VANCE KELLY
Vance Kelly is an award-winning illustrator, printmaker and graphic designer. He worked with bands like Down, Mono, High On Fire, Death Angel & more.
Vance Kelly: “I have been very fortunate to make a living from my artworks.”
[interview.schism / pics.www.vancekelly.com / January 2013]
Can you tell us more about yourself? A bit on who are you, where are you from, & what do you do..
My name is Vance and I reside in New Orleans Louisiana, USA. I'm an Illustrator and designer. Most of my work is within the Music industry developing artwork for and designing LP/CD covers, Posters, and merchandise. I also illustrate and design for books covers as well as some concept work for film (Terry Gilliams' Time Bandits poster & Ridley Scott Legend poster).
When did you start drawing?
At a very early age, somewhere around 4-5 years old.
Did you follow any course or do you improve by drawing in the margins of your schoolbooks?
I mostly developed my skills by drawing in and on my school books.
Today you are living from your art. Do you do something else for a living?
I have been very fortunate to make a living from my artworks. Thank you to everyone who has purchased my work and given me the freedom to spend my time in pursuit of creativity.
Where does your influence come from? Is there any artists or illustrator that you particularly like for your influences?
My artwork is mostly influenced by reading, watching films and listening to music, however inspiration can come at any time from anywhere. There are multitudes of artist who inspire me but my favorites are Frank Frazetta, Ivan Billibin and J.W. Waterhouse.
What are the principal steps in your work?
When time allows I like to work from sketches on paper and take traditional routes such as water color, charcoal, inks and colored pencils but the majority of my work is digital due to turn around times.
Do you do everything by hand or on computer?
Usually I sketch by hand and then I usually finish in on my computer.
How long does it take you to do an illustration & artworks?
Anywhere from from a few hours to months.
You have a very distinctive style, are you doing only what you feel like? What if tomorrow somebody ask you to use some other media to paint with?
I try to be as versatile as I can and I find working in different styles keeps boredom at bay.
For which bands have you already worked for?
Quite a few. but only a handful that I work with personally.
Do you choose the artists yourself?
There are some bands that I contact personally, usually if I'm a fan and quite often a band's manager are label will contact me for work. Then there are some who bands contact me, which I look forward to because I may not have heard of them before and all of sudden I have a new favorite band!
What is the most difficult part in designing or doin your work?
Probably the business aspect of being an artist.
Do you think you're a part of the "Graphic Scene"?
I'm not sure if I am involved in a scene or not. I live in New Orleans and there are two or three artist that I know personally who do this sort of artwork. My friend Allen Jaeger is super talented and has been a great influence.
Where can we see your work , on the web or in real life?
www.vancekelly.com If you are in the LA, California area you can see some of my work at the Grammy Musuem.
The best praise you've received lately?
Someone had said that they were a fan of my work. I'm pretty sure it was you. That makes my day
Any wishes for the future?
Good health and travel plans. Thanks for asking me to do this. Cheers!
