Create & Cultivate 100: Art & Design: Magdalena Kokoszynska
Magdalena has an eye for detail and sees opportunity in every challenge. In her words, she does “everything, whether big or small, with integrity and honest passion.”
When Magdalena Kokoszynska found her path, she stuck to it. With nearly 12 years under her belt on the creative team at Chevrolet, she’s risen the ranks from creative designer all the way to lead color and trim designer and cites seeing her overall vision come to fruition as a constant source of inspiration in her role.
Magdalena has an eye for detail and sees opportunity in every challenge. In her words, she does “everything, whether big or small, with integrity and honest passion”—and for that reason, we’re honored to share her story below.
You’re the lead creative designer at Chevy. Tell us a bit about what your day-to-day life looks like on the job.
A color & trim designer’s average work week is never dull. Each day holds something new and exciting. The most important thing for me to remember is to keep focused on the overall design vision and take small steps everyday towards creating that captivating and enticing design that will speak to the customer. One of the things I enjoy most about each day is that I get to work cross-functionally and collaboratively with my counterparts in engineering and marketing to find the best design solutions that not only push innovation but that are production feasible.
You moved to the United States from Poland when you were just six years old. How has your past influenced your work?
My life started in Poland where I was born and raised. At the age of 6 my family and I moved to the United States to New York City. I spent my childhood and my early adult life in New York. Adjusting to NYC life was both thrilling and terrifying at the same time. New York City is known as the capital of the world and a melting pot of all diverse cultures, living there has given me a greater appreciation and acceptance of different cultures and people, which is important when designing vehicles for our diverse customers. What’s special about New York City is its vibrancy and energy, its unapologetic qualities and ruggedness which give it its character.
If you weren’t a designer, what career path would you choose?
I would probably be a lawyer. The investigative part in me the curious part and my inquisitive side always wants to go beyond what I know and what I see to understand the whole picture and come to the best most holistic solution. For example, as a designer I love investigating and understanding not only the hows but the whys, understanding the way things are engineered a certain way, what types of processes there are and why they are most efficient but I also enjoy the analytical aspect and the process of coming to one concrete plan or solution.
What’s been the biggest surprise or highlight of your career to date?
I was honored to be a part of the Southeastern Michigan Girl Scout event this past year that was sponsored by GM. It gave me an opportunity to speak about my experience and career here at GM and to inspire young girls to pursue a future in automotive design.
From where do you draw inspiration for your work?
For me creative or artistic inspiration is a sensory experience that it is shaped by our life experiences, it is a feeling inside, the catalyst that ignites a creative fire. I tend to get inspired by things that surround me, whether it is something tactile, music or spoken words, or a surrounding environment, for me it always comes back to the senses, those memories remain in my mind in almost a poetic way. Most importantly when it comes to inspiration I try to keep my mind open to be inspired when I least expect it, in moments that might seem mundane, ordinary or everyday it is in those moments of silence and monotony that some of my biggest inspirations come.
It is important not be fearful, and to know who you are, and trust your instincts.
When you hit a bump or hurdle in your career, how do you find new roads + switch gears to find success?
I’ve learned in my life that patience is truly a virtue, so I try my best to be patient. They say, if at first you don’t succeed try, try and try again, and I firmly live that every day. A bump or hurdle might just be what you need to grow and to move outside of your comfort zone, so I have learned to accept these bumps as small opportunities. It is important not be fearful, and to know who you are, and trust your instincts. And most importantly to dream big, because only you can create the dream within yourself. I didn’t always know where the roads would lead but I always met people along the way who helped me in the right direction, be thankful for those people and seize those opportunities.
What advice would you give to young artists and designers just starting out in their career?
Be yourself! Be true to who you are and believe in yourself, your talents and strengths. One thing that I have learned is that there will always be obstacles; but as long as you are true to yourself, maintain your integrity and work hard, you can be successful. Perseverance and passion for what you do can truly move mountains and there cannot be success without hard work. And most importantly be humble because you never know what you might learn from others.
What about your job makes you feel the most fulfilled?
I have a true passion for learning. I have been with GM almost 12 years and every day I learn something new. Every day I strive to learn more and more about all aspects of the business to reach the goals that I have set for the future. I have been fortunate to have so many great experiences as a designer at GM. It’s always exciting for me when I can see my ideas and creative vision come to fruition.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
A professor in college once told me “The way you do anything, is the way you do everything, have heart.” Meaning, do everything whether big or small with integrity and honest passion.
What are you most excited for in 2019?
I am most excited for the unexpected surprises that will come, and the uncertainties that turn into delights, that inspire us to grow. And most importantly to continue to learn and grow in all aspects, as a designer and an individual and inspire others along the way.
VIEW THE FULL CREATE & CULTIVATE ART & DESIGN LIST HERE.
Create & Cultivate 100: Art & Design: Gabriella Sanchez
This Angeleno fine artist has a painting and graphic style unto itself, with her work hanging in prestigious galleries and commissioned by premium brands.
Don’t sleep on Gabriella Sanchez.
The Angeleno fine artist has a painting and graphic style unto itself, with her work hanging in prestigious galleries and commissioned by premium brands. In a world of conventional living, Gabriella has carved out a distinct path for herself. In 2013 she applied to—and was accepted into—several illustrious MFA graduate programs. She ultimately declined all admission offer letters and decided to continue developing her own design and illustration styles and working with commercial clients. That “start by starting” attitude is something to be admired, especially because Sanchez’s client list includes envy-inducing brands like Nike and Planned Parenthood.
You worked with Nike, The White House (during the Obama era), and Planned Parenthood as an illustrator and designer. How did that differ from your work as a fine artist?
All my work, commercial or otherwise, has similarities in that it’s still has a level of my voice and aesthetic vision that comes through. However, the approaches and concepts for my fine art versus my commercial work are very different.
For commercial work, you are given a general objective and have to consider the audience may not be coming to specifically see your art but is more likely to just seeing it in passing so you must quickly and clearly communicate or entice your audience in order to get your client’s objective achieved.
For my fine art work, no one else is giving me an objective. I get to build concepts out of what I’m interested in exploring or communicating and I also can be as clear or convoluted as I think is best to suit the concepts I’m pursuing. In my fine art, I much more prefer to slowly reveal the depth of subject matter by first attracting the audience to have a closer look through the bright and pleasing colors and composition, and then once the viewer sits with the painting for a moment, there are small bread crumb-like clues that lead you down a path of more depth. Very much unlike my commercial work, I like my audience to have to do the work to arrive at a conclusion when viewing my fine art.
There percentage of female Latinx artists is not large. How do you hope to spread the opportunities and connect with any aspiring, young, Latinx artists?
Social media has been a great tool for me to find a community and feel connected to other artists of color. Some of my biggest opportunities have come from other more established artists of color who had seen my work through social media and then referred me to gallery directors or directly offered me gallery show opportunities. That’s how it should work, artists supporting artists and as we get more opportunities we should continue collaborating and seeking out artists from our communities. I try to do the same, when collectors, curators or galleries ask me about artists I like or think they should look at, I always make sure to include artists of color who I think are making incredible work and just need a little light shined on them.
I’m also really interested in helping artists of color and especially women of color looking to make a living in a commercial creative field like design and illustration. I often speak openly on panels, answer DMs, bring young people on to projects I’m working on, and (because I’m now working less commercially as I am at a place now where I can sustain myself with my fine art) I’ll even pass commercial projects on to other artists of color who are still starting out. The design world has a severe problem in terms of inclusion and diversity, so I’m really adamant about helping artists of color, especially women, who are still trying to find their footing in the field. I’m especially interested in this because commercial work gave me the opportunity to stay in a creative field while being able to fund my life and ultimate pursuit of fine art. A lot of artists of color don’t have the opportunity to take on financial burdens, like those that come with pursuing a fine art career, so it’s a great field for emerging creatives to still work in an art field and get their work seen while making more immediate money.
People look to you for inspiration, but where do you go to feel creatively inspired?
Visually speaking, I have a few folders of photos on my phone of art, design, and random things I see that I found inspiring in some way. I’m also always looking online for inspiration. I also try to go to art shows regularly. However, reading is a big inspiration as well. When I start a new painting series I typically spend time reading, researching, and writing before actually painting. R.B. Kitaj has a quote I love, “For me, books are what trees are for the landscape painter.” I feel the same.
Who are some female artists that inspired your past? Who do you think is a rising star?
Sister Corita Kent has been a long time inspiration and more recently the massive archival work of Guadalupe Rosales is really special. I recently saw a painting by Kiara Aileen entitled “Frustaciones De Una Centroamericano” that really captivated me. I was also recently in a group show with Michael Alvarez who’s another Latinx LA-based painter who I think definitely deserves more attention. He creates really interesting oil painted portraits and incorporates found objects. Another artists who’s doing really beautiful work is the photographer Gizelle Hernandez. She creates very intimate cinematic portraits that make you wish you could live in that moment. My favorite photo I’ve seen of her work is a portrait she took of the Latinx singer San Cha. The color and lighting of the photo reminds me of scenes from Blue Velvet but goes beyond that to create something totally unique and utterly powerful.
Be the one that decides the direction in which your art grows.
What about your job makes you feel the most fulfilled?
It’s definitely the fact that I am able to be the one that decides the direction in which my art grows in, and as a result, the path my career will take.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
To make my own decisions and to base them on what I want for my life, not what others want.
What’s been the biggest surprise or highlight of your career to date?
The highlight would probably be from this past year. It has been a great one for me and I’ve had some really amazing supporters. The biggest surprise and highlight would probably be being featured in the group show “Punch” at Jeffrey Deitch in New York, curated by the artist Nina Chanel Abney, this past September.
What keeps you up at night?
Hmmm off the top of my head….sustaining my recent career growth and figuring out healthcare.
What are the common challenges you've seen among female creatives in business?
When I started pursuing art and design, I felt like I was truly flying blind and I had to take a lot of financial risks and burdens to rent a studio space, buy materials to make the work, and have time to develop my craft, and that just skims the surface. Then come all the hidden things people don’t often think about that come with being an entrepreneur or small business owner, because really that’s part of being an artist as well. So that paired with the fact that in general women get paid less on the dollar (women of color even less), I would say financial inequality and limited female-to-female mentorship opportunities are major challenges for female creatives.
When you hit a bump or hurdle in your career, how do you find a new road + switch gears to find success?
I try to keep my broader goals in mind and refocuses on ways to ultimately achieve those goals so as to not get hung up on one immediate moment.
When you value your work and skills, your clients will too.
Artists have it tough when it comes to pricing talent/skills. What’s the best advice you have for artists/designers/photographers out there who are working to turn their creative skills into a career?
Value your work—don’t work for free or for underpaid projects, if you can help it. When you’re first starting out, you might decide to take a project that’s underpaid if you still need to build up your portfolio, still developing your skills, or just need to make some money. However, you should quickly push yourself out of that bracket. As your portfolio grows and your skills continue developing, that growth should then be reflected in your prices. That may mean that you might lose a former client or two, but that also means the next clients you gain will be paying you more of what you deserve for your skilled work. Low-paying clients beget more low-paying clients, but the opposite is true, too. Higher-paying clients breed more higher-paying clients. Now, that doesn’t mean you overprice yourself right out of school, that just means as you grow in experience and skills your prices should also grow. When you value your work and skills, your clients will too.
What are you most excited for in 2019?
Continuing to create whatever I want.
Photography by Annie McElwain Photography
Photoshoot skincare provided by Dermalogica
VIEW THE FULL CREATE & CULTIVATE 100 ART & DESIGN LIST HERE.
Create & Cultivate 100: Art & Design: Amber Vittoria
If you’ve been on Pinterest or opened a magazine lately, you’ve probably seen Amber Vittoria’s work. She’ a fine artist with a booming shop of her own.
If you’ve been on Pinterest or opened a magazine lately, you’ve probably seen Amber Vittoria’s work. The New York City-based illustrator is no stranger to big brands—her client list includes companies like Condé Nast, Atlantic Records, Gucci, The New York Times, and Instagram—but she’s also a fine artist with a booming shop of her own.
We love Amber’s work because it’s the pinnacle of intersectional feminism, showing the female form in all its realness: curves, body hair, and double chins included. She cites art as her most natural form of communication—and we can’t wait to see what she has to say in 2019 and beyond.
You’ve previously said you chose design because “it was the only path I felt OK with failing on.” Tell us more about what you meant by that and why it drove you to this career.
When deciding what I wanted to pursue career-wise, I started to take close note of which activities I enjoyed purely for the sake of the process. I learned that in areas like math and science I solely enjoyed excelling, whereas in art I enjoyed the work, even if the product wasn’t as successful.
You’ve collaborated with mega brands like The New York Times and Adidas. What’s a company you’d love to work with in the future and why?
I’d love to work with Everlane and Rothy’s’ both brands have a heavy focus on eliminating plastic waste within the fashion industry, which is incredibly important to me.
What advice would you give to young artists and designers who are struggling to support themselves with their work?
I was very fortunate that my family could financially and emotionally support me when I first graduated college; I moved home for a year, and my parents were able to help me pay for majority of my schooling. I like to be transparent about this privilege, as it enabled me to save, take time to find full-time jobs that could support me as I freelanced on the side, which then enabled me to stably go freelance full-time.
It’s difficult to give out blanket advice for supporting oneself on their art, but my path involved holding several full-time design jobs as I illustrated on nights and weekends; this allowed me the ability to save as best I could, slowly grow a client list, and get my freelance/full-time balance to the point where I felt the most confident about taking the jump to self-employment.
Also, please feel free to email me at amber.vittoria@gmail.com, and I can always do my best to give more specific assistance/advice in this area, as it is so different for everyone.
Where does your passion/drive come from?
My work is inspired by women I’m fortunate enough to know, to pass by in the world, and to read about. Making work they can resonate with is so important to me.
What keeps you up at night?
I aim to pack my days with as many art projects, ways to help others through my art, and ways to change the narrative about women, and how we are perceived societally, so I can be tired enough to sleep through the night.
In a world where likes and follower counts are so coveted, how do you stay authentic and true to yourself/your brand?
Becoming obsessed with the vanity of a high follower count is natural, so I try to view followers as a new individual interested in the work I make, and not as a number.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work? How do your hobbies influence your art?
I love to visit National Parks, taking travel photos, and eating new foods. The ability to mentally focus on aspects of life that aren’t art focused helps me stay balanced.
In times of stress, focus on your breathing.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
In times of stress, focus on your breathing. My Apple watch likes to remind me of this, haha.
When you hit a bump or hurdle in your career, how do you find new roads + switch gears to find success?
I try to take a break from making - going for a walk, grabbing a coffee, calling my parents, all help to distract me a bit from the creative block I may be having.
What are you most excited for in 2019?
Meeting and working with new people who help me and my work grow, that’s what I’m most excited about!
VIEW THE FULL CREATE & CULTIVATE 100 ART & DESIGN LIST HERE.
Create & Cultivate 100: Art & Design: Jesse Marble
Jesse Chamberlain Marble developed her first photo at age 12 (in her bathtub, nonetheless) and never looked back.
Jesse Chamberlain Marble developed her first photo at age 12 (in her bathtub, nonetheless) and never looked back.
And while she’s moved on from her first Pentax K1000, the LA-based photographer still has a camera in her hand most days of the year.
Jesse’s work conveys a nostalgia for a year from no definitive era. Her photos utilize a spectrum of pastels that emanate a dream-like effect, further enhanced by their playful use of silhouettes and optical illusions. Her portraits are vibrant and full of an energy that demand a second, third, or fourth look—as her subjects are positioned so cleverly within their respective environments.
The creative entrepreneur is also the co-owner of Our Labor of Love, Smilebooth, and The Flashdance, all in the photography, wedding, and fashion categories. Having photographed over 500 weddings, Jesse left no design stone unturned at her own wedding to groom Jimmy Marble last year at the Madonna Inn. The couple designed everything from the menus to the Do Not Disturb signs, ensuring that all wedding decor was amplified by the iconic and prismatic Southern-California hotel. Naturally, the photos are amazing.
On your website, you say photography is your superpower. Can you tell us why it’s so powerful to you?
It’s my favorite language. Just as a raise in an eyebrow and slight little smirk can be a universal feeling in any language. A photograph speaks clearly in any culture and every language.
What do you think it takes to make it as a successful photographer today?
Success in photography takes a lot. First and most importantly, it takes a defined style. So when people see it, they know it’s yours. Next, I would say a lot of work and drive, like in any other version of success. For me, I personally love collaborating with new artists on personal projects in my off time to build a community and elevate my vision.
Tell us how you got your start as an artist, and how you eventually found your niche.
I’ve been painting, sculpting, drawing and dancing since I was three years old. My dad and stepmom built a dark room and a photo studio in my house when I was 12. Placing that blank piece of paper in the developer and gently rocking the developer over it until the image appeared was complete magic. It was just a photo of friends at an amusement park but to me it was the beginning of everything. I ended up at a boarding school called George School which had an incredible photo department. My roommate freshman year was Elliott Erwitt’s daughter. Sally Mann sent her daughter there. The head of the photo department was Mark Osterman, who is considered a master of wet-plate collodion photography. I was fortunate enough to have some pretty incredible inspiration guiding me in my youth. For work through college and the early years, I worked for PR firms shooting restaurants, celebrities, homes etc. as well as photographing weddings. It’s been a long road that has led me to fashion editorial and advertising, which fulfills both my love for collaboration as well as connection to humans.
People look to you for inspiration, but where do you go to feel creatively inspired?
I have a few people in my life who have been what i consider my creative match. It’s like a best friend but it involves a lot of brainstorming ideas and making them. Our relationship is fueled by it. We trust each other completely creatively so the critiques and excitement come easily and genuinely. Our projects never feel like work.
Do you feel that the power of social media has impacted your career as a photographer at all?
Yes, in all the ways. It’s an incredible resource when used to build your creative network/team. In reverse, it’s a great business card for people to get a quick glance of what you do and how to reach you. My husband and I enjoyed each other's work before we even knew each other because of Instagram.
Who are some female artists that inspired your past? Who do you think is a rising star?
Sally Mann, Mona Kuhn, Ariana Papademetropoulos, Kimia Kline, Yayoi Kusama.
What about your job makes you feel the most fulfilled?
The rising tide. Watching other creatives that we work with grow.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Work hard.
What’s been the biggest surprise or highlight of your career to date?
I’ve started producing short films recently with my husband and that has been thrilling. The most recent one, UGH, was shown at Tribeca Film Festival.
What keeps you up at night?
My six-week old baby and four-month old puppy.
What are the common challenges you've seen among female creatives in business?
A common struggle is that women aren’t taken seriously until they prove themselves.
Eventually, you’ll know the value of your time & most likely that will increase as you go along.
When you hit a bump or hurdle in your career, how do you find a new road + switch gears to find success?
Again, it is all about collaboration. In any job, there will be setbacks, whether its budget, talent, location etc…and in my own experience, between the art director and my producer, one of us will be able to see a creative way out.
Artists have it tough when it comes to pricing talent/skills. What’s the best advice you have for artists/designers/photographers out there who are working to turn their creative skills into a career?
I think each artist gradually sorts this out at their own speed. Most people start working for free and doing passion projects and as your skill increases so does your pay. If you are still building your portfolio, it’s not something you need to know right away. Eventually, you will know the value of your time and most likely that value will increase as you go along.
What are you most excited for in 2019?
More of the same! We (my husband and I) have a couple shorts we are excited about making. More editorials. More all-women collaborations.
Photography by Annie McElwain Photography
Photoshoot skincare provided by Dermalogica
VIEW THE FULL CREATE & CULTIVATE ART & DESIGN LIST HERE.
Create & Cultivate 100: Art & Design: Kanya Iwana
In a time when attention is currency and ephemeral content reigns supreme, Kanya Iwana wants to make art that lasts.
In a time when attention is currency and ephemeral content reigns supreme, Kanya Iwana wants to make art that lasts. The kind of work that makes an imprint on you—that you file away in your brain to access at a later date. Whether through music, writing, photography, or film, she believes in eliciting emotion and aims to create a firework-like effect on her audience.
A simple scroll through the Indonesian-born, LA-based photographer/director/creative director’s portfolio fulfills that mission. Her work has an effervescence, an intimacy, and a romantic aura with a DNA unto itself. Her use of color and warmth elicits a nostalgia you didn’t know you craved. Her work has graced the likes of of i-d, Vogue, W Magazine, The Fader, and Paper Magazine—and her client roster is even more extensive.
Unsurprisingly, Iwana has a backstory that makes you want to ask as many questions as is socially acceptable. It includes writing a strategic proposal to her mom to leave Indonesia and move to the US by herself to complete school, where she received a bachelor of fine arts in theatre at age 19. She then married her best friend, divorced said best friend, met her soulmate, and gave birth to her beautiful daughter. Amidst this journey, she’s never lost sight of her vision as an artist or entrepreneur.
You work with a lot of well-known artists and fashion industry insiders. What have you learned the most about working with high-profile individuals from a young age?
I learned very early on that you have to be educated and aware of the industry—not only on the people who are in it as well as creative trends and history, but the legal side. You need to know your rights as a creative and how to protect yourself. Knowing these facts really empowered and elevated me into becoming the professional that I wanted to be.
There’s still a gender gap when it comes to male and female photographers. How can we change that?
It needs to come from the inside—the bosses, the higher-ups. I wish I could sit down with an executive and ask them, in a genuine one-on-one conversation, why they’re so afraid to be disrupted. In the meantime, we female artists just have to keep doing what we do to the best of our ability and use our platforms to bring awareness to this issue.
What does it take to make it as a photographer today?
Off the top of my head: Discipline, taste, and genuine love for the craft. I think discipline is pretty direct. When it comes to taste, whatever yours is, you have to find it, stick to it, and really believe in it so other people will believe you too. And you shouldn’t do anything that you’re not in love with. For me personally, whenever I take photos or after I process them and see all the colors, it feels like fireworks happening in my brain and heart. Hopefully people are doing things that make them feel that way.
When it comes to taste, whatever yours is, you have to find it, stick to it, and really believe in it so other people will believe you too.
Tell us how you got your start as an artist, and how you eventually found your niche.
From the beginning, I knew I wanted my photographs to look cinematic. I’m such a cinephile and want my work to pay homage to movies. The movies I love have brilliant colors and lighting and strong narratives, so subconsciously my photos ended up that way too. I’ve gotten a lot of work because of my use of colors—I think it’s nostalgic and people are drawn to that. These days I’ve been working a lot more on music videos, so it’s getting closer to that full circle. I just follow the momentum and try to do my best.
People look to you for inspiration, but where do you go to feel creatively inspired?
Real life people and their emotions and how they navigate themselves in their environment really inspire me. Whenever I write a treatment for a video I always think of a certain memory or person that triggers an emotion, and I write to that “ahh” feeling. I also draw inspiration from music composition. Being a musician as well, sound paints certain stories, and I really ride on that.
Do you feel that the power of social media has impacted your career as a photographer at all?
100%. I do most of my marketing on social media—Instagram is my business card. Everyone has their own personal battles with social media, but I’ve learned how to utilize it in the healthiest way.
Who are some female artists that inspired your past? Who do you think is a rising star?
It’s ever-changing. I look up to several different people for very specific things. One of the people I love right now is photographer Driely Carter, and I don’t think it’s going to stop. She’s a real firecracker in the industry, through her work and her commentaries. She’s really someone I look up to when it comes to constantly creating something that I love, and f*** everything else that doesn’t.
What about your job makes you feel the most fulfilled?
That I get to go in rooms or email chains that I would have never thought I’d be in as a teenager, and that they’re so down to listen to what I get to say and what I get to create. It’s an amazing feeling to be heard, and I’m so excited that the industry is slowly starting to open up more to young, passionate creatives.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
There’s so many, but my partner told me something along the lines of “Your highest is never as high as you think it is; so is your lowest.” It really keeps me grounded and going.
What’s been the biggest surprise or highlight of your career to date?
I think my overall career arc thus far is pretty surprising! It’s just so cool. I’m so blessed. I’ve got a long way to go, but the past two years have been amazing.
What keeps you up at night?
Possibilities! I’m always so anxious and excited about my next step. I’m so crazy restless.
What are the common challenges you've seen among female creatives in business?
To be taken seriously. I personally can relate to this. I feel like I have to work twice and sometimes triple as hard, especially being a woman of color.
The most random things can spark your next brilliant idea.
When you hit a bump or hurdle in your career, how do you find a new road + switch gears to find success?
Take a break. It’s so important to temporarily shut down, whether it is from social media or from work overall, and I use that time to invest time with my family. And from there, start having new conversations with people you trust or people you’ve never met before, and just get new ideas from there. The most random things can spark your next brilliant idea.
Artists have it tough when it comes to pricing talent/skills. What’s the best advice you have for artists/designers/photographers out there who are working to turn their creative skills into a career?
Something that has worked in my favor is the presentation itself. Understand that people have very low attention spans these days, so make your presentation visually inviting, on-brand, and engaging!
What are you most excited for in 2019?
More opportunities for sure!
Photography by Annie McElwain Photography
Photoshoot skincare provided by Dermalogica
VIEW THE FULL CREATE & CULTIVATE ART & DESIGN LIST HERE.
Create & Cultivate 100: Art & Design: Libby VanderPloeg
Simply put, Libby’s work makes you feel good. And in this climate, who doesn’t need that?
Illustrating emotion is not an easy task. Yet somehow, you feel things when you peruse Libby’s work. She’s responsible for the GIF that became the unofficial GIF of fourth-wave social media feminism. Many of her illustrations emphasize the power of women, collaboration, and civic engagement. And many of them go viral as rally cries for the movement.
The positivity that underscores her work makes her representation of women that much more meaningful. You want to be friends with the women she draws! You feel inspired by them! You feel connected to them! In a world filled with aggressive push notifications, click bait, and sensationalism, it feels empowering to see artists using their symbolic swords to make art with impact and calls to action.
Simply put, Libby’s work makes you feel good. And in this climate, who doesn’t need that?
Your work has gone viral so many times. Your Lift Each Other Up GIF you made was even mentioned by Gina Rodriguez on one of our panels. How did that change your career, and what was the inspiration behind that piece?
Ah, yes! The Lift Each Other Up GIF was a little bit of magic. Shortly before making that piece, I had taken a leap of faith and quit my full-time design job to pursue my illustration career. It was a little bit nerve-wracking but, lucky for me, I had a lot of strong women in my life (both IRL and through Instagram) who were also small business owners and creatives, and we were all so encouraging and supportive of one another! So I wanted to make a piece about the power of that reciprocal support. While out for my morning run, this animation idea hit me like a bolt of lightning. I was so excited to see if the idea would work that I immediately literally ran home to start working on it. By that evening, I had finished the piece and I could hardly wait to share it, and then I realized that, serendipitously, International Women’s Day was just a few days away! So things just sort of clicked into place with this piece, start to finish. Once I shared the GIF that following Tuesday, it didn’t take to long for it to go viral. I kept getting messages from friends all over the country and even in Europe that they were seeing it everywhere, which was a pretty crazy feeling! A couple years later, I’m still seeing it shared on a daily basis, which makes me happy. I’m so glad that the message of the piece resonates with women in such a positive way.
Career-wise, the viral nature of the piece put me in front of millions of individuals and organizations, which, of course, grew my audience. But it also set me on a path of working with more women-owned businesses and corporations that were taking women’s issues seriously and working publicly to address inequality. It’s wonderful to see a personal project really bloom into a public call to action!
You’ve worked with so many amazing brands. What do you think is the best way to bring your creative mind to brands + create meaningful partnerships that you feel proud of?
I always try to consider the objective of companies I’m creating work for, what the work needs to achieve, and the tone the work needs to strike. I love working collaboratively with my clients because their goals aren’t necessarily the same as mine, and because of that I need them to give me as much info as they can in order for me to work in the right direction. As I see it, my job has two parts: Part 1. Ask a ton of questions; Part 2. Solve problems. And I love when I can deliver solutions to my clients in the form of something fun and beautiful that will hopefully bring a little visual joy to their audience/readers/followers or what have you!
People look to you for inspiration, but where do you go to feel creatively inspired?
I’m inspired by just about everything around me! I’ve lived in relatively urban areas for most of my life (Grand Rapids, Chicago, Brooklyn, Stockholm) and in such environments you’re just immersed in interesting culture without trying very hard. I find humans endlessly fascinating (and weird), and along that line I’m interested in the little worlds they/we create through fashion, decor, and culture more broadly. I’m constantly cataloging all of this visual information in my head, or sometimes jotting notes down on my phone to refer back to if I just feel like doodling but am not sure where to start. For me, I’m tripping over inspiration daily. Sometimes it’s the bolt-of-lightning type, but most of the time it’s more like “I think I’ll draw my funny socks today because I love them,” and that’s fine, too.
Who are some female artists that inspired your past? Who do you think is a rising star?
When I was first starting out on my illustration path, I was so inspired by Erin Jang, and I still absolutely love her work and it’s minimal, playful sophistication. I was also super inspired by Lisa Hanawalt! After seeing her work at a little variety show in Brooklyn, I was immediately sure that I wanted to quit my job and become a full-time artist and illustrator. It was a revelation. She’s so incredibly funny and honest in her work, and I love the imaginative world of characters she creates.
I also really love the work of Lisa Congdon, Roz Chast, Anna Rifle Bond, and Maira Kalman. It’s hard to narrow this down! Within the fine art world, I was and still am so inspired by the work of Louise Bourgeois, Miranda July, Karen Kilimnik, and Alice Neel. And I can think of several rising stars whose work I love! Lauren Tamaki is one of my absolute favorite illustrators. Her work is gorgeous and so distinctive! And Jordan Sondler’s work is pure joy! Also Carolyn Suzuki. Her work is seductively cute, but so powerful. And Loveis Wise is amazing too! There are too many artists I love and I know I am forgetting to name 50 or so of them.
What about your job makes you feel the most fulfilled?
I love owning my own company and getting to decide what it is, what it’s not, and where it’s going. It’s wonderfully rewarding to feel so creatively challenged and energized, and to see your ideas come to life! And it’s also really fantastic to be able to work with clients who value my work and trust my ideas.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
I think I was in high school and trying to finish a painting for art class or something like that. My perfectionist tendencies were in full force, and the more work I put into the painting, the worse it got. Seeing my frustration, my dad casually said to me that sometimes you just have to finish things and move forward. It was really freeing to hear that then, and it still helps me with every project I do. I don’t think I’m ever completely satisfied that I’ve done the best that I could do on a project, but deadlines are in a way a blessing that helps us move forward. We can look at what we’ve finished, critique, learn, and always strive to do better next time.
What’s been the biggest surprise or highlight of your career to date?
Probably my ability to produce multiple viral pieces of art! There was, of course, the Lift Each Other Up GIF, but there was also the Layer Up GIF, the Shimmy If You’re With Her GIF, and the Huddle drawing that I made as a reflection on the 2017 Women’s March. A definite career highlight was when Cyndi Lauper posted Lift Each Other Up. My mind was completely blown! “She’s So Unusual” was such a formative album for me! It’s just an awesome feeling when one of your heroes notices your work.
What’s next for you?
I have a couple of big, fun book projects that I’m working on right now, and they’re really keeping me busy! One of them involves tons of research, so I’m learning a lot of fun, historical facts as I work on it. And I just wrapped up a very large project that I am super excited about, but shhh... I can’t talk more about until later this year. But I also want to do more personal work in 2019, and have so many ideas for prints, apparel, and other goods that I want to start making!
What keeps you up at night?
I have a hard time quieting my brain when I lay down to go to sleep. I often start managing my schedule and planning out my next work day as I’m laying there, and then I might also start trying to do some specific creative problem-solving too. If I feel that start to happen, I sometimes indulge it for a few minutes, but if it goes on longer, I start saying “sleep, sleep, sleep, sleep…” in my head and the next thing I know it’s the next morning. Sleep problems ebb and flow depending on how screwed I am, via over-scheduling. I am trying to get better at that.
What are the common challenges you've seen among female creatives in business?
I’ve seen a lot of instances where people are concerned about negotiating a better rate/fee because they are worried about a client saying no or thinking they are being difficult. It can be tough to assign a value to creative work, and there are so many factors that go into pricing. When clients don’t agree with how you price your work, it’s disheartening because you’ve made very thoughtful calculations to arrive at that value. We’re not always in a financial position to walk away when we don’t feel that a rate is quite fair, but I think it’s important to push back when we are able.
Another big challenge for creative folks in the internet age is the rampant theft of content. Illustrators are constantly having their work stolen and posted without credit, and it’s getting more brazen everyday. I suppose some people think that once something is on the internet that it is up for grabs, but it simply is not. If you want to share something you found on the web, give yourself time to look for the source. You can probably find the creator with a simple Google, and then contact the artist to ask for permission! A lot of times artists are more than happy for their work to be shared, as long as there is attribution. But ask first, especially if you want to use the work as part of a promotion. The internet is sort of the wild west, but we can all work to bring order to the chaos if we start to enforce some decorum with one another. So if you see someone’s work posted without credit, call it out! Artists deserve credit for their work.
When you hit a bump or hurdle in your career, how do you find a new road + switch gears to find success?
I had both a lot of bumps and plateaus. The plateaus came several times in the form of realizing that my graphic design jobs were ultimately unfulfilling for me and I wasn’t working towards a future that I was going to love. In some of those instances, I was able to stretch my skills in different directions that were closer to the illustration career I wanted. I might find ways to incorporate some hand-lettering or illustration into my design work. But I started realizing that if I was really supposed to be an illustrator then I needed to focus on it and do it every damned day, like any other job. The big bump in the road came in the form of getting laid off from my job as an art director. I was actually incredibly happy to get the news! It was a kind of freeing moment where I realized that this was the perfect opportunity to forge a new path. I did freelance for about a half a year after that, and then took another full time job back in design (after getting cold feet), but I gave myself a hard deadline of one year to save up money so that I could be all-in as an illustrator, and that’s just what I did. Bumps in the road are so necessary, as they give you a chance to recalibrate and zero back in on your goals!
Artists have it tough when it comes to pricing talent/skills. What’s the best advice you have for artists/designers/photographers out there who are working to turn their creative skills into a career?
No one chooses to tether themselves to a life of scraping by whilst working their ass off. Sure, you can probably get a ton of work if you charge bargain rates, and sometimes you’re not in a position to negotiate. But if you’re getting all “yeses” to your quotes, then you might consider whether you are charging too little. This might not bother you too much at first, because it can be a comfort to be busy, but after years with your nose to the grindstone, trying to make ends meet, while your friends are out buying houses, vacationing in Italy, and going to doctor’s appointments because they can afford health insurance, you might start to really resent your work. So set good precedents for yourself. You might get more nos, but if you’re a problem solver, the inquiries will keep coming.
I always encourage people in the creative field to be as transparent as possible with one another about the kind of rates they are getting and from whom. Budgets are often dependent on the type of work/client, so there is never a simple way to price things, which is why conversations with peers are incredibly valuable. Ask them if they think a rate is fair or if you should push for a little more. And if you have a client that doesn’t pay on invoices for six months, please...let your friends know.
What are you most excited for in 2019?
Well, it has nothing to do with drawing, but I am super excited to finally finish remodeling the little house I bought a couple of years ago! It’s in a super cute, woodsy little beach town in Michigan, just a few blocks from Main Street. I have been dying to decorate it since the drywall went up and they floors started going down. I can’t wait for summer days there, away from the noise, making art, jumping in Lake Michigan, baking bread, and just soaking up nature :)
VIEW THE FULL CREATE & CULTIVATE 100 ART & DESIGN LIST HERE.
Create & Cultivate 100: Art & Design: Laci Jordan
Laci is a sought-after illustrator whose work synthesizes pop culture, streetwear, intersectional feminism, and identity politics.
There seems to be a common theme with the artists the C&C team has connected with this year. Almost all of them were on the path to what they thought was a “good” career—a nurse, a lawyer, or, in Laci Jordan’s case, an F.B.I. agent. Casual.
For Laci, her leap of faith to become a full-fledged, fully autonomous artist began with a challenge for herself: Specifically, a 30-day illustration challenge where she would create and publish a new illustration every day for a month. By day 21, that bet on herself paid off (more on that below!). Now, years later, Laci is a sought-after illustrator whose work synthesizes pop culture, streetwear, intersectional feminism, and identity politics. Her portfolio is rich in colors—amplified by burnt oranges to corals to cobalt blues—and her affinity for sneakers is immediately apparent. She’s an advocate for inclusivity in the art and design space, and is passionate about seeing more women of color represented in the arts, which shines through in her illustrations of people. The reality is, you just feel cooler just by viewing her art.
Below, Laci share a bit more of her nontraditional journey and elaborates on the importance of being your own biggest hype woman.
You went from working for the FBI to Walt Disney, and now you’re killing it as a freelance artist. What inspired you to make that jump and take matters into your own hands?
Thank you! Honestly, I reached a point where I hit a glass ceiling in my 9-to-5. My role at the time wasn’t fulfilling anymore and I didn’t see much room for growth. I started looking for jobs around the area but I never found a listing or role where I wouldn’t be placed in a box. Nothing excited me.
Simultaneously, I was dealing with guilt of not being able to create illustrations as often as I wanted because of other creative projects. I decided to challenge myself to a 30-day illustration challenge. By day 21, my inbox was very overwhelmed with illustration requests from publications and brands that I admire. That’s when a little light bulb came on—I realized that with a great level of hustle and faith, I could create the type of career I want without working in a corporate structure. I decided to bet on my own magic.
Tell us how you got your start as an artist, and how you eventually found your niche.
During my senior year of college and after graduation, I did a few internships and remote design positions. Even though that experience was great, I think my true career started when I moved to Los Angeles to intern with Walt Disney Imagineering. During my time at Disney, I was exposed to multiple disciplines and and variations of art + design. One discipline that I realized I really gravitated to was illustration, in particular vector illustration. It was something that I dabbled in previously but never took it seriously or really knew how to approach it.
When figuring out what to draw, I immediately go to the things I love, such as black culture, music, fashion, etc. Those categories became my “niche,” but my niche is forever evolving. I believe I can create my way into any arena.
People look to you for inspiration, but where do you go to feel creatively inspired?
I have super weird and crazy ideas of where I see my life going and my capability to inspire people around the world. I want to do everything from illustration to working on visuals for Rihanna and Beyonce. Those dreams keep me inspired.
Sometimes there are moments that while I’m inspired, I just don’t have the energy to create or I’m having a block. When that happens if I can, I travel or I try to focus on something else and come back to the issue with fresh eyes.
I’m also a huge fan of podcasts and interviews. I love to constantly soak in information and learn about people doing cool stuff in different spaces. It keeps me going. For example recently I saw media girlboss ScottieBeam receive a contract at Wilhelmina Models. It was so amazing to see a black girl that looks like me be in that space. It’s a reminder and proof you can do anything.
Who are some female artists that inspired your past? Who do you think is a rising star?
Its so weird to talk about the “past” because while I’ve been creating for years, I’m just coming into myself and figuring out the things I’m truly inspired by. To be honest, my exposure to women artists in college and after (until I became active in social media) wasn’t the best. I knew of a few fine artists but wanted to look to someone more graphic-based. After searching and really diving into the design world, I found designers such as Jessica Walsh—her ability to create in different worlds always amazes me and is something I strive to do.
Now that platforms like Instagram are here, it’s much easier to find artists. There’s a ton of people I’m inspired by and that I see killing it in the design and creative space. When I think of rising stars (other than myself) haha, I think of people like Sage Adams (SZA Creative Director), Kelly Shami, Ravie B, and D'ana of COVL. I also love Andrea Pippins; she’s a vet in the game but her work is amazing and always super inspiring.
What about your job makes you feel the most fulfilled?
Three things: Inspiring people, highlighting and representing POC, and continuously surprising myself by beating my own goals and expectations.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
If you build it, they will come.
What’s been the biggest surprise or highlight of your career to date?
Honestly, getting this far, haha.
For 2018, I have two highlights: Working with Jordan (three times) and a writeup on my life and work in Forbes. While both brand names hold weight, it’s not just about that for me. With Jordan, it’s a brand I’ve admired and invested my money in my whole life. I made a goal to work with them in 2018 and actually did it. Those projects are a constant reminder I can do exactly what I put my mind to. Forbes was huge to me because I thought no one was looking at me on that level, so it taught me my potential reach and true influence. Both projects were confirmation that I could quit my 9-5, which was the highlight of the year.
What keeps you up at night?
One or two things. Either I have a bunch of ideas and I want to stay up and brainstorm, or I’m tossing and turning at the idea of not obtaining certain goals—those thoughts are now going in one window and out the other, but I still have them.
What are the common challenges you've seen among female creatives?
I tend to work in a few different spaces, from streetwear to activism, and there are different challenges in each space. Common challenges are equality in both pay and opportunities. I also hear people say that they can’t find women artists or artists of color when recruiting; leading to another challenge in visibility—I’ve heard this a TON in the corporate space. Good thing it’s platforms like Women Who Draw and Women Illustrators of Color that give a directory of dope artists.
Never, ever, ever stop learning. The internet is free.99
When you hit a bump or hurdle in your career, how do you find a new road + switch gears to find success?
If you’re from the south, you’ve probably heard the phrase “there's more than one way to skin a cat” (sorry, cat people). The meaning is there’s always another way to do something. I love problem solving and figuring out that other route, so when any bumps occur, I immediately try to figure out a plan B to get to back to plan A. Usually, the answer is right in front of me and I need to take a step back to realize it.
Artists have it tough when it comes to pricing talent/skills. What’s the best advice you have for artists/designers/photographers out there who are working to turn their creative skills into a career?
Bet and believe in yourself
Put in the work (do self projects, don’t wait on jobs)
Put your work out there (if not, how will people know you?)
Never, ever, ever stop learning. The internet is free.99
Have a voice and don’t be afraid to use it
What are you most excited for in 2019?
The unknown and new opportunities. I’m ready to make crazy dreams come true and embrace the unexpected ones.
Photography by Annie McElwain Photography
Photoshoot skincare provided by Dermalogica
VIEW THE FULL CREATE & CULTIVATE ART & DESIGN LIST HERE.
Create & Cultivate 100: Art & Design: Julie Houts
Julie Houts never expected a casual Instagram account documenting the illustrations she drew in her down time to blow up.
Julie Houts never expected a casual Instagram account documenting the illustrations she drew in her down time to blow up. But it did anyway, and she’s built a career from that success.
In 2017, Julie was still working as a designer at J.Crew. But as the drawings she posted off-hours (often inspired by the very industry she worked in) picked up traction, she realized there might be more to her Instagram than, well, just an Instagram. Her first book, Literally Me, debuted in 2017, and Julie decided it was time to make the leap to full-time self-employment.
She hasn’t looked back. With more than 200k followers and counting, we can’t wait to see what Julie draws up in 2019.
You worked as a womenswear designer at J. Crew for seven years before making the jump to full-time freelance. Was there a moment you knew you were ready? How did you make that decision?
I don’t think there was a moment where I felt totally ready. It was a gradual thing for me. Initially, I was getting a small amount of freelance illustration work on the side that I was able to easily manage outside of my regular work hours at J.Crew. After I got my book deal, I started to think more seriously about going freelance full-time. I just had a sense of, “if not now, when?”
Looking back, I had no idea what challenges were ahead, and I think that’s for the best. I am a pretty cautious person by nature and I might have never leaped if I had looked too closely...
How does your background in fashion influence your art? Is trend watching still a part of your process?
I think it influences it several ways. I maintain my interest in fashion and in the industry, so I think sometimes the subject matter itself has a bit of a fashion-centric bias.
Beyond that, I do miss designing at times, and sometimes I will have the urge to design a dress or a top or a pair of shoes, and I’ll incorporate them into a drawing.
Also, I’ll go on Moda Operandi or look at the shows from a current season and do a little edit for the looks in a project. It’s just fun for me and keeps me interested in the actual work of the drawing.
Your 2017 book of illustrations, Literally Me, was a hit because your drawings are so relatable. What was your inspiration behind that work?
Literally Me came about while I was still working full-time as a designer at J.Crew, and had not even really thought about illustrating or writing full-time. The turnaround time for the book was really quick, though, so there wasn’t much time to really sit and stress over what I would make or write. I worked on weekends and at night and pretty much whatever came out, came out.
I hadn’t thought I would be writing essays for the book, but learned soon after starting work that my editor was expecting them. That was scary- I had never really written in that way. It ended up being the most fun and rewarding part of the whole experience.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Still waiting on it!
I think one thing that has been helpful for me to remember is that nobody has anything totally *figured out*. I think most people feel like they’re imposters on some level.
What’s been the biggest surprise or highlight of your career to date?
All of it is still so crazy to me. It wasn’t that long ago that I was working a corporate desk job. Albeit one that I did really enjoy, but, I never anticipated any of the opportunities that I’ve had as a result of the dumb Instagram account I started one day, probably sitting on the toilet.
Where does your passion/drive come from?
I use my illustrations and writing to work through ideas. Sometimes just through making a drawing or writing something out, I’m able to figure out how I think or feel.
In terms of drive, I’m sure it’s just some empty vacuous hole in the core of my person that I’m trying to fill with professional achievement. Right?
If you weren’t pursuing art or fashion, what career path would you choose instead?
Maybe psychology? Maybe writing?
When you hit a bump or hurdle in your career, how do you find new roads + switch gears to find success?
I blame the people around me for my failures and move on, learning nothing from the stumble.
Just kidding- actually, I think I internalize the stumble, and blame myself for awhile regardless of what the circumstance is. Eventually I just move on. I think the further away from the stumble I am, the more understanding I have or what happened, why, and what I can do better next time. It’s just time and experience that help me understand.
Whose career really inspires you?
Right now, I am inspired by Nora Ephron’s life and career.
What’s next for you in 2019?
My book was optioned to be an animated television show. I’m working right now with a co-writer to develop it. I’ll keep working on that and continue to take illustration work. Maybe another book? We’ll see...
VIEW THE FULL CREATE & CULTIVATE 100 ART & DESIGN LIST HERE.
Create & Cultivate 100: Art & Design: Asiyami Gold
This model, designer, photographer, creative director, and storyteller is a jack of all trades, and master of most.
Sometimes you need to quit nursing school to become who you actually want to be.
For the Nigerian-born Asiyami Gold, the decision to quit nursing school to pursue a career in the arts came as a disappointment to her parents. But that decision also opened up a new door, one that allowed her to travel the globe, create an international community, and achieve prestige in a number of creative fields. The model, designer, photographer, creative director, and storyteller is a jack of all trades, and master of most. Scrolling through her Instagram is akin to flipping through a moodboard, as the tones, landscapes, and intimate portraits tell singular stories. Not to mention, her self portraits and their corresponding captions are so stunning and raw, you’ll find yourself deeply invested in her journey. She leaves ego at the door, and transparently shares her evolution through her art and world view.
Finally, if you find yourself jealous of her style (which, you will), revel in the fact that she founded a fashion label, A.Au. You, too, can attempt to borrow some of that Gold that makes Asiyami so damn cool.
What do you think it takes to make it as a successful photographer today?
Being a successful photographer requires one to have a vision in order to adequately communicate their ideas through visuals. You also have to have the talent for engaging with your subject in a way that allows you to leave knowing more about them and making them trust you to see them the way they see themselves, but even better. Overall, a successful photographer should be able to evoke an emotion by making their work so palpable that it is deeply felt.
You travel the world for your work. What are some of the most memorable trips or projects you’ve made on your adventures?
When I traveled to Colombia several years ago, I played with the idea of leaving something behind with the people who shared their stories and time with me through my lens. I invested in a small Fuji camera and myriads of film packs. After capturing my subjects, I exchanged their time with me with a Polaroid shot of them; that way they would always remember their encounter with me each time they looked at that picture.
Tell us how you got your start as an artist, and how you eventually found your niche.
I strongly believe that we are all born artists, and some are blessed to have parents who recognize these gifts at a tender age and so begin to foster their children’s gifts. I unfortunately did not have that growing up. In the 5th grade, I painted my first canvas that was recognized by my school and awarded for being the best painting by a student at the time. My parent’s response to my award was contrary to my expectation. I grew up in a country where art was respected but not revered which then led me to treat the arts as it had been painted: “Art is a hobby; it doesn’t put food on the table.”
Later on in life in high school, I picked up a $200 Sony camera that allowed me to document moments in my life that I cherished. As the world was heading to digital—such as storing memories on Facebook, I had a deep nostalgia for hard copy photos, and photo albums one could physically flip through. I would document my friends, our outings, my life at the time and journey to CVS pharmacy to print hard copies for memory’s sake.
Although my parents didn’t give much reverence to photography as a career, they loved documenting me and my siblings while we were growing up. The first thing my dad will give to visitors when they stopped by the house was a photo album and some light refreshments to welcome them. Through those photos, he would tell stories, referring back to how he felt and what that particular moment in time meant to him. In my adult life, I found myself doing the same thing. I picked up a camera when I turned 15 and never looked back. I enjoyed documenting life and the beauty that I saw in things that others didn’t deem as beautiful.
As time progressed, I fine-tuned my work, studied what I liked about photography, and executed my vision. I didn’t start out paying attention to my “niche,” and if I’m being completely transparent I wouldn’t say I have even found my niche. What I can say confidently is that I love documenting beautiful things and giving life to things that are often taken for granted. Through my work I’m able to offer a different perspective on how people may perceive their everyday “norm” and that to me is what really makes it all magical.
What do you think is the hardest part of building a career as a creative director?
Meeting other people whose vision align with yours and having clients who are able to communicate their products in a way that allows you to build a storyline that is true to the brand’s identity.
People look to you for inspiration, but where do you go to feel creatively inspired?
As someone who has to constantly seek out a new way of seeing things to feel creatively inspired, I look to the source of it all. I pay attention to my surroundings, I take trips to places that challenge me and also allow me to marvel at the beauty that is Mother Nature.
There are also a handful of people whose work online inspire me. I’ve been a huge fan of Jamie Beck; she was one of the first people I followed on Instagram. It has been interesting following her journey through visuals and seeing how her work has evolved over the years. Adding to that, I am mesmerized by Athena Calderone’s love for creating beauty which oozes through every photo so making it almost contagious. I find the clarity and aesthetic of Alice Gao’s work very inspiring. Nneka Odum’s ability to visually paint her experiences with her subjects both in photo and in words makes the online experience so visceral that it’s deeply felt. All these women feed different parts of me and allow me to engage and see the beauty in all spectrums of photography.
Do you feel that the power of social media has impacted your career as a photographer at all?
Absolutely! Each day I get to share my story with 200k+ people—something that would never would have happened without social media. It has allowed me to connect and seamlessly build on a vision that would have taken years to even get started had I went down the path of being a nurse.
What about your job makes you feel the most fulfilled?
I feel the most fulfilled when I’m able to conceptualize an idea and birth that idea into something tangible that can be felt. I feel even more fulfilled when one person sees my work and it inspires them to go out in the world and also fulfill what they have been called to do. Being an “influencer” isn’t about the free clothes and the #ad—I’m grateful for those things because they foster other projects and ideas, but in a world where we are all becoming more alike, it is important to remember that someone in my position has a moral obligation to communicate from a voice true to where they are at that particular point in time. We are not acting in service of others when we don’t articulate our failures as much as we do our triumphs. It’s important that people look at what I’ve done and also go in pursuit of their individual callings with vigor.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
I get asked from time to time “how do I build a following?” I will always respond with the fact that I didn’t start out worried about the numbers. There’s a misconception that you have to be extremely wealthy to live a certain kind of lifestyle, but I believe in living within one’s means and starting where you are.
What’s been the biggest surprise or highlight of your career to date?
My first feature in a magazine. I was featured in Atlanta magazine as one of the top bloggers in Atlanta. When I brought the magazine home my mother screamed and danced around the living room.
I’m also surprised when people meet me and talk to me about how my work has served as an inspiration for them to also trust their calling and pursue whatever they desire at that moment.
What keeps you up at night?
My legacy. I question: What am I leaving behind? When I’m gone, what will still be here to serve others that I was a part of? The thought of building something greater than me that will serve for generations to come is what keeps me up at night.
What are the common challenges you've seen among female creatives in business?
I think the need for genuine support from other women in the industry. Emphasis on “genuine.”
Being able to dissect our failures & put the pieces back together from a more informed perspective is key to finding true success.
When you hit a bump or hurdle in your career, how do you find a new road + switch gears to find success?
I go back to those bumps and examine where I miscalculated. Once I arrive to a consensus on why things didn’t pan out, I ensure to execute my process differently the next time. Switching roads isn’t always necessary but being able to dissect our failures and putting the pieces back together from a more informed perspective is key to finding true success.
Artists have it tough when it comes to pricing talent/skills. What’s the best advice you have for artists/designers/photographers out there who are working to turn their creative skills into a career?
Know your worth and never settle for anything less than that. The brands that respect you and see your value will always meet you where you are. It’s not always about the money, it’s also about the relationship. I’ll rather secure an ongoing relationship with a brand and get paid less, than get paid a lot once and never hear from them again.
What are you most excited for in 2019?
I’m excited about some projects that I have in store. I think 2019 is about manifesting a lot of things that I have been hesitant to pursue due to my fear of not succeeding or not being to execute my ideas concisely.
I’ve been toying around with the idea of starting my nonprofit for creatives in my hometown Abua Odual. I’m excited about pursuing the things I want to achieve with more vigor and my evolution as an individual.
VIEW THE FULL CREATE & CULTIVATE ART & DESIGN LIST HERE.
Create & Cultivate 100: Art & Design: Shantell Martin
It’s easy to be unoriginal in a time where Instagram seems to dictate beauty standards and plagiarism is just one copy-paste away. That’s why Shantell Martin’s art so special.
It’s easier to be unoriginal in a globalized culture, where Instagram seemingly dictates beauty standards and plagiarism is just one copy-paste away.
That’s why Shantell Martin’s art so special. She is a cultural facilitator, forging new connections between fine art, education, design, philosophy and technology. The British-born, New York-based artist is most recognized by her signature stream-of-consciousness physical drawings, which are conceived through her meditative process and uninhibited flow. She’s experimented with textiles, ceramics, circuitry, and embroidery, but her drawings and light projections are what has fueled her rapid ascent into mainstream design. The artist has collaborated with iconic brands like Nike, Vitra, Max Mara, Tiffany & Co., and in 2018, Puma launched a global capsule collection featuring her drawings.
Her work architects a fantastical world wherein the viewer is an essential element. Her love language is a line—where it forms, how it contorts, and how it travels remain undetermined until pen meets paper. Editors at Vogue and New York Magazine have caught the Shantell Martin bug, as well as Kendrick Lamar, who collaborated with the artist on a performance at Art Basel a few years back.
She’s a self-assured “cool girl” with a once-in-a-generation talent, and if there’s one thing we’re sure of, it’s that you’ll be seeing much more Shantell Martin in 2019.
You often do “live art” performances. Tell us a bit about that process and why you think it’s captured the attention of so many people.
Creating in front of an audience has become a fundamental part of my process. I think it is important for artists to share their process with their audience, in a way it demystifies and yet unifies the bond between the work and the audience. This creates more of a personal relationship with the work. As an artist it keeps me very present, there is no place to hide or hesitate and that creates an honesty that the work is then imbued with. I think it’s this honesty that really cements the relationship my audience has with me and the work.
Where does your passion/drive come from?
I can’t really say. It’s a part of who I am.
When you lived in Japan, you drew in a small sketchbook—but in the US, you’re afforded the space to do larger installations. What are some pros and cons of each type of work?
It’s interesting, someone recently said to me that my work has had different line-width periods. This has happened quite naturally without any forethought. I look at my projects as opportunities to evolve as both an artist and a person, the line is a reflection of this growth but also it is a reflection of the space I’m working within and how I am able to use the right tools to create in each unique space.
You’ve spoken about how you don’t always know what you’re doing with a drawing, but you come to it with a good intention to make it work. How do you think that theory of thought applies to life, too?
I think it comes back to that point of honesty. Intention is a very powerful aspect of existence. Essentially, and I think many people whether “artists” or not, can relate to being fueled by a purpose or the search for purpose. This purpose is like the internal line which for me becomes something external with the lines of my art. I have a purpose which is very much tied to exploring the essence of humanity and the world… it comes from a place of pure curiosity and empathy and I feel that intention to connect with the deepest part of myself and YOU is a universal feeling.
What’s been the biggest surprise or highlight of your career to date?
I’m still surprised that I get to make my art for a living.
You’ve collaborated with mega brands like Puma and Tiffany & Co. What’s a company you’d love to work with in the future and why?
NASA - it’s been a dream since I was a child. I mean I’d love to see my lines out in space! Also HERMES they’ve been supporting artists for years and I greatly admire the craftsmanship and integrity of their work.
What about your job makes you feel the most fulfilled?
I love seeing the smiles on peoples faces when they see my work. That’s really special. I also love collaborating and exploring other creative spaces with other people who are masters in their fields.
In a world where likes and follower counts are so coveted, how do you stay authentic and true to yourself/your brand?
Keep it simple, be honest. Be YOU.
When you hit a bump or hurdle in your career, how do you find new roads + switch gears to find success?
I keep drawing. I keep working. Staying committed to the work and faithful to the practice is something very important to me. Also, I still practice going out into the world and seeking a “no”. By that, I mean to say that I ask for things expecting to get rejected. I consciously practice becoming more comfortable with rejection, and when you do that you will see that you more often than not will get a “yes” and that it actually feels great to hear “no” which is a sign that you’re growing and aiming higher and higher.
What are you most excited for in 2019?
My collaboration with the New York City Ballet.
