Wednesday Indie Artist Fixx with Julia Rothman

I am a very big fan of Julia Rothman’s work…who isn’t, right? That’s why I am so happy to be sharing my interview with Julia today for Indie Artist Fixx. Julia is an illustrator whose creativity never ceases to amaze me. Her illustration clients include the RISD, Details magazine, Icon Mag, The New York Times and more. She has also created custom designs for products sold at Uraban Outfitters, Reform School, the Land of Nod, Hello! Lucky and more. You can find her work for sale on her website, at Rare Device, Reform School, Wall Collection, Hello! Lucky and others. And if all that is not enough, Julia is also a partner in ALSO, a design company that does print & web design, animation and illustration work for small companies.  They have worked on projects for design*sponge (website),  Etsy (animation), Enfant Terrible (website) among others.

I hope you enjoy my interview Julia as well as all the eye candy images of her work.

1. What’s the name of your business and what do create and sell?

I am a pattern design and illustrator. I design patterns that I sell as digital files from my site or make custom designs for companies like Urban Outfitters, Hello! Lucky or The Land of Nod. I do freelance illustration work mostly for magazines. And I am 1/3 of a small design company called Also that makes websites for small business. I also try to make my own handmade products which I sell from my site.

2. Tell us how you got started with your indie business.

In college I did an internship with City magazine and started doing illustrations for them. That led to more and more illustration work. I started making patterns for the My Little Pony style guide and really enjoyed the process so I decided to try and gear my work towards patterns as well as illustrating.

3. What are your inspirations in your art and in life?

I am always looking at other artists’ work- mostly from books. I have a huge art/design/comic/children’s book collection that I am constantly going to for inspiration or style references.

4. Are there any pearls of wisdom you’d like to share with newbie indie business owners?

Get organized early. I have a hard time keeping track of all the business stuff like invoicing, taxes, business expenses. The fun stuff is easy so don’t overlook the boring stuff.

5. If you were stranded on a deserted island, what 3 things would you like to have with you?

Hmm.. I don’t know- do you mean to survive? or just favorites? maybe a pen and sketchbook and comfortable sneakers.

6. What’s the best thing about what you do? And the worst?

The best thing is that I love what I do. And that it’s always changing. There’s always a new project that totally different from the last. The worst thing is I am in front of a computer all day on my butt and so it grows.

7. What blogs and mags do you read and what shops do you shop at?

I always enjoy design*sponge, Oh Joy!, Print and Pattern, Poppytalk, grain edit, the post family, I could go on and on… I hardly read magazines but I love Cabinet, and Readymade is always fun. I like to shop at Rare Device, Reform School and Cog and Pearl. But mostly my money goes to bookstores.

8. Were you an artsy craftsy kid? If so, what kinds of things did you do?

Oh sure. When I was fifteen I made my own line of stationery I sold in stores. It was drawings all these weird faces in black and white squished together. I actually got them printed at a real printer and went around to stores to try to sell them. I still have a few boxes in my parents’ basement. My company was called Daze 18. ha!!

9. Do you like to cook, if so, share your favorite thing to cook. If not, share something you enjoy that someone else prepares for you.

I don’t ever cook. It’s sad. I think I am just too impatient. I would rather be doing something else. We order in Thai food almost every other night. Or we eat cold cereal for dinner. But I don’t think either of us minds.

10. What does indie mean to you? You can give a literal definition, choose to be a little esoteric or a combination of both. 😉

Maybe it means you are on your own. I have no boss and make all my own decisions. It’s so much better that way.

11. What are you reading, watching and listening to?

I am reading Sabbath’s Theater by Phillip Roth, but I read about two pages every night and fall asleep. But not because it’s boring (there’s a lot of sexy parts), my eyes just get tired. I am watching lots of Colombo– my boyfriend is totally obsessed and figured out how to download every season so we have begun the journey. I am liking it more and more. How does Colombo do it every time? Also we watch The Office and Family Guy reruns. I am mostly listening to a mix cd I got from Will Bryant on repeat. He made it for me as thanks for judging the MSU design competition. I am excited that the Yeasayers are on it because I was friends with Chris Keating at RISD.

12. What’s one thing you’ve learned as an adult that you wish you knew when you were a kid?

That weird nerdy kids are the coolest. I guess mostly in high school I always tried to fit in. I was a cheerleader and friends with the popular kids and wore Gap clothes. I kind of wished I had been more of myself back then. I think I needed more confidence.

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13. What’s new? Any new plans or products that you want to share?

I’m never sure if I’m allowed to say what I am working on. I think if I’m vague it’s ok. I am going to have new wallpaper and fabric soon with a brand new small company. I am so so excited about it. I am working on my next series of cards with Hello! Lucky which are funny ones. Some new bedding from Land of Nod that I made the patterns for should be coming out soon. I’ll be doing some new prints with a super cool online store. Lots of good stuff. And I have a quilt at Urban Outfitters now of a crazy Safari pattern. You should get one for your bed. Also is working on some really neat projects too- one with Chronicle Books we are really happy about. I am always updating my website with new work so check in or join my newsletter. Also check out my blog and my company’s site Also.