouille sans trop réfléchir jusqu’à ce qu’une idée surgisse.

Y a-t-il une publication dans laquelle vous aimeriez voir vos illustrations paraître un jour ?
J’aimerais beaucoup illustrer une histoire pour enfants que j’ai en tête depuis plusieurs années.

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News published at 7:01 am, Monday, December 19th, 2011

Artwork by Laura Pérez

How and when did you know that you wanted to become an illustrator?
When I started my degree in Fine Arts, I realized that I prefered to draw and paint to create illustrations rather than painting on a big canvas or doing performances. The first time I saw an illustrator’s book was decisive to me. I also always enjoyed looking at illustrations from magazines, books, newspapers and children’s illustration books.

What is your earliest memory of creating art?
I always loved taking paper and pencil in hand and creating something. During school, I was always drawing things for my friends, teachers and family. I was very happy seeing my drawings hanging on the wall.

Where do you draw inspiration from?
Inspiration comes from lots of places, but especially from everyday life. Sometimes I can find inspiration at a coffee shop, or in a restaurant, shops, parks, maybe from a stupid or strange situation, etc. I never leave my sketchbook at home. I don’t know when inspiration is going to come.
Most of my inspiration comes from city-urban scenes, fashion design, lifestyles. I also like retro postcards, clothes, handmade typography, animals…

What type of environment do you prefer to work in?
I normally finish my work at home with my computer but I can start sketching the project or personal work anywhere. Maybe when I’m with friends I can see someone or something that inspires me… I don’t have a particular place to start working but I normally like to finish it at home.
I love listening to music or the radio while I work. I always listen to music no matter what I´m working on. Music is a good source of inspiration.

What is your favorite way to get out of a creative block?
When I have a creative block I do a few different things. I like to read, go for a walk, do some exercise, hang out with friends, watch a movie, visit museums and art galleries…

If you had to describe your body of work in one word, what would that word be?
Mignon.

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News published at 7:00 am, Tuesday, December 6th, 2011

Artwork by Isabelle Cardinal

How and when did you know that you wanted to become an illustrator?
I know it sounds clichéd, but of course I was always doodling on the back of my school books and I have numerous drawings from when I was 8 or 10 that my mom kept (of course!).
But I really got to realize it was possible to actually do that all year long as an illustrator while in a class at university. After meeting with the teacher, who had just showed us the editorial illustration he had done for the Chicago Tribune or the Washington Post, I said “This IS what I want to do!!”

Where do you draw your inspiration from?
I am big “sketcher”… I know it is kind of rare for a digital collage artist, but I just love to draw a lot. I have found that the more I sketch, the more the result (idea) is clear and fun. I also travelled a lot in my 20′s and so I guess I incorporate a lot of what I have seen, heard and felt. I also love to collect old 1900′s photos and drawings and find they are very inspiring to look at.

What is your earliest memory of creating art? (or drawing as a child)
I drew so many horses – I’m just amazed by those animals – but also princesses (what can I say, I’m a girl).
Also I have good memories of my mother taking out her watercolors and painting incredibly well. I was amazed with the colors, the blending of it all (most probably why my collages have an average of 70 layers in Photoshop!!). And then she bought me a big set of dry pastels and I was hooked.

As a working illustrator, do you still find time to create art for yourself?
I admit I have been neglecting that for years. I was too busy, and with a young child it is tough to “find” time for personal projects. But the child is growing up and it’s less frantic then it was 5 years ago, so I have more time to create for “myself”. I have been participating on Illustration Friday’s site for a little while now, and find it so much fun and refreshing to have one theme to work on. I think it is good for the soul.

What type of artwork do you have hanging in your home?
I have made an “inspiration wall”, where I paste everything I have found in print or on the web that I like.
It can be textures, art, pictures, toys, tickets, postcards, patterns – you name it – and I try to add to and change it all the time. Very inspiring.

What accomplishment so far in your life stands out as most important?
Well I know it’s another cliché (sorry) but being able to work at home also means being able to see the first steps of your child (first everything, in fact). It’s nice to be able to do both, and enjoy every moment. Professionally, I remember my first editorial job as being with CIO magazine and I was sooo proud, thinking
“wow, my art will be printed in a magazine!!”. That was years ago, but I still remember that feeling and I still think it is the best job on earth.

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News published at 7:01 am, Monday, November 7th, 2011

Artwork by Tom Burns

Where do you draw your inspiration from?
Many things. To name just a few: Rauschenberg, Peter Kennard’s montages, Katharina Grosse, Jim Lambie, Modernism, books, film, music, Warhol, newspapers, taking pictures, anything that inspires a sense of value or belonging.

What type of environment do you prefer to work in? At home or in a studio? Listening to music?
In a studio.

As a working illustrator, do you still find time to create art for yourself?
There is always time to ‘create art’, it’s part of the process. The greatest success within the discipline over the last decade has been its recognition as a collectable art form. Parishioners now within the discipline are just as comfortable exhibiting work on the walls of a gallery as they are working commercially

What type of transition needs to be made between creating art for yourself and creating art that is commissioned?
For me there is no transition. My work to date has evolved considerably mainly due to the challenges of the commercial environment. With every commission I take on I work hard to develop the process my work goes through, be it photography, silkscreen, paint or photocopies. I’m always trying to think of a new concept, idea or direction to take with every project regardless of its commercial nature.

How do you deal with negative criticism?
Take it onboard and learn from it. I always want to drive forward the work that I do and having people react to it, be it positive or negative, is part of the process.

What are your goals for your future as an illustrator?
To communicate my ideas clearly using as many processes and techniques as possible, in whatever format be it animated or through the use of print. In terms of the future as a whole, I can only see more & more collaborative work being done, with greater emphasis on the roles of the illustrator, designer & art director to explore new directions.

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News published at 7:01 am, Monday, October 24th, 2011

Artwork by Nata Metlukh

How and when did you know that you wanted to become an illustrator?
In 2004, when I got a master’s degree in applied mathematics, I realized that math was not something I wanted to get into for the rest of my life. And as I also had an art education, I decided to start my career in an advertising agency as a graphic and web designer. After several years I moved to the US where I had plenty of time to rethink everything and experiment with different materials and techniques. As a result I have total immersion into illustration.

Where do you draw your inspiration from?
Observing people and traveling are the main endless sources of my ideas. And of course great inspiration comes from the works of other artists: editorial illustration, sketchbooks, art journals, collages, cartoons, and my favorite – a hand-drawn animation – I just love it. There are many basic principles which are common for animation and illustration such as storytelling, composition, exaggeration, gestures, simplicity, mood, etc. I consider illustration as one-frame-long animation.

What is your earliest memory of creating art? (or drawing as a child)
When I was 6 years old I was taken to an art school, where I studied for 8 years. And the first real piece of art was my graduation work – an oil painting 3 by 4 feet.

What type of environment do you prefer to work in? At home or in a studio? Listening to music?
I work in my apartment studio. I can’t work in complete silence so there is always something to break it: music in the background or a documentary in the corner of the screen.

As a working illustrator, do you still find time to create art for yourself?
Yes, sometimes I paint with acrylics or gouache, but often I just draw and make collages in my sketchbooks.

What type of transition needs to be made between creating art for yourself and creating art that is commissioned?
Working with a timer helps to control the process and deliver illustrations on time. And besides the limited time, there are a lot of other restrictions and requirements in commissioned illustration. That’s why it is more challenging and at the same time more interesting to work on.

What is your favorite way to get out of a creative block?
Ride my bicycle along the ocean coast at the maximum speed.

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News published at 7:00 am, Monday, October 10th, 2011

Artwork by Katrin Funcke

How and when did you know that you wanted to become an illustrator?
Whilst studying graphic arts, a new Illustration Professor came to our University. Under her instruction, I pretty soon realized this was the field that was most interesting to me and that I was best at.

Where do you draw your inspiration from?
Music. glamour. aristocracy. Old Hollywood. You know, just everyday life…

What is your earliest memory of creating art? (or drawing as a child)
At the age of four or five I found my youngest aunt and her boyfriend kissing in the garden. I immediately portrayed them as bride and groom.

What type of environment do you prefer to work in? At home or in a studio? Listening to music?
In my studio with my illustrator friends.

As a working illustrator, do you still find time to create art for yourself?
Yes, but too little!

What type of transition needs to be made between creating art for yourself and creating art that is commissioned?
In creating art for myself the picture is just to please me. And often the process is the best part. I try out and test myself.
In creating commissioned art the intention is in my focus. The process is more straightforward. I put everything in that I learned by doing personal stuff.

When you are creating commissioned work, how do you take yourself out of the project and focus on the idea that needs to be conveyed?
I never thought about this. I think that is simply the job: to look at it from the clients’ angle.

What type of artwork do you have hanging in your home?
Pictures from fellow artists, old photos, vintage prints done by my grandad, anything that fits in with what we call “The Family Folklore”. We also have a display cabinet stuffed with illustrated vintage packaging design and everything that cannot be pinned to the wall.

Who was the first illustrator that you noticed and admired?
Walter Trier and Réné Gruau, maybe.

Do you read criticism done on your work?
Yes. But there is little.

What is your favorite way to get out of a creative block?
Listen to music and let go. The music must be pure drama, overwhelming.

If you had to describe your body of work in one word, what would that word be?
Vivid. Or, in two words: weirdly beautiful.

Is there any one publication that you still have aspirations to see yourself in?
Vogue.

What question do you wish an interviewer would ask you?
Would you like to meet Ella Fitzgerald? Yes, please!

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News published at 7:00 am, Monday, September 26th, 2011

Artwork by Terry Wong

What is your earliest memory of creating art? (or drawing as a child)
I was 3 years old, I was in my parents office with my Father, I drew a character from the Pink Panther cartoon.
After I had finished I ran to my Mom to show her in another room, she looked at it and as my Dad walked
in she asked if he drew it. I remember she was so surprised at how good it was she didn’t believe at first that
I had actually drawn it.

What type of environment do you prefer to work in? At home or in a studio? Listening to music?
I like to work in my home office, I tried working at the coffee shop down the street but that didn’t last too long – they were really insistent that I not wear my bathrobe and slippers. Needless to say working at home suites me better

What type of artwork do you have hanging in your home?
I actually just moved into a new place so I only have 2 pieces of art hanging on my walls currently.
A Bauhaus poster and a print of Andy Warhol’s image of Elvis.

Who was the first illustrator that you noticed and admired?
I dunno if he actually counts as an illustrator but I remember being enthralled as a child with Mr. Dressup. I used to love watching the segment of the show where he’d sit at the drawing board and illustrate scenes with K.C and Finnigan.

How do you deal with negative criticism?
What?! There have been negative criticisms of my work?

What is your favorite way to get out of a creative block?
I had an illustration instructor in college who used to go get doughnuts to get out of his creative block. I’m still searching for my inspirational junk food.

If you had to describe your body of work in one word, what would that word be?
Fun.

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News published at 1:43 am, Monday, September 12th, 2011

Artwork by Clare Mallison

How and when did you know that you wanted to become an illustrator?
Probably the last year of my degree was when I started to really take it seriously and thought I could make a career out of my work. When I left college I put all my energy into promoting myself until I got my first commission.

Where do you draw your inspiration from?
I draw my inspiration from text sketching and doodling from what I have read. Also the people around me, what they do, photographs and films. I love 1950s architecture especially when it is painted pastel colours.

What is your earliest memory of creating art? (or drawing as a child)
Drawing a picture of my dad cutting his toe nails, which was for his birthday card. I don’t know why I thought he would like a picture of him cutting his toenails. My mum still has the card.

What type of environment do you prefer to work in? At home or in a studio? Listening to music?
I like going to work then I can completely focus on drawing. I share a studio with film makers, trend spotters and set designers so there is a lovely creative buzz. My studio is on the top floor of a tower block in East London.

As a working illustrator, do you still find time to create art for yourself?
Yes, I find I have to. It’s good to experiment on your own work so when you receive a commission you know how you want to draw it. I try to go life drawing as much as possible, it’s lovely to be able to just focus on what is in front of you.

What is your favorite way to get out of a creative block?
If it is a commission and I do not have much time, I scribble and doodle lots of different ideas and draw them all out, even the bad ones, so I can forget about them. I find it also helpful to speak to people about the article I am illustrating. If I have a mental block when it comes to my own work I often step away from it, go on a long bus ride to see things I want to get inspired.

Is there any one publication that you still have aspirations to see yourself in?
The New Yorker.

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News published at 10:00 am, Monday, August 29th, 2011

Artwork by Chris Pyle

How and when did you know that you wanted to become an illustrator?
In the eighties I got a shot at doing some covers for a local weekly paper. The covers were a huge success and I realized editorial art was something I was very good at, and so I was bitten by the professional illustration bug.

Where do you draw your inspiration from?
A better question would be where DON’T I draw my inspiration from.

What is your earliest memory of creating art?
I can remember seriously drawing from photos out of books at around age twelve.

What type of environment do you prefer to work in? At home or in a studio? Listening to music?
I have a private studio on the grounds of my home. I either listen to music, the radio, or a television while I work.

As a working illustrator do you still find time to create art for yourself?
I spend all of my spare time creating art for myself.

What type of transition needs to be made between creating art for yourself and creating art that is commissioned?
Illustration requires a lot of study, hard work, and discipline. If you apply those things to your own personal work you have a built in advantage.

When you are creating commissioned work, how do you take yourself out of the project and focus on the idea that needs to be conveyed?
I never take myself out of a project. The clients hire me FOR my thoughts. That’s what illustrators do, they focus on concepts.

What type of artwork do you have hanging in your home?
I have a few of my pieces, some of my wife’s grandfather’s pieces, and a cherished and highly collectable piece by famed outsider artist Lee Godie.

What accomplishment so far in your life stands out as most important?
Being a good father to my son and working as an illustrator for some of the biggest clients in the world.

Who was the first illustrator that you noticed and admired?
Jim Flora.

Are there any other current illustrators that you feel you identify with or share a similar style?
Too many to even comment on.

Do you read criticism about your work?
Absolutely.

How do you deal with negative criticism?
If everybody likes your work, it isn’t any good.

What is your favorite way to get out of a creative block?
I’ve never had one.

If you had to describe your body of work in one word, what would that word be?
Large.

Is there any one publication that you still have aspirations to see yourself in?
No, I’ve met those goals.

What magazines do you personally read?
The New Yorker.

What are your goals for your future as an illustrator?
To be able to do this until I dry up and blow away.

What question do you wish an interviewer would ask you?
I must confess, that one stumps me.

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News published at 7:00 am, Monday, August 15th, 2011

Artwork by Moira Millman

How and when did you know that you wanted to become an illustrator?
My first childhood ambition was to be an art teacher, it was only when I was a teenager that I really became aware of illustration as a job. I used to cut out and collect illustrations from magazines, particularly one we had in the U.K called ‘Just Seventeen’ and dream that one day it would be my illustrations filling those pages.
After leaving school I took an art foundation course at Plymouth College of Art which was a great experience and confirmed my chosen direction, and then I went on to study for a degree in illustration at Maidstone College of Art.

Where do you draw your inspiration from?
My work has quite a retro feel with a bold use of colour, a combination I think of my enduring love of the 1950′s and of growing up in the U.K in the 1970′s surrounded by all the bright colours from that era.
For as long as I can remember I’ve been a collector, I collected stamps and novelty erasers as a child and when I was a teenager I started collecting things from the 1950′s and I’ve never stopped. One of my favourite things from that era is an album of old matchbox labels which my dad collected as a boy and gave to me. It’s packed full of wonderful miniature artworks with fantastic offset printing and a real joy to look at. I’ve since started my own collection, and I particularly like the labels from Eastern Europe.
I also collect vintage pottery and anything quirky which takes my eye, and these collections offer endless inspiration for my own work.
Another distinctive feature of my illustration is a tendency to draw people in profile, perhaps I was an Egyptian drawing hieroglyphics in a previous life!

What is your earliest memory of creating art? (or drawing as a child)
I was always drawing as child but one particular incident sticks in my memory. I’m a twin and as toddlers myself and my sister took our mum’s lipstick while she had left us briefly to answer the door and decided to do some graffiti on the bathroom walls. As you can imagine she wasn’t too impressed, and from then on we just stuck to paper for our canvas!

What type of environment do you prefer to work in? At home or in a studio? Listening to music?
I work from a studio at home which I share with my husband who is also an illustrator. It’s packed full of art, design and reference books which we like to dip into all the time.
I like to listen to the radio while I’m working and enjoy the varied mix of music and speech although my husband prefers just music so we often have to compromise!

As a working illustrator, do you still find time to create art for yourself?
I try to do as much personal work as I can to keep things fresh and interesting and experiment. I recently bought a Gocco screenprinting machine from Japan with the aim of creating some art prints away from the computer, and this is something I’m hoping to do more of this year.

Who was the first illustrator that you noticed and admired?
While I was at school I remember admiring the detailed and realistic watercolour illustrations of Nicola Bayley and Anthony Browne. Later while studying illustration I was drawn to the collage work of illustrator Janet Woolley. She always created very interesting characters, and her work had quite a dark aesthetic which appealed to me at the time.
My own college work was very different to what I do now and had quite a sinister feel, influenced mainly by the writing of Angela Carter and Sylvia Plath.

What are your goals for your future as an illustrator?
I hope to carry on working in this field which I love, doing as much variety of work that I can. I’d particularly like to develop my hand written type and illustrate more book covers and I’ve also had a long term ambition to write and illustrate my own children’s book.

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News published at 7:00 am, Monday, August 1st, 2011