Emi, How long have you been creating art? Did you receive formal art training? Could you tell us about your experience learning art techniques?

Of course, as any artist will tell you I’ve been creating my entire life, but I started exploring and developing my own drawing style fourteen years ago at the age of eleven. In grade school, I only ever had basic art classes that were required per curriculum. However, I would also refine my skills outside of the classroom with inspiration from cartoons I would watch after school. In high school, I was presented the opportunity to enter a vocational class based on commercial arts. Throughout my time in this class, I was driven to practice life drawing with static objects as well as learn programs used by graphic designers in the industry.

After high school, I pursued a degree in Graphic Design at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh. I learned not only several artistic techniques during my studies but most importantly different ways to conceptualize and observe artwork. Aside from those conventional methods, I’ve always taken it upon myself to research styles, programs, and methods online, which I still do to this day.

Could you tell us about your experience as a freelance illustrator / designer? What career or financial advice do you have for prospective artists who want to do illustration as a full-time occupation? 

I had always presented domestic commissions online as my means of freelance even in high school; however, after graduating college, I was only pursuing jobs to earn a salary instead of experience. After two years and two separate full-time positions, I moved to full-time freelancing to better drive my skills with more challenging tasks. Of course, for me, it’s not the most profitable but in terms of the people I meet now and work with as well as the work I do, I prefer this lifestyle to anything else. At some point, I hope to have another full-time position but preferably with elements that test my abilities!

What advice would you share with novice artists searching for their own unique style?

For anyone trying to find his or her sense of style, just be patient! Your style will constantly change. Make sure to focus only on certain elements during your transitions and always practice towards the technique you wish to achieve.

Tell us about your workstation setup. Do you work with traditional and / or digital media? We’d like to see a picture of where you create your art!

I generally work digitally, though I sometimes take time to practice with traditional sketches and watercolors.

You have tons of commissioned works, do you have a particular process for working with your clients? What approach do you use to determine your pricing and timeline?  What has been the most interesting commission request so far?

I do! Generally, I have a base price determined by taking an hourly rate and estimating how long that size piece would generally take me to complete. I only take on a set number of requests at any given time, so I can work on other projects alongside my commissioned works. The most interesting commissioned request I’ve received was during Tekkoshocon when a con goer wanted a Wartortle wearing the Senketsu from Kill-La-Kill.

The amount of talent that went into the TurfWar Zines is incredible, we would love to learn more about how it came about! How did you get involved in setting up the TurfWar Zines? What is special about the project?  Are there certain challenges that come with organizing the works of 100 artists and the creation / sale of zines?

The idea for the TurfWar Zines began when Jenna Brown, Sami Briggs and I (the zine hosts) noticed our peers working on their own Splatoon zine. Jenna had already done tremendous work with her Kill-La-Kill zine, so she suggested we take the reigns and create our own zine! Between the three of us, we worked vigorously for about three months to get everything ready to process in terms of inviting artists, judging portfolios and applications, creating smaller goods, and finalizing the files. We wanted this project to stand out, which is why we decided to interpret the Splatoon main storyline in that the inklings were at war with the octolings. With this in mind, we decided to make two separate zines with separate themes to combat each other based on consumers choices. Some of the greatest challenges we faced were judging over 700 applications/portfolios in one given day and, for me personally, shipping out not only all of the pre-ordered books but the artist copies as well.

The bubble lettering in your work is really eye-catching and is found in a lot of your works. How did you develop this lettering and how do you keep it consistent throughout your work?

I have no idea honestly haha. I try to make letters/characters form and fit within each other but also stand out in their own way. Parts of type I try to accentuate on are the descenders, ascenders, and loops.

Your love for birds is palpable!  When did you start keeping birds? How has your interest in birds influenced your art?

Like creating art, I’ve been around birds most if not all of my life! Around the time I was thirteen, I had two cockatiels and adopted several zebra finches from our neighbors at the time. Since then, our family has grown around birds! Since growing closer to my birds, specifically my twin tiels, I’ve drawn more and more Bird related things.

You have tabled at conventions such as Colossalcon and ACEN, what do you like the most about your convention experience? What advice do you have for artists aspiring to table at conventions? What do you think could be improved at conventions?  

I’ve been tabling at Colossalcon since 2008 and ACEN since last year in 2015. Throughout the eight years of selling my work at Colossalcon, I’ve met many amazing people with similar interests! Not only that, but I’ve found several different ways to apply my designs and most recently have been experimenting with packaging (which is my favorite aspect of graphic design). Since graduating college, I’ve expanded my horizons in terms of conventions I attend and have noticed different conventions have more of a consideration for their staff and vendors in comparison to other events I’ve gone to.

For anyone looking to get into being a “con artist,” I would recommend keeping a strong portfolio of your most accomplished works and pieces you’d consider selling! Also, don’t be afraid to engage in conversations with others especially people browsing by your display.

Could you share some photos of your setup at conventions?

What’s on the horizon for you? More publications? Collaborations?

I have several projects planned including personal zines and stories I would love to develop more thoroughly. I’m always looking to collaborate and create with other artists! At this moment I’m contributing to over four different fan based zines and I would love to pursue even more.