Miss Malaprop, a.k.a. Mallory, hosts a blog of “indie finds for your uncommon life” and today she posted about me! Mallory is a writer living and working in New Orleans who is very much dedicated to supporting her regional community as well as the community of artists, artisans and crafters making beautiful goods by hand. I can’t thank her enough for her lovely words about my work!
Tag: business
PVE design
Just wanted to write a quick thanks to Patricia of PVE design for her blog post about my work. Such kind words and great advice!
MIA
Hey kids, I know I’ve been missing in action lately, but my life has been, to say the least, chaotic. I won’t go into all of it, but the highlights (or low-lights as they were) include my press having a major break (fixed now) and the company I worked for ceasing operations (still working on that one — yes, I am accepting freelance work, letterpress or otherwise).
In other news, here are a few pieces I created before the press cracked, and I’ve been working on custom pieces like crazy to catch up, so there will be lots to come! In the mean time, you can always keep up on local happenings on Hold That Thought, an interim publication for a few of us from the old company. (I’ll be posting about Hair Affair in a day or two!)
Digital sit-down with Hannah Stouffer
Hannah Stouffer is the brilliant hand behind Grand Array (which I posted about back here). I asked her to give us all a little insight into how she does what she does.
How did you get your start as a professional illustrator? What was your first big job?
One day I told myself that I was going to be an illustrator… then I started telling everyone else… and one day when I was riding the bus I got a call from a big pharmecutial company that wanted to pay me to draw. I don’t even know how they heard that I was gonna be an illustrator, but it was really surreal and it all kind of snowballed from that point. If you believe in something enough and want it, it will all work out. I swear.
What are your inspirations and influences?
There are many. I don’t even know where to start. I’m very easily overwhelmed and I’m attracted to so many things… sometimes I feel like I might explode… in a good way. I was reading this Pictorial Encyclopedia last night from 1990, I tend to do that a lot… I only made it from A-D though . . . but it gives me a bunch of good information and ideas without allowing myself to be influenced by contemporary phases and trends. I’m extremely interested with classifications and sub-cultures . . . both historically and in our current society.
What is your process?
Research then draw, and hope that it all goes away when I close my eyes at night.
Is the work that’s in commercial campaigns and magazines a sketch you did for yourself first that they liked or do you create work with a specific client in mind?
I’ve decided recently that in order to keep the basis of my work as real as possible its important that I create most of what I do for clients on my own terms. I usually create a series of works for a gallery show, or for myself and then incorporate into the work I do for clients, or even license it out for other projects and product. This isn’t always the case as clients do often have something specific in mind- but more often than not I make work for myself first.
Any advice for aspiring illustrators?
Hustle. Everyday.
Anything else we should know about you?
I’m wearing black reptile skin pants and this amazing oversize ‘Party Prowler’ tee right now that I got at the flea market, I just ate some string cheese and I feel like a million bux.
Business Cards-R-Us
Yesterday I finished up four orders of business cards so I thought I’d share!
622 press | LETTERPRESS GOODS MADE BY HAND 