@allyjaye

Instagram: @allyjaye Twitter: @allyreevessays Website: www.allyjaye.com  

1. What's your story? Where are you from?

  I'm originally from a suburban city just outside of Toronto, Canada, but I recently made the move to the big city. I've been working as a freelance illustrator for about a year.

2. Tell us about your aesthetic.

I think it would be impossible to describe my aesthetic without including the word "silly". I try to create work that is visually bright and playful, as well as having an idea that might make me chuckle. I've also been told that I might be addicted to primary colours.

3. What is your favourite medium and why?

These days I work almost exclusively digitally. It's mostly out of necessity, but I also enjoy the freedom to experiment. That said, every piece starts with a 2H pencil and some bond paper. Seriously, bury me in 2H pencils.

4. What is your artistic process like?

I generally spend about 60% of any project scribbling nonsense ideas and images in my sketchbook. The other 40% is for the final. I like to go into any project with no expectations of what I'm going to make, and just draw until I can't draw anymore. I feel like it's the illustrators equivalent of free writing. It might take more time, but it's always how I come up with my most interesting ideas.

5. Who and/or what inspires your work?

Films and books are an enormous source of inspiration for me. Mostly though, I'm very influenced by my childhood. I'm much more likely to draw inspiration from a book I read when I was ten than any book I've read in the past five years. I think that's what gives my work a playful quality.

6. What role does art play in your life? How does it change the way you view the world?

I definitely work more than any of my friends with "real" jobs. It also means I notice horrendous advertisements more than regular people.

7. Where did you study?

Sheridan College

8. Where do you see yourself in five years?

I like to always have one singular goal to work towards in my life. It's a thing that keeps me working even when I don't want to work. It's a dog. I want a dog in five years. It'll be the greatest dog in the world. Professionally though, I'd like my freelancing to be the only work I have to do. I love the idea of being able to sustain myself entirely though my own work.

9. What about in ten?

Maybe two dogs? Hopefully, I'll be over living in the city by then and I'll be ready to settle somewhere with a yard. I'd also love to dedicate some time to working on a couple children's books.

10. What do you hope to achieve with your art?

I think I just hope that one day my family will finally understand that drawing is actually a real job.

11. Now, tell us a little more about you as a person: what is your favourite food?

I'm not proud of this, but if I'm being really honest, it's a good hotdog.

12. Favourite book?

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. This book has been the biggest influence to everything I do.

13. Favourite genre of music?

R&B and Hip-Hop.

14. What are your hobbies?

When I'm not working I'm either reading, watching The Great British Bake Off, or watching baseball (and crying about this Blue Jays season).

15. If you weren't an artist, what would you be?

I'd definitely be sad. I'd also probably be a teacher.