LISA ROMERO

What word do people use to describe your work the most? What word do you use?

I don't get a single word so often as I get "great line work." I'm happy with that response... I never thought about describing my art in one word, but I think that word would be 'shapely'.

How do you draw? Where, in what frame of mind, and – cos i guess its just as important – is there any headspace where you find it really hard to draw?

I usually draw in the early evening or morning, but with a day job the morning's tough. Sunday mornings are good, have coffee and listen to NPR all morning. I can draw almost anytime, and I'm almost always in the mood.

You've moved into commercial art: how do you balance what has traditionally been seen as a tension between commercial art and "genuine" creative passion? Do you think they are even necessarily at odds, or is that itself an archaic notion?

I think that if you find the balance between giving a client what they want and keeping true to who you are you can do almost anything. I wouldn't take on a client that would be against my morals (but with me that's not hard, unless you're a HUMMER. I hate those cars...). I also think that commercial art is changing and really embracing the DIY aesthetic. That helps a lot. 

When you say all your work is done by hand, I'm curious to have that broken down – REALLY everything?! Are people often gobsmacked? Or do more people like hand work more than we actually are lead to believe, in your opinion?

Uh, yeah, all my work is done by hand. I don't tweak anything in photoshop ( I'm still learning how to use the damn program...) and everything you see on my website I drew. I draw therefore I am. I have no interest in using my computer to do anything although sometime when I look at some computer-enhanced work I really wish I could. I know it cuts down on time and looks much cleaner, but I dig the way hand-done art looks. Not quite perfect, but aren't we all?

Your blog is one of my favourites – its not totally personal, but not dry and professional at the same time. With the fecalface column too, i'm curious to know how your writing functions in relation to
creative output and satisfaction in comparison to, say, your illustration work...

I did the blog 'Prairie Doggin'' and 'Sketchbook Monday' sections on Fecalface.com as a way of showcasing art I love. It was totally selfish! I had to give it up because I thought it was time other people had a shot to show things they like. I have met some really great artists and seen art I wouldn't normally see but I didn't feel it was giving me enough time to do my own illustration work. I didn't look at it as a "creative outlet" because writing isn't something I do too often, but it was a lot of fun and I miss it. Maybe I should start doing it again...

Is it weird being on the other side of the interview table considering you do a lot of interviews yourself?

Heck yeah! I can wrap my mind around other people being awe inspiring and really motivating, but I never think of myself as inspiring or even... er, good. I'm just a girl with a pen. I look at my work and never think it's done or that other people would dig it, but I guess everyone feels this way.

Who is your current artcrush? Do you get other types of crushes or is that the best and only one to have?!

Too many to list, but... Edith Abeyta, Porous Walker, Mike Maxwell, Tim Pigott, Michael Sieben, Jeremy Fish... art crushes are the best! I don't know if I can take credit for that term, but I use it A LOT. It means more than just falling in love with someone's style- it's more like adoring a person for their art-brain what they are trying to come across with with their art. Really what their art says about them and what they think.

I get other types of crushes all the time. I crush on people who go out of their way to help others, people who lend an ear or a hand, and people who love to inspire others. Life is full of crushes to be had.

There's a lot of mentions of children and childhood on your site and blog, yet your work avoids that really popular trend in illustration at the moment of that kind of maniacal iconography of childhood: while a strong sense of nostalgia is present, its not "gaudy" or "pop", if that makes any sense. Is this deliberate?

OH YES. I think that art, in essence is a part of who you are and while I enjoy all kinds of art, trendy I'm not. I really have a certain aesthetic I go for in my work and as a child I remember looking at books and being so excited by details like buttons and pockets and insects... and in my adult life that has really stayed with me. Whenever I finish a piece I look at it from the point of view that if I were sending it to someone that has never seen any of my other work, would they know what kind of an artist I am? If the piece doesn't reflect that, it's not done.

The last two questions are ones I really like asking artists: Is making your art cathartic for you?

I would have to say yes because a lot of my personal art is about how silly superficiality is, how being nice is dorky but I can't help it.... how stopping to smell the roses doesn't always get you a bee sting on the nose, and how important I think it is to have a sense of humor about yourself. Laugh and the world laughs with you, cry and I'll make fun of myself so you can laugh some more.

Is there such a thing as bad art?

In general? No. In my personal opinion? Yes. I think there's something out there for everyone and sometimes I look at art and I don't get it but that's just my opinion. It doesn't mean people shouldn't like it and I don't think you should force your opinion on anyone. But I gotta say, there is some very popular art out there that I look at and say, "Ohhhhhhhhhh-Kaaaaaaaaaay. Not my cup of tea." But that's like a girl with a hairy armpit. Some people like 'em, and some people don't.