Interview with an Illustrator: L i v i G o s l i n g

Interview with an Illustrator : L I V I   G O S L I N G

Hello everyone and congratulations to YOU because today you get to meet Livi Gosling!  Livi is a quick-witted, baking-loving, uber talented Illustrator from Hertfordshire.  In case you didn't know, Hertfordshire is a County in southern England just north of Greater London.   I should've asked Livi to draw a map since it happens to be one of her specialties.   Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice was set there.  Being the diligent researcher I am - I watched the Kiera Knightly movie version for the 36th time last night.  (When the hubs asked if I'd take the dog out,  I told him "it'd be most inconvenient since I have sworn to loathe him for all eternity."  Chuckle...  He didn't get it.  But I digress...)

Livi went to Falmouth University in Cornwall where she earned a degree in Illustration.  I first discovered Livi on Jolly Edition, one of the best custom stationery companies out there.  I've been stalking her work ever since.  I love so many things about her illustrations, but perhaps what I love most is how organic they are.  They're rich in color, detail and feeling yet Livi manages to maintain a rawness in her artwork.   There emanates a sense of nostalgia in her paintings, and each one looks as if it was meticulously and thoughtfully created over a significant span of time (probably because it was).

In addition to being a full-time Illustrator, Livi is quite the foodie.  Just check out her Instagram!  She loves to cook and bake and hopes to one day illustrate a cookbook.  I hope so too.  Scroll down to read our Interview!

Livi's Clients: Australian Traveller - Ampersands Publishing - Doodle Plate - Fool Magazine - Gosling Creative - Jamie Magazine - Jolly Edition - London Food Essentials - Lonely Planet - Lussmann's Restaurant - Luton Hoo Kids Book Festival - Nixon Design - Oh Comely - St Aubyn Estate Holidays - Spicer & Cole - Taproot Magazine - Tesco - Tresco Island - UCLH Galleries - Verily Magazine - Voyeur Magazine: Virgin Australia - Zizzi

How did you get started in illustration?

I didn’t really know that illustration was a career option until I did my foundation course at a local college. It was a real eye opener for me.  I felt like I’d found something that could offer a real career. I also discovered that I was truly diabolical at pottery.

What are three words to describe your art? 

Painterly, inky & tactile.

Walk us through your typical day.

I’m lucky enough to now work in the same studio as my boyfriend (Josh Hurley, illustrator and digital designer) and it’s up to me to drive us to the studio so he’s there at 9am sharp. I’m pretty rubbish in the mornings so I’m grateful for him getting me caffeinated and out the front door. He’s excellent.

Once in the studio, I usually wake up with another cuppa and go through my emails. Then it’s just spending the day working on commissions. Inking in the morning, Photoshop in the afternoon. I tend to work until 5.30pm, but recently I’ve been staying later. I’m working on several hundred illustrations for a big publishing commission. Pretty huge.

What is your favorite and least favorite part of your illustration process? 

Ummm, my least favourite part is probably when the client asks for changes and alterations that I don’t agree with. But that comes with the job, I get over it pretty quickly. My favourite part is when an exciting commission comes in and I get such a buzz. They don’t always work out but the adrenalin rush is always the same.

It sucks when I have to miss out on socialising because I’m working weekends but I know my friends understand. And at the end of the day, I feel super lucky to get to draw for a living.

What is your favorite size “canvas” to work with and why? 

I always work on A3 cartridge paper. Nothing too fancy. It’s easy to draw and ink onto, and it isn’t too pricey!


What is something new you’ve recently learned about your craft? 

Wacom tablets are bloody great.

What are three important qualities an illustrator must have to succeed? 

Ambition, self-belief, persistence.

What is the most important thing aspiring artists can do in order to get their artwork discovered? 

Set yourself commercial projects, utilise social media. Keep busy. 

Any tips on finding/applying for commercial projects - especially for those whom lack a formal art education?

I think a portfolio usually speaks for itself.  If you have a strong body of work then your education background should be irrelevant.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced as an illustrator and how did you overcome it? 

Hmmm… Probably pricing. When you’re starting out you really don’t know where to begin when giving a quote. I’m better at pricing now (after a little trial and error.)

What advice would you give to new ETSY artists with respect to pricing their work?

I would suggest doing some serious research into other illustrators who sell similar products.  Consider how long each piece takes you to make and don't be afraid to price appropriately.

You draw lots of fun maps. Have you been to all of the places you’ve drawn? 

Oh I wish! After working on a map of Tresco (in the Scilly isles), I holidayed on the island and it was the best week of my life. It’s such a beautiful place. My boyfriend and I pretty much had the whole island to ourselves. We ate a lot of clotted cream.

If you could go anywhere and draw anything – all expenses paid – where would you go and what would you draw? 

Oh New Zealand. Without a doubt. It looks so beautiful. I’ve wanted to go there since I was at school (I was a huge Lord of the Rings fan). I’d walk in the mountains, draw the landscapes, take way too many photos and listen to all the amazing accents all day long.

Besides illustrating, what else are you passionate about? 

Regular mealtimes.

What is success to you? 

After having a part-time job for three years since graduating, I went full-time last October and haven’t looked back.

What are three websites you visit on a regular basis? 

Twitter and Etsy all the time. I’m trying to understand Pinterest at the moment, but all the tasty looking recipes distract me. Everyone says I’d love it

Who or what has been the single biggest influence on your way of thinking? 

My father. He’s a creative person too and started his own Graphic Design company when I was a tiny baby. He works incredibly hard, as does my mum. I have wonderful parents. They’ve always encouraged me to be an illustrator and I am eternally grateful for that.

What is your personal motto? 

“One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.” Virginia Woolf.

Who is another artist you think we should check out? 

Eleanor Taylor. Her work for the NYT is really lovely.

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A GIGANTIC thank you to Livi for taking time to do this interview despite her crazy busy schedule!  I hope everyone finds her as charming, witty and talented as I do!  To view all of Livi's art, check out her website and ETSY shop.  And be sure to follow Livi on Instagram and Twitter too!  Thanks for stopping by!

Interview with an Illustrator : E r i n V a u g h a n

Interview with an Illustrator : E R I N   V A U G H A N

Hi everyone! Today I'm pleased to introduce you to the lovely Erin Vaughan, a freelance illustrator currently residing in Los Angeles.  This southern Californian artist is a girl after my own heart.  I discovered her work while searching #treeart on Instagram.  Up popped her tree-laden illustrations of picturesque camping scenes and National Parks.  I. Was. Smitten.  Evoking both a sense of adventure and tranquility, her illustrations are rich, rustic and just a touch folksy.  Erin graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Arts from Biola University.  In addition to working with various clients, Erin sells her artwork on her ETSY shop.  (It's where you can find #8 on my Christmas wish list!)  Read on to learn more about Erin and see her delightful illustrations!

How did you get started in illustration?

As an art major, I went in as an interdisciplinary major, which allowed me to take lots of drawing, painting, illustration and design classes, pointing me in the direction of illustration. I had a lot of support from professors, classmates and family who really encouraged me in my pursuits as an illustrator.

Walk us through your technical process of completing an illustration – from start to finish.

First I will do a little research and gather images for inspiration that I use as reference material when I draw. Then I may do a few really rough compositional sketches. Next I’ll start sketching out the final drawing (in pencil) onto watercolor paper. Then I’ll do the painting in gouache and finish by outlining bits of the painting in black ink. 

Why gouache over other mediums?

I love gouache because it is perfectly in-between watercolor and acrylic. You can water it down to get that watercolor look I sometimes want, or I can add thicker layers of paint like you would an acrylic.

What are your favorite and least favorite things to draw?

I pretty much love drawing anything having to do with nature. I have really started to love drawing actual places I have been, or things that I have seen through experience. I have never liked drawing figures/people. This is mostly because it changes the whole feeling of a painting when you add in a figure. I like the viewer to be able to imagine themselves or whatever they want in the space. 

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced as an illustrator and how did you overcome it?

Most of the challenges I face as an illustrator have more to do with running a business and the huge learning curve that is. I have basically had to teach myself how to run a business. I am still learning everyday and adjusting things three years later. A main challenge I have had as an illustrator is confidence and comparing myself to others. No matter how many times I sit down to paint, I still get nervous before I start a new painting. I wonder whether I will be able to create something that is interesting and meaningful to people.

Can you share any good resources you may have discovered about how to run a business?

When I started my business I read this blog often that gave wonderful tips for starting a business: http://befree-lance.com.  I also like these blogs: http://neshadesigns.com/blog/23-resources-for-creative-entrepreneurs/ and http://amandagenther.com. Other good reads: Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard and The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharp.

What are three important qualities an illustrator must have to succeed? 

Developed Routine / Diligence
Developed Style
Developed Skill

How long did it take you to develop your own style?

I would say it’s taken me a good five to eight years. Most of that journey began in college and has continued to evolve and change through the last 3 years as a full time illustrator. I sort of think it’s a continual process.

Do you think the internet/social media has made your job easier or harder?

Both! It’s amazing how people can have access to your work all over the world. But that also means there is so much more competition, and it is so much easier for your work to get lost among so many people putting things on the Internet. I also feel like the Internet sort of takes away the sacredness of viewing an artist’s work.

What is one tip you would give to aspiring illustrators who are trying to get their work noticed?

Make tons and tons of work, and get it out there. Submit your work to blogs, post it on social media, go to events to sell your work, show your work in galleries no matter how small or quaint. Expect to be rejected sometimes. That’s part of the process. But don’t let that stop you. I have to tell myself that all the time.

What is your ultimate goal as an illustrator?

I mostly just want to keep being able to do what I’m doing. That may seem like a small goal, but it is hard to make a living in this business. I care more about getting to do what I love everyday vs. making a ton of money. So being able to make enough to just keep the business afloat is my continuing goal. But I would also like to be able to have a bigger studio, and hopefully be able to hire a couple employees to help run the production side of my shop.

Walk us through your typical day.

Most mornings (unless I go running) I get up around 7-7:30, make a cup of coffee, catch up on emails and the news, eat a little breakfast, then I get ready for the day and start work around 8:30am. Then it just depends on what’s most pressing for the day. Some days are more about creating products, so I’ll literally sit down to paint all day (with a little lunch break). I will try to throw in a little coffee break in there sometime in the afternoon. I finish work around 5pm. And then usually take my dog out to the park. I try really hard to be done at 5pm because it is so easy for people who work from home to get burnt out from working overtime. I have learned to put that boundary up with myself unless there is something just super pressing a particular day. Some days call for more business stuff that can having me doing all sorts of different tasks besides painting- packaging orders, managing finances/tax stuff, post office runs, working with my interns, photographing and styling artwork, etc.

The Great Outdoors is the primary theme in much of your work… what draws you to nature?

I feel most at peace and happy when I am outside. Seeing the details in creation make me want to create my own interpretation. I grew up traveling, road tripping and camping a lot, and continue to try to do that. So those experiences have a deep impact on my artwork.

Do you have a favorite nature/camping spot?

Pfeiffer Big Sur, State Park. Me and my extended family have been camping there every summer for over 15 years. It feels like an extension of home to me.

What is your favorite Pandora station?

I actually use Spotify. I love making my own playlists. I post a playlist every month for my followers. You can find them on my blog!

Who are your creative mentors?

I have a lot of friends who are artists that were in the art department with me throughout school that I continue to seek advice from. Periodically I will check in with former professors as well. My brother is an artist and photographer. I consider him a creative mentor too.

Do you have a favorite quote?

"Art is always the act of a whole man or woman, and no matter what form it takes - colored shapes, pulsing tones, rhymed words, stylized gesture - if it be honestly done, the art embodies heart, soul, mind and strength of the artist as he or she responds knowingly to the world of God around him." -Calvin Served, Rainbows for the Fallen World: Aesthetic Life + Artist Task

"Whether it's a painter finding his way each morning to the easel, or a medical researcher returning daily to the laboratory, the routine is as much a part of the creative process as the lightning bolt of inspiration, maybe more." -Twyla Tharp, The Creative Habit

Last question! Any other artists you think we should check out?

I'm super inspired by Wesley Bruce, Folk Fibers and Britt Bass.

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To see more of Erin's artwork, check out her website!  And don't forget to follow her on Instagram and Facebook!  Annnnd, if you'd like to see where she creates her magical illustrations, check back next week for the next Studio Spotlight! Thanks for stopping by everyone. : )

Interview with an Illustrator : J o n a s C l a e s s o n

Interview with an Illustrator : J O N A S   C L A E S S O N

I'm thrilled to kick off this new series by introducing readers to Jonas Claesson, freelance illustrator and owner of Shopscout.com.  I've been following his work for a while now and I love when one of his illustrations pops up on my Instagram feed.  His playful and graphic style features everything from hippy-dippy surfing moose to dreamy campsites under watery skies. With clever titles like Global Roaming for an illustration of campers hitching a ride on a swimming polar bear, his work delights and arouses the mind.  Originally from Sweden, Jonas now lives in Freshwater on the northern beaches of Sydney, Australia.  Before moving to Australia to complete three years of industrial design school, he spent three months in Portugal (studying Portuguese) and completed a year of art school in Sweden.  In 2005, he was awarded Best Eco Design Concept at Interior Motives Design Awards for his creation of a modern VW camper.  In addition to drawing on a regular basis and running a business, Jonas is getting ready to launch his first children's alphabet book of surfing animals.  I was very excited when Jonas agreed to an interview since he's a pretty private guy - not to mention he's a tad busy.  Check out what he has to say below, and don't forget to scope his impressive collection of art at shop.jonasclaesson.com!

Global Roaming

How did you get started in illustration?

I always liked drawing from when I was really young. I used to make my own comic books with my best friend growing up.

What are three words to describe your art?

That’s hard to say about my own stuff… Adventure, Animals, Surf?

What are the primary tools you use to create your illustrations, starting with most used to least used?

Pencil

Pen

Paper

Erasr

Scanner

Computer (Illustrator and Photoshop)

What type of environment do you work in?

I work from home, so mostly from my kitchen table or desk.

Walk us through a typical day.

I wake up, feed the cats and walk down to the beach to check the surf and drink coffee with my girlfriend. If [the surf] is good, I usually go in a bit later.  Otherwise I go home and read emails and work.

What is success to you?

To be happy with what you have, while still working hard towards your goals.

Would you mind sharing what some of those goals are?

One of my short-term goals right now is to finish the Surfing Animals A-Z book and get it out before Christmas.  Other than that, I just want to keep having fun with the illustration thing and hopefully grow it as a business at the same time.

Was there ever a time when you wanted to give up on being an illustrator?  If so, why and how did you get over the “hump”?

I never really gave up on it.  I just focused on other stuff.  I worked for Billabong for four years as a product designer and also started a web business which turned into Shopscout.com.  I also did some illustration projects, mostly working with a Swedish brand called Nord.  I think a lot of the current momentum I have [with respect to my current art] is thanks to the time we live in.  Instagram is a huge part of it for me.

You have nearly 23,000 followers on Instagram!  How long did it take you to reach such a large audience, and what are your tips to other artists who are trying to grow their reach on Instagram?

 

I started to put things up probably 2 years ago… The only tip I have is to draw everyday, put it out there, and see what happens.

Winter Mornings

What are three important qualities an illustrator must have to succeed?

Persistance

Creativity

Happy with failing

Can you explain what you mean by “Happy with failing?”

Sounds a bit strange maybe.  It's like the concept of failing forward… I think for me it is important to create things kind of fast and imperfect and then release it instead of overthinking it - to understand that failing is part of the process. Does that make sense?

It definitely does!  What single piece of advice would you give to others who are trying to make a living as an illustrator? 

Draw something every day and share it with the world.

Speaking of the world, what made you move from one side of the it (Sweden) to the other (Australia)?

Me and a couple of friends wanted to combine studying at university with surfing, and for that it is hard to beat Australia…

Black Sea

What's your favorite thing about surfing? 

Pretty much everything. The beauty of all the elements coming together when the waves are good. I love surfing when there is no wind and it's raining - which I did today. 

Do you have a favorite break?

Aussie Pipe – I just went there with a friend for a couple of days on a camping trip.  It was amazing.

Favorite board?

A Chopper from Yoshi.

  

What about a favorite Pandora station?

Fionn Reagan

What would you recommend a traveler to see while they are in Sweden?

Stockholm and the surrounding islands plus Lappland (the north). 

What are some websites you visit on a regular basis?

Coastalwatch (surf forecasting) and Facebook L

What is something new that you’ve recently learned?

I am trying to learn to paint with watercolour at the moment…

Milky Way

What is your personal motto?

I don’t really have a motto, but I like this quote: 

"Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect." -Mark Twain

Besides drawing and surfing, what else are you passionate about?

Good coffee, food, travelling and good TV series.  (His favorites are Breaking Bad, Fargo and Narcos.)

I love the Wilderness (hence, wilderlis).  I know you must love the wilderness too based on your work.  Why?

I love being outdoors. It makes me calm and charges me up. I love the ocean and the mountains.

Whale Shark

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To see more of Jonas's work, check out his Instagram and Facebook! If you are a fellow illustrator and are interested in being featured on wilderlis, drop me a line!