Recently I asked several artist friends if they would answer some questions. I posed the same interview to each.
The fourth one is from Amber Robinson. I met her several years ago when she was helping run the Arts Center of the Community Arts Council of Kankakee. You can check out Amber’s work at https://amberhughesus.wixsite.com/makiartsillustration?fbclid=IwAR2YocW1C3EcPLTV6QAS_iw7wru67E4lrcw9zxegWWBJ10auM0SldPfwpj4
Where are you from and how does that affect your work?
I’m from Kankakee. Currently in aroma park. It is a pretty small market here and art does not sell for high. Crafting and inexpensive items are more popular.
Who are your biggest artistic influences?
My style is primarily Japanese anime as that’s where I found my love for art and wanted to do comics. The first two people that come to mind are Naomi Takeuchi and Audrey Kawasaki but there are a few others. Some that I know there work but not their names 😅
Tell me about your favorite medium.
My favorite medium is probably pen and ink. I love clean line work. But I have currently been working primarily in digital as it is easy and efficient and easy to reproduce.
Where do you find inspiration?
As for inspiration, it comes randomly from many places. I can see something in almost anything. I’ve been at a fast food place before and the pattern in the table spoke to me. But mostly I’d have to be honest and say I spend A LOT of time on Pinterest 😅
How do you define success as an artist?
I have a bit of a skewed perspective as to how I’d define success as an artist. I’ve somewhat struggled with it as I’ve seen all aspects of it from hard core professional to starving artist to hobby artists. I fall somewhere in between just depending on my ambition at that time honestly. It’s changed so much over the years however and where I once started thinking it would be my day in and day out life and that’s how I’d make money I now realized that it’s more of something I do when I want and draw what I want when it strikes me. I now do it more for me and less for others but that also means it’s less for profit and more for love. But for me it’s what I decided works. I know it’s different for everyone.
Does art help you in other areas of your life?
It helps in so many ways. I’ve found being a creative thinker in general is so helpful in so many everyday situations. I’m able to adapt and do things I think a lot of people might not be able to if they don’t think outside of the box and look from different angles.
How has your style changed over time?
My style has definitely become more detailed and colorful. I started most of my creating at a dark period in my life and my art reflected that. I’ve since grown as a person and so has my work.
How do you manage a work-life balance as an artist?
For me work and art are separate. It was a choice that made sense at the time and still does. That may or may not change in the future and I’m open to whatever happens. I am often very busy with work and kids and don’t have as much time for art. But I will say that when I am in a super creative mood or have a deadline I become a recluse and spend every extra minute I have working while I’m on that streak
What are you working on at the moment?
I have one unfinished piece I had given myself a deadline on and then just decided that it was something that really couldn’t have a deadline. It is a digital illustration I started probably 2+ years ago and finally learned some techniques to really come along with it how I wanted. However the very last part stumped me and when I get frustrated I procrastinate and avoid it. It’s so close but I can’t bring myself to just sit and work on it. It’s like needing to just start and I know I’ll be able to find my groove and finish it but just starting is the hard part for me sometimes
How do you stay connected and up to date with the art world?
Social media and online presence definitely.
How do you promote your work and your shows?
I recently decided to take a break from shows as I wanted to reconnect with myself and my work and remember why I loved it in the first place. I wanted to do it less for others and more for myself. When the time is right I’ll get back out there again. As for promotion, it will probably be mostly social media and online.
How useful has social media been for you?
Considering I mentioned it in the last two questions, pretty useful 😅
What is the biggest challenge of being an artist?
Just continuing to keep that spark and inspiration and keep creating. I tend to go into long dry spells as I get very busy and am good at making excuses not to work on my art. I’m also very hard on myself and have to overcome the obstacle of thinking I’m not good enough and no one will notice me and there’s always someone better.
What are you doing to ensure you continue to grow and develop as an artist?
I keep trying to learn. New techniques and designs and where art is headed. What’s popular (but I also don’t let that rule my work) I make the joke I would be a full time student as a career if I could as I’d love to just keep learning everything there is to learn. Every technique, medium and style. I crave new information and to constantly keep getting better
What advice do you have to give to aspiring artists?
Someone once said to me ‘start and stay started’ I didn’t really get it until I lost my momentum. It’s much harder to start back up than if you never stopped. Never stop doodling. Exploring. Trying new styles and techniques and mediums. Don’t be afraid to learn and try and fail and try again. Don’t beat yourself up. Every artist is unique and no one else can do what you do just as you weren’t meant to copy paste someone else. Use other artists as an inspiration but only as that and not as a measuring still for yourself and your work
Amber is great to work with. I look forward to doing more shows with her should she decide to do them again. Thank you Amber.
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