Your Full Name
Katherine Hillman
If you have a bachelor degree/education background; what is it?
I’m currently working towards an interdisciplinary Bachelors of Fine Arts. Slowly.
Tell us about you
I’m a 21-year old student who hopes to pursue a career in illustration. I’m an art teacher and sometimes tour guide, an obsessive drawer and sketchbook toter, and a collector of ridiculous hats. I love to create characters, and am definitely a people watcher… hopefully, not in the creepy way! There’s just so much inspiration in the everyday.
Where are you located?
Halifax, Nova Scotia… a lovely, foggy Canadian city.
What do you do when you are not producing artwork?
Go walking. It’s the best creative time you can ask for.
What drove you to become an illustrator?
Honestly, I’m not sure. It’s just something that I’ve been in love with since childhood. As soon as I could write, I started making illustrated ‘books.’ As I grew older, the idea didn’t lose any of its charm. For a while, I had the completely impractical idea of studying sciences, but decided to opt for a stable, boring career in the arts world. The world doesn’t need another doctor, right?
How do you promote/sell/showcase your work?
Though tempted to say ‘not very effectively’, I’m going to answer ‘the internet.’ Honestly, it’s the most efficient way to get your images out there. Even when you’re not actively promoting yourself, people will always stumble across your art. This is the way of the mystical Internet. When you DO get off your butt and try to do something with your art/life, it’s a great tool for showcasing your work to the entire world.
Other than that, I visit the local art shows, to sell art and meet folks.
Do you work better at night or in the morning? Why?
There’s no ‘perfect time.’ It’s all about being in the right mood to make art (or, at least, forcing yourself to be in that mode.) Caffeine helps, admittedly.
What is your definition of “A Great Illustrator”?
An artist who can not only bring a text or idea to life, but who can bring something else to it as well. Someone who can use the idea as a springboard for new, creative things.
Who is an illustrator that you look up to? Why so?
I’ve always been absolutely fascinated by Quentin Blake. As a child, his dark and whimsical illustrations for Roald Dahl were absolutely fascinating. When I look at his artwork now, I can really appreciate how intelligently they are drawn. His wild lines and washes of colour look simple, but they are absolutely spot on. The anatomy and perspective make perfect sense. Of course, the illustrations are very clever and fun as well. He is a perfect match for Roald Dahl; his images were childlike, but never saccharin. Like real children, they’re a bit twisted!
Gipi’s artwork is such eye candy. Like Blake, he seems to be able to show so much with seemingly simple washes and ink lines. Of course, he’s a great storyteller as well. That never hurts, being able to process things as both an illustrator and an author.
What do you think about the Internet and how it is affecting the visual communication business?
Again, it’s a fantastic promotion tool. It’s so easy to get an online portfolio together (and much cheaper as well.) It opens many doors.
What music are you listening lately?
I’ve been on a big nostalgia kick as of late, and have been listening to a lot of alternative music from the mid/late 90s. Mostly, it’s been Our Lady Peace. They’re a great alternative band from Canada, and the only thing that got me through that whole boy band epidemic. That, and a lot of Django Reinhart. That boy could play a guitar!
How does the global economic recession affecting the industry, or the least affecting your business/ work?
I’ve seen a lot of graduates struggling to find employment. I know a lot of skilled graphic designers, illustrators and animators who are underemployed, if employed at all. Frankly, it’s scary.
Name 3 of your favorite (art) books/ magazines.
Communication Arts is a great magazine for catching up on the latest illustrators and designers. It’s a helpful resource.
I want to include graphic novels with ‘art books’, because they can be absolutely gorgeous. I mentioned Gipi before, and I always have his book ‘Garage Band’ close at hand. It’s inspirational stuff, even though our styles are so different.
Though this may not exactly be an art book, I have a copy of ‘The Book of Beasts’ by T. H White, and it’s hugely influential. It’s a translational of an earlier bestiary (a natural history guide from the middle ages), complete with the original line illustrations of animals. The designs are so clever.
What do you like the sound of? Why so?
The sound of ’silence’ that you hear early Sunday morning. I love walking around the city while it sleeps in. You can begin to hear the under-sounds that are normally covered up by the cars and machines and conversations. The wind seems louder. It’s beautiful.
If you have online portfolio, what is the URL?
http://www.buuya.deviantart.com
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