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Featured Artist Interview - Hannah Stouffer
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San Francisco-based illustrator and designer Hannah Stouffer constantly strives to define the term "classic" and explores how it relates to our modern attractions.
She draws inspiration from traditional notions of luxury and elegance, and engages them as the basis for her work. Her attraction to vintage imagery, themes of royalty and pop culture- combined with her own illustration and design, distinguish her as a definition of classic contemporary.
We are very proud to have her as one of us.
TAXI >> Hey Hannah. Hope all is fine. What are you busy with right now?
Hannah Stouffer>> Busy? Right now? All the time. I’m working on a new site for myself. A new line of posters, more illustrations… and some client work and commercial stuff to keep it all going…
TAXI >> You recently displayed your work at The White Walls Gallery in San Francisco. I understand they were all new work, so was it loosely based on a certain theme? Tell us about the show.
Hannah Stouffer>> It was an all girls show- there was some great work in it- all different mediums. I displayed 8 new illustrations and 3 paintings. I was really pleased with it all…I think the show was received very well, and the party was a blast.
TAXI >> I came across quite a few design blogs praising your illustrations and how every work of yours is better than the previous ones. Do you have a certain style that you improvise on?
Hannah Stouffer>> Well thank you, I like to look at a lot of vintage imagery and design… I’m always striving to be better. My new work always feels the strongest.
TAXI >> While we’re on blogs… these days everyone blogs, from youngsters to superstars and politicians. Do you blog?
Hannah Stouffer>> No, I don’t really have time to. I think I need to keep all my ideas in my head anyways. I like to remember everything until I utilize it.
TAXI >> You co-founded Birdstand. What does Birdstand do? And who is your partner in art?
Hannah Stouffer>> Birdstand is now mainly the work of designer Scott Barry. We work together a lot, our most recent venture is The State of All Things- which is still in the works. Scott is an amazing artist and art director at Ordinary Kids. He tends to be my art director from time to time as well.
TAXI >> Your work is a source of inspiration for many. Where does your inspiration come from?
Hannah Stouffer>> Thanks. I try to keep it classic contemporary, and my inspiration comes from my definition of that.
TAXI >> Few artists I know treasure their little paintings and drawings they did as kids. Did u paint as a kid? And do you have clippings of them with you now?
Hannah Stouffer>> I do have a small collection, I love children’s work, its so amazing. I love all of it. My mom owns everything I’ve ever done. I’ve secretly borrowed some of it from her collection. I definitely started at an early age- I’ve always liked to draw.
TAXI >> Collaborations bring new ideas to the table. What is your take on collaborations?
Hannah Stouffer>> It could go either way, if your work and ideas mesh with others they could be great. I’ve seen and been part of some disasters as well. If anything, I think they take a lot of planning- making sure you are on the same page creatively.
TAXI >> Does being a painter help in illustrating as well?
Hannah Stouffer>> Well, they kind of go together for me. I’ve always thought of my paintings as being very illustrative. I’ve recently decided to switch over to illustration entirely, but for me, my illustration work will always include some other mediums as well.
TAXI >> You have a big hand at painting and illustrating. What other mediums have you experimented with?
Hannah Stouffer>> I have a background in photography, which is where I learned composition and my attraction to objects, colours and settings. I think a lot of what I learned with that has helped me with what I do now. It structured a lot of my ideas. Its kind of like my base.
TAXI >> Experimenting with different mediums and techniques definitely help you to grow as an artist. Are you a risk taker? Are you up for trying new techniques?
Hannah Stouffer>> It depends. I think the medium has to go along with what I want to achieve, which is usually really clean and design based. I think a lot of traditional techniques and mediums can get too ‘artsy’, but I definitely love technology, ink, gouache, wood… things that are clean.
TAXI >> ‘My work originates from visual memories, modern attractions and the extensive research I have done on other eras.’ How much of preparation really goes into one work?
Hannah Stouffer>> A lifetime. I’m constantly absorbing visual elements I want to incorporate in my work. When I begin a project I draw from these things, and research other relevant imagery and patterns. I feel like I usually know where I’m going, but its never really mapped out.
TAXI >> It has been great talking to you, Hannah. Before we end, tell us a place where you want a taxi to bring you right now.
Hannah Stouffer>> Can we go over water? Can you take me to an island? If not, you can just take me home.
© 2006 by TAXI Design Network. All rights reserved.
She draws inspiration from traditional notions of luxury and elegance, and engages them as the basis for her work. Her attraction to vintage imagery, themes of royalty and pop culture- combined with her own illustration and design, distinguish her as a definition of classic contemporary.
We are very proud to have her as one of us.
TAXI >> Hey Hannah. Hope all is fine. What are you busy with right now?
Hannah Stouffer>> Busy? Right now? All the time. I’m working on a new site for myself. A new line of posters, more illustrations… and some client work and commercial stuff to keep it all going…
TAXI >> You recently displayed your work at The White Walls Gallery in San Francisco. I understand they were all new work, so was it loosely based on a certain theme? Tell us about the show.
Hannah Stouffer>> It was an all girls show- there was some great work in it- all different mediums. I displayed 8 new illustrations and 3 paintings. I was really pleased with it all…I think the show was received very well, and the party was a blast.
TAXI >> I came across quite a few design blogs praising your illustrations and how every work of yours is better than the previous ones. Do you have a certain style that you improvise on?
Hannah Stouffer>> Well thank you, I like to look at a lot of vintage imagery and design… I’m always striving to be better. My new work always feels the strongest.
TAXI >> While we’re on blogs… these days everyone blogs, from youngsters to superstars and politicians. Do you blog?
Hannah Stouffer>> No, I don’t really have time to. I think I need to keep all my ideas in my head anyways. I like to remember everything until I utilize it.
TAXI >> You co-founded Birdstand. What does Birdstand do? And who is your partner in art?
Hannah Stouffer>> Birdstand is now mainly the work of designer Scott Barry. We work together a lot, our most recent venture is The State of All Things- which is still in the works. Scott is an amazing artist and art director at Ordinary Kids. He tends to be my art director from time to time as well.
TAXI >> Your work is a source of inspiration for many. Where does your inspiration come from?
Hannah Stouffer>> Thanks. I try to keep it classic contemporary, and my inspiration comes from my definition of that.
TAXI >> Few artists I know treasure their little paintings and drawings they did as kids. Did u paint as a kid? And do you have clippings of them with you now?
Hannah Stouffer>> I do have a small collection, I love children’s work, its so amazing. I love all of it. My mom owns everything I’ve ever done. I’ve secretly borrowed some of it from her collection. I definitely started at an early age- I’ve always liked to draw.
TAXI >> Collaborations bring new ideas to the table. What is your take on collaborations?
Hannah Stouffer>> It could go either way, if your work and ideas mesh with others they could be great. I’ve seen and been part of some disasters as well. If anything, I think they take a lot of planning- making sure you are on the same page creatively.
TAXI >> Does being a painter help in illustrating as well?
Hannah Stouffer>> Well, they kind of go together for me. I’ve always thought of my paintings as being very illustrative. I’ve recently decided to switch over to illustration entirely, but for me, my illustration work will always include some other mediums as well.
TAXI >> You have a big hand at painting and illustrating. What other mediums have you experimented with?
Hannah Stouffer>> I have a background in photography, which is where I learned composition and my attraction to objects, colours and settings. I think a lot of what I learned with that has helped me with what I do now. It structured a lot of my ideas. Its kind of like my base.
TAXI >> Experimenting with different mediums and techniques definitely help you to grow as an artist. Are you a risk taker? Are you up for trying new techniques?
Hannah Stouffer>> It depends. I think the medium has to go along with what I want to achieve, which is usually really clean and design based. I think a lot of traditional techniques and mediums can get too ‘artsy’, but I definitely love technology, ink, gouache, wood… things that are clean.
TAXI >> ‘My work originates from visual memories, modern attractions and the extensive research I have done on other eras.’ How much of preparation really goes into one work?
Hannah Stouffer>> A lifetime. I’m constantly absorbing visual elements I want to incorporate in my work. When I begin a project I draw from these things, and research other relevant imagery and patterns. I feel like I usually know where I’m going, but its never really mapped out.
TAXI >> It has been great talking to you, Hannah. Before we end, tell us a place where you want a taxi to bring you right now.
Hannah Stouffer>> Can we go over water? Can you take me to an island? If not, you can just take me home.
© 2006 by TAXI Design Network. All rights reserved.