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Spraygraphic Interview with Artist Penelope Dullaghan
By Spraygraphic | October 29, 2008
Spraygraphic interview with Penelope Dullaghan
SG: Please tell us about yourself?
PD: I am a freelance illustrator and artist. My background is in graphic design and art direction. I live with my husband, 2 cats, 1 dog, and baby on the way.
SG: Where do you currently live and work?
PD: I just moved into a charming old house in a teeny tiny little town in northern Indiana. I live upstairs and my studio is downstairs.
SG: What mediums do you work with?
PD: I work mostly with acrylics, ink and digital. And throw in some other things as needed: charcoal, color pencil, grass clippings, etc.
SG: Describe your working process when creating a new work.
PD: For illustration work, I usually get the assignment and read it over several times, making notes in the margins or scribbles in a notebook when initial ideas come to me. Then I set it aside and let it marinate if time allows. Then comes several tight pencil sketches that I send off for approval. Once I get the go ahead, I start on the finish, where I do a base painting and then scan it and finish it up digitally. (I find that to be quicker, allowing me to do more work and make changes and adjustments easier.)
SG: What kind of things do you do when you get blocked or find it hard to create something?
PD: With illustration, I don’t really get blocked that often. And if it does happen, I talk about the assignment with my husband and shoot ideas back and forth. Or I try to let it go for a while and go take a walk or read a book. Ideas usually start flowing again when you give them some space.
SG: Where are you currently finding your inspiration?
PD: I am finding inspiration in bold black and white pieces lately. Typography. Outsider art. The more simple photography that you see floating around everywhere now. Random collected bits. And teaching.
SG: Where has your work been seen?
PD: My illustration work has been published all over the place, coast to coast. And for gallery work: I recently had a big group show opening at Art Stream Studios in New Hampshire. And a few other group shows at Nahcotta and Columbia College Chicago.
SG: Where will it be seen next?
PD: Depends on who calls, I guess.
SG: What is your dream art assignment?
PD: I’ve been really fortunate to work on a lot of really fun assignments. I’m finishing up a campaign that’s used illustrative typography, which has been different for me, and really inspired me to do new things. Break some boundaries. I would love to get into some kind of fabric design. Product
packaging illustration. That sort of thing.
SG: What is your favorite color?
PD: It changes so often, I can’t really say. I will say that color is super important to me and I am really sensitive to it. To the point where poor color choices and combos make me physically ill. No kidding.
SG: Who is your favorite artist? And Why?
PD: Favorite artist… you’re asking tough questions here. My favorite artist changes a lot too. But I’m always a fan of fine artist Caio Fonseca because his colors are bold and lovely. And I swoon over Andy Goldsworthy who does environmental sculpture. I love that he lets his art go back to nature when he’s finished.
SG: What book/magazine are you reading this week?
PD: I just picked up a copy of GOOD magazine and really enjoyed that. I’m also reading some light books: “Water for Elephants”, “Three Dog Life”. And Mothering magazine.
SG: Ever do a self portrait? Where is it now?
PD: One. And it’s in the show in New Hampshire.
SG: Where is your favorite place to hang out?
PD: My front porch. With a blanket and mint tea.
SG: Any final words of advice?
PD: Don’t run with scissors.
Additional Links: Blog & her other site
Topics: Artist Interviews, Women Art |
November 11th, 2008 at 5:30 pm
her art reminds me of retro holidays and picnics with my best gal pals in paris. sweet and charming answers.