Hi Katie, I am so glad you have time to answer some of my questions! I know you self-taught yourself to become an illustrator, was the process hard? Do you find it hard to find job because you have no degree on it?
You're right, I never studied 'illustration' as a major, but I did grow up in a world of art and took every class available to me. I don't specifically remember learning how to illustrate, but I did spend a good amount of time learning to draw. I was the kid in the library skipping the reading books, and going straight for "How To Draw Horses", or something silly like that. The art section was my home. It still is, although I try and add a bit of business to it now.
Finding jobs is a complicated subject. I think there are lots of factors that go into this... but the main message I want to get across is that if you believe in something, and have a passion for it, you can do it. It sounds corny, but I never set out to do illustration, or even be an apparel designer- yet look where I am now! I do apparel design all day, and illustrate in my spare time. Honestly, I'm not really sure what I set out to be when I started college. I majored in Industrial Design, but found my way into fashion and apparel more and more. Things slowly began falling in place- I took an apparel design job at Reebok, and started Paperfashion in my free time. To find a job in anything, you just need the passion to work hard and stay focused- nothing good comes easy.
Yes, passion it is! I do have the same belief as you and I am blessed how this blog is doing right now. So, who are your inspirations? What have you learnt from them?
My inspirations... this is hard. It's always the question I stumble on because I truly am inspired by so many different things. People, places, things... they all go hand in hand and can inspire me in the strangest ways. One of the things that inspires me most though, is a person with a story. Someone with passion and drive to do something they believe in. No matter what their passion may be, and remain open minded and humble while pursuing it.
I never know passion can be an inspiration and this is something new to me. What kind of medium do you like to use the most for your illustration? Are you planning to go digital in the future?
Watercolor. I've grown up with it, and there's just something so clean and simple about it. I don't ever see myself going digital, It's just not my thing. I know times change, and I understand digital illustration (I do it at work everyday), but I believe there will always be a love for hand created art somewhere in the world. The computer takes the possibility away from free hand illustration.
I really love your watercolor works and you keep it as your drawing medium. If you need to find 3 adjectives to describe your works, what will they be? Why?
Layered, Whimsical, and Colorful. Layered, because I work in layers- I try and let each layer show through. Whimsical, because it's how I image each illustration. I see it as something delicate, fun, and try and add life to it. Colorful, for obvious reasons- but also because I have always loved color. Color is such an incredible thing!
I love your description and that basically sums up how I view your works. I know you recently worked on a project with Coach, how did that happen? What kind of experience did you gain from it?
Working with Coach for NYFW, was incredible. It was the biggest event I've been a part of since starting Paperfashion, and it really opened up my eyes to what illustration has done for me and how much people appreciate it. I can't express how happy it makes me to illustrate for people! Coach contacted me a while back asking if I would be interested... and of course I said yes! Coach has been working with alot of the blogging community lately, which is so great. It's refreshing to see large corporate companies involving themselves with a world so opposite of theirs, such as blogging. The event went by so quickly, but I hope to continue doing projects like that in the future.
I have seen some of your works during that event and they looked amazing! If you could work on the entire look book for a brand, which brand would you love to work with the most? Why?
Wow... I don't know if I can answer this! I'm going to have to give a list of my top brands I'd like to work with (even though it changes everyday...)! Chris Benz, Marc Jacobs (I think my illustration style would compliment his style well), Starbucks, Jeffery Campbell, Moschino Cheap + Chic, Hermes (because they love illustration so much)... and I really could go on and on.
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Now it is time to get to know Katie on a more personal level!Cream or Milk?
Cream! In my coffee!
Miu Miu or Prada?
MuiMui
High Heels or Flats?
Wedges!
Orange or Purple?
Shoot... both.
New York or Los Angelos?
Never been to LA, but I can't get enough of NYC. I don't think LA would be the same to me.
Autumn
Mars Bar or Skittles?
Neither... REESES!
Hello Kitty or Mickey Mouse?
Mickey Mouse... he goes way back in my childhood!
Dog or Cat?
Dog 100%.
Japanese or French Cuisine?
French
Thank you so much to Katie for spending time to answer my questions. Once again, her works are amazing and I would love to do a collaboration with her in the future. Who knows what will the future hold? Best of luck to Katie and I look forward to see more amazing works from her. All works are courtesy of Katie Rodgers.
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