Jennifer Lilya grew up in Fairfield, Connecticut, about an hour from New York City. She attended the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC from 1989 to 1993, and received a BFA in Illustration. “I’ve been freelancing consistently since then, starting out with mood and presentation boards for various designers to working for high-profile advertising clients,” Lilya says. Her client list includes Elle, Timex, LuxGoddess.com, Maybelline, Simplicity Patterns, Travel + Leisure magazine, California Closets, Taunton Press/Threads magazine, Deutsch, Inc., The Washingtonian and Cleveland Magazine, among others.

Lilya, 38, lives in East Williamsburg, Brooklyn with her husband, Dennis Hayes, owner of www.fatfreestudio.com who is understandably, she says, “my go-to guy for all of my graphic/web needs.”

Last fall she received an assignment that perfectly matched her interests and talents, when she was asked to illustrate a double-page spread for Elle magazine on the Jane Campion film Bright Star, based on the doomed romance between 19th century English poet John Keats and Fanny Brawne, a brilliant seamstress whose clothes were unique and revolutionary for the time.

It is serendipity that she had a clear path from her interests to working in her chosen field of fashion illustration. As a child she was fascinated with fashion magazines, and now her work appears in them. Lilya laughs when she says that she’s glad she knows how to draw, because she’s not sure what she’d do to make a living otherwise.

Her dynamic line drawings and passionate color palette—combined with hand lettering—are perfectly suited to capture the drama and flair of high fashion. And now the little girl that loved to study fashion magazines and style her own models has another plum assignment. “I’m currently doing all of the illustrations for the very first Africa Fashion Week New York, which launches in July 2010. I’m very proud to have been chosen to be involved in such an event,” she relates.

Lilya also wisely points out that fashion illustration can be used to sell all sorts of products that aren't necessarily directly related to fashion. “The energy that fashion illustration evokes can be used in so many different outlets,” she explains. “I've gotten jobs for architecture advertising, cruise lines, casinos and even real estate agents. The flair of fashion can be used to sell almost anything!”

Q. What initially drew you to illustration?
A. It sounds so clichéd, but ever since I was a little girl all I did was draw pretty pictures. I remember looking at my mom’s magazines in the 1970s and early ‘80s and I fell in love with the fashion and beauty of that time. I started to draw pictures from the photos in them and it just evolved from there. I spent my high-school days in art class, and then I’d go to the library and pour over back-issues of Vogue, Interview and Harper’s Bazaar. That love of art and fashion led me to directly to F.I.T.

Q. Who or what were your influences?
A. I love that Andy Warhol started as a fashion illustrator. His drawings were so whimsical and lovely. I also adore René Gruau—his line quality was just amazing and his simple elegant compositions are something to strive for. And, of course, Antonio Lopez; he completely captured the spirit of each decade he worked: the mod ’60s, ‘70s pop, and the flamboyance of the ‘80s. Antonio’s art encompasses all that I love about fashion illustration—the mix of pop culture, fashion trends and true creative beauty.

Q. How did you evolve your style? Your color palette?
A. I started out doing illustrations mainly with pencil, watercolors and sumi ink. While working on some different projects, I started experimenting with acrylics and realized they can be watered down to an easily workable texture. I work them like one would watercolors, but I love their brilliant color and coverage. I dropped the pencil sketches long ago and now start each illustration with a very light wash of burnt sienna to compose the piece. My palette has stayed consistent since I can remember. I love deep jewel tones in magentas, purples and blues—they provide a nice base for bright pops of colors that I adore like orange and lime green. The black sumi ink brings the paint to life and gives the illustration its movement.

I’ve always done everything by hand. I’ve never had the urge to get into computer art and I’ve stayed true to my initial inspiration and way of working, even though it’s gone against the grain from time to time. I use Photoshop to clean up my scans and resize images for clients or my portfolio sites, but that’s about the extent of my computer use.

Q. What medium do you prefer to work in?
A. While my medium has been consistent for years, it’s only been for the past five or so that I found the perfect paper to work on! In the past I’ve worked on all sorts of things: canvas, watercolor paper, illustration board. They all had their drawbacks; they were either too flimsy to handle wet acrylic, too smooth that the paint would bubble up so I couldn’t get good line quality, or too textured to capture the detail I wanted. I finally found the right solution with a 90 lb. Stonehenge paper. It has a smooth surface that takes my lines perfectly and absorbs the acrylic in a great way.

Q. What compels your interest in fashion?
A. Fashion is constant change and a reflection of how we feel. I never get bored! I love illustrating the human form—to me it’s the most beautiful thing there is. To combine that with wearable art is the best of both worlds. There’s something new and inspiring in the fashion world going on every second of every day.

Q. Do you attend Fashion Week to capture the scene for your runway illustrations?
A. I attend when I can, although when I’m there I just immerse myself in the beauty of the clothes and models of the season. I can then take that feeling back to my studio and go crazy painting the new looks. I actually prefer to work from photos rather than life, which sort of seems backwards for an artist, but works well for me. With photos I can elaborate on certain details and create my own story for any given look.

Q. Who are your favorite models? 
A. I’ve been having fun illustrating Karlie Kloss, Lara Stone, and Natasha Poly. I also love Erin Wasson for her easy laid-back style and Raquel Zimmermann for her angular beauty and the edgy looks she can pull off. But I’d have to say my favorite models of all time are Linda Evangelista and Helena Christensen. They shaped my love of fashion in the late ’80s/early ’90s and nothing can top that original inspiration.

Q. What were your inspirations for the Elle magazine spread?
A. The concept, created by Jennifer Briggs at Elle, was to market the film Bright Star from a fashion angle, since Fanny Brawne made her own fantastic clothes. We took a peek inside a fashion editor’s sketchbook to find out how inspiration from early 19th century clothing can be made modern and wearable for Fall 2009. After researching the Fall ’09 runway shows, my major inspirations were the bold, bright colors of Oscar de la Renta, the gorgeous hats, bows and ruffles of Erin Fetherston and the strong, fierce femininity of the Louis Vuitton jackets and boots. The editor’s sketchbook was tied together with my hand-lettered titles, to mimic an actual sketchbook, but also the beauty of the hand-written poetic love-letters that Keats sent to Fanny.

www.jenniferlilya.com

Femke Hiemstra and Junko Mizuno
Through January 30, 2010

RoqlaRue Gallery
2112 2nd Avenue
Seattle, Washington
(Between Bell and Blanchard in the Belltown neighborhood)
www.roqlarue.com

Femke Hiemstra (Bonjour, Dachshund!) lives in Amsterdam where she also has a thriving illustration career. Her mixed-media paintings and amazing black-and-white drawings are like dark fairytales come to life, inhabited by dream-like creatures. Junko Mizuno (Desert Woman) is a painter/illustrator known for her cute-with-a-twist portraits of doll-like characters (witness her book Hell Babies). She is influenced by the manga sensibilities of her native Japan, and her work is sometimes referred to as “Gothic-Kawaii.”


Exquisite Corpse: Paul Robeson Galleries’ 30th Anniversary Exhibition
Through April 8, 2010

Paul Robeson Campus Center
Rutgers University
350 Martin Luther King Blvd.
Newark, New Jersey
http://andromeda.rutgers.edu/artgallery

In celebration of their 30th anniversary, the Paul Robeson Galleries invited area artists to play the classic surrealist drawing game where successive artists add to an unfolding artwork. This exhibition showcases the startling and engaging results.


Anthony Freda: Work Makes you Free
January 1 through 29, 2010

Trifecta Gallery (in the Arts Factory)
107 E. Charleston 160
Las Vegas, Nevada 89104
www.trifectagallery.com

In his second solo gallery exhibition at Trifecta, Freda presents paintings both in homage to and criticism of the American worker and the capitalist system. “With works referencing the Sons of Molly, labor workers, hands and symbols, Freda blends the work ideal into a hazy focus of worthiness, warp and wealth.” Freda studied at Pratt Institute in New York and Tyler School of Art in Rome, Italy. His work has appeared in Rolling Stone, The New Yorker, Esquire, the New York Times, the Village Voice, Entertainment Weekly, National Geographic, Texas Monthly and Playboy.

Art Without Compromise, by Wendy Richmond, published by Allworth Press, 256 pages, softcover, $24.95.
www.allworth.com

Wendy Richmond excels at examining our creative impulses and motivating us to greater accomplishments. In accessible language she offers inspiration for artists to change the way they think about “their creative landscapes, from personal goals to cultural influences to technological realities.” Richmond helps artists to look closely at what they see not only in their own art making but in the world around them. Readers will learn to develop an uncompromising commitment to finding and protecting their own unique process for making their strongest art.


Paper Politics Socially Engaged Printmaking Today, by Josh MacPhee, published by Just Seeds, 156 pages, softcover, $24.95.
www.justseeds.org

Paper Politics offers a collection of art using themes of social justice and global equality to engage political conversation. Most all of the Justseeds crew make an appearance (including my former San Francisco neighbor Claude Moller), as well as many other artists utilizing political themes such as Sue Coe and Seth Tobocman. The modalities of hand printing including serigraph, collagraph, montype and lithography are presented in full color. Essays and short writings on printing by over a dozen artists are included.


Graphis New Talent Annual 2010, published by Graphis, 256 pages, hardcover, $60.
www.graphis.com

In addition to over 200 full-color images, the annual features interviews with School of Visual Arts platinum-winning instructors Jack Mariucci and Sal DeVito, whose students have made many appearances in the New Talent Annual since it was first published in 1998.


Pictorial Webster’s, A Visual Dictionary of Curiosities, by John M. Carrera, published by Chronicle Books, 512 pages, hardcover, $35.
www.chroniclebooks.com

How could a visual artist not love this book? Over 1,500 black-and-white engravings that graced the pages of Webster’s dictionaries in the 19th century offer ample inspiration and historical insight. Images range from acorns to zebras and everything in-between. Alphabetically arranged archetypes show what was of importance to the Victorians, and will delight the eye and mind. Fine-press bookmaker John Carrera has meticulously cleaned and restored these images for 21st century art lovers. Check out their other Pictorial Webster’s titles too.

http://HowToBeAChildrensBookIllustrator.Wordpress.com — Author Mark Mitchell’s blog offers valuable information and accompanying visuals for those interested in, and involved with, children’s’ book illustration. Check out Serbin Communication’s own Jo Ann Miller’s trenchant advice.

www.5inch.com — This innovative company offers custom discs in cool designs or you can customize discs with your own artwork. 5inch custom printing achieves a high-end look because their discs are silk-screened in up to six colors. Their custom CD sampler ($15) includes 10 CDRs in any of their many thematic designs from horoscope to DJ, composition to apocalypse or one of my favorites, sushi.

www.shopscadonline.com — I had the pleasure of being invited to SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design) recently to review illustration portfolios and participate in a journalist’s panel discussion. I was knocked out by shopSCAD, a campus-affiliated store that carries products solely produced and designed by students. I came away with a wonderful dress and an alcohol-free body spray redolent of fresh figs. You will find a range of interesting, quirky and gorgeous gifts, all the while supporting the arts. Feels good to me!

www.paperspecs.com — We all use paper, and this is the source for all things paper. Search their comprehensive database for the color, weight, brand and eco-certification you are looking for. The latest swatchbooks, promotions, news, insights and tips are all at your fingertips, plus entertaining articles on every aspect of paper and printed materials.

I’d wager that most people start a new year with a resolution or two in mind, if not committed to paper. Most likely these revolve around losing those extra five or ten pounds accumulated during the holidays (mixed nuts, Christmas cookies, home-made fudge, eggnog, do I need to go on?). But during these difficult economic times, our thoughts also turn to improving our earning potential. A new year offers a fresh start to expand one’s business horizons—and income. To that end, I invited a group of illustrators and reps to offer their own resolutions (or advice, if the “resolve” part scares you) to help inspire you to get the new year off to a great start.

My resolution is to more fully embrace social networking and to do more outreach to gain freelance clients. Some of the things that I do, and plan to increase the time spent doing, are reading trade publications, scouring industry-related websites, and pursuing opportunities to collaborate with friends and colleagues and developing contacts.

Each year, I try to choose one thing that frankly scares the hell out of me, and to promise myself that I will take it on. That could be anything from a public speaking engagement to signing up for a dance class (let’s just say my coordination does not extend to following choreography). I relish the challenge and it keeps me from becoming complacent. We should always keep adding to our range of experiences and skill sets. Good luck with your resolutions! I wish everyone much success in 2010.

Maria Piscopo
My New Year’s resolution is to finally figure out how to grow my rep business with social media—it has to be more than just having a Facebook profile, right? Or I want to be Chase Jarvis when I grow up...seriously!
Creative Services and Marketing Consultant/Lecturer/Author
www.mpiscopo.com

Peleg Top
I personally don't like to set resolutions. I set intentions. It’s easier for me to stay focused and connected to an intention. It provides more flexibility and less pressure. My intention for 2010 is to reach new financial levels of income. To help me get there I hired a new business mentor to get me focused and on track (yes, mentors need mentors too!) and to refuel my marketing machine. I've seen the success my clients had this year when they stayed focused and it only makes sense for me to also walk the talk. The first step I had to make toward increasing my income is making the decision to do it. Many people are actually afraid to set this goal of fear of letting themselves down. Getting a clear number in mind is going to help set the path to getting there. So start with making the choice of what increasing your income looks like and then break down the process into stages of how to get there. Plan the work and work your plan.

Peleg Top is a designer entrepreneur turned professional mentor. He specializes in helping creative agency owners improve their business development and marketing skills, become better leaders and live spiritually fulfilling lives.
www.pelegtop.com

Joel Nakamura
I think it was Woody Allen that said 80 % of success is you have to show up. It would be redundant to talk about the economy. The only time I can remember anything like this is right after 9/11. Then, as now we have to remember to show up. What I mean is that your unique style of art is your brand. Keep producing it—even if you don’t have a client. Volunteer for some pro-bono work, just to get your work out there. Schedule a show so you have to produce new work. I guess my resolution is: show up; keep producing your work; it will make a difference.
www.joelnakamura.com

Cathie Bleck
To write more proposals for projects, not limiting that to traditional illustration markets and also taking a more global outlook. These are good times to realize one’s strengths and see what related fields might apply to those skills. For example, I will research and apply for grants that might be available toward community-based artist projects.
www.cathiebleck.com

Marc Burckhardt
Over the years, I’ve been involved with several community-based ventures involving other artists (PictureMechanics, Drawger, ICON, SI, etc.) and I’ve found that the cross-pollination of ideas and energy that comes from these efforts propels my work forward, and gives me insights on my field that I would never have reached on my own. My resolution to myself, and advice to others, is to get more involved with collaborative projects and organizations that draw you into the circle of your peers. Your work and your career benefit from being a part of a community, and the friendships you make will give dimension to your art and your life.
http://www.marcart.com

Deborah Wolfe
Developing good relationships is critical to everything we do. Great illustration comes from the collaboration of creative clients with talented artists. The best way to support that relationship is by honoring the best in all of the people involved. Communicating with clarity and integrity is paramount. Good relationships foster consistency, loyalty and frankly, make what we do fun and worthwhile.
Deborah Wolfe Ltd.
www.illustrationOnLine.com

Jennifer Lilya
My resolution for 2010 is to do regularly scheduled direct mail campaigns and email blasts. I’m also looking for more online galleries to expand my web presence—where I’ve been discovered for many of the jobs I've done over the past year.
www.jenniferlilya.com

Leighton Hubbell
My one recommendation for increasing your income potential in 2010? Visibility. In these tough economic times, you need to make yourself a lot more visible. Whether it’s redesigning/updating your website, starting a blog or expanding your mailing list, you need to be seen. It’s not just posting some work on a portfolio site, it’s showing your work on many sites. It’ chatting with people on Twitter. Giving advice on LinkedIn. It’s going to industry functions and networking with other creatives. It’s offering help about things you know. It’s increasing your Google ranking. It’s building trust and making you the expert among others.

Most people think of social networking as wasting time online. This is a lot of the same time you've probably spent working on self-promotion mailers, postage, e-mails and phone calls in the past. This is the new self-promotion. And the only money I spent was my own time and effort.

In my doing all of these very same actions in the last year, I've managed to increase my site visits by 500% and my blog by 350%. I just got my one-millionth hit. What does this all do? It makes me visible. So when the work comes around, I will hopefully get considered for the job. Good luck in 2010.
art direction | design | illustration
www.leightonhubbell.com

Rich Tu: The Blog
I was recently asked to participate in a gallery show to commemorate Alfa Romeo
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http://richtu.blogspot.com/

IllusbyOscar
I'm no green-warrior (I do throw the coke cans in the bin when I'm done, mind you) but this
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http://illusbyoscar.blogspot.com/

CSJ2 ART
I missed my workout today but I did get to do this drawing/watercolor. There are some aspects that I Read More...
http://csj2arts.blogspot.com/

The Manly Art Blog
The Girls, originally uploaded by manlyartjpc.Meet Nikki and Tommy. They are my friend
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http://manlyart.blogspot.com/

Visual Cogitations
More Improv Caricature. Coffee culture does wonders for value contrast! This drawing was
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http://carickature.blogspot.com/

The Montréal, Canada-based illustration group Colagene Illustration Clinic (www.colagene.com) received a raft of awards in 2009: LUX 2009 Francis Léveillée received 5, Aaron McConomy (1) and Katrinn Pelletier (1); AI28 (American Illustration) Karen Klassen (1); Communication Arts Karen Klassen (1). Also 6 of their illustrators got into Illustration Now! 3, from Taschen Editions (Sean Freeman, Takeshi, Sonia Roy, Theo Gennitsakis, Mydeadpony, Silke Werzinger). Congratulations to all!

If you have received an award, published a book or have other exciting career news, please email annetelford@san.com.