Month: May 2021

We sat down to chat with artist Schim Schimmel to learn about how he became an artist, what inspires him and how he stays creative…

---

What’s your background and how did you become an artist?

My father was a well-known water-colourist in the U.S., and I was fortunate to grow up with a father as an artist. He taught me the fundamentals of landscape painting, first in watercolour, and then later in oil. I eventually started painting in acrylic and sold my first painting out of a gallery in Scottsdale, Arizona at the age of 18. I have been a full-time artist since my late twenties.

How would you describe your own work?

Mostly I paint wild animals, but I also enjoy painting domestic animals as well. Thematically, my goal is to remind us all that we share this planet with its wonderful wildlife. It’s important to remember that all of earth’s animals, humans and ecosystems are interconnected.

Who are your biggest influences?

I am influenced greatly by both past and contemporary landscape painters. The paintings of Albert Bierstadt, as well as the Hudson River School landscape painters are particularly inspirational to me.

Where do you seek inspiration?

I am an avid hiker and spend most weekends hiking. In winter I visit the Arizona desert, and its forests in the summer. Spending time outdoors and in the wilderness is one of my greatest inspirations.

What keeps you creative?

We are all born with different brains and their propensities. I can’t do math to save my life, but I have always been a creative person. A musician, a writer, an artist, even a hobbyist. Living life for me is about actively pursuing creative endeavours.

What memorable responses have you had about your work?

One of the greatest honours for me has been enriching people’s lives through my work. On more than one occasion, a fan has told me that my artwork helped lift them out of severe depression. Others have said that my work has inspired them to pursue their own passions and creative goals. To connect with another human being through my own creative passion is one of life’s greatest rewards.

If you could give a piece of advice to your younger self – what would it be?

Now in my older age, I wish I could go back and visit my younger self and instil the confidence, appreciation, and gratitude for the opportunity to live a fortunate life here on this planet. It’s harder in today’s world, but if you have a dream, if you have a passion, I’d say do your best to pursue it with all you’ve got.

---

Explore Moments from Schim Schimmel by downloading the Momentful app today on iOS and Android.

We sat down with Mongs, the artist and illustrator behind Milkyprint, to discuss creative processes, what keeps her creative, and what it was like to see her work in app for the first time…

---

What’s your background and how did you become an artist?

It’s hard to pin down exactly how I became an artist, but I’ve been drawing since I was a kid. I went to a local art college in Singapore, studying graphic design and eventually found a career as a graphic designer. It was only in 2016 that I returned to illustration.

How would you describe your own work?

Fun, positive and relatable!

Who are your biggest influences?

My biggest influence is my faith in God. He inspired both hope and humour in my work.

Where do you seek inspiration?

Quite often, I get inspired whilst taking a break and sitting down with a cup of coffee and reading. Other times going for a walk will also help. I really enjoying playing with words though and my favourite subjects are usually animals and food, or inanimate everyday objects. 

What keeps you creative?

Checking out the work of other artists on various platforms including Instagram keeps me creative. It’s great to see all the different types of work out there. I also find that searching for particular words or puns can create little sparks of creativity.

What do you do if you ever find yourself stuck in a creative rut?

Taking naps certainly helps, or simply getting away and doing other activities like exercising or meeting family and friends.

Talk us through your creative process

I don’t have a fixed creative process. Sometimes ideas pop up randomly, or I may be inspired by things I see during the day. Often, I’ll google words or phrases, and then try to visualise them as funny drawings. 

What memorable responses have you had about your work?

People often say seeing my work makes them happy. That makes me happy too!

What’s the one piece of equipment in your kit your couldn’t live without?

Can I name two? My iPad Pro and Apple pencil. No doubt about it.

If you could give a piece of advice to your younger self – what would it be?

Don’t give up on your passion.

How did you feel when you first saw your work published in the Momentful app?

Absolutely delirious!

Which is your favourite Moment of yours that’s available in app?

The four different cheese Moments are fun!

---

Explore Moments from Milkyprint by downloading the Momentful app today on iOS and Android.

We sat down with illustrator and lettering artist, Jennifer Hines, to discuss her inspirations, creative processes and what it’s like to create Moments…

---

What’s your background and how did you become an artist?

I’ve always loved creating. My mother is also a very creative person, so art was always encouraged and came very naturally to me. I studied art in high school, before going on to study creative writing at university, however I quickly learnt that I couldn’t live without visual art and new that I eventually wanted to go back to it.

How would you describe your own work?

Colourful, fun, whimsical and playful.

Who are your biggest influences?

I love the work of Mary Kate McDevitt, Lisa Congdon, and Lauren Hom. They all have a very playful and fun aesthetic, using lots of colour and lettering in their work.

Where do you seek inspiration?

Everywhere! I take walks, which always spurs some ideas. I also enjoy visiting to art museums and traveling to see new perspectives. In my spare time I also read a lot and am often inspired by good food and recipes!

What keeps you creative?

Doing it regularly, but also taking time off. I always get ideas when I’m thinking about something else, so it’s good to spend time perfecting my craft, but also taking time to do something entirely different.

What do you do if you ever find yourself stuck in a creative rut?

I often take a break and try not to feel guilty about it. There’s often the assumption that to be a good artist you must draw every day, but that isn’t true. Spending time reading, watching a movie, or handing out with friends all feeds into your creativity, so permission to take a break is essential in my opinion.

Talk us through your creative process

Thankfully I have so many ideas, I never really have an issue finding something to draw. Usually, I’ll create work on my iPad in Procreate, which feels just like drawing on paper.

I tend to start out with a pencil sketch to perfect the layout and styling. I might even create multiple sketches or use different layers so I can move and resize things to ensure I get the layout exactly how I want. I’ll also conduct a lot of research around the subject so that I have some references.

Once I know what I’d like my sketch too look like, I draw in the outlines using a textured brush in a colour a bit darker than the intended colour of the object. I use a lot of layers so that I can move or recolour things if needed. I also like to add a little bit of texture and shading. Most of my work includes lettering in various styles as well. Finally, when I’m all done, I bring the Photoshop file onto my computer to do any last touches, before hitting save.

What memorable responses have you had about your work?

Usually giggles at my dumb dad jokes and puns, but they make people smile, so I keep drawing them.

What’s the one piece of equipment in your kit your couldn’t live without?

My iPad (and Apple pencil). If it broke today, I’d be grabbing a new one right away!

If you could give a piece of advice to your younger self – what would it be?

To trust the process. I didn’t know that I would end up where I am now. Sometimes I’ll find myself questioning the past, or previous decisions, but in the end, I know that my journey to get where I am was important. I learned a lot that still feeds into my work today. Plus, there will always be time to do more and re-explore

How did you feel when you first saw your work published in the Momentful app?

Warm and fuzzy!

Which is your favourite Moment of yours that’s available in app?

I’ve always been partial to ‘Slay Your Doubts’, both for the fun colourful nature of the piece, but also because I can always be reminded to focus on the positive and not fall into self-doubting.

---

Explore Moments from Jennifer Hines by downloading the Momentful app today on iOS and Android.

We sat down with Ileana Grimm, the hilarious artist behind the Canadian gift company Grimm Inc., to talk inspirations, creative processes and what really makes her tick…

---

What’s your background and how did you become an artist?

I am a self-taught creative. When I graduated University, I sold hand-painted T-shirts to pay back my student loan and as it turns out, I was quite good at it! Off the back of that success, I decided to start my own gift company and 33 years later the well has not run dry.

How would you describe your own work?

Both my art and its style has changed a lot over time, but if I had to describe it, I think I’d call it humorous pop art.

Who are your biggest influences?

B. Kliban, David Shrigley, Bruce Eric Kaplan, Andy Riley and Chris (Simpsons artist)

Where do you seek inspiration?

A lot of inspiration comes from listening to the radio. I hear the words and see a different direction visually in my head. I also make myself laugh a lot, thinking “wouldn’t it be funny if…”

What keeps you creative?

Is beer a suitable answer? Just kidding. I don’t know any other way of being. I create all day. With paper, paint, pens. The list goes on.

What do you do if you ever find yourself stuck in a creative rut?

Paint or draw without reason. I find removing the pressure of it being for an audience gives me a sense of freedom.

Talk us through your creative process

Firstly, I’ll ask myself “what’s the topic?” and then, “why is it topical?”. After that it’s a case of identifying which parts are laughable, and whether it’s something that many can relate to and how I can convey why it is funny with as little detail as possible.

What memorable responses have you had about your work?

Two that stick out are “your art makes me happy” and “there is not enough happy artwork out there”.

What’s the one piece of equipment in your kit your couldn’t live without?

A cheap hotel pen.

If you could give a piece of advice to your younger self – what would it be?

Paint more. Don’t worry about how much you weigh. Buy stock in Apple.

How did you feel when you first saw your work published in the Momentful app?

I’m proud that my art can make a difference to someone’s day and help them feel special and cared about.

Which is your favourite Moment of yours that’s available in app?

The Moment titled ‘Licked Me Back’, where the dog is saying to his owner “it would be nice if every once in a while, you licked me back.”

---

Explore Moments from Grimm Inc., by downloading the Momentful app today on iOS and Android.