interview with Hilary Heffron | Hilarious Delusions | Design 08/02/2016
Hello Hilary Heffron! Thanks so much for taking
the time to answer some questions for our magazine. It's always a
pleasure to talk with enthusiastic and creative people like you.
It's almost impossible to be bored while looking at your portfolio.
Every artwork is a masterpiece! Something that I really like about
you as an artist, is your ability to pay special attention to the
details, that make every artwork so special.
Q: Are you a graphic designer, What's your background?
A: I'm actually an English Lit grad, and am currently finishing my
Masters degree in Creative Writing. Writing is my first love and an
art in its own right, but if anyone had told me I would be designing
fan art as a graphic artist for a living, I would've pegged them as
crazy!
Q: Having the talent is a blast for sure, but it takes a lot
more than just a talent to build a professional portfolio. I think
dedication is the key. How long are you into graphic arts?
A: I've been interested in many forms of art all throughout my life,
and there's an artistic aspect in everything I do; however, I have
only been on the graphic arts scene for three years or so. Like many
introverted artists, I'm deathly shy and terribly critical of my own
work. I still struggle with sharing my designs with the web because
I only see every little mistake and imperfection of a piece as
opposed to the artistic process as a whole.
Q: Portraits seem to be your specialty.
Every portrait has a bit of unique expression that describe the
person's character. What details you find as most
challenging?
A: I love working with the eyes of a subject because they can convey
so much! I try to capture, as you said, a unique expression or
signifying detail in each portrait because, you know what they say:
a picture is worth a thousand words! This definitely applies to my
'Inked: Gang of Thrones' portrait series. I take countless hours to
research, find, alter, create, etc. and conjure up every tattoo that
goes on to a specific character. I love the reactions of fans and
friends when they spot the smallest tattoo and instantly recognize
the significance and how it correlates to the character. That's the
pay off for me right there!
Q: Lovely color mix is something that makes your art style
so special. How do you came up with ideas? Let's just not forget the
fact that you also put some fantasy note in almost every design.
A: Like any artist, I take inspiration from my surroundings, from
personal interests, and from art and artists in all forms. I'm a
firm believer that everyone you meet can teach you something you
never knew before. The fantasy aspect plays into my work because I
am a total nerd and proud of it! The surreal, the magical, the
mystical, and the fantastical fascinate me. Being open to fantasy
allows for more avenues to venture down.
Q: Story teller, Fantasy Fanatic, Tell me more about this :)
A: I'm a total fantasy geek and dreamer! I actually started writing
fantasy novels when I was young, about 11-13, and I haven't stopped
since. Writing is a longer process, and can take many years before a
work is finished and on the shelves. I originally started drawing,
coloring, painting, crafting and creating like any young child, and
soon found it was an outlet for me and form of relaxation. Only the
last few years have I shared my designs with the world. It's
certainly scary, and there's always room for critics and haters, but
overall, sharing art is an intimate experience that is highly
gratifying.
Q: Many famous people as well as well-know
cartoon, tv characters are part of your portfolio, do you have any
favorite?
A: That's like asking who your favorite child is! LOL So I guess I'm
a bad parent in that I do have a few favorites. Eva Green is one of
my go-to models of choice when I'm stuck in a rut or trying out some
new styles - she has very expressive eyes, a calm about her, and
conveys a vintage Hollywood starlet vibe that allows for so many
renditions! Another favorite would be Natalie Dormer. Besides her
trademark smirk, she has taken part in some beautiful photo shoots
that are art in their own right, and they are highly inspiring when
I'm looking for a muse. I'm biased toward my Game of Thrones cast,
too, and you can often see Kit Harington (Jon Snow), Emilia Clarke (Daenerys
Targaryen) and Jason Momoa (Khal Drogo) featured in my works.
Q: Being creative makes life so fun and it makes a person so
explosive with new challenges and ideas not just for their art world
but for the every day life too. Have you thought about working on a
comic book with your own characters? That would be awesome!
A: I've written novels with my own characters, does that count? LOL
Creative I may be, but I'm as shy as they come. I'm certainly not
explosive or bold in my daily life! I am the caretaker for my
disabled father, and battle with medical issues of my own, along
with going to school and trying to run a graphic design business. I
still think it surprises people who know me in real life because my
art is NOTHING like how I come across in person. I think that just
speaks to how much of an outlet and a relief art can be - it allows
us to share a part of ourselves that we may not have been able to
otherwise.
Q: Do you work on customs for sale? If so,
tell me how we can buy some of your prints?
A: I've taken on commissions before, and do the occasional one, but
I mostly focus on general fan art and designs that can appeal to
many. However, I'm always up for a challenge, and (life permitting)
try to accommodate requests.
I do sell all of my art prints in my Etsy shop, and I post my
designs to Twitter, Instagram, and my Facebook page!
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/HilariousDelusions
Twitter & IG: @HilaryHeffron
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HilariousDelusions
Q: Do you have any other art hobbies such as painting on
canvas, photography etc that help you to get some new ideas?
A: I'm definitely a paparazzi of life and tend to snap dozens of
pictures of my dogs and family (which probably annoys them to
death)! Besides that, I tend to take inspiration from my
surroundings. I love to play with colors, textures, brushes and
styles, and quite a few of my design series have been influenced by
my rescue dogs or my nephews, or just seeing a billboard while
driving down the street. Anything and everything can be inspiring if
you just look at it in a new way.
Q: What is your message to the young talents, trying to make
a career?
A: Keep your head in the clouds and never let your feet touch the
ground! As with any expression of art or simple activity of life,
there will always be someone to rain on your parade, and that's
actually okay. The important thing to remember is to look for the
one person whose day you made with your art and your passion. I'm
terribly critical of myself, and have had more than my fair share of
criticisms to the point I wanted to throw out my laptop and never
attempt art again. There will be ups and downs and curve-balls and
moments where it would be easier to curl up into a hole and hide
from the world, but think of what makes you happy. If you're happy,
others will be happy for you, and BECAUSE of you. Find what you love
and let it define your spirit.
Thank you so much once again for the opportunity, I am truly
honored. If you need any other information or just want to say "hi!"
feel free to shoot me an email or a message anytime!
All the best,
Hilary