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[ June 27, 2003 ]
In a way success came as a surprise to Anja Kroencke, the Austrian-born illustrator whose work is among the more recognizable in her field. The soft-spoken artist says she liked to draw since she was a little girl, but didn't think her hobby would one day become her career.
Successful in her career, and as a new mother, Kroencke spoke to altpick.com from her home-studio in New York. Did the graphic design background help when you got to New York? I had started in a small graphic design studio in Vienna, and worked in a few design studios before I became art director at GGK, one of Austria's largest advertising agencies. I enjoyed working with type, color and composition. I did logos, corporate identities, packaging, brochures and I always did my own drawing. Most of the times I didn't need to hire separate illustrators for my graphic design projects. So that really helped me, when I started to show my portfolio around here.
It was just a vacation. A friend of mine had a small gallery in Austria and put together an art trip to New York to visit galleries, artists, and museums. I was at the end of a relationship, I didn't know where my career was going, so I said, 'Okay, I'll just come.' I didn't know anything about New York. Only what you see in movies. I was here 10 days, and didn't sleep much in those 10 days. I was totally hooked. I came back to Austria and said, 'I'm moving to New York.' I didn't know where I would stay, but I didn't care. How at first did you support yourself? It was very difficult. I didn't know anyone and did a lot of tiny little jobs here and there. Most of the times I had only a few dollars in my pocket but I was just so happy to be in New York. I had done a little bit of research back in Austria of the design firms that I liked. I found companies I really wanted to work for. I put together hand-made portfolios to hand out. It took hours to do. I dropped off my hand-made thing and basically waited for people to call. I not only needed a job, but I needed them to help me get my visa to stay. I freelanced for about a year until I found an agency that hired me as a design director and helped me with my papers. I worked there for two years. How did you make the switch to illustration?It was at the time when I had my full time job at the agency. I spent my evenings and weekends drawing in my tiny little apartment. I hadn't drawn much since school [in Austria] other than for a few design projects. But when I came to New York, my old self came out. I was just drawing and drawing and drawing. I really enjoyed it. I started looking at all the illustration books and magazines. I realized that illustration is actually a job here. That people do it for a living. I thought, I could do that too. I wasn't sure if I was good enough. I started building a small portfolio of illustrations, alongside my graphic design portfolio. An art director friend of mine told me I should look for an agent. I did, and that's how this whole thing started to be real. I found an agent, and from then on it went really quickly. I was just lucky I guess. I was hitting the time when illustration started to be more interesting again. People were using more illustration than ever before in the '90s. And now you're in demand. Are you just insanely busy?
Well it's funny that people like to put me in the category of fashion illustration because most of my clients are actually not fashion clients. I would probably call it more lifestyle than fashion. I feel this year will be my big year of change. Not only did my new baby inspire me but I also think it is time to move on. I think I'm going back to hand painting on paper. I always draw by hand anyway, and then scan it into the computer to manipulate it. But I want to do it all by hand, experiment more. I like painting and collage. So it seems like your recipe for success has been old-fashioned hard work?When I started I was working day and night, cranking out one piece after another. But than 3 years ago I decided to work "only" 8-to-10-hour days and not to work on weekends anymore. And since the baby is here I work half days, at least for now.
- Contributed by Kelly McEvers >> See more work from Anja Kroencke >> See other member spotlights on the member spotlight index >> Find out more on how to become an altpick.com member |
