Q + A with Illustrator Carrie Hartman from UUPP (with mini studio tour)

Good morning. Hope your weekend was a blast. Jeff and I didn’t really do anything. But I really enjoy tose lazy weekends, so it was great.

Anyway, I thought it would be fun to start off the week with a studio tour. So, I have  illustrator Carrie Hartman in today to share her spacious workspace. Carrie’s husband actually built the studio with his own hands over the span of about a year and a half. And it’s really a great space (scroll down after the interview for the photos). Here’s my interview with Carrie…

-How would you describe the work that you create for your shop, UUPP?

I create my work to be playful and fresh with a modern sensibility. I am very influenced by the idea of the “˜old, vintage imagery and patterns and like to incorporate that with textures, lots of color and a modern twist.

-And where is your studio located?

My studio is located in my home in Woodbury, Minnesota, an eastern suburb of the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro.

-So, what have you found to be the best time of day (or night) to get work done? And why?

My favorite time to work is early in the morning. My studio is just drenched with natural light. There is something really inviting and inspiring about that. My studio faces my backyard that is full of trees, lots of birds singing and furry animals running, my lovely gardens and a big blue sky. I feel most at the top of my creativity during peaceful mornings with my beloved coffee.

-How long have you been pursuing work as an artist?

My Etsy shop is pretty new. I have been thinking about it a long time and finally opened it at the end of November 2010. I have been an artist my whole life. At the age of 4, my mom had to wrap up my hands each morning because I would draw and paint so much my fingers would bleed. I did go on to art school and received my illustration degree. I manage my shop in between illustrating childrens books, greeting cards and other design projects.

-I love asking this question because all of us define success in different ways. So, I am curious”¦ What has been your most exciting / noteworthy event or happening in your work recently that you interpret as a success?

My greatest success has been that I made a goal 10 years ago that I wanted to work from home, create my art, and raise my children. I have done that and as long as I continue to be able to do that, I feel very blessed and successful. Along with that, some of my illustration work has been honored with top industry illustration awards. (Those always makes you feel good too!)

Make the work that you want to make and learn how to do it as well as you can. It can be unsatisfying if you are always just chasing the newest fad or trend or making the work you think you need to make. I think that is an exhausting and confusing path where you are not defining yourself as your own creative person with your own voice. This can make you feel like you are always chasing and running behind what is already been done. It is best to understand what you do, what you want to do, discover your own voice and then work like crazy to develop that voice. I personally find it exciting, knowing I can always improve my skills and my journey is never done.

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Visit Carrie’s print shop, UUPP on Etsy. And visit her portfolio site at www.carriehartman.com.

Thanks so much for sharing your space and answering my questions Carrie!