Today we’d like to introduce you to Elliott Grinnell.
Elliott, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I started like most artist hopefuls- drawing quite a bit in a sketchbook and looking for ways to use my art. I went all over the map trying to figure out what niche my art could fit into- and I knew I wanted to pursue it full time. So I went to Montserrat College of Art and got my BFA in Illustration. Through that time and beyond it’s been a lot of self-discovery- what does my style lend itself to, and what can I produce with it? What do I like to draw and create? What fuels my own passion, but also, what makes others passionate about my work?
As a freelance illustrator, I started off with some gallery shows- a local coffee shop, a bookstore, illustration shows at my college. Selling prints of my work and spending a lot of time learning new ways to create art. I began digital illustration and that really changed my work and how I thought about color and shape, too. Mostly I’m where I am today because I just kept creating, whether I liked what I made or not. I kept making art, producing work, looking at new things and getting inspired by everything- fashion, pattern, houses, animals. You name it! Just getting it out on the page helped so much. I felt better knowing whatever ended up happening, I was trying my hardest.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Oh, definitely not. When you’re an illustrator you sort of have to roll with the punches. You work multiple jobs to support yourself while you also nurture your little illustration business. Coming from college you get that big moment when you realize, ‘Hey, this is reality. I’ve got to make coffee during the day and do art at night. And that’s okay’. But the type of work I’ve started getting, and the interest in my art, has really grown and has given me so many great opportunities to expand my repertoire. It’s been amazing.
Please tell us about Elliott Grinnell Illustration.
The illustration work I do has really expanded, especially lately. I started by doing a map illustration for an author’s book right out of college. I’ve gone on to have work in my school’s admissions catalogue, as well as gotten to create interior design illustrations for an up and coming big restaurant. I love trying new things, but what might be obvious from my work is that I love color! I would love to work more with color, fashion, and pattern- these are things that define me and my own work. But looking further, you might see my love for architecture too- I love old New England houses with quirky gables and odd porches and weird doors that lead to nowhere. I’ve actually just started a series of houses in bright colors all based on buildings I see around town when I travel around New England. I hope to do more with fun architecture and interior design in the future! Finding ways to share this art is what I’m working on now. I’ve made buttons, prints, stickers… I really want to expand that to fabric and clothing, maybe cards as well!
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I think I would’ve taken more risks in college! My bright colors only started appearing recently and if I had played more outside of the box back then, who knows how wild my work would be now. But hey, you’re always learning!
Contact Info:
- Website: http://elliottgrinnell.com
- Email: elliott.grinn@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elliottgrinnillustration/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elliottgrinnellillustration/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/elliott_gr
Image Credit:
The photo of Elliott Grinnell was taken by Kristin Porcello
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