The work of Jill Bliss is one of the most recognizable in contemporary design and illustration; her line work is unfailingly delicate, portraying snippets of nature thoughtfully designed into functional products such as stationery and calendars. Part illustrator, part designer, part crafter, and part naturalist, Jill Bliss gives us a little insight into her creative process, her upcoming projects, and her dedication to sustainability.
JILL BLISS: I went to a two year college for fashion design, worked in the fashion industry in San Francisco for a few years, then moved to New York and went to Parsons for Illustration, then returned to San Francisco for grad school at CCA(C), and now I have my own small company that makes limited edition paper goods and accessories from found or recycled materials. I usually live in Northern California, though I've just completed a 9 month stay East of L.A.
SG: What kind of recycled materials do you work with? What theme carries through your work?
JB: Paper and fabric are my favorite materials to work with. My work is usually small, most of it is no bigger than my hand! I like small, precious things, and working with natural or sustainable themes with found or recycled materials.
SG: What's the most important part of the art-making process for you?
JB: My favorite part of making art is working with colors and textures, while my favorite part of designing is problem-solving.
SG: What inspires/influences your work?
JB: The world around me.
SG: How do you cope with feeling drained of inspiration or out of ideas?
JB: I go for a walk, preferably on a trail or the beach. Or sleep. Or visit with friends. Or look in previous sketchbooks for ideas if I absolutely have to have one, I usually fill up a sketch book of ideas every month or two.
SG: What is your favorite texture?
JB: Dense moss.
SG: What's your guilty pleasure?
JB: Chocolate and wine. What a girl!
SG: What's next for you?
JB: I have a window show at Rare Device in October. Apart from that, I've just returned from my first long vacation in 10 years, to Australia. Snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef inspired me to begin working on a new book idea I've had for a while, loosely based on tidepools. A 15 hour plane ride is great for planning + drawing!
Check out more of Jill's work at jillbliss.com and blissen.com; her show at Rare Device in Brooklyn runs through the end of the month. This interview was conducted by boygirlpartay, painter/crafter and proprietor of boygirlparty.com, who has never been able to successfully draw while in motion.
boygirlpartay
San Diego, CA
June 2006
OCT 16, 2006 11:20 AM