Julia Pott recently graduated from Kingston University with a first class honours degree in illustration and animation and is one of my most favourite artists at the moment. Her images always make me smile and I want to buy everything from her Etsy shop! She very kindly spent some time answering my Q&A's for the factory. 

Cat and Dog 

Your illustrations have a very distinct style which I love. Have you always drawn this way?

When I was at university I tried out a lot of different ways of creating images but I think my work always dealt with similar subject matters and had it's own intrinsic style. Even looking back at drawings I did when I was really little you can still see elements that I still use in my work today. I think people's work will always hold a specific style because it is the way they are most comfortable working. However my style has definitely developed over the years as I have learnt more about drawing and composition.

It's no big deal

How much time and how many drawings were involved with My First Crush?
I don't think I could even hazard a guess at how many drawings went into that animation. They line my hallway and stairs at the moment and there are about 30 boxes of them. It took about 5 months to create from conception to completion. It's probably the longest project I have undertaken so far but it was the most enjoyable because I got to talk to so many different people and animate so many different characters.

Can you tell us about a recent project, either commission or personal?
I have recently completed an illustration for the Exquisite Book Project in association with Chronicle Books in New York. Each illustrator was given a drawing from which they had to continue the story. It was a great project and allowed loads of freedom whilst still feeling like your were taking part in a collaboration. The illustration 'You Made Me a Mixtape' was the result and it will be published later this year. A lot of my drawing revolve around what is going on in my life at the time and this illustration was based on my boyfriend..and I think everyone can relate to it! Every time I am given a mixtape I can't help  but read secret meanings into all the songs and try and figure out if the person likes me or is telling me to get lost.

Where do you look for inspiration and ideas and is it a slow or fast process?
 I take my inspiration from a lot of different sources. Like everyone else I like to look at other illustrators and animators work for inspiration. I also collect a lot of ridiculous trinkets and antiques and also a lot of old books which are great for collage and drawing from. As my work is based mainly around animals I watch a lot of Planet Earth (mainly because it's ace) and collect pamphlets from pet stores and children's animal magazines. I do a lot of drawing at the zoo and in the natural history museum because it's great for taxidermy.

 

I can't see past you

I have seen some of your work for sale on Etsy.  Have you found this a helpful way of finding a new audience?
Definitely, Etsy is such a great site for making connections and sharing your work. I have been contacted by several shops and companies because of  my work on there and it's also a great place to talk to other illustrators and artists and start collaborations.

this is my boyfriend

Are you still based in London?
Yes i am, for the next two weeks. I am moving to New York on the 10th of April for two months to work on a few collaborations and have meetings. I am really excited, it's such a great opportunity.

What’s next for Julia Pott?
I suppose to just answered this question! I think I would ideally like to get into animating title sequences and more music videos. I am working on a few music videos and I love how much scope there is for experimentation. I am also in a collective called Treat Studios and we have a lot of exciting projects in the works and I am hopefully off to Guadalajara in July for a solo exhibition.

Find out more about this artist on her website http://www.juliapott.com/portfolio.htm on her blog  or buy prints at her etsy shop.  

All images copyright Julia Pott/courtesy of the artist            

Good luck to Julia in New York!