My Art Making Process

I generally find it interesting/helpful to see how certain artists make work, so today I'm going to share a bit about my art + creative process. I studied graphic design at university, and I've been drawing since I was a child, and ideally, my work reflects both of those mediums. I like to scribble on paper and I like to push pixels around on a screen.

The tools of my analog art-making trade. Not pictured: charcoal pencils because they are currently in one of those clear, plastic art bags making a giant, dusty, black mess. Since I spend a lot of time in front of a screen making designs (&blogging &looking at cool interiors &reading articles), this non-digital world of mark making with rudimentary tools any kid uses—colored pencils, paper and glue, crayons, etc.—is a haven to me.

I need the tactility of pen against paper to really feel alive, or something. This is also why I like to make a lot of lists on scraps of paper and in various notebooks I have lying around. It doesn't feel real if I can't also touch it.

Generally I draw, collage, cut & paste—whatever—and then scan the images onto my laptop so I can edit them in Photoshop. I'm asking for a Wacom tablet for Christmas, so this process may change, or at least be enhanced/easier in a couple of months. For now, this is how I work.

As you can see in the main picture at the top, I like to use card stock in lieu of a sketchbook. Right now this works for me because I work very small, and the cards feel quick and easy. I don't know why, but I have never been a fan of filling up sketchbooks. Because the cards are obviously loose (and end up living in small piles all around our apartment because I'm A MESS) I've started keeping them in brightly colored plastic envelopes. 

As for where I work, it depends. When I'm at home, I often work at this desk. Obviously supplied with plenty of mildly caffeinated tea, notebooks of ideas, and some e n t e r t a i n m e n t. Usually, this means podcasts, but lately I've had dubbed episodes of Case Closed on in the background because I'm a forever fan. If I'm not at home, I'm at a coffee shop, sipping that soy latte and chilling in a (hopefully) aesthetically pleasing environment. The atmosphere at coffee shops is perfect for my brain; I focus really well for some reason when there is a bit of activity going on around me. Headphones are key. 

If  you'd like, you can check out a bunch of my work—digital and analog—on this v unofficial tumblr where I dump it. I'm working on organizing my work in a cohesive, understandable portfolio, but for now, I have this. It works.

✨✨✨ mariamariamariamariamaria.tumblr.com ✨✨✨

I also sell printable wall art on Etsy. If you love a good gallery wall, and unique and minimal design, you should definitely check it out!

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Other creative people: what does your working process look like? Also, please share links of your art! Let's get connected!