Today we’d like to introduce you to K Rose.
K, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My immediate family is pretty creative, we love to play music, draw, paint, write, film, and cook, so it’s safe to say my creative side was nurtured growing up! I always wanted to be an artist. My dream job as a kid was “Veterinarian, and an artist on my lunch breaks”, which quickly turned into photography when I learned I would have to see a lot of sick animals, and that made me sad. I always came back to drawing though, making MS Paint drawings of my pets, and comics about my Neopets. I had my first sketchbook given to me when I was about 6 and I haven’t stopped filling them since!
Around high school I got into animation and decided I would like to pursue a career in animation. I did Pre-college at Savannah College of Art and Design for animation, and then proceeded on to my college career at Montserrat College of Art, where I have met the most amazing friends and mentors I could ever ask for. Something’s never change, and I changed my career path again when I learned that I do not have the patience to frame-by-frame animate, and switched my major to Illustration in my sophomore year. I eventually found a love of Children’s Books and my current love -surface pattern design! I’ll always have a soft spot for animals, and animation. In my spare time I currently do freelance jobs in storyboarding!
Now with my BFA in Illustration, I am excited to be working on my business, tabling at markets all over Massachusetts with my friends, and continuing to try and break into the publishing world.
Has it been a smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been! I’ve had a lot of ups and downs, and quite a few trials to overcome in my life, but being able to draw to express myself has always been a constant, and has only strengthened my love for my craft and industry. I’ve doubted myself like any artist, and considered giving up, but as I was once told: “It’s a marathon, not sprint.”
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the K Rose Illustration story. Tell us more about the business.
My Business is called K Rose Illustration, and I specialize in family friendly illustrated products. I make greeting cards, pins, wedding invites, and custom portraits. I also have a few secret projects in the works – shhhh! I started it after I sold at a few markets and things went well! While the online portion is still getting off the ground, my vending side is doing pretty great!
I am probably best known for my portraits, I sell them online and at any markets and festivals I attend. They are definitely a crowd favorite!
As for what I am most proud of, it would have to be keeping my work light, cute, and suitable for all ages. I like grungy stuff as much as the next girl – but bright colors and cute themes will always be my favorite thing to paint. I also love to see a customer’s face when they receive a family portrait or a portrait of their kid.
What sets my work apart from others is my ability to keep things whimsical and fun. I also use mainly watercolors for my portraits, which people seem to be surprised at!
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
In 5-10 years I think things in my industry will – hopefully – be even better than ever. The rise of the web and online shopping has made things really easy for makers and local artists.
As for the publishing industry, I don’t things have really changed other than how artists create and send their work off to their publishers! Right now digital illustration seems to be a trend in children’s publishing, so perhaps it’ll come full circle and go back to traditional.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kroseillustration.com/
- Email: kroseillustrator@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kroseillustration/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/K-Rose-Illustration-1083417975103727/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/KRoseArtist
- Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/KRoseIllustrations
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