December 28, 2022
An Interview with Dylan Lowe
Can you describe your style or your work?
I’d say my style is pretty illustrative and fun. I love combining colors and my lettering style to create work that really feels like me!
Was creativity part of your childhood?
Were you always drawing letters?
I’d say so! I was always making “experiments” aka a gigantic mess in the kitchen or making mini Rube Goldberg machines. I loved to draw, paint, and practice my
handwriting.
Have you had a point where you’ve had to take a big risk to move forward?
I moved across the country from Utah to Indiana for grad school, and didn’t know a single person out here. It was exciting and terrifying, but necessary to be able to teach at a university.
What type of work are you up to nowadays?
What are the things you just love to do?
These days I’m doing a lot of hand lettering and illustration, and a lot of experimenting right now. Working a part time job while going to grad school burnt me out big time and I’m still recovering *insert laugh crying emoji here.* I haven’t wanted to make anything in a long time, but I’m starting to realize I need to just make and not worry about what the end product will look like for now.
Walk me through how you start a new project.
What do you draw inspiration from?
I generally start with a moodboard or two, and gather inspiration from pinterest, photos of vintage signage, or creative archives. I’m super inspired by ceramics, textiles, and photography. There are so many beautiful lines, colors, and patterns! From there it’s a lot of sketching and not taking myself too seriously.
What type of tools do you use, anything special? Tricks of your trade?
Nothing special! I’ve always appreciated artists who make with what they have nearby. My go-to’s are mechanical pencils and Muji .03 pens.
What’s next for you? Are there projects you want to do in the next few years?
Oh wow, I have no idea. I’m sort of all over the place in my interests. I’d love to illustrate and design a Gluten Free & Dairy Free baking cookbook and also create surface designs. I also want to start a podcast and paint a mural!
If you could give advice to someone starting out, what would you say?
You just have to start making. I’ve always been worried about things not looking “good” or being “good enough” to share, and I’m still working on that. I’m constantly reminding myself that I’ll only get better from practice!
What other artist do you look to?
I’m really inspired by Kate Bingaman-Burt, Ellen Van Dusen, and B.D. Graft.