Blank Slate: Featuring Katy Holton

Another month, another mural. This time our giant chalkboard wall was transformed into a whimsical love map by the one-and-only, Katy Holton.

Katy is a graphic designer, illustrator and typographer, visually telling stories for a wide variety of clients. Her designs are bright and charming — reminding us of much more hip and grown-up versions of the storybooks from our childhood.

Being the Black Sheep that she is, Katy took the work she typically does on an 8×11” sheet and fit it to a wall more than 10 times that size. We just love to see people outside of their comfort zones creating something bigger than ever before.

Wanna know a little more about her process, inspiration and advice? Ladies and gentlemen, Katy Holton!

Describe your style as an artist.

As a designer and especially as an illustrator, my style tends to be more whimsical. When working on personal illustration pieces, I aim for subject matter that is slightly absurd and/or witty and meaningful. I’m sure it stems from my optimistic view on life and playful personality.

Can you tell us a little bit about the work you created for The Black Sheep Agency office? Where did you get the idea, and what do you want viewers to learn from it?

Lately, I’ve been practicing a lot of hand lettering, but I haven’t ventured too far from the comfort zone of my sketchbook and pens. The Blank Slate wall is the largest canvas I’ve ever worked on – very exciting and a bit intimidating! – so I wanted to try lettering on a large scale mixed with a bit of illustration. The message “Love Wins” is probably familiar to most people and I find it particularly applicable to my life at the moment. It’s such a simple phrase that can apply to so many situations. In the background is a map signifying the journey one may have to take to reach their ultimate goal, passion, love, etc. Patience and exploration were key players in this project.

What inspires you?

Incredible live music
TED talks
Close relationships I have (and have had).

If you could be any artistic tool — pencil, crayons, oil pastels, computer, etc. — which one would you be?

A Pentel Color Brush! I just started using this tool about a month ago. It’s so awesome. The letter strokes I can make with it range from smooth and sexy to fat and funky.

What is your most favorite thing you’ve created?

Oh man… I feel inclined to say a piece of artwork I’ve done, but I don’t think I have a favorite. So I’ll say, so far, my favorite thing I created was a batch of almond coconut cupcakes with chocolate buttercream. (Not my recipe, but holy moly they tasted amazing.)

What is the first thing you do when you get up in the morning?

Try to remember any dreams I’ve had.

What is the first thing you do when you begin a new art project?

Put on some music, make a cup of coffee, and eat a sweet thing.
Then I start sketching whatever major or fleeting ideas come to mind.

Artists are notoriously weird. Prove it. (Or argue it.)

I think everyone is a little weird, but artists are notoriously weird because they express and create physical manifestations of who they are, how they’re feeling that don’t necessarily come with a set of “rules” to follow. Nowadays, many artists are encouraged to break such traditions. It makes me wonder about the kinds of things business people (like lawyers, doctors, accountants) would make if they were encouraged to be artists.

Has anyone ever said to you, “I don’t get it?” If so, how do you respond to that?

Haha, kind of! Explaining my work clearly is something I need to work on. If there is more meaning to my work than meets the eye, then I’ll go into explaining my thought process behind it. If it’s a piece that’s more whimsical and just for fun, I leave it up to the viewer.

Fill in the blank. “I would die without ________.”

My sister and partner-in-crime, Lindsey.

What advice do you have for other creatives?

Since I’ve only spent a short time in the design/illustration field, I would encourage young creatives to explore design events, side projects, fellow designers, and other inspiration as much as possible. It’s easy to become stuck in your own bubble of the day-to-day routine, but exposing yourself to new things and experiences will keep your work fresh.

Where can people see more of your work?

katyholton.com