When did you first become interested in art?
I have always loved being creative and drew all the time when I was little, but I think my interest in art really escalated during my time at college where I studied art and design. Throughout that time I grew and developed so much, I learnt about important figures in art – past and present, and had a very motivational tutor that helped to push me out my comfort zone, It was an inspirational couple of years for me.
How would you describe your design style?
That’s got me thinking!! It’s so much easier to describe other illustrators’ styles, or perhaps my work is difficult to put a style to. It’s eclectic I think, because I sway between different materials and techniques. I suppose my style is generally quite modern because of the blend of traditional and digital media. Sometimes I can work very loosely and painterly, and other times more precise and clean. It just depends on the subject of the drawing and the mood I’m in at the time!
What inspires you?
I’m mainly inspired by the music I like listening to and music I’ve grown up with. I love to draw people, so it just makes sense for me to combine the two interests. I find inspiration in many places (architecture, fashion, typography, signage, plant life, interior design.. etc), I just don’t seem to apply much of that inspiration to my illustration, music pretty much dominates!
What is your favourite piece in your collection?
I’ve a few favourites, the David Bowie GIF is one of them because it pretty much took on a life of its own after I posted it online, and still people are sharing it almost a year later!
Another GIF I really enjoyed working on was a collaboration between me and one of my favourite illustrators Lucas David, a piece called ‘The Countess’, inspired by Lady Gaga’s character in American Horror Story (we made it before the show aired, and before the Entertainment Weekly promo photos were released. It was fun trying to pick a look for her without having any solid reference!).
Fabulous Bowie and Lush Life are my favourite pattern illustrations. They are among the first pieces to be added to my ArtRookie shop. I really want to carry on working on more patterns of other people!
Is there any artistic talent in your family?
Only my granddad on my mom’s side – he was a very skilled painter and always encouraged me to keep practicing. He took art classes and enjoyed painting landscapes, people and animals. There are several pieces of his work around his house. Sadly during my teens he became blind, so he never got to see how much I progressed with my work during college. He still liked to ask how I was getting on with my art though, and would handle the paintings I brought over on my visits, listening as I described what was in them.
What is the journey you take to produce your work?
I start with a rough sketch of the composition along with some notes before I move onto a final piece. Sometimes I go straight into the final piece, kinda improvising as I go along. Once I’m happy with the drawing I scan it in and edit in Photoshop – at this point I either just do small edits like changing the contrast and saturation, or digitally colour the drawing using scanned in bits of texture.
What made you want to be a part of Art Rookie?
I really wanted to sell my work as products through a UK based website, but for a long time there wasn’t really that option. When ArtRookie got in touch, I was so ready to sign up!
When you’re not creating masterpieces what do you enjoy doing?
When I’m not drawing I love to play the piano. I’ve played the piano for as long as I’ve enjoyed drawing, but lately drawing has taken over, so I haven’t been playing as much. Over a year ago I started learning the piano parts in the song ‘Life on Mars’ by David Bowie and I still haven’t finished with it! I also enjoy going on countryside walks with my boyfriend Daniel (sometimes his cat likes to tag along) and spending time at our favourite picturesque locations.
Have you faced any struggles getting your work noticed?
When I first started uploading my drawings online I wasn’t actively trying to get my work noticed, it was more of a personal thing for me, I was challenging myself to try and post daily drawings, hoping that I could eventually look back on my work and see how much I’ve improved. I decided that a blog would be a nice way to showcase these drawings in the event that people may stumble upon them (actually, my boyfriend talked me into sharing my work publicly!).
When I started drawing Lady Gaga, my work gained attention from fellow fans and after a period of time, Gaga herself tweeted about my drawings which changed everything! I’m very thankful and quite lucky to have had that kind of exposure very early on, while I was still doing my studies.
Where would we find you hanging out in the UK?
As well as the picturesque towns and rural places that I visit with my boyfriend, sometimes we/I would be in Birmingham. Shopping for more loud vintage shirts to add to my collection! Eating out, sometimes going to a show to see a favourite band/artist, stand-up comedian, exhibition etc, and meeting up with friends.
What makes British talent different than elsewhere?
I think many British artists tend not to take themselves too seriously, I love that. And there is a very distinct eccentricity and sense of humour here which translates nicely into illustration.
What are your plans for 2016?
I don’t tend to make plans that far ahead, usually take things a week or a month at a time. I’d like to keep up the momentum I have at the moment with commissioned work and hopefully work on some more big and exciting projects!
For too long I’ve been saying that I would make videos of my drawings, so hopefully I will release some videos in 2016. I would also like to finally get round to turning my drawings into necklaces.. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for myself for ages! I’d love to be able to wear my own custom pieces with bold vintage shirts.
www.artrookie.co.uk/helengreen
