Stephanie Ryan

How did you become an illustrator?

I discovered I was an artist in grade school and continued to explore life as an artist ever since. Every time I thought about what kind of career I would like to have, artist was always the answer.

Did you go to art school?

I attended Moore College of Art & Design in Philadelphia.

Were there 1 or more individuals that influenced your becoming an illustrator?

I grew up near Chadds Fords, Pennsylvania and the home of the Wyeths. I have visited the Brandywine River Museum so many times, I have lost count. There is a part of me that is deeply affected by Andrew Wyeth’s work; the gray days and bare sycamore tree’s speak to my soul. I was also inspired by the work of Georgia O’keeffe, her big, bold flowers filled with so much color and beauty are amazing. She was such a strong and determined spirit and let nothing get in her way when creating her art. Today, I am influenced by my artist friends doing whatever is necessary to share their art with the world.

What inspires you now? 

I am inspired by everything around me. Color, nature, textures and flowers of course! I am equally inspired by life, people, the journey, our stories and the pursuit of happiness in all of it’s forms.

Is there anything you would like to share regarding your technique and style?

I primarily use watercolors but, my work also includes graphic looks and textures that I create in the computer. I am an intuitive painter and don’t like to think too much about what I am going to paint. I let the brush create shapes that turn into flowers. The more I think about what I am painting the tighter my need for control gets and it is reflected in my work. So, I try to be a clean slate when I start!

What types of markets do you illustrate for?

I love product design. Most of my career was spent creating dolls and then art for dinnerware. So, I primarily create art for licensing opportunities on products like fabric, dinnerware, cards, and home decor.

Are there links to your art that you would like to share?

Yes! I have a website, blog, Etsy shop and social media sites! Website: http://www.stephanieryandesign.com/

Blog: http://www.stephanieryandesign.com/blog/

Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/stephanieryanart

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/stephanieryandesign

Twitter: @smallsweetsteps

Instagram: Stephanieryands

Do you do other things regarding art, like teaching?

 Right now my time is spent freelancing and nurturing my licensing career. I would love to get involved in teaching when the right opportunity presents itself to me.

Do you persue other creative ventures?

I love to write and spend a lot of time writing my Small Sweet Steps inspirational messages. This is something I started last year as a way to help others through the challenges of getting overwhelmed by the pursuit of their dreams. They are steps that I have taken and continue to take to make the journey a little easier. They are a labor of love that can be challenging to write but, are also so rewarding. http://www.stephanieryandesign.com/smallsweetsteps/

Do you have product with your images currently out in the market?

 Yes, I currently have dinnerware, fabric, cards, flags, welcome mats, shower curtains and some other things out in the market now and I have a very exciting year ahead of me with some great product launches in January!

What do you love best about what you do?

I love that I get to create art every day for myself and then get to share it with the world. 

Mark Gonyea

How did you become an illustrator?

I'm very lucky in the sense that I've always known what I wanted to be, aside from astronaut of course. I don't think I knew what graphic design really was as a kid but I've always been drawing or making my own comics.  It's always been a labor of love of comics, design and storytelling. I think that's why even my design work today has a real sequential nature to it. Although it took me a while to realize I might be able to actually make a living doing art.

 Did you go to art school?

Absolutely. After high school I started out with a full course load of classes at SUNY in my home town. Figure drawing, graphic design, printmaking, that kind of thing. After two years there I decided applied to The Joe Kubert School of Cartooning and Graphic Art. The Kubert school is a very specialized college in New Jersey that focuses exclusively on comics and narrative art. It was a great 3 years and I definitely wouldn't be where I am today without my time there. 

Were there 1 or more individuals that were an influence in your becoming an illustrator? 

I think I was influenced more by what I saw on television as a kid. I used to sit on the floor watching Saturday Morning cartoons and copy images out of comic books. Charles Schultz was a big influence on me as a kid as well. He was the first cartoonist whose name I learned and realized that drawing was a job someone could actually have. I remember thinking that was really cool and I'd like to do that someday. Plus the Peanuts holiday specials were a must see every year in our house. I also love Saul Bass as a designer solely for the simplicity and elegance of his work. He exemplifies the idea that strong ideas are most often deceptively simple. 

 What inspires you now?

Still the same things that inspired me as a kid. Tv, movies, books, comics, math and science. 

Is there anything you would like to share regarding your technique or style or work? 

I've been working digitally pretty much since I graduated college. My preferred style is more of a cut paper look and feel so that fits right in to what I feel a computer is best at. A few years ago I took up doing scratchboard because I missed the tactile feeling of actually putting hands on paper to create something that's one of a kind. 

What types of markets do you do illustration for?

Recently it's been mostly children's books and comic posters so it'll be exciting to see where my art ends up going forward. In the past I've also done a lot of work for hire patterns, packaging design and branding. 

 Are there links to your images you would like to share?

Most of my work can be seen at www.MarkGonyea.com and www.StoryPosters.com and www.MrOblivious.com. Mr.Oblivious was a hobby web comic I did for a number of years basically about how many times you can tell the same joke. Turns out it's a lot!

Do you do other things regarding art like teaching or classroom visits?

I actually JUST did my first classroom visit about a couple months ago which I think it went pretty well. The kids made up some animals for me to draw which included a seahorse with horns and an octopus in a top hat. 

Are there other creative interests you pursue like writing or music?

I definitely write as well. I'm always saying there's a movie script in me somewhere, one of these days I'll have to try and find it. I also like to play very complicated board games with friends. 

Do you currently have product with your images on the market? Books, gift or home products?

As far as licensing goes, I'm fairly new to it but I have done 5 kids books previously. My first was called A Book About Design: Complicated Doesn't make it good. My latest is a Halloween book called The Spooky Box, coming out this summer. You might find a poster or t-shirt here and there online where I've dabbled in licensing but this is the year where I'm hopefully taking it to the next level (cue Karate Kid soundtrack). 

What is the thing you love best about what you do?

I love looking back at the end of a project and comparing it to where it started. It's almost never what I thought it was going to be. 

Jennifer Parker

 How did you become an artist? 

At the age of seven, I made my mom a gift for Christmas. I purged through a box of photos and began cutting, gluing and collaging the family pictures on a poster board. In high school, I continued making collages from magazine clippings and photos. I also enjoyed collecting and sending greeting cards to family and friends. In college, I worked at a gift boutique shop, which lead me to follow a career path in the gift industry. 

Did you go to art school?

I attended California State University, Chico, and earned a Bachelors of Arts degree in Visual Communications (Graphic Design).

Were there one or more influences in your becoming an artist?

Two artists made a significant impression on me when I was 19. Mary Engelbriet's inspirational quotes really resonated with me. I admired how brilliantly she told a story in her greeting cards. And I also fell in love with Nick Bantock's collage postcards and his Griffin & Sabine stories. People have told me that my designs tell a story, and I believe it was those two artists that influenced my work. 

 What inspires you now?

I’m inspired by all things Anthropolgie and Free People! Anything bold and exotic. I love details, ethnic textiles, weathered textures, nature elements, and a mix of unusual objects combined together to create a one-of-a-kind piece of art. 

Is there anything you would like to share about your technique or style? 

I use mostly ephemera [chromolithography printed material out of copyright], photos of textures, and painted backgrounds. And I work primarily in Photoshop, creating many layers in a single file to composite my final image. 

What types of markets do you create images for? 

My career and background has been primarily in the paper products industry. But I look forward to expanding my line into other product categories like home décor, fabric and tabletop. 

Do you do other things regarding art, like teaching? 

I provide design and consulting services to artists who would like help with branding, marketing, and preparing their portfolios for licensing.

Recently, I guided a group of nine amazing women in creating a mandala vision board. Through that heartfelt experience, I plan to offer a seasonal mandala vision board workshops in my studio starting this Fall. 

Are there other creative interests that you persure?

World Travel has given me inspiration. I’ve photographed many different cultures, and find great beauty in light, color, shape, natural and unorchestrated arrangements. 

In conjunction with travel, I enjoy the process of creating assemblages and mixed media with a Eastern Philosophy quality as I’ve deeply enjoyed my experiences in Asia, Nepal and India. 

Recently, I’ve felt strongly compelled to learn monoprinting, bongo drumming, and tribal fusion belly dancing.

Do you currently have product with your images on the market?

You’ll see my licensed designs on greeting cards, magnets recycled plastic tote bags, journals, napkins, boxed notes, notepads, and desk sets.

What is the thing you love best about what you do?

The endless possibilities for creativity. That’s the simple core reason why I love what I do. 

Find more about Jennifer here. 

WEBSITE: http://www.jenniferparkerdesigns.com/

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/vintagestationerygiftdecor

BLOG: http://jenniferparkerdesigns.typepad.com/blog/

CAREER HISTORY: http://www.linkedin.com/in/jennylparker

My Surtex Experience

I think everyone's experience at the Surtex show is individual. Having read and talked to so many others that have already exhibited was a big help as far as expectations go. I have always been there through an agent in the past so this was the first time I exhibited on my own. I had so much fun and was really happy with how everything went. I ended up doing paper banners and was really pleased with them.They were easy to hang and the printer did a fabulous job. I was nervous about having them shipped directly to the hotel and didn't see them until setup. It all worked out. Phew!  I'd made a little dummy of the booth before hand to determine where all the panels were going to go and the design. I used both notebooks and an i-pad for my portfolio.  That worked well for me. I think some clients liked the notebooks better, so it was good having both.Casey Spencer a talented designer helped me in my booth. She was such a great help in many ways including set up and pull down. We also had a lot of fun!

The show had some quiet moments, but the booth in general was pretty busy.
 I did a lot of prep work before the show reaching out to companies that I'd worked with in the past or that were familiar with me to make appointments. I loved connecting directly with the people at companies. It's so nice to put faces with people I've known on the phone or internet for years. I had been told that Tuesday is usually really dead, but I found it as busy for me as the previous days.

Another great thing was getting to meet so many other artists. I had the nicest neighbors to my booth and several artists stopped by to say hello. Great to meet so many of you! I also got to meet several at a get together one of the companies I work with did at an Irish pub Monday evening. I'll be doing interviews with several of them here in the near future.

The most exciting part was the positive reception of the Two Can Art collection that I do with my son, Noah. For those that don't know, Noah is autistic and paints beautiful textures that I then use to create images. This collection is really special to me.
Overall, I had a really exciting and fun time at the show. I am now doing follow up. There are some promising leads that look really good.

Katya Guseva

As an introduction, I first saw Katya's work on her facebook page and loved her beautiful characters. I believe that each of them tells a story. I am so pleased to showcase some of her work here.

How did you become and artist?

Ever since I can remember I has always loved to draw and create things. When I became around 4-5 years old, my mom started to leave me alone in the house... she’d just leave me sheets of paper, colored pencils, plasticine and put on records with my favorıte fairytales. When she came back, she would find me in the same place, busy drawing something. It was my favorite way to pass the time, from then til’ now not much has changed. I still love to draw and sculpt.

Did you go to art School?

Yes, I finished Art School in Siberia, in my home city Tomsk.

Has anyone influenced you in becoming an artist?

I am so thankful to people who love me… to my parents for believing in me. And I am grateful to my husband for his generosity and giving me freedom and opportunity to create and not think about the material side of life.My passion for the art dolls started when while living in Moscow. I went to an exhibition at the Gallery of dolls "Vahtanov: where I was struck by the variety of characters each doll had. They were so different, interesting and at the same time incredibly realistic, comical and absurd. Most importantly  I was amazed that each doll had something magical. Each doll was carrying a small piece of someone's soul.

What inspires you now?

The characters of my dolls are inspired by my childhood memories, impressions of traveling to a different places and meetings with friends. It is a special language which helps me to express my thoughts and my attitude to this life ...

Can you tell us a little about your process?

I am very fond of papier-mache for its  strength and lightness. In the dolls I am using it as a base.  All the subtle details: the face, hands,I  make with self-hardening plastics. I like ‘Paper clay”, but mostly I work with an Italian plastic DAS. I also have a collection of textile dolls. I paint these works with acrylic, pastel, watercolor and oil. At the stage of "dressing up" I use everything that comes my way, wool, fabric, paper, dried flowers, etc. I think the most important tool for each artist is the Fantasy.

What kind of market is your art sold in?

My dolls are "dolls for adults," for those  who in despite of his seriousness, retained his child inside, and the ability to be surprised and enjoy the life. I am organizing my personal exhibition to join international dolls exhibitions all over the world.

Is there a site people can see more of your work?

My website its not ready yet, so mostly all my work its on my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/KATYA-Fairy-tales/129125573789241

What do you love best about what you do?

In the making of art dolls I find an opportunity to apply one piece of work completely different skills, techniques and materials. That's the magic of animation that matters, creating an image, which then begins to live it’s own, independent life.I like to be honest with my self when I create something. Never lie if you choose to make art in this life, never pretend. It must always come from the heart. I'm the strictest critic of myself .Unfortunately life is not easy,so if someone looks at my rosy-cheeked doll fatties and forgets for a moment about their affairs and smiles, that is the best compliment for me and my goal has been achieved

Patti Gay

How did you become an illustrator?

For as long as I can remember I have always been driven to draw and paint. I don’t think I really thought I would be anything else.

Did you go to art school?

Yes, I went to Columbus College of Art and Design. It gave me a great foundation to build on. There were some pretty spectacular illustrators in my classes. I think that I learned a lot from them as well. My favorite class was Color Concepts where we learned to graph and work with color using the Munsell color method. I still use that knowledge in everything I paint.

Were there one or more individuals that were an influence in your becoming an illustrator?

I used to draw and paint a lot with my mom. She was very creative. The love of it grew from there.

What inspires you now?

Everything around me is inspiring. I look at all kinds of art and typography and am really inspired by the way I see artists approach a project. I also live in a beautiful area full of nature. I have wisteria blooming outside my studio window with steller jays hopping about it. There are majestic redwoods, lace like ferns and a myriad of blooming  wonders to enjoy.

I am also inspired by my son’s love of painting beautiful textures. He is autistic and has a whole sensorial experience with the paint and paper. I use his textures to create images that are now in the Two Can Art Collection of art.

Is there anything you would like to share about your technique or style?

I love to explore beyond my comfort zone. I have paintings that very tight watercolors and others that are loose acrylics. I will sometimes do a painting based upon an area that I find difficult like working with water reflections and light. I am starting to work with pattern and texture which I find really exciting. I work both traditionally and digitally.

What types of markets do you do illustration for?

I have done picture books. I have a golden book called CATS and I have recently done a couple of e-books, Friends, Amanda and Max and animals MUST BE.

They are on Barnes and Noble. I am represented by The Herman Agency for books.

I also do art for licensing. I have images on all types of products like cards, cutting boards, tiles, stickers, gift bags, and needlepoint. I also have some 3-d characters that have been licensed from the Amanda and Max book. I am excited that a Two Can Art image is going to be used for platters and plates next season. I will be exhibiting for the first time solo at the big art licensing show, Surtex this May. I had always been represented by an agent there in the past and am excited about the experience.

Are there any links to your images you would like to share?

website: www.pattigay.com

book agent:  

http://hermanagencyinc.com/patti_gay.htm

Friends , Amanda and Max e-book:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/friends-amanda-and-max-patti-gay/1030966799?ean=2940012634337&itm=1&usri=2940012634337

animals MUST BE e-book:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/animals-must-be-patti-gay/1030528593?ean=2940012675613&itm=1&usri=2940012675613
blog: http://pattigay.blogspot.com/

Are there any other creative interests you persue?

I have been working on writing for picture books, and belong to a wonder writing critique group from SCBWI. They are all wonderful writers and I have learned a lot from them.

Do you currently have products with your images on the market?

Yes, I have cutting boards, tiles, gift bags, and cards on the market. I also have the 2 e-books and have a site to sell prints on demand for the Two Can Art images.

What is the thing you love best about what you do?

I can’t wait to get into my studio. I feel incredibly lucky to have what ever time I have there. There is something so wonderful about taking an idea and bringing it to fruition.

I can’t imagine doing anything else. I love it!