Our next interviewee is the lovely Julie Knoblock, who has big secret plans in store for the next few months which I’m excited to find out about — all I know is that it involves a book… and well, that’s all I know.
The Bird Keeper print
Name: Julie Knoblock
Location: Victoria, Australia
Website/Shop: tummyache.etsy.com
Blog: julieknoblock.blogspot.com
Illustration media: Acrylic, coloured pencil, pens & the computer.
Tell us a little more about yourself.
I am (almost) 30 years old and living in Victoria Australia with my partner (who is my fiance, but I don’t like that word at all) and my two big dogs Bender and Leela. I love hanging out with the three of them. I love creating, whether it’s sewing clothes or toys, making a quilt, mosaicing a sculpture or drawing & painting. I am annoyed about the lack of creativity and culture in today’s society and feel you really have to search to find creative gems. For instance, all the really good interesting shows on TV here are mostly on the less popular channels on really late at night. What’s up with that? So yes, I’m a bit cynical and baffled by mainstream trends. But when I can switch my mind off to the things that bother me I am generally happy and like to have fun with my mates and my family. I am also a little lazy so it takes some effort to get me going and creating.
Content Being Me Necklace; A one off original art-purse in In.cube8r Gallery
How did you get your start in illustration?
At first I trudged around town with (what I think now was) a less-than-perfect folio trying to get work. I was so scared and nervous, as I am quite a shy little thing and not really up to the task of selling myself and talking myself up. The first job I landed was drawing cartoons for a business type book. Lots of offices and men in suits. Although I was grateful for the work I didn’t enjoy it as I just put so much pressure on myself to perform. It worked out in the end though I guess!
What’s your favourite tool?
Can I pick two? Ok then! A paint brush with acrylic paint on the end, and a long thin shaped tool that you hold in your hand which can come in the form of a pencil or a pen. Oops, I think that’s 3!
Horse Stack print
Are you a full-time artist?
Yes I am. When I’m not working on illustration jobs I’m working on my own personal artwork. There’s always something to do to keep me out of mischief.
What or who inspires you?
I am so inspired by other artists. The work they achieve really motivates me to keep going. That includes musicians and comedians as well, anyone doing something creative. I have an ever changing list of favourites, with a handful that always seem to be on the list. I also imagine images, so thoughts and dreams inspire me and I sometimes come up with images that I just have to get out onto paper. Inspiration can come from the most unexpected places too so I’m always attune to this.
What keeps you motivated?
I don’t really know. I think sometimes I have a love-hate relationship with art. It causes me so much frustration and I wonder how much simpler and easy life would be without it! But for some reason it is just a part of me and something I have to do. I cannot turn off the artistic thoughts and desire to create. I do go through stages of having lots of ideas, then sometimes I’ll have nothing. I think my motivation comes from my moods and where I’m at in my life at the time. And other artists.
Nesting Limited Edition Gocco serigraph print; Opposites Attract print
What advice would you like to give people who would like to sell their works online?
Keep at it. It can be slow at first but if you stay focussed with a goal in mind you’re on the right track. Always try to better your methods and ask others for advice. It depends on how you’re going to sell your work, but certainly time and effort put into it whatever way you’re going about it is an investment.
Where do you see yourself within the next few years?
Focusing on more of my own personal work and Etsy shop. Hopefully happier & healthier too!
Snap print
What message do you want to send out to people about your work?
My artwork comes from personal experiences, fleeting thoughts about life, things I hear, stuff people go through. Life in general. I like it so much when people say they can relate to my work personally. So I guess with each image there is a different message, and I don’t mind if people interpret the message differently, as long as they can draw something from it personally then I’m happy. I also love to hear what these personal interpretations are. Although sometimes my works don’t have any meaning really, they are just artworks for the sake of creating something aesthetically pleasing. Or sometimes they can have a myriad of meanings, like a meditation on a certain area of life. Sometimes people get meanings from my pictures when I didn’t even know they had any! And I’m happy when they do. That’s a good thing. Art is a personal experience.
Thanks Julie!
