Artists ~ Alyssa Holland Short ~ Providence
Artist’s name: Alyssa Holland Short
Business name: Alyssa Holland Short Illustration
Location: Providence, RI
Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/AlyssaHollandShort
Website: www.alyssahollandshort.com
Blog: http://alyssahollandshort.blogspot.com/
Twitter: @ahsillustration
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Alyssa-Holland-Short-Illustration/203416129713199
1. Tell us about your work
My work combines illustration with imagination and humor to create well-crafted specialty products that remind my customers of the people they love, inspire them to daydream, and make them feel like a kid again. I have a line of illustrated stationery and home decor products. I also create made-to-order personalized artwork for weddings and new baby gifts.
2. How did you come to be a professional artist/crafter?
When I was born, my Aunt Joanna gave my parents a drawing of my name. Thirty-five years and twelve apartments later, I still have the drawing and I continue to treasure it. When my friends began having children, I wanted to give them gifts that would be just as meaningful. I started creating personalized illustrations that incorporated the child’s name with images that were significant to the family. In 2007 I took my first custom order and in 2011 I had enough business to launch my illustration studio and my line of illustrated cards and prints.
3. Where do you draw your inspiration?
I grew up in the heart of the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania, so a lot of my inspiration comes from childhood memories of forest explorations, fireflies, swimming holes, kick-the-can, and trips to the bookmobile. My art has always been an escape for me and I want to provide my customers with that same solace. When someone opens one of my cards, I want them to feel as if they have stepped into a world that’s full of joy and warmth – almost as if they were to open the envelope and a little ray of sun shines onto their face.
When I’m working on a custom order, my inspiration comes from my clients. I work closely with each person to create a one-of-a-kind artwork that is truly unique and full of meaning. I always begin the creative process by asking my clients to share stories and details about the person for whom the gift is being created and then I use that information to come up with ideas for the illustration. For example, I recently made a gift for a new baby whose parents loved the outdoors and their two tuxedo cats. The final drawing was of kayaking cats, wearing little life vests.
4. What’s your favorite item to make?
I love coming up with new stories and scenes for the three characters that play a central role in many of my products: Primrose Lamb, Dandelion Duck, and Myrtle Mouse. They are so fun to draw and think about – their storylines are endless and they keep me very entertained.
I also very much enjoy making custom gifts. Working one on one with my clients is one of the most fun and rewarding aspects of my work as an artist. I love when someone comes to me with an idea and I can bring it to life and make it tangible for him or her.
5. What’s your best seller?
My custom baby gifts keep me steadily working in my studio. My “Lena-Dog & Radish-Cat” line of cards is one of the more popular items in my Etsy store. The Lena-Dog character is inspired by my own dog (the real life Lena), so it makes me very happy that she’s such a hit with my customers.
6. How long have you been in Rhode Island?
I have lived here for ten years. I moved here in 2002 to attend RISD for graduate school and fell in love with the city (and my husband, who grew up in Rhode Island).
7. What do you {heart} about Rhode Island?
I {heart} that there are so many creative people. People all over the state are making art, music, theatre, dance – it’s incredibly inspiring. I also love that I can enjoy the aspects of city living here in Providence, but that the ocean and forest are just minutes away. It’s such a beautiful state. I’m so happy to call Rhode Island my home.
Business name: Alyssa Holland Short Illustration
Location: Providence, RI
Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/AlyssaHollandShort
Website: www.alyssahollandshort.com
Blog: http://alyssahollandshort.blogspot.com/
Twitter: @ahsillustration
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Alyssa-Holland-Short-Illustration/203416129713199
1. Tell us about your work
My work combines illustration with imagination and humor to create well-crafted specialty products that remind my customers of the people they love, inspire them to daydream, and make them feel like a kid again. I have a line of illustrated stationery and home decor products. I also create made-to-order personalized artwork for weddings and new baby gifts.
2. How did you come to be a professional artist/crafter?
When I was born, my Aunt Joanna gave my parents a drawing of my name. Thirty-five years and twelve apartments later, I still have the drawing and I continue to treasure it. When my friends began having children, I wanted to give them gifts that would be just as meaningful. I started creating personalized illustrations that incorporated the child’s name with images that were significant to the family. In 2007 I took my first custom order and in 2011 I had enough business to launch my illustration studio and my line of illustrated cards and prints.
3. Where do you draw your inspiration?
I grew up in the heart of the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania, so a lot of my inspiration comes from childhood memories of forest explorations, fireflies, swimming holes, kick-the-can, and trips to the bookmobile. My art has always been an escape for me and I want to provide my customers with that same solace. When someone opens one of my cards, I want them to feel as if they have stepped into a world that’s full of joy and warmth – almost as if they were to open the envelope and a little ray of sun shines onto their face.
When I’m working on a custom order, my inspiration comes from my clients. I work closely with each person to create a one-of-a-kind artwork that is truly unique and full of meaning. I always begin the creative process by asking my clients to share stories and details about the person for whom the gift is being created and then I use that information to come up with ideas for the illustration. For example, I recently made a gift for a new baby whose parents loved the outdoors and their two tuxedo cats. The final drawing was of kayaking cats, wearing little life vests.
4. What’s your favorite item to make?
I love coming up with new stories and scenes for the three characters that play a central role in many of my products: Primrose Lamb, Dandelion Duck, and Myrtle Mouse. They are so fun to draw and think about – their storylines are endless and they keep me very entertained.
I also very much enjoy making custom gifts. Working one on one with my clients is one of the most fun and rewarding aspects of my work as an artist. I love when someone comes to me with an idea and I can bring it to life and make it tangible for him or her.
5. What’s your best seller?
My custom baby gifts keep me steadily working in my studio. My “Lena-Dog & Radish-Cat” line of cards is one of the more popular items in my Etsy store. The Lena-Dog character is inspired by my own dog (the real life Lena), so it makes me very happy that she’s such a hit with my customers.
6. How long have you been in Rhode Island?
I have lived here for ten years. I moved here in 2002 to attend RISD for graduate school and fell in love with the city (and my husband, who grew up in Rhode Island).
7. What do you {heart} about Rhode Island?
I {heart} that there are so many creative people. People all over the state are making art, music, theatre, dance – it’s incredibly inspiring. I also love that I can enjoy the aspects of city living here in Providence, but that the ocean and forest are just minutes away. It’s such a beautiful state. I’m so happy to call Rhode Island my home.
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