Liz Adams is a freelance illustrator based in Los Angeles. She hand draws or paints various elements and compiles them into a finished piece on the computer. She does work for many major magazines and companies. Liz also worked with several bands and music artists including Hunter Revenge.

INTERVIEW

How did you get started illustrating?

When I first moved to Los Angeles in 2002, I lived in a small apartment with very little room to work. I would draw and paint in my sketchbooks all the time. I was also working as a graphic designer and would draw little things whenever we needed illustrations for our clients. I was getting some positive feedback about my work and I just decided to start promoting myself. It took about six months to get my first real assignment and has kind of snowballed from there.

Where did you go to school?

I went to Arizona State University and have a BFA in
Intermedia / Mixed media. At the time I was pretty focused on making sculptures.

Your age bracket?

ALL AGES!

What are the major themes in your work?

My work is very optimistic for the most part. I like to make little characters who do amazing and magical things. Many of my pieces have musical themes.

Describe your characters and if any are reflective of your persona?

Well, I have drawn a lot of little characters. I like to do a lot of aliens, robots, animals, and people and there is a bit of me in all of them.

What items do you create?

Paintings, drawings, prints, cards, pins, and some other little things. I hope to design more products in the future.

Where do you sell your work?

In galleries and occasionally online. There are a handful of shops that are carrying my products now. Information can be found on my website.

What inspires you to create?

I have a very active imagination and I am naturally pretty driven to create. Most of the time I can get ideas by just sitting and doodling in a notebook –
even when I think I am all out of ideas. I get inspiration from daily life.

How much of your day is spent doing this?

It really depends. I try to work on creative stuff as much as possible though I spend a lot of my day doing business stuff like answering emails, working on promotional materials and updating my website.

What can you advise someone who wants to pursue illustrating?

I would advise them to do as much research as possible. Work on making a strong portfolio and professional website. Be really persistent.

Do you do freelance work?

All of the work I do right now is freelance, apart from my personal work.

Is this your career or part time?
For a couple years I was illustrating part time, while working part time as a digital retoucher and fine art printer. I currently work as an illustrator full time.

Do you go to trade shows?
I haven’t been to one yet.

What is a day like in Liz’s life?
Well, it really depends on what I have going on…
On a typical day I wake up and check my email. I will usually exercise, eat a snack, and get ready. I have a studio space in my apartment where I do everything. I start by making a “to do” list to keep myself focused on stuff that has to get done. This includes random business and creative tasks. I will work for a few hours then take a break for lunch. Afterwards I work for the rest of the day and try not to get too distracted by the internet. At night I eat and try to relax and hang out with my boyfriend. Then I will usually work for a while and go to sleep.

Where do you shop for yourself?

Honestly I am not much of a shopper. I will wear a pair of jeans I like for years. I try to buy stuff from independent artists and designers when I can.

What’s your personal style like?

Most days I just wear a tshirt and jeans with a hoodie and converse. I love black, polka dots, and bright eye shadows. I like to be comfie!

Can you talk to us about some of your fav pieces?

It’s too hard to pick my favorite, but in general my paintings are usually made up of a lot of soft layers. I start from the background and work my way to the foreground. Sometimes I like to make it unclear whether the characters are in the sky or underwater. There are usually suggested narratives in most of my pieces, and I like to have a lot going on. I will often alternate between doing pieces on paper and pieces on canvas or panel.

How long have you been illustrating?

I have been illustrating professionally since 2005.

Were you creative as a child?

Very much so. I have been drawing and making things since I was very little. I always wanted to have a creative job.

What types of materials do you use?
Any special technique?

For my fine artwork I mainly use acrylics, gouache, watercolors, inks, and collage. I like to experiment a lot. In my commercial work I usually draw things out with ink, scan them, and color them on the computer. Sometimes I will scan in other elements like a painted background to create texture.

I feel like my technique for making things is constantly evolving. I don’t like to do things the exact same way every time because it gets boring plus it allows me to grow more. I want to get better.

Where have you been featured?

Most recently I have been featured in Vogue Girl (Korea) and The Boston Herald. My pins have been featured in Teen Magazine (who I also illustrate for). My artwork has been featured on websites including Juxtapoz.com, Drawn.ca, and Howmagazine.com.

Have you worked or collaborated with any special people or companies?

I think all of my clients are special. I really do!!! I have done work for Teen Magazine, Adorn Magazine, Disney, Venus, the band Hunter Revenge, and many more.

What is your contact information?

My website: http://www.liz-adams.com
My email: lizin8or@hotmail.com