What type of Artist/Maker are you?

Illustrator

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How did you get started making/designing/etc?

I've always enjoyed drawing and making art as a hobby. I had previously experimented with selling my art as greeting cards on Etsy for awhile, but eventually moved away from that model when I got my first full time job after college.

I continued to make art inspired by what was around me and the new city I was living in (Worcester, MA). I would often take pictures of my art and share them on my instagram. Several years ago I posted an image of a Worcester Map that I drew and painted with watercolors. Jessica Walsh, of Worcester Wares contacted me about licensing my designs for Worcester Wares. Since then Worcester Wares has been the outlet for most of my creative projects and designs. We even began The Montgomery Line at Worcester Wares that began as two designs but now contains more than 15 designs and even includes a Worcester coloring book!

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How long have you been selling your art/designing/etc?

7 years

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Is making art a full time gig for you or a side hustle?

Currently designing new Worcester items is part of my full time job at Worcester Wares.

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Why are you a maker? What drives you to continue making?

I've always found myself drawing things that inspire me. Studying the object, place, person I'm drawing is a huge source of motivation and inspiration while I'm completing a project. I also think that knowing on the other side of a design will be people who respond to the art and identify with it. It's so exciting to see others get excited about something I've been working hard to make. Additionally I find creating art to be so much fun!

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What is your favorite thing that you've created and sold at Worcester Wares?

Worcester: A Coloring Adventure. My coloring book which contains over 35 pages of hand drawn Worcester illustrations.

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Do you make/sell other products that aren't sold at Worcester Wares? If so, tell us about what you make.

Currently no, but I am interested in starting to take on freelance design work.

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What is your maker process like?

Most of the time I create a design by hand. I often will draw it in my sketchbook then digitize it after. Only a few of my designs have I created solely digitally.

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Any upcoming products, projects, events, or goals for 2019?

I am looking forward to continuing to create new products and designs for Worcester Wares and continuing to experiment with my own style as an artist.

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If you could give advice to someone thinking about pursuing your type of craft what would you tell them?

Don't let fear hold you back. I often felt insecure about creating art because I didn't have a Visual Arts Degree, and often felt behind in my knowledge of art and certain art tools. If making art brings you happiness, you should do it!

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Tell us a weird/random/fun fact about yourself!

I met my future wife through Jessica & Worcester Wares!

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What is your connection to the city of Worcester? (Live here? Work here? Grew up here? etc)

I live here. Moved here about 6 years ago and love the city!

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One thing you LOVE about the city of Worcester.

I love that it's big enough to really feel like a city but small enough to bump into people you know, and still feel a sense of community.

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One change you'd like to see in Worcester.

More small businesses open in the downtown area.