Tell us a bit about yourself: Did you go to school for art? Are you self taught?
I went to Art Center College of Design in Pasadena and focused on illustration and fine art. While I was much younger I attended Brentwood Art Center for several years - started there when I was thirteen in adult life drawing classes as they didn’t offer any classes for kids at the time. I luckily had a family that allowed me to turn our kitchen into an art experiment.
Do you work in just one medium? Several?
It depends. If I’m working on canvas or for a fine art print I work with collage using my photography (sometimes steal my husbands as he used to be a professional photographer) and patterns that I created. I print to fabric or special papers. But for illustration, design and licensing I often work solely digital or scan in my drawings and vintage photos, manipulating within Photoshop. I also use cutline filters for a “vintage” effect. For wall patterns or fabrics, I usually use Illustrator, as most companies I’ve worked with prefer art supplied as vector files.
What inspires you / where do you get inspiration from?
Japanese kimonos, fabrics, textiles, nature, especially anything vintage. I love modern architecture, interior design, fashion and that's what inspires me to incorporate my work for walls, rugs and fabrics.
How did you start licensing your art?
A close friend and art director was working on a project for clothing and didn’t know the technical aspects of how to create patterns within illustrator. So she asked me to assist her on the project. This was back in 2005 and that job led to another large project with another design firm creating several clothing lines. I realized that between my love for fashion and architecture licensing would be a good fit. I was then approached by a licensing rep that convinced me to move forward and go all in.
What are you working on now?
Designed another scarf recently for the National Cherry Blossom Festival (held in DC each spring); they sold quite well. I also had fun with nature-inspired imagery for use on cool water bottles produced out of Sausalito. And then I'll work on a collage-y piece for a magazine. It's a nice blend of clients and I value what that diversity brings. Just now, my agent, Liz Sanders/Liz Sanders Agency and I have promotional materials we're collaborating on. ...Would like to approach my blank canvas boards again!
Any great advice for our readers?
When approaching licensing, make sure the contracts make sense and are fair, most are slanted towards the Licensee. All copyright transfers are contingent upon payments in full, which should include a copyright reversion clause if any breach in payment or usage. The “Net” proceeds should be specific. Also the artist credit should be stated on the artwork and advertising/promotions. When seeking a licensing rep, speak to the other artists in their group to get proper background info.
Anything else you would like to share with us?
A few of my images are licensed through a company called, “Soundwall.” They produced this new sound/music technology that is transferred directly through the artwork and not a speaker. I listed their link below.
Are you an early riser? or night owl?
Really a night owl. I rarely go to sleep before 2 am. Everyone knows to never call me before 10 am. I do my best work at night.
What is your favorite food?
Indian food, and Caesar salads.
You can Find Judy:
Want to be spotlighted? email me info@AnnGraphics.com. I am looking forward to your comments and
thanks for sharing this great information on social media.
