Interview with Jill Labieniec
A warm welcome for Jill Labieniec, please! We asked this woman from Seattle to join our ARTFLAKES-team for a little interview. And so she told us about her work and life as an illustrator, why she started making art and what her usual workday looks like. See more of Jill’s work on her blog and read more about her after the click!
Why and when did you start making art?
I am not really sure. I assume someone gave me a box of crayons and I started scribbling away. I remember being really impressed by the gold crayon. My mom spent a lot of time encouraging my sister and I to make all kinds of things. I don’t know too many moms who let their kids draw all over the walls. I am sure we got in trouble but I don’t think they got painted over until we were too embarrassed by them in high school. I was really into colonial America as a kid. I probably spent more time sewing and daydreaming of being an actor in one of those fake historical towns than making art. I am not exactly sure when I traded those dreams in for a life of doodling but it was probably for the best, I don’t think I would look very good in a bonnet.
What kind of art do you make?
I adore my gocco printer! Anything I can print with that little plastic box makes me pretty happy.
Where do you draw your inspiration from?
A lot of my inspiration comes from daydreaming of adventures I would like to have. I really enjoy drawing partners in crime traveling the world by kite or simply enjoying a picnic.
What does your usual workday look like?
That depends. Right now I am working full time as a freelance illustrator so each day is pretty different.
How do you spend a perfect sunday?
Any sunny Sunday is pretty perfect especially if it starts with bacon! Sadly, Seattle’s weather forecast usually says, “cloudy with sunbreaks”. Today is a Sunday morning and it appears to be sunny so its off to a good start.
What is your favourite taste of chocolate?
Well, I like most kinds of chocolate. I got really into Cadbury eggs this past Easter season. Since it seems like torture to have to wait another year for more I tried making some yesterday. It was semi successful. I really wish I was heiress to the Cadbury fortune!
Show me your favourite artwork (from your own collection or another artist)
I think this drawing I did when I was 5 of Mr. Popper is my favorite. It appears to be drawn on the back of a cardboard clothing box. Both the penguin and Mr. Popper have some pretty sassy hip moves going on. I really admire the art of Leah Duncan, Jen Collins, Grady Mcferrin, Blanca Gomeza and my big sister and her husband’s collaboration, Lab Partners.
Whom should we interview next?
Any of the artists mentioned above. I think they are all pretty super.
If you could have coffee with a famous artist – dead or alive – whom would you choose?
Jim Flora. That man seems to have had an endless imagination.
What is your philosophy of life?
I think its pretty import to do things that make you happy, no matter how simple or silly they are. Also, being nice to people seems to be a pretty good philosophy.
Thank you, Jill!