Tell us a little about yourself; when/how did you begin doing what you do today and where do you reign from?
QuickHoney was founded my me (Nana Rausch) and Peter Stemmler in early 2000. We started right away being almost exclusively a studio for illustration. I mention that, because we were both designers before we started QuickHoney, and we where really ready to be illustrators.
Since then we have worked a lot for magazines and book publishers but also advertising agencies and TV stations, with clients in the US, Europe and Asia. We are located in New York.
Within your body of work, what would you consider to be your
specialty? What are some things as an artist you wish to do more of?
We have two styles at QuickHoney. Peter works in the vector style and I do the pixels. A long time ago I created little pixel icons to make my computer desktop look prettier. I enjoyed the process and began to make bigger images. And this is how it all started for me. I have just worked on an animation film and enjoyed that a lot. And I would love to do more of that -- even if it is a whole lot of work. I also started drawing by hand again. As a compensation to all the computer work, it just feels nice to do something with your hands. Though it still puzzles me, that I can't hit "command z" while drawing with a pen on paper.
In the time you've been illustrating, have there been any major
obstacles to overcome in the evolution of your work? Have there been
challenges that were NOT anticipated?
A big obstacle is time. Since pixel illustrations are done pixel by pixel, it does take a long time. And several projects I had to turn down, because of time. And that is always a sad thing to do.
Who can you credit as a major artistic influence(s) to your style/kind of work?
Henning Wagenbreth who was my professor at the University of Arts in Berlin. As well as eBoy whom I met in school and am very close friends with. I love the graphic still lifes and lonesome landscape paintings of Wayne Thiebaud.
What are some "non-artistic" sources of inspiration for you, if any?
Family, friends and New York. Traveling has always an inspirational effect on me.
Are there any new/exciting big projects on the horizon for yourself?
I am working on a children's book for which I am, now that I finished the story, drawing the illustrations. We just had been invited once again to design a stamp for the German postal office.
Lastly, is there a "dream" client/project that you wish to get your hands on someday?
I'd love to do an animation project again. And I'd love to have my book published. And I am always happy, when I get to do a cover. :-)
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Thanks to Nana (and Peter!) for sharing - We're happy when they get to do a cover for us too. :-)
As for the rest of you, keep coming back to The Mixmaster for more Question The Artist features in the future.
