Jun 10, 2013 8 Questions With: Hannah Stouffer
Hannah Stouffer is an incredibly talented artist and illustrator, based in San Francisco (even though she’s hardly ever there). I’m a huge fan of her personal artwork, and her creative output for other brands probably puts most illustrators to shame too. I was lucky enough to get to know her a couple of years back, while she was living & working in Los Angeles for a spell. Since then, she’s returned to SF, took on several editorial roles at Juxtapoz magazine, and has continued to expand the horizons of her personal art career at the same time. We recently caught up in Hawaii, where she was taking part in this year’s POW! WOW! events. You can catch her opening reception at The Standard this evening too, in celebration of the new mural she has just completed outside the landmark hotel.
What are you currently working on?
I just wrapped this insane 40ft. long mural (installation) for The Standard Hotel in downtown Los Angeles entitled ‘EPST’ (Existence, Possibility, Space & Time). I love working at that scale but its always a tremendous mental and physical challenge. What else, I also just finished the poster for Bonnaroo 2013, on the same Metaphysical / environmental theme that I’m currently engaged in. I’m in the beginning phases of putting a new ‘Psychedelic’ book together for Juxtapoz, to be published by Gingko press. It’s the second book I’ve curated and edited with them, and I’m pretty excited about it. Oh, and a few new illustrated typefaces, drawings and airbrushing too…
Nice! How would you describe your job?
First and foremost I’m an illustrator, with the base of my work coming from a personal/exhibition level- though most of what supports my antics and tendencies is my commercial illustration work. I’m also the Print and Web Editor for Juxtapoz magazine in the illustration and erotica departments and the Managing Editor for the series of art books that we produce. Honestly, I feel super fortunate that I’m so engaged and in love with what the universe has provided. It’s fucking epic.
What does your average work day look like?
I try to maintain a pretty regular schedule, up with the sun, to the park or the beach with my dog Taki, and then usually to the studio for 8-10 hours trying not to spend the entire time staring into screens. So far, this year, I’ve probably spent 75% of my time traveling or living this insane, transient lifestyle that I can’t escape so this same routine gets adjusted to fit into my car or wherever I’m calling my ‘studio’ for the month. I did the math the other day and I’ve stayed in something like 30 different places since January…
Where do you find inspiration?
Probably the same sources as most people, flea markets, Google, Tumblr, vintage paper products and periodicals. I do a lot of research. I haven’t had access to a television or really any pop-culture media (besides Google) in 12 years, so I end up reading a lot, old encyclopedias, manuscripts, Wiki pages…
As a kid, what did you want to be when you grow up?
Truthfully, an artist. There was a brief period when I remember wanting a ‘dog farm’, or a back-up dancer, but I’ve drawn my entire life. I’ve been distracted by it forever and never really imagined getting involved with anything else; so here I am.
What are you reading at the moment?
I just finished Huxley’s Doors of Perception and Heaven and Hell and then found this amazing, bootlegged copy of Anthony Bourdain’s A Cook’s Tour at a homestay in Bali last month, so I’m still with that one but I love his travel writing; I can totally relate to it. I started Thich Nhat Hanh’s You Are Here but it’s pretty heavy and it might take me awhile to get through…
What’s your favorite post-work destination?
Well, if I’m in San Francisco (which is tending to be less and less) then probably Chrissy Field and the beach up there. I spend a lot of time lying in the park (various parks) so Taki can burn donuts and get weird being a dog. I kind of love that that just has to be part of my schedule… outdoors mainly.
What’s the best thing about living and working in SF?
That the housing market is so insane that I can rent out my place and it pays for all of my travel…. ha.
