How did your career as an illustrator begin?
I started drawing with my dad when I was very small. We drew together all the time; it was our shared language! I tap into my child-self whenever I'm drawing, she is my guide. So in a sense, I began then, but as a career I have been doing illustration full-time for twelve years, and I absolutely love it. I love getting to work with amazing art directors, to conceive of drawings that will be printed on a page, a book, wallpaper, and far beyond.
You've worked with some iconic brands! Do you have a favorite recent project?
Yes! My recent collaboration with Paperless Post stands out. We created a suite of very special, holiday leaning illustrated invitations. It was magical to work with their immensely talented designers and team, sending drawings and watching them come to life. I just sent one of my own invitations for my son's upcoming 3rd birthday party -- an absolute surreal thrill!!! And I have already received one, from someone who didn't know I made it. A real feather in my cap.
What’s your favorite part about the New York illustrator community?
Oh dear, I don't know if I have one, because one of my favorite things about being an illustrator is that I work with and am friends with people in all worlds. I have friends in food, film, art, dance, fashion, books -- maybe not enough in medicine. But New York is a place that is dominated by every field, and I relish it.
What role does color play in your work?
A minimal one frankly. I'm really interested in line and its movement, shape and style. Scratchy, slow, fast, dribbly, digitally, wispy, languid, detailed, furtive, cramped. I think actually a drawing is often done when it is just a black line. And it is really done when it is printed. But color is important, and I think I tremble a bit before it. I got a new set of knives and I feel similarly. I respect them and want to use both carefully.
We love how candid and fun your style is! Where do you source your inspiration from!
I always look to illustrators and designers of the past, probably because what I am most interested in, vis-a-vis linework, is the immediacy, knowing it came directly from A PERSON. I think you can really feel the honesty in old drawings. I read ZILLIONS of children's books now with my son every day and every night. It is the best! I feel very inspired by all the stories we read, and seeing how text and image come together. The books I love most are not necessarily the ones I thought I would, it's the luster of reading them aloud with a small person that makes some especially shiny and spellbinding.
Follow Along:
@joanaavillez
www.joanaavillez.com
Paperless Post Collab