Interview: John Coulter

Name: John Coulter   
Occupation: Illustrator
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada   
Website: http://www.lillarogers.com/artists/john-coulter
Blog: http://johncoulter.blogspot.com/
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/coulter/


1. What kind of art do you create?
I do mostly digital illustration, with hand-drawn elements and added textures, that I create or find.



2. When did you start doing this?
I've been a freelance illustrator since 1997. I've been with the Lilla Rogers Studio since around 2000.

3. Where and when do you do most of your creative work?
I seem to do most of my work at home, after 8pm  (after my daughter goes to bed).

John's home

4. What challenges have you found in your work?
My biggest challenge is time. I have a day job, as creative director at a Vegas travel website, so I have to find time after work to do my illustration work.

5. Where do you find inspiration?
I find most of my inspiration online at various blogs and websites. Usually I find it all through the Google Reader, http://www.google.com/reader , an RSS feed aggregator, which makes it much easier to visit many more blogs and websites and "burn" through their posts. Basically, instead of you going out to look at the internet, it comes to you.  You can organize the blogs you subscribe to in folders, and it updates automatically whenever a new post goes up. Also, you can "like" posts, and "share" things with other people.

For instance, if you "like" posts about a vintage poster, mid-century modern furniture,  and collage, eventually the Reader will start recommending other blogs with related posts. I have found some amazing new blogs through the Reader.

With the sharing button, you can share things with people who are following you. You can share publicly or with just people you choose. I share publicly at http://www.google.com/reader/shared/johncoulter



6. What are you working on right now?
I'm working on some Fall surface designs for Papyrus.  I'm always doing personal projects and experimenting with my "new" illustration style, and I try to participate in Illustration Friday http://illustrationfriday.com when I can.

7. Where can we find your work?
http://ideas.veer.com/portfolio/420