FAQ
Did you go to art school?
I studied painting at the University of Montana in Missoula. I would’ve studied illustration if they had taught it there, but they didn’t. I probably should’ve gone to a school with an illustration program but I was mysteriously, powerfully drawn to Missoula from suburban New York where I grew up.
What materials do you use?
I sketch with pencils and these days most of my finished artwork is in gouache on cold press watercolor paper. I use Higgins India ink and a nib pen or brush for black line work.
Recently, I’ve been using Procreate a bit too. Mostly for lettering and line drawings, though I’ve also used it for projects that required a graphic approach rather than a painterly one - posters and t-shirt designs, for example. But the jury’s out on Procreate. I still like painting and drawing on paper better.
How did you get started in the illustration world? Any tips for recent graduates?
Whenever I'm asked this I say that I’m the wrong person to ask. I didn’t study illustration in college and was a cocktail waitress and a bartender until I was in my late twenties at which point I managed to get some very low-paying editorial work which slowly, slowly blossomed into an illustration career. I got that editorial work mainly because I had been doing all the album and t-shirt and website art for the Decemberists, my then boyfriend’s (now husband’s) band. I also did lots of flyers for shows in Portland, Oregon, made some zines and had some art shows. This was a long time ago and I mostly worked for free or credit or trade. Any tips I have for young artists probably won’t put them on a fast track to illustration success, but here are a few:
Draw all the time.
Prioritize making good art over making money whenever possible.
Keep your overhead low and live simply.
How do you juggle work and being a parent?
Sometimes very poorly but always with a lot of help. I split parenting duties with my husband. I have a helpful mother-in-law who lives nearby, and when they were little, my kids had part-time nannies. It’s hard to be an artist and a mom. Two equally powerful forces pull me in two opposite directions every day. Sometimes I see ways that the two work together and benefit from each other but just as often they feel disparate and their balance takes careful managing. In practical terms, I do this by setting boundaries: I very rarely work on nights and weekends and I very rarely skip a work day to do something with my kids. In psychic terms, I feel like the pendulum is always swinging: sometimes it’s too much of one, sometimes it’s too much of the other, in fleeting moments everything feels right. Though I should add that those fleeting moments happen more often and last longer now that my kids are older. if you're an overwhelmed artist parenting tiny children, take heart: it gets a lot easier.
How many projects do you work on simultaneously?
I am typically working on a book, and I take on little odd jobs and projects to do in the downtime - while I’m waiting to hear back from an editor with revision notes, for example. But that downtime can be scant or unpredictable so I don’t take on a lot of extra work.
How do you feel about people getting tattoos of your artwork?
Deeply flattered! I totally approve. Everyone has my permission to do it and I love seeing photos of them. But I don’t like designing tattoos for people. I find that stressful.
Do you think it’s advantageous to live in a large city to get work?
I think it’s advantageous to live somewhere with a thriving cultural scene. Portland isn’t a large city and I’ve done fine here, but I’m not sure how well I would have fared if I’d stayed in Montana after college. But who knows? Things are different these days. The internet and all. Regardless, I certainly don’t think you need to live in New York. In fact, you may be making things harder for yourself if you do. When your rent is cheap, you spend less time hustling and more time making the art you want to make. Which should make you a better artist. Which should get you more work.
That said, I used to live in San Francisco where I was totally broke but happy because it was such a beautiful, exciting place. So I do understand the allure of expensive cities. (Also, Portland is sadly not cheap anymore, in case anyone is wondering.)
Do you sell your art?
Yes! I’m represented by Nationale, a gallery in Portland, where I have occasional shows. You can always contact May at Nationale to be kept abreast of available work. Currently Gallery 16 in San Francisco has some work available too.
Also, R. Michelson Galleries sells a selection of my original childrens book illustrations. (Nationale does not.) Visit their website or contact them to inquire about available book art.
I also have a Buyolympia shop, where I sell cards, prints, and other odd and ends.
Can I hire you?
I don’t typically take on book projects unless they come through my agent and a publisher. If you are an author seeking an illustrator for your book, you might be better off finding a literary agent for it. The agent will sell it to an editor at a publishing house, who will in turn find an illustrator for it. That’s the usual order of things. I do take on select editorial work and commissions though. If you are an AD or the like, feel free to send projects via my agent, Steve Malk.
Will you speak at my school/conference/library/etc.?
Perhaps! My availability is a little limited because I’m a mom but I do love to do this when I’m able. I'm set up for virtual talks, readings, and workshops too. Any booking inquiries can also be directed to Steve Malk.