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Tell us about yourself.
I'm a designer and illustrator with a (healthy) obsession for old-timey nostalgic things. I like to tinker around and think-up the next fun project! I work from home running my own paper design studio called Quill & Fox. I've been married over a year now to my husband who also works from home for a studio in Seattle.
What formal training do you have in illustration/design?
None-- I've always enjoyed designing and doodle-ing things since I was young. I can almost rank that up as important as formal training as I don't think I'd be the same person I am now with that outlet! I went to art school for marketing, but I've ironically delved into more design and illustration things after school.
What is your concept behind the 'Pencil Personalities" graphic for December's good cause?
I wanted it to be fun, simple and unexpected. I really like the idea of showcasing all the creative things you can do with a pencil and pushing that idea further led me to the ideas of exploring all these different pencil personalities.
What are your biggest artistic influences and inspirations?
Other artists inspire me. I find heaps of inspiration online and in my local art community. There is always a ton of talented people in different places. I'm motivated by my passion for creating engaging art that people can truly appreciate. I'm inspired by the opportunity to share!
What is your favorite style of illustration/animation?
I love an illustration style that's imperfect and plays a lot towards design and composition than perfecting the right shapes. I 'm also a sucker for things that uses a lot of mixed-media. I don't always get to do that with what I do--but my attention is easily grabbed when I see someone do mixed-media really well. I think most especially in animation, it's such a fun thing to look at.
Can you describe your creative process - how you come up with ideas for a new drawing and how you take those ideas and create a finished piece of art.
I like to look around for inspiration. Most of the time I invest on a project is really spent on planning and research. I recently found this nifty trick of browsing through thumbnails of art or random pictures but having it at 20% size or anything small enough to be almost incoherent. It helps your brain to process things more differently or to see things you wouldn't normally see if you're actively looking at something at full view.
How do you keep your work fresh?
Do you need to consciously adapt your style or does it progress naturally?
Doing / seeing things unrelated to work or design keeps my work fresh (at least I think I hope so!) It's very important to step-back, unwind and declutter. It lodges off your brain from keeping at the same track it's been going. I think finding a style you really love doesn't mean you can't express it differently too. But we can get caught up with that one thing that "works" really great when there's a ton more other solutions you can think of. I'm always eager to try new things but I actually let my style progress naturally. I think adapting your style to a trend, especially if it's something you don't enjoy intrinsically can be a serious pitfall.
Do you have a favorite artist or an artist you admire?
I'd trade my arm for half of Henri Matisse's talent. I can only wish to use colors the way he does. There's way too many to really detail what inspires me for my projects. I find ways to be inspired by the most unexpected things like a soap label or a subtle detail on a blouse!
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If you could be a character from a fantasy novel, movie or game, who would you be?
Hee. I think I can relate or assimilate to any character that's not overtly feminine, possibly with a similar short hair, and a wallflower. I'm not the heroine type! :)
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Finally, what cartoons did you watch as a kid?
Madeline! Also Ren & Stimpy, and a lot of the weird nickelodeon ones!
Where would you like your work to lead you? Have you any aspirations or plans for the future?
Right now I've been refocusing all my time and effort to pushing on Quill & Fox. I do a lot of freelance design work--but I think I'm ready to funnel in all my creative efforts to my design studio. A good aspiration for the future is to finally have my own store!
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What advice would you give an aspiring illustrator/animator/designer? -In hindsight, would you have done anything differently?
I think the one best advice I could give is ---don't listen to anyone's advice and follow your gut! Heh. I think there's not much wrong you can do if you're sure that you're doing what you love. If I could do things differently--I'd spend the years I spent in college on just real life learnings instead. I think we are right now at the cusp of a society that really allows us to forge your own path. There is so much information we have at our finger tips (LITERALLY) that all we need to do is pick and choose the stuff you want to acquire and forge your own path.
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Thank you, Yas for collaborating with tanQ and lending your time/talent to our December tee in support of Pencils of Promise!
December 2011 // Pencil Personalities
The pencil. To the folks at Pencils of Promise, the pencil represents potential. The innate desire in every child to express him or herself and realize their greatest dreams. This December, tanQ takes pencil in hand to support PoP as they help create greater educational opportunities for all, by empowering children the world over, one pencil at a time.
Get your Limited Edition tanQ Dec Tee here!
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