Cultivating Creative Communities with Andrea Pippins
Creative Playdate
Today's interview is with the wonderful illustrator and author, Andrea Pippins. She is passionate about empowering young girls and also about helping us all create our own communities for support and inspiration. She even wrote a book about it, called We Inspire Me.
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Four Starts with F for a Reason: Tom and Amanda Froese
Creative Playdate
The last episode of 2018 features an interview with the lovely Tom and Amanda Froese. Tom is a commercial artist whose work can be seen in publications like The Walrus and Harvard Business Review. He also creates illustrations for children's books, beer labels and even ceramics. Amanda is a Design Director at Partners & Hawes and is able to work from home alongside Tom.
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Episode 24: Steve Folland and Being Freelance
Creative Playdate
After chatting with Steve Folland on his podcast, Being Freelance, last year I knew I wanted to get him onto Creative Playdate. If anyone is mastering the art of freelancing while parenting, Steve is. Steve started working freelance full-time when his children were young. We talk about Steve's work and how he managed to take off the entire month of August, while his kids were on vacation from school and how sometimes saying no is the best thing for YOU, not just your business.
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Episode 23: Selina Alko
Creative Playdate
In episode 23, I interview children's book author and illustrator, Selina Alko. Selina grew up in Canada and lives in Brooklyn, NY. She has two children who are in the middle of adolescence and we talk about what that looks like at home. We discuss the challenges and benefits of raising biracial children in New York and we also talk about whether or not being a mother slowed down her career.
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Episode 22: Interview with Debbie Millman
Creative Playdate
Debbie Millman, everyone! This episode of Creative Playdate is a bit different than all the other episodes so far because this one is NOT about parenting. Debbie Millman is many things, including a designer, brand consultant and founder and host of one of the world's longest running podcasts, Design Matters.
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Episode 21: Interview with Michael Byers
Creative Playdate
Episode 21 of Creative Playdate features an interview with Canadian illustrator and super nice guy, Michael Byers. His editorial illustration is whimsical and colorful and always includes a touch of humor - as is Michael, himself. We talk about whether or not we should be properly dressed to take our kids to school and Michael mentions a lot of great writing on creativity that is worth checking out.
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Interview with Francesca Tortora
Creative Playdate
You are going to LOVE this episode with Francesca Tortora of Doing It For the Kids (DIFTK)! She has created an incredible community of freelance parents and I only wish she could do some meetup events in the US. We learn about her journey to being a parent, freelance graphic designer and founder of DIFTK.
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Episode 19: Interview with Regina Flath
Creative Playdate
I am back from ICON with a great new episode featuring book designer and art director Regina Flath! She gives a nice overview of how Penguin Random House chooses illustrators, what they are looking for and how often they use stock images, illustration or their own photoshoots for book covers. One of her latest, The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein by Kiersten White is among her favorite recent projects.
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Episode 18: Interview with Melinda Beck
Creative Playdate
I am super happy I had the chance to interview Melinda Beck for the show. She's an incredible illustrator and graphic designer who showcases a wide range of styles. And you can certainly see the graphic design influence in her illustration. We talk about what it's like to be a freelance illustrator while raising two teenage girls and what childhood in New York City is like.
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Episode 17: Interview with Dan Santat
Creative Playdate
I am very pleased to have children's book illustrator and author, Dan Santat on the show. We talk about his career and the effect that winning the Caldecott Medal has had on the way he approaches his work and his place in the children's book industry.
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You are going to LOVE this episode with Francesca Tortora of Doing It For the Kids (DIFTK)! She has created an incredible community of freelance parents and I only wish she could do some meetup events in the US. We learn about her journey to being a parent, freelance graphic designer and founder of DIFTK.
She speaks about how her work has changed since her son came along and how it's influenced the types of clients she works with. She's had limited childcare in the past and manages to stick (mostly) to a pretty strict schedule with her clients, which has led to more clients who are happy to be more flexible. I also learned a lot about freelance maternity leave in the UK. Whenever I speak to someone out of the country, their maternity leave situation will inevitably make me incredibly jealous.
Frankie talks about the guilt we all feel as freelance parents and how she manages to rein it in whenever possible.
Be sure to check out the DIFTK blog as well as the Instagram feed and wonderful Facebook Group. And you can see Frankie's graphic design work on her own site. And remember, DIFTK is a collaborative project, so get in touch with Frankie if you think you've got something you'd like to write.
Creative Playdate is syndicated on Illustration Age and our theme music was created by Thomas James and Jason Ritz.
Thanks, as always, for listening and for sharing with a friend. Be sure to rate, review and SUBSCRIBE on iTunes!
Now go play!