After a little gap it's time to get back to the Illustrator Interviews series. And today I'm excited to introduce Heather Stillufsen to the blog.
Hi Heather, thank you for joining us on the blog today! You create some beautiful illustrations & I’m super excited to interview you. So onto the questions…
~ How did you first get into illustration? Did you go to art school?
I have always loved to draw. I have always been creative and loved to make things. I knew I always wanted to have my own business and create my work to sell.
I never went to art school – which, I am ok with. I do take classes when time permits at a Visual Arts School here in New Jersey.
~ You have a shop on etsy, which is lovely. How long have you been selling for? And do you create full time?
I opened my Etsy store in way back in 2010, but I really didn’t give it the full attention it needed until December 2011. ….
I remember reading an interview from one of of the artists who also owns a shop on Etsy, and she said, that she considered it a full time job. She devoted her whole day to creating, photographing and selling on Etsy….and I have kept that in the back of my head….and have tried over the past couple of months to devote more and more time to my shop. Being a full time mom, though I try to maximize my day with as much “creativity” as possible.
~ Do you have a favourite from all of your illustrations?
My favorites might be the Madeline the Mouse series….but when I get to thinking about it, I love them all – I put so much of my creative thoughts into each drawing and or sketch that I just love them – every time I draw one, it quickly becomes my new favorite!
~ Your illustrations are very charming. Do you mainly work with watercolours? Would you mind telling us a little about your technique?
Yes, first I sketch out my ideas. Early in the morning, I wake up, grab my coffee and pull out a pencil and just start drawing. Sometimes I can create 3-4 new ideas per morning….depending on what time the kids get up!
Then I play around with them until I get the correct feel for what I am trying to convey in the sketch. Then I either scan it ( I like to keep the original pencil sketch) after I scan it, I print it and color it…if I am doing watercolor, I transfer it to watercolor paper with my light box - …
Then I paint away. I also use markers and colored pencils for a lot of my work. I have just recently started to color my illustrations digitally. I like the combination of marker and watercolor and digital art.
Creating art is just so fun for me, I really thrive on new ideas and LOVE when I have my creative energy going!
~ If you could illustrate any book/text from any time in history, what would it be?
I guess it would have to start with Nursery Rhymes, I just love them and could spend every day illustrating them.
~ If you weren’t an illustrator what do you think you would be doing?
Wanting to be an illustrator….ha ha ha…no, it’s always been my dream to have a childrens book and stationery line. If not, I guess I would have to say interior decorator - specialising in children’s rooms.
~ Do you have exciting projects in the pipeline that you fancy sharing?
Yes, I am making my designs into fabric! I am so very excited about this…
That is SO exciting Heather! I can't wait to see your new fabrics. Thank you very much for popping by today. You’re such a sweetpea! I can’t to see more of your work!
Thank you very much for having me here. I love your work and your creativeness is fantastic! You are an inspiration, to all of us, Laura!
Isn't Heather's work lovely? I'm so sure we'll be seeing gorgeous picture books, and of course fabrics, from her really soon. I can't wait! You can find more of Heather's work here...
Blog ~ Rose Hill Designs
Shop ~ Rose Hill Design Studio
Facebook ~ Rose Hill Designs by Heather Stillufsen
P.S. Please do leave any questions or thoughts for Heather in the comments. You can read the other interviews in the series here.
