"Escape from this world"

http://www.gemini.illustrateur.org

Gemini is a French illustrator who loves lemon pie and old good musicals. With tradeyourtalent she speaks about growing up in a small village and why glamourous ladies inspire her. 

What inspires you when you create your art? 

I would say that my art is inspired by what I see, or what i hear. It sounds very girlish, but I like painting and drawing pretty things, glamourous ladies. I grew up with old american musicals, and while I was a kid I thought when I will become a woman I will look like these beautiful actresses from the 50's, so I think I want to  keep a little of this gold time in my art. 

http://www.gemini.illustrateur.org

Why is art your passion? 

When I was a little girl we were living with my sister and my parents in a small village and we didn't have anything to do outside (and I must add we were living in Normandy, so for those who don't know-  the weather is the same as in England). Luckily my grandparents were printers so we had all the paper we wanted for free. And step by step it became the only way we had to escape from this world.

If you could work together with a famous artist, who would you pick? 

I think I would like to work with the "father" of all these movies which gave me the desire to become an artist and  gave me so many happy moments:  Glenn Keane. 


For more by Gemini please visit: 
http://www.gemini.illustrateur.org

http://www.spottedandswing.blogspot.com

Jonathan Woodward "Endless Inspiration"

Jonathan Woodward's passion for illustration goes back to as far as he can remember. Jonathan Woodward is an illustrator and creative designer in the UK, he was a commended finalist in the "BBC wildlife artist of the year 2011 competition". His current passion project is saving endangered animals at ThenThereWereNone.com  but also the website IllustratorsUnion.com  Illustrators Union is a platform he created, which helps to inspire, enable and motivate artists to make a living from what they're good at and what they enjoy. With Trade Your Talent he speaks about the endless inspiration from nature - from majestic birds like the Golden Eagle to the power of the ocean and every form of life it contains.

jonathanwoodwardstudio.com/

Can you remember your first illustration that you ever did? 

Jonathan: I've drawn all my life and was always known as the arty kid in school before moving on to study Graphic Design at University and then returning to my first love, Illustration, so it's difficult to pinpoint my first ever illustration. However, I'd say my Illustration work really came to life when I started using traditional cut paper collage. It was as simple as seeing a woman's hair in a fashion magazine and thinking it would make a good tree bark texture that sparked my curiosity - this experiment and the first illustration that I created using this medium (the medium and style I work in today) was 'One For Sorrow, Two For Joy' so I would probably class that as my first Illustration.

Is it hard being an illustrator and following your dreams as an artist?  

Jonathan: In some respects it is hard but I just feel that it's the only thing I want to do and so in that case it's easy. It takes a lot of people a long time to discover what there passion is and I had mine (creating and admiring illustrations/art) from as far back as I can remember so I feel luck to have always known what I wanted to do.

 What inspires you most when you have a creative block?  

Jonathan: Nature. It's the subject of every illustration I do and provides endless inspiration - from majestic birds like the Golden Eagle to the power of the ocean and every form of life it contains.

jonathanwoodwardstudio.com/

 You just started a creative business. What was the path leading up to that like?  

Jonathan: I've been a freelance Graphic Designer for the past 5 years (working in Design Studios prior to that) but after many years of procrastination, I finally got an illustration portfolio up and running online that I'm happy with to dedicate to my Illustration work. The path leading up to that was full of self doubt, comparing myself to my favourite Illustrators, struggling to find my own personal style and lacking the confidence to think that my work was good enough, until I just thought that if I didn't go for it I'd regret it forever. I started an Illustration resource blog called www.zero2illo.com to chart my progress and give myself external accountability to actually get things done - the blog grew and I met so many amazing illustrators on the same journey as myself that it always inspires me to keep striving to get better at the craft and business of Illustration.

jonathanwoodwardstudio.com/

jonathanwoodwardstudio.com/

Do you have favorite illustrators?

Jonathan: Oh wow, too many to mention and they change all the time but at the moment to name a few they would be Lindsey Carr (current favourite), James Jean, Dave McKean, Charley Harper and Greg Manchess.

jonathanwoodwardstudio.com/

For more about Jonathan's art and projects

Blog: JonathanWoodward.me

Twitter @jonwoodward 
Johnathan illustrated and saved endangered animals at ThenThereWereNone.com 
Jonathan's illustration community illustratorsunion.com

Jonathan's illustration resource blog zero2illo.com

Natalie Hughes "Crowd of Creatures"

Natalie Hughes is an illustrator from Norfolk, England. She graduated in 2009 from the University of Gloucestershire and is currently looking to find a publisher for her children's book, she is also available for commissions  (nat@nataliehughes.co.uk). With TYT she speaks about her favorite creatures, never getting bored and why it is fun being allowed to act like a kid. 

http://www.nataliehughes.co.uk/

I adore your crowd of creatures. How do you create your favorite creatures? 

Natalie: Thank you so much! I start off by doing a bit of research.. looking at lots of photos, making a few sketches and getting an idea of its basic shape. Next I draw out the character in my own style, scan it in and add colour and texture using Photoshop. Since uni I've been collecting/creating scanned in textures which I collage together.

What is the best part about being an illustrator? 

Natalie: The best thing about being an illustrator is never being bored. I always have something to do and a new illustration to plan. The other best thing is being allowed to still act like I'm a kid...being an illustrator means you can use your imagination... writing stories and designing characters is always fun. I have a valid excuse for still reading children's books !

Where do you get your inspiration from? 

Natalie: Travel is my main inspiration. When I can't go travelling I day dream about travelling.. the thought of all the endless possibilities out there, all the different people,cultures and places to see. I'm really inspired by the natural world too.I had a really nice childhood surrounded by pets and trips to the countryside, I think this had a massive impact on me. When I need a bit of inspiration I watch movies..I'm obsessed with movies!

Do you have favorite illustrators you'd like to collaborate with? 

Natalie: I've got quite a few collaborations in the works..including a charity colouring book called the Oh GOSH Project.  Off the top of my head some mega talented illustrators who I'd love to work with are James Burlinson or Bart Aalbers . I'd love to collaborate with an animator too, it would be great to see my characters come to life! In my dreams I'd work with Shaun Tan or I'd go back in time and collaborate with Charley Harper or Edward Gorey!

Can you remember the first creature you ever illustrated?

Natalie: I can't really remember, but I do remember the first drawing I did which I was proud of. I did a drawing of a wicked witch, with shelves behind her piled up with bottles of colourful potions. I wonder if I still have it..... and I wonder if I saw it now whether I'd recognise any of my style in it!

http://www.nataliehughes.co.uk/

http://www.nataliehughes.co.uk/

http://www.nataliehughes.co.uk/

Blog Art Exhibition Jennifer Lilya "Pink and Gold"

Jennifer Lilya is a fashion illustrator living in Brooklyn, NY. She loves runway sketching and traditional fashion illustration, but with a modern edge. 

Interview with Jennifer Lilya

What is it like being an illustrator in the fashion world? 

In a word, fun! 

Your runway sketches are adored by a lot of your fans. Which fashion shows do you find most inspiring? 

They change from season to season, but right now I’m all about Fall 2011 Prada, Gucci & the Cacharel prints. I also loved the Armani Prive Couture show for all those super shiny jewel tones. Yum!

Your sketches have appeared in famous fashion magazines like Elle. Did you ever imagine coming this far? 

Well, I always wanted it- whether it would happen was a different story. But, yes- I’ve worked really, really hard to get to where I am, so I’m incredibly delighted with how my career is unfolding.

What does your perfect outfit look like? 

In the summer I want cute little girly dresses- fun patterns, kicky skirts.

In the winter I want black & silver from head to toe.

And platform heels, always and forever.

If you could give some advice to young fashion illustrators, what would it be? 

Get inspired, practice, keep a sketchbook with you at all times, and take advantage of free portfolio sites (Coroflot, Behance, Fashion Industry Network are just a few…)

For more work by Jennifer Lilya visit www.jenniferlilya.com