Official blog of The Great Discontent.
@greatdiscontent
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Simply put, we love Sara’s illustration work! Wanting to know more about the person behind the art, we reached out to Sara, who invited us to do an interview at her studio. There, we conversed about her path from growing up in Virginia to living and working in New York City, how she came to find such a distinct style of illustrating, the people who have impacted her the most along the way, and how she balances freelance work with a day job. In short, she works her ass off, which is her advice to all of us—we couldn’t agree more! Talent is an essential foundation, but the willingness to work hard and break a sweat is crucial to success. Thanks for reminding us of that, Sara!
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Louise Fili is a force to be reckoned with; a trailblazer who has relentlessly pursued her interests to create a stunning, uncompromising body of work over the course of the last several decades. Interviewing someone as widely recognized and celebrated as Louise Fili is such an incredible, yet daunting, honor. Graciously, Louise extended an invitation to meet at her studio, where we conversed about her all-time favorite things: type, food, and Italy. We also talked about her path spanning from childhood years to present-day, which revealed her as a woman who is not only prolific in her art, but also rich with wisdom. Thank you, Louise, for inspiring me—and all of us—with your passion for what you do!
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Prepare to enter the fantastical world of Oliver Jeffers, where, if you can imagine it, you can make it happen! Born and raised in Northern Ireland, Oliver knew from a young age that he wanted to be an artist, but what he didn’t know was how an accidental discovery of picture books would change the course of his life forever. Read on for the full story of Oliver’s journey from Ireland to New York City, where he now lives and works, the unforgettable characters he’s met, and the lessons he’s learned along the way.
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There’s something whimsical, charming, and unique about Olimpia’s illustration work that we just love. With artists for parents, Olimpia seemed destined to make a living doing something creative, but that didn’t necessarily make for an easy path. In a family of artists, Olimpia had to carve out her own identity and find her outlet for self-expression, which led her into illustration. But that’s not all; Olimpia has a multitude of interests and we can’t wait to see what direction they lead her in in the future. Here’s to exploring, creating, and ultimately, finding a path that is truly yours. Thanks, Olimpia!
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Jon’s determination, diligence, and talent are undeniable—just look at his prolific body of work. As a born and raised New Yorker, he comes from a long line of artists and credits his family for encouraging him to explore his creative side beginning at a young age. Although it seems that Jon was destined to work in a creative industry, he admits it wasn’t always an easy path to pursue, but he persisted on. We think you’ll find a resonating hope in Jon’s story—a hope which comes from knowing that we all struggle to find our voice at times, but it is there within us, waiting to be found as long as we’re willing to keep digging.
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We’re easily fans of Jacqui’s illustration and hand lettering work. Her style is unmistakable, boasting wonderful textures and a stunning use of color, and she’s really good at what she does—after all, she’s been illustrating for over ten years! As a child, Jacqui travelled with her family and spent her formative years in the Middle East. It was fun to hear stories about her early adventures, the culture shift she experienced when her family moved from Bahrain to Canada, and why she chose illustration. Now, as a teacher and working illustrator, Jacqui has the opportunity to give back by sharing knowledge and experience with her students—just as she has with us. Thank you for sharing your journey with us, Jacqui!
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We’re excited to kick off year two of TGD with the talented illustrator and letterer, Darren Booth! Eleven years ago, Darren was a recent college grad who had just spent his summer working and saving to make his first promo. A lot has happened in his life and career since then. Read on about Darren’s journey into the world of illustration, his brief stint as a top secret operative—well, maybe we’re exagerrating a little—what he’s learned from his mentors and his wife, and why the legacy he leaves may have little to do with his art.
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We hope you enjoyed the first half of our interview with Jessica Hische and Russ Maschmeyer. You can read it here if you haven’t done so already. Otherwise, continue on for the rest of our conversation with this awesome pair.
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Jessica Hische and Russ Maschmeyer are tying the knot on August 24,2012 and we thought it would be fun to celebrate by having them on TGD—together! Their interview was so full of awesomeness that we’ll be splitting it into two parts—the first half being published today and the second half to be published on Thursday. Without further ado, we bring you the first part of our conversation with this incredible couple.
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Chris knows what it takes to live and work as an illustrator in New York City—in his words, “It’s going to take a while, but if you really love it, you’ll figure out a way to do it.” And he has. His work combines nature, symbolism, and a dash of surreal imagery that we just can’t resist. When we talked, Chris was thoughtful and kind; he opened up about his journey as an artist that started with painting side by side with his grandfather. Honestly, and with great insight, Chris recounted his path from being a kid fresh out of college to finally finding his footing as a full-time freelance illustrator. And with wit and humor, he told stories about his “wax on, wax off” lesson, how a wicked knee injury became a catalyst for an illustration “aha” moment, and his foray into the wild, but wonderful, world of teaching. Thanks, Chris, and cheers to not having a Plan B.
