Carolyn Gavin’s Bio

Where do you live?

Toronto, Canada in a 116 year old Victorian House.

Where have you lived?

J’burg. South Africa. London, UK and now Toronto

What medium do you use?

Black pen, markers sometimes, pen + ink, tracing paper, computer, pencil + Wacom tablet (just acquired) scanner + camera

How do you stay inspired?

Always looking at the world around me. The city, Nature, Animals, my muse/daughter Lily’s work, music, books, magazines, the Internet, Fabric, Vintage, Grafitti, Travel, color.

Where do you buy your art supplies?

DuSerres Art store

Do you work traditionally or digitally?

Trained to work the traditional way, but now I do both. lots of drawing still.

What color combination are you most excited about right now?

Red+aqua, orange+teal, lime+brown, hot pink+orange, hot pink+aqua (hot pink with anything!)

What blog(s) do you read?

Print+pattern, orangeyoulucky, designsponge, poppytalk, Elle Deco, Primitive Culture and My Marrakesh…+ some

Why do you like being an illustrator in 10 words or less?

It’s an outlet for my intense need to create.

If you weren’t an illustrator, what would you be?

A full time artist/painter or some kind of volunteer for some great cause.

What illustration job would you love to get (your dream job)?

To design a mural for Greenpeace on 1 of their ships like the Arctic Sunrise.

Name something you do in your spare time.

Yoga + work in the garden.

What’s the strangest work experience you’ve ever had?

Being a nanny/au pair for 3 wild English kids.

What are you reading now?

When I have a chance: Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali and Climbing the Mango Trees by Madhur Jaffrey (just lOVE all books that take place in India).

What recent book do you recommend for a good read?

The inheritance of loss, a 1000 splendid sons and Middlesex

Where would you like to travel to next?

India (maybe this December), Spain, Argentina, New Zealand, Thailand, Cambodia, … the list is endless!

What’s your favorite TV show?

I loved Six Feet Under, but sadly it’s long gone. I don’t watch too much lately.

What movie have you seen several times?

The Party with Peter Sellers

Who is your favorite cartoon character?

Lola from Charlie and Lola

Who are you in “The Office”?

Never watched it!!!

What is your favorite cheese?

Chevre Noir, or any kind of Chevre.

If you could name a nail polish, what would you name it?

Hot Gypsy Pink

Do you wear shoes when you do art?

No…

What do you listen to while you work?

The sound of the bulldog snoring… I can’t seem to work and listen to music at the same time. my mother always said i never had much co-ordination cause I didnt crawl as a baby!

What artist are you reincarnated from?

Matisse, haha I wish.

What’s your middle name?

Jenny

What do you wish your middle name was?

Scarlet or Daisy

If you could eat only one food, what would it be?

Chocolate

How do you stay in shape?

Yoga, walking..

How don’t you stay in shape?

Sitting for too long on the computer, snacking popcorn with lots of salt while watching a late night movie.

What is your current favorite font?

I love Trixie and Matto

How do you take your coffee?

Strong with 1 sugar and a bit of milk. i also have 1 cup of tea at lunch and a cup of herbal tea at night

Whom would you like to meet?

Picasso, Matisse, Gandhi, Nelson Mandela and Barack Obama

What question would you most like to be asked?

What’s your favourite flower. the answer is I have many including Magnolia, Frangipani, Tulip, Orchid, Rununcular, Sweetpea…

What recent illustration job have you enjoyed doing?

Designing a reusable cotton tote for giveways at our ecojot booth at the New York stationery show, May ’08

What was your favorite illustration assignment?

Starting afresh designing a new line of 100% recycled stationery products for ecojot