by Kristine
Fashion illustration has captured our hearts this past year. With the likes of that fashionable hare, Fifi Lapin and the uber talented blogosphere favorite, Danny Roberts, we’re just as captivated with drawings of clothes as we are with actual clothes.
That brings us to our new favorite, Amy Martino of Yellow Bird Machine. The talented, New Jersey based artist boasts a portfolio full of dreamy fashionistas and even some familiar faces. A current favorite – and high on our Next Thing to Buy List – is her collection of Fancy Bags. So much more chic than the ratty tote bags we’ve been sporting!
We had a chance to chat with Amy about her inspirations and what’s next for Yellow Bird Machine. Check it out below.
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Let’s start with the basics: Where are you from and what are your interests?
I live in Montclair NJ with my boyfriend Josh and my two sugargliders
Romulus and Remus. So far I am interested in Graphic Design,
Illustration, and Printmaking.
When did you start illustrating?
I started Illustrating a couple years ago as part of many of my
projects as a graphic designer. Doing cd covers and posters gave me a
reason to come up with illustrations. It was only recently that I
started collecting them to put together as a separate portfolio of
work.
Do you have any professional training?
I have a degree in Sociology from Boston University. I spent a lot of
time doing art in high school but everything else is self taught.
What inspires you?
I obsess over a set of colors that I get in my head and it stays with
me until I use it over and over again and then finally replace it with
another scheme. I am inspired by things that bring that obsession on
like creepy high fashion, people wearing matching outfits, and
clothing in general.
When you’re not drawing, what are you doing?
I am a freelance art director and designer and I work all around NYC
at various agencies. In my free time I like to run, walk, and visit
the zoo. I am also taking a class at the museum down the street which
is great because I get to draw for three hours in a room in the museum
and listen to music.
Something that is particularly relevant to what is inspiring
you right now.
I am really inspired by blacklight posters of the 60’s and 70’s. I
just recently got Ultraviolet: 69 Blacklight Posters from the
Aquarian Age and Beyond by Daniel Donahue and two black lights. I
framed a couple of them and hung them in my bathroom along with the
black lights. Every night when I brush my teeth I tune in, turn on,
and drop out.
Three of your favorite things right now.
Waiting for the movie Machotaildrop to come out, reading Tavi
Gevinson’s blog, and drawing.
What’s next for Yellow Bird Machine and yourself?
I want to do illustrations for fashion magazines, skateboard
companies, and albums… so that’s what’s going to happen next.
LINKS:
Amy’s Chictopia
Yellow Bird Machine
YBM in Cargo Collective
Purchase Amy’s Illustrations on Society6.com
Awesome and very unique!