Inspire Me: 4.2.14

I am so excited for this Inspire Me post today. You know I've shared artists with you before that are very talented + extremely inspiring, hence the title of the column. However, today I am happy to share with you a mini interview I had with today's artist! Alyssa Nassner is a huge inspiration to me--she is beyond talented, + I honestly cannot get enough of her work. Take a look and you'll understand what I'm talking about. Her work is fun + playful, full of so many elements + depth. It communicates a message, but does so in a way that is interesting + so, so pleasing to the eye. Not to mention, she is one of the sweetest people I've had the pleasure of talking to! I hope you enjoy learning a bit about her as much as I did.

1. Thank you so much for doing a mini-interview! Tell everyone a little bit about yourself.

Hi Julie! Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my work! Here a few quick facts about my background: I'm from Maryland but am currently living in Minneapolis - I always have to start with that fact, because I'm most definitely an East-coaster. I went to school in Baltimore and got my illustration degree from the Maryland Institute College of Art in 2010. Since graduation I have worked as a freelance illustrator focusing specifically on the stationery / gift markets and children's illustration. In addition to my freelance I'm currently an apparel designer at Target corp. A majority of my time is consumed working on artwork, but in my spare time I enjoy drinking lots of coffee, and hanging out with my boyfriend Llew and our pets.

2. How did you get started in illustration? Where did that passion come from?

I actually got into illustration sort of by accident. I had always actually wanted to be a computer programmer... not quite sure why, it seemed like a good thing to do at the time. I found out very quickly that I am so not cut out for that, and decided to pursue design (after being encouraged to by my art teachers and parents). Design was good, but I didn't find my passion until I transferred to MICA. I didn't even know illustration was a thing until I pursued art school, and as soon as I found it, I was hooked. I love that it combines everything that's great about the varied disciplines in art - you can be a printmaker, designer, sculptor, painter, whatever and still be a totally viable illustrator. There's also aspect of business and problem solving component to it as well, I love knowing (I almost NEED to know) that what I'm making is for a purpose, and that there is an end use. I've always been commercially minded when it comes to art, and illustration was the "fun" thing I was missing in design - visual problem solving - but I get to draw flowers as my "solution".

3. What is one of your favorite designs you've created?

I've been pretty excited about drawing silly food recently. It started as a half joke for my submission for Lilla Roger's "Global Talent Search". It was not a successful submission, but it definitely sparked a new interest for me. I get paid to draw pretty flowers and things - which is awesome and fun, but because that's fulfilled by my freelance I had to find something new and exciting to draw for my personal work. Although it's something completely different for me to show, I feel like the work has been really well-recieved and I'm getting to do that for freelance a bit now too. My favorite of those pieces is still the one I made for my Christmas promo this year - who doesn't love ice skating donuts?!  I'm actually happy to share that it will be a Christmas card boxed set for a company who remain unnamed for the time being! I also really love working for my fave clients, shout out to Abrams, Papyrus and Galison. They have treated me very well over the past few years!

4. Favorite quote to live by?

'Good things come to those who hustle' - I'm not sure what the source is on that one, but it's totally my life motto. I'm most certainly not the most original, creative, or talented artist out there but I've been pretty successful in a very short amount of time. Most / if not all of that success can be attributed to networking, putting myself and artwork out there, and well... hustlin'. I'm always scheming on new projects, new promos, collaborating with artists and trying to get my name and work in front of the people who I want to see it! My advice to any illustrator trying to get started is to be shameless, don't be afraid to reach out to people you want to work with. When you weigh the outcomes - the potential good always immensely outweighs the bad.

5. And most importantly: what is your favorite flavor of ice cream?

Ben and Jerry's 'Phish Food' - I am absolutely addicted. It's a problem.

Thank you so much Alyssa for sharing these insights into your work! Read up on Alyssa a little bit more here, + check out her blog too. If you would like to check out more of her work, take a look at her portfolio + if you're in the buying mood (which I'm sure you will be after seeing all of these!), check out her two shops here + here (her etsy shop is currently on vacation). I definitely follow her on instagram to get my fill of her awesome work, and I think you should too! Have a great Wednesday everyone. :)

All photos property of Alyssa Nassner.