ILLUSTRATION NOW
What do you see is your role as an illustrator today?
To ideally bring moments for people to pause, digest, and
ponder the situations and people that my work depicts, in
hopes of encouraging them to be more accepting of those
who are not like them.
How did you develop your style initially?
I went to Boston University’s College of Fine Arts to study
graphic design, so even though my education was heavily
rooted in fine art and design practices, I never actually
studied as an illustrator. My love for thinking as a designer
and creating like a fine artist naturally led me to the path
of being a more abstracted figurative illustrator.
You’ve challenged stereotypes with your work,
particularly ideas of the female form. Who or what first
inspired you in that respect?
Having gone to art school, museums, galleries, shows –
and having worked in advertising prior to full-time
freelance life – I never found myself able to relate to the
women depicted within artworks prominently shown.
Moreover, it was difficult to envision myself or look up to
too many living female artists, as most world-known artists
were men. Because of this, I wanted to depict women in a
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WORLD ILLUSTRATION AWARDS 2020
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trope religious, maternal or sexual depictions I was shown
my entire life.What’s the first thing you do when you receive a brief?
Do a small dance in my seat before asking any questions
that arise, then planning out a timeline for the project.Your work confidently handles bold colours without them
ever clashing or jarring. Have you got any advice or tips
for readers in that respect?
Experiment and trust your instincts with colour. If the
colours you choose serve the narrative or emotion of the
piece, it is okay if they don’t traditionally “go together”.In works such as Time For A Refill or Take Off The Rose
Colored Glasses, it looks almost as if you’ve used spray
paint to create the effects. Is that what that is?