We recently interviewed Kelly Medina to find out a little more about her life, her inspirations, and her designs.
MyGrafico: How did you get started in the world of illustration?
Kelly Medina: I have always been a doodler and still continue to draw on anything and everything when I get an urge. Once I became a graphic designer, I explored other software, which expanded my horizons and helped inspire me to share my art on my blog www.propertyofkelly.blogspot.com. I began participating in Illustration Friday (www.illustrationfriday.com), which was an incredible boost to my self-confidence and creative motivation. I met other illustrators, designers, crafters, and artists of all kinds. The internet was a huge well of inspiration and I jumped in!
MyGrafico: What do you enjoy most about working as an illustrator?
Kelly Medina: I love letting my mind play. I will start a project with one idea and it will morph into a whole new idea, which actually works better. I’m always surprised with those successes. I love seeing someone smile when they see my illustrations.
Obviously not all of my work is light and happy–I have my blue times too–but I try to keep on the bright side of things when life gets me down.
MyGrafico: Which of your MyGrafico products do you like the best and why?
Kelly Medina : I‘m really happy with how the Turtle and Friends set turned out. This was one of those projects that led me in a different direction than the one I’d planned. I ended up with some colorful and versatile characters.
MyGrafico: What’s next for you? Are there other types of products you would like to specialize in?
Kelly Medina : I am currently employed full-time as a graphic designer, which takes up a lot of my day. I hope to have more free time in the near future to devote to illustration with the goal of taking on more freelance work. I love doing custom designs. I have several friends who ask me to create a lot of their greeting cards when they are looking for something unique and personalized. I’m lucky to love what I do–graphic design and illustration–so I plan to keep at it.
MyGrafico: What do you do in your spare time, outside of digital illustration?
Kelly Medina: In my spare time I love to sew, read/look at other artist’s blogs, garden, bake, watch movies, ride my bike, play games with my sweetie and love on all my pets.
MyGrafico: What inspires you?
Kelly Medina:I find inspiration in everything. It can be really eye-opening when you stop speeding through life and slow down to actually see the world around you. The world is a beautiful place, even with all the troubles and challenges we must face on a daily basis.
I also find inspiration from other artists and designers, the wonderful people who cheer me up, reading design magazines and books, and sometimes just talking with friends.
For a complete listing of Kelly Medina artwork, be sure to visit her at MyGrafico, the perfect place to find inspiration.
