How did your path lead you into a career as a freelance artist?
I’ve had quite a few different jobs over the years. I’ve worked with kids, admin for theatre companies, an actors’ studio, a yoga studio, a cheque cashing place, an arts centre, I was a reporter/photographer for a little bit, I did public relations for a phone case company, I managed a vintage store. I tried out a few things, and none of them seemed to stick.
I enjoyed being creative, but didn’t really know how to get a job as a creative. I didn’t have the education or experience for something like that. It was in my position at the arts centre where the new Executive Director wanted to make a magazine for the centre, but no one on the team knew how to do it. For some reason, I kind of felt like it was something I could do - my partner went to school for graphic design and so I asked him to teach me the Adobe programs, and with the help of YouTube, I inched my way into graphic design. I really loved it, so I kept at it. In 2019 I began sharing some graphic design content on social media, and it started gaining traction. In 2020, during the pandemic, I was working at the phone case company and had an existential melt down, I didn’t feel like I was aligned with what I was doing. I had a couple graphic design clients on the side, and so on a scary whim, I decided to leave my job to pursue freelance graphic design full time. It’s the best decision I’ve made for myself. I absolutely love working from home and being creative every day!
Tell me about the process of finding your signature style.
I’m not sure I’ve found it yet? I just really like art and design, so I spend a lot of time looking around at things, I love vintage aesthetic, I love organic shapes, nature, folk art, psychedelic poster art. I kind of feel like my style right now is just an amalgamation of all these things. Sometimes (like right now) it leans a little more folksy, and then sometimes it goes more psychedelic. One thing I do know is that I like change, and trying new things (hence the flip flopping around at jobs, I’ve also moved a lot - like maybe an abnormal amount of times).
What is your process when working on a new project? Where do you develop the most inspiration?
If I’m working with a client, it starts with their mood board. I get an idea of what it is they’re going for, and I go from there. I will expand on their mood board by doing my own research into the idea they are looking for. So I will spend time looking around on Pinterest and on internet archives, if it’s available to me, I go to museums just to get new perspectives. Then, I will usually sit with the concepts floating around in my head for a day or two, I will just live life as I normally would but let the idea settle in (I feel like sleeping is actually a really great tool, I feel like I process a lot through sleep). I’ve heard sleeping being called a ‘brain shower’ and I think that fits. So, I’ll have my brain shower for a day or two to process my ideas, and in this time, I also think it’s important to move my body, so I’ll go for a walk, or hike, paddle board, biking, yoga, that sort of thing. Then I get to bringing the idea into reality and I just start creating. I like to block out a good chunk of time for this, that’s when the ideas start coming out. I like to play music, listen to podcasts or watch a movie in the background because I feel like it helps me not be so sticky, and I can flow with my ideas better. And, that’s pretty much it. Once I have the idea chosen, I tinker around with colours and maybe make some minor adjustments. I send the concept over for review and if there are changes, I will start the process over again.
And, this process is really similar with my own work, except with a little less self consciousness. Sometimes I can be a little shy showing my work to a client, but then I remember that it’s not personal if they don’t vibe with what I’ve made, and there’s revisions in place for a reason.
Do you have any creative routines to help you get into a flow state? Or help you get out of a rut?
I touched on those routines a bit in the last question - those are my go-to things I do for creativity. But, If I’m caught in a creative rut, I honestly just wait it out. If I’m not feeling productive or connecting to what I’m making, it’s probably because I’m not feeling connected to myself, so I will do things that I need to do to get back in touch. Besides the things I mentioned earlier, a good laugh is a great way in.
Where do you hope to take your work in the next few years?
I’m hoping to get more physical with my work. I primarily create digitally, but I’ve been slowly getting into oil pastels, collaging, water colour and it’s been a nice change. Me and my partner Dustin have our eye on a printing press, and hoping to get into printing our own things. I’d like to start offering more printed goods, and maybe doing wholesale? It would be nice to have more of a physical, real world connection to what I do, rather than my head caught in a computer all the time.
