Interview with Stephanie von Reiswitz

q)please tell us a brief info about yourself.

a)I'm an illustrator, German-American nationality, grew up in Brussels (Belgium).

q)Tell us about your humble beginnings, When did you you first realize that you wanted to be an artist?

a)My family is full of visual artists on all sides, professional painters and sculptors, 'amateur' artists, and artisans. I was brought up to think of drawing as entertainment, but later wanted to rebel and study chemistry and maths instead. When I took a course in art and design as a break between school and serious science I enjoyed it so much that I decided to go for an arty profession after all.

q)What are your tools of the trade and why?

a)Paper, ink, dip pens, fountain pens, pencils, carbon pencils, oil stick, brushes, fingers, computer, printers, knife, erasers. It varies, like everyone I go through different phases.

q)Who or what gives you inspiration on your morbid art?

a)Mainly stories I've read or heard, a lot of photography, films, old and decrepit places, and books.

q)Is your artistic background self-taught or did you go to college to study?

a)I studied at college (Chelsea and St Martins in London).

q)How do you keep “fresh” within your industry?

a)I guess remain curious about the world at large, and make sure you always do exactly what you want, rather than being sucked into any trends.

q)What are some of your current projects?

a)I'm doing quite a lot of illustration work and preparing for an exhibition next spring, for which I'm planning a series of large drawings and aquatints.

q)Which of your works are you the most proud of? And why?

a)This is hard to answer, I really don't know. I'm very fond of my first ever freelance commission, because it gave me the courage to step into illustration professionally (at the time I was working full time as a graphic designer for a record label, designing covers for black metal bands). But I'm not particularly proud of any piece, it might be something I'll do in the future.

q)Are there any areas, techniques, mediums, projects in your field that you have yet to try?

a)Yes of course, plenty, that's what makes it so exciting.

q)What do you do to keep yourself motivated and avoid burn-out?

a)Get enough sleep, feed your imagination, and make sure you always have one project on the go (even if it's still only in the back of your mind) that you really love.

q)how do you spend most of your free time?

a)Travelling, watching films, looking at books, playing musical instruments, trying to write stories, drawing, and drinking.

q)What contemporary artists or developments in art interest you?

a)I always enjoy narrative illustration, illustrated books, old satirical prints, film noir, etc.

q)We really like some of your pictures, how can we get our hands on them? Do you sell them? How?

a)There's some posters for sale at legun.co.uk - otherwise just drop me a line.

http://www.steph.vonreiswitz.com