10 vragen aan…Janie Secker

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Dit interview kwam (inmiddels bijna zoals gebruikelijk) tot stand dankzij een geweldige vondst via Instagram, het werk van illustrator Janie Secker. Ik was direct onder de indruk van haar illustraties; het kleurenpalet, de details, de texturen, haar characters maar ook de portretten, stillevens en de insecten die ze tekent. Ik krijg er een nostalgisch gevoel bij, zoals ik als kind telkens nieuwe details kon blijven ontdekken in de illustraties van Vera de Muis van Marjolein Bastin. Naar Janie’s werk kan ik ook blijven kijken, alsof de tijd even stil staat en toch is het eigentijds en sprankelend.

Wat ik daarnaast inspirerend vind, is om een illustrator te spreken die op latere leeftijd haar passie in illustreren heeft gevonden. In vergelijking met de steeds jongere, succesvolle talenten die op de Gram te vinden zijn -met lang niet altijd een unieke stijl-  vind ik Janie’s werk wèl authentiek. Het is erg leuk om via haar account de ontwikkeling in haar werk te kunnen volgen, wetende dat ze nog maar zo relatief kort geleden begonnen is als illustrator.

1. Who is Janie Secker, what do you do?
I’m an illustrator from the South Island of New Zealand. 

2. What/who inspires you (I assume also Dachshunds)?
Colour, texture, shadow and light all inspire me but most of all it’s the little details often overlooked at first glance that really intrigue me. I love the feel, smell and patina of vintage books and magazines – their mellow yet rich palettes are so appealing to me. And yes, definitely my 2 Dachshunds!

3. Which app do you use to draw on your iPad and which materials or software did you work with before using your iPad?
I started painting digitally in photoshop with a Wacom Intuos but now use Procreate almost exclusively. I also have a Wacom Cintiq which I am yet to fall in love with. I often include subtle overlays of hand painted papers to give extra depth and texture.

 

4. On what level do you take trends in illustration into account?
I don’t consciously study trends with a view to apply them to my work – but I’m sure at some level everything in our environment has an impact on what we produce. The things in life we give attention to will usually be reflected somehow in our art. 

5. Can you describe a workday? What’s your routine?
My first thoughts and actions always involve coffee but that might be the only routine I have! Some mornings I dive straight into an illustration, and other days I ease into it, working late into the evening. I can be obsessive once I know where an illustration is going and only put the pencil down when my eyes start to protest. My dogs definitely favour routine though, so no matter what, it’s pencils down at 3pm for our daily walk.

6. Are there any struggles you experience as an artist? If yes, would you like to share?
I have come to accept that as a creative person, there will be times of intense joy during the process, but also moments of extreme self doubt. I think vulnerability and sensitivity can be an asset to observation and growth – but it’s a see-saw sometimes!

 
7. You told me you’ve became an illustrator in your late 40’s, may I ask what kind of work you did before and how you made this transition?
In my previous job, I was the creative director for a company that published art-prints and cards. I was also responsible for some of the digital editing and learned the basics of photoshop – I guess that’s when I started to dabble myself. Once we sold that business, I really threw myself into learning about illustration through online courses.
 
8. What kind of assignments do you work on?
I am relatively early in my career and at this point it has been quite varied; a children’s book, editorial, a promotional campaign, a puzzle, greetings cards etc. My style has a lot of layering and depth which doesn’t suit all applications but I’m always exploring ways to adapt and simplify.

9. What would be your dream project/assignment?
My dream has always been to illustrate a book about insects and more specifically, moths. Their colours, velvety texture and intricate details fascinate me endlessly.


10. What would be your favorite way to spend a day off?
Reading, gardening, daydreaming, walking on the beach with the hounds and finishing off the day with curry, wine and chocolate 🙂

 
That sounds very good! 🙂
Thanks so much for joining this interview!
 
 
Volg Janie’s werk hier:
Posted in Interviews.