{"id":117687,"date":"2022-03-17T05:53:52","date_gmt":"2022-03-17T12:53:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.picsart.tools\/?p=117687"},"modified":"2022-03-16T17:21:48","modified_gmt":"2022-03-17T00:21:48","slug":"picsart-x-laura-callaghan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/picsart.com\/blog\/picsart-x-laura-callaghan\/","title":{"rendered":"Introducing Picsart x Laura Callaghan"},"content":{"rendered":"

Welcome to the world of Belfast-born illustrator Laura Callaghan. Laura is the latest focus of our ongoing <\/span>Picsart x<\/span><\/i> series, which shines a special spotlight on creators worldwide. <\/span>Picsart x<\/span><\/i> highlights standout talents across a diverse spectrum of creativity, including designers, musicians, artists, entrepreneurs, and more. If you\u2019ve missed the first two editions with <\/span>MegEmikoArt<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Mojo Wang<\/span><\/a>, be sure to catch up and check them out.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Like Meg and Mojo, Laura is a creator whose inspirational work is definitely deserving of your attention. She\u2019s also a shining example of how you too can turn your passion into a professional pursuit<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"tarot<\/p>\n

Picsart x Laura Callaghan<\/span><\/h2>\n

For this edition of <\/span>Picsart x<\/span><\/i> we\u2019ve teamed up with Laura for a special collection of Stickers, Backgrounds, and Templates, which you can use in your own creative designs. Her illustrations draw inspiration from the Spring Solstice, tarot, and astrology themes. They\u2019re filled with so much color, character, and energy that they\u2019re sure to get your creative juices flowing.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But, who is Laura Callaghan? Laura\u2019s illustration work is so rich and distinctive that you\u2019ll want to get to know her, so we sat down for a Q&A. Like Picsart, the Irish illustrator believes there are no rules when it comes to art. After all, in her own words, art is all about \u201cbringing your own voice\u201d to the creative process. Don\u2019t be afraid to make yours heard. <\/span><\/p>\n

Take a look at the behind the scenes making of one of her designs!<\/span><\/p>\n

\nhttps:\/\/cdnblog.picsart.com\/2022\/03\/Laura-Callaghan_behind-the-scenes-video.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n

Now, let\u2019s hear some more from Laura.<\/span><\/p>\n

Q&A with Laura Callaghan<\/span><\/h2>\n

Tell us a little about your story. What first inspired you to become an illustrator?<\/b><\/p>\n

I studied Graphic Design in college. Illustration wasn\u2019t an option at that time and even if it had been, I\u2019m not sure I really knew that \u2018illustrator\u2019 was a feasible job. During my final year of college I did a four-week internship in a graphic design studio and I quickly realized that it wasn\u2019t for me. I had always found a way to bring illustration into my design assignments however, so I decided once I\u2019d graduated to move to London and pursue a one-year Masters, to build my illustration portfolio and see if I could make money drawing. Although I was naive, I think that can be a good thing sometimes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Having started out using traditional artistic methods, was it a challenge to transfer that skill set to digital mediums?<\/b><\/p>\n

Not particularly. I work in a very analog way even with my digitally-colored work. I\u2019ll always start with a pencil, paper, and ink, and then scan the illustration to digitize it and add color.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"flower<\/p>\n

How did you transform your passion into a full-time pursuit?<\/b><\/p>\n

Slowly! I worked full-time and part-time for seven years while illustrating on the side. It was tiring to do both, but not having to rely on my illustration to generate an income allowed me to experiment and make more personal work, which in turn led to client work. Once I had built up a client base and had a steady trade from my online shop \u2013 alongside some fallback savings \u2013 I felt confident enough to pursue illustration full-time.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Your work has a distinct and recognizable character and style. How tough is it to find that as an artist?<\/b><\/p>\n

I don\u2019t know that it <\/span>is<\/span><\/i> hard, necessarily. We all have a unique way of working, but it does require patience, and trying not to pay too much attention to what work is getting commissioned or featured online.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Art is repetitive. In lots of ways no-one is creating anything <\/span>completely<\/span><\/i> new. We\u2019re all influenced by what has come before, but it\u2019s about bringing your own voice to the page, screen, or whatever.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"darkly<\/p>\n

Are there any central themes that thread throughout your work that you find particularly important, both to you as an artist and to your audience?<\/b><\/p>\n

I think the tone of my work rather than the theme is what ties it together. I\u2019d say it\u2019s darkly comic!<\/span><\/p>\n

Do you ever hit a creative rut and, if so, what helps you start creating again?<\/b><\/p>\n

[Laughs] Yes \u2013 it happens most months! I look forward so much to finding a window of free time outside of commercial illustration to make my own work that when the time comes there\u2019s so much pressure to use it wisely, to create something great, that I freeze.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Getting away from my desk and going for a walk usually gets the wheels turning. I try not to feel guilty about setting work aside, so I watch a film or catch up with people, because often it\u2019s doing those everyday things that sparks an idea.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"how<\/p>\n

How do you feel about the growing sense of community that your artwork has attracted? Is that something you\u2019re aware of when you\u2019re creating and does it affect what you do?<\/b><\/p>\n

I try not to let it dictate what I make, but inevitably, it\u2019s always there in the back of my mind. I\u2019m aware people have come to my work for certain reasons and there\u2019s an expectation to create more of the same, but I also don\u2019t want my work to become stagnant. So it\u2019s a balancing act.<\/span><\/p>\n

What tools do you find most useful for creative expression?<\/b><\/p>\n

Watercolor and gouache paints are my favorite tools. I find my illustration comes into its own when I use paint. There\u2019s a certain amount of unpredictability to it which can produce surprising results.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"picsart<\/p>\n

Can you share a little insight into the creative process for these <\/b>Picsart x<\/i><\/b> Stickers, Backgrounds, and Templates?<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Picsart team and I discussed potential ideas for the series and hit upon Spring Solstice as an overarching theme. We wanted the artwork to be playful and colorful, which this theme really lent itself to. I looked to traditional tarot card illustrations for inspiration and tried to bring the graphic lines of those pieces to the work I created.<\/span><\/p>\n

I started out by sketching rough options for the stickers and templates using lots of nature imagery, and considering how to represent the zodiac signs in a unique way. Once we picked the ideas that would work best in the format, I created some more <\/span>finished<\/span><\/i> sketches in pencil, and then I used a Lightbox to outline the artwork in an isograph pen.<\/span><\/p>\n

I then scanned in the linework and digitally colored the illustrations. Again, I used the color palette of the classic tarot deck as a starting point. I wanted the final illustrations to be bold and impactful.<\/span><\/p>\n

How do you feel about your Stickers, Backgrounds, and Template inspiring others to create something new?<\/b><\/p>\n

I\u2019m excited to see how people use the artwork. There are no rules when it comes to using the illustrations, so go wild.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"example<\/p>\n

Where do you see your creativity taking you throughout 2022 and beyond?<\/b><\/p>\n

I\u2019ll be working on some personal pieces for an upcoming exhibition later in the year. Personal work is so important to me. It gives me an opportunity to try out new things without any external pressures. I\u2019m hoping to create some illustrated objects and just have some fun with my work this year.<\/span><\/p>\n

Create at the Speed of Culture<\/i><\/b><\/a><\/h3>\n

Picsart is a full ecosystem of free-to-use content, powerful tools, and creator inspiration. With a billion downloads and more than 150 million monthly active creators, Picsart is the world\u2019s largest creative platform. Picsart has collaborated with major artists and brands like BLACKPINK, Taylor Swift, the Jonas Brothers, Lizzo, Ariana Grande, Jennifer Lopez, One Direction, Sanrio: Hello Kitty, Warner Bros. Entertainment, iHeartMedia, Cond\u00e9 Nast, and more.<\/i><\/b> Download the app or start editing on web<\/i><\/b><\/a> today to enhance your photos and videos with thousands of quick and easy editing tools, trendy filters, fun stickers, and brilliant backgrounds. Unleash your creativity and<\/i><\/b> upgrade to Gold<\/i><\/b><\/a> for premium perks!<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Welcome to the world of Belfast-born illustrator Laura Callaghan. Laura is the latest focus of our ongoing Picsart x series, which shines a special spotlight on creators worldwide. Picsart x highlights standout talents across a diverse spectrum of creativity, including designers, musicians, artists, entrepreneurs, and more. If you\u2019ve missed the first two editions with MegEmikoArt and Mojo Wang, be sure to catch up and check them out.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":94,"featured_media":117688,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_title":"","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"In this edition of Picsart x, we've partnered with Laura Callaghan for a new collection of tarot and astrology Stickers, Backgrounds and Templates.","faq_show":false,"faq_enable_schema":false,"how_to_show":false,"how_to_show_on_single":false,"how_to_enable_schema":false,"how_to_is_upload":false,"faq_title":"","how_to_title":"","how_to_layout":"","how_to_cta_text":"","how_to_cta_url":"","how_to_image_alt":"","how_to_display_image":0,"faq_items":[],"how_to_steps":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[1544,4],"tags":[36,2398,2111,1804,2399],"class_list":["post-117687","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","category-news","tag-illustration","tag-laura-callaghan","tag-picsart-x","tag-spotlight","tag-tarot","entry"],"acf":{"faq_show":false,"faq_title":"Frequently asked questions","faq_enable_schema":true,"faq_items":null,"how_to_show":false,"how_to_show_on_single":false,"how_to_title":"","how_to_layout":"default","how_to_steps":null,"how_to_enable_schema":true,"how_to_is_upload":true,"how_to_cta_text":"","how_to_cta_url":"https:\/\/picsart.com\/create\/editor","how_to_display_image":null,"how_to_image_alt":"","footer_banner_name":"Start your design in Picsart","footer_banner_link_":"\/","footer_banner_button_text_":"Get Started"},"yoast_head":"\nIntroducing Picsart x Laura Callaghan - 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