Artist Interview: Molly Harrison

Today we’re interviewing new artist, Molly Harrison, who joined GCU in August, 2011. Welcome, Molly, and thank you for agreeing to tell us a little more about yourself!

_________________________

Molly, what drew you to join Greeting Card Universe?

I was looking for places to sell my designs and discovered GCU.

Tell us who you are, where you are, and what you do.

I am a wife and mother of two (girl and boy) have 4 cats, one dog, live on a hillside in the country with a 180 degree view of a river canyon (northern California valley).  I am a self employed artist working out of my home studio.

Where else can we find you?

My website: The Fantasy Art of Molly Harrison.  I also have a Facebook fanpage plus eBay, Etsy, and Zazzle.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

I was a singer in a band in my early 20s

 How did you become an artist?

I have been doing it all my life.  It is my true passion. I went through college aimlessly until I finally settled down in the illustration department.  I graduated with a BA in Communication and Information Studies, Illustration Design.

What or who inspires you?

Nature, all things around me.  Emotions.  Children’s books.  Animals.  In the way of other art, any and all of it is inspiring to me.  I draw ideas and emotions from the world around me and try to encapsulate it and form my own renderings for others to enjoy.

What motivates you to design greeting cards?

Greeting cards are simple ways to spread a kind word.  When I’m designing (for instance) a card for a baby shower, I am brought back to the joyous time when I was pregnant and anticipating a new turn of life when my children were born.  I think from my own experiences, I am motivated.  Life is short and if we don’t celebrate the sweetest moments, we miss out.  Cards allow us to celebrate.  Knowing I can bring a smile to someone’s face when they see an illustration I have created it the ultimate reward.

Where do you find ideas for your work?

My ideas come from everywhere.  It has never been hard for me to start a new work.  Fantasy art is my main area of interest.  I am not sure why I am so drawn to it, but it has been the case since I was little.  Mystical and fantastical creatures and places are limitless.

What’s your workspace or studio like?

Usually it is a mess because I am overwhelmed with ideas that come all at once.  It is also at times filled with cats!  I am lucky to have a giant window to lookout at the canyon.  It faces the west and during certain times of the year, mainly fall, the brilliant colors in the big sky stretch as far as you can see.  I use my grandfather’s old, wooden art table.  My grandpa was a watercolor artist.  His artwork inspired me when I was small.  I have many of his paintings of barns, birds, and boats up in my home.

What’s the most indispensable item you use to create your art?

It’s funny, but if I don’t have a kneaded eraser, I can’t draw because I can’t stand the little eraser bits that get all over when you use a typical eraser.  I also have to have my good 300 lb paper for watercolor painting.  A long time ago I decided it’s worth it to spend the extra bit to use quality paper.  Good paper can make even a painting look ten times better.

What tools do you use to create your work?

Pencil (usually I sketch out using an F softness), archival ink for the lines, paint brushes (mainly small round because I do lot’s of detail), and artist quality paints.  I also use Photoshop for coloring many of my illustrations for cards.

When and why did you start selling your designs as greeting cards?

I started selling in 2002 at a little children’s boutique in the small town where I grew up.  They were hand drawn and painted.

What do you do to promote your greeting cards on GCU?

I promote on my website and also my Facebook pages.

If you weren’t an artist, what would you be?

This is tough…often I have wondered if I have chosen the right path.  But then again it comes so strongly from the heart that  I think no matter what I was doing, I would still end up going back to some kind of art.  When I’m creating I feel truly at home.  I have thought about going back to school to become something more stable, like a nurse or something, but then I think I wouldn’t have any time for art!