In the spotlight: Otis Richardson

One of the best things about doing this blog has been getting to interact with some very interesting and talented people.  Some I've met in person and some have become email buddies.  So every friday I want to highlight one of these talented individuals.  I'm starting with an artist named Otis Richardson who has a greeting card site called Lavenderpop.

I was instantly struck by the energy, personality, and character that comes through in Otis's work.  So I mustered up my best Barbara Walters-ish interview questions and presented those to Otis.  Here goes....

What inspires you? I've always been a big fan of pop culture. As an artist, I was really inspired by the Pop artist of the 60s, Andy Warhol, James Rosenquist, and Roy Lichtenstein because they used pop images (celebrities, comics, etc.) in their work. I also admired the social commentary work of African-American artists like Charles White and Murray DePillars. Keith Harring represented a new generation of Pop artists and I love that his work was fine art and also commercial.

 

How long does it typically take to finish an image? When I'm doing images for my greeting cards I would say a 2-3 days to finish sketch, ink it, scan it, and then add color in photoshop. 

Who is your audience? The original audience for Lavenderpop Cards is the Black gay community just because no one else was doing cards with lgbt African-American images on them. In 2008 I plan to design cards which are more multi-cultural to incorporate more races and ethnicities.

Where do you see your work going? I love designing greeting cards, but I also like creating editorial illustrations. I'm interested in finding publications and companies who can use the style of work I do. I'm currently getting back into canvas paintings with an exhibition of portraits for 2008.  

What advice do you have for other artists? My advice is to keep working at it. Whether you paint, draw, do comics, whatever, just keep doing what inspires you. I went several years without creating any art because I had to take a job to pay the bills, but try your best to carve out time for your art. I think the net is a great way to market yourself either by having your own site, listing on other creative sites, or networking sites like MySpace.

Thanks Otis for being my very first interview. I have several fantastic artists and photographers lined up for next month.  If you are a talented individual, please send me your work.  I'd love to put you in the spotlight. 

Comments

[Dr. Ding]

Thanks, my darling Gilmore!

I dig Lavenderpop. I think my fave is the card from the Fairy Drag Diva wishing me love and fierceness! Fabu.

If Dr. Ding had been born a man, she'd totally have been a drag queen of epic proportions.

[midevil]

I very much like the cards! It's a great idea.