I decided to do the Influence Map. I had actually made one a while back, but Photoshop ate it before I had a chance to save it (I know, I know. Save as you go. I wasn't thinking.)

Anyway, here are some of the things that influence me and my artwork:

1. Alphonse Mucha and Art Nouveau. It is very obvious that Art Nouveau influences my work. I love the twists and turns and the uneven lines. They just have this ethereal look to it that I love so much.

2. Milton Glaser - I love psychedelic art. I love it SO much. Milton Glaser has done so much for the graphic design world. At this point, I think it would be nearly impossible for a graphic designer to be without influence of some kind.

3. Peter Max - Again, with the psychedelic art. I love both Peter Max and Milton Glaser because they both really capture this look that I love. I love the thick, bold lines accompanied by the bright colors and amazing gradients! Also - Yellow Submarine was amazing.

4. David Edward Byrd - The first piece of poster design that ever really struck me was David Byrd's cover for the Godspell original record. It heavily inspired "Prepare Ye" (well, that and listening to said record about 3 million times). He has this beautiful range of work that I think really represents a certain era of art. It's imitated often, but not always well. Byrd's art captures both the new Art Nouveau/psychedelic movement, but also captures the modern elements of design. I love how he works with symmetry. I might also mention that all of his work is done by hand.

5. Text designs/Calligrams - This one is by Victor Moscoso. This piece (and those by Byrd and a few others) have so heavily inspired my artwork, especially with the text pieces I have done recently. I love seeing text fill up space to create an image. It's something that if done well is a recognizable style, and an image that stays with people.

6. Music - My music collection heavily influences what I do (though I'm working away from that a little more each time.) I listen to everything from Rock to A Cappella to Celtic to Trip Hop to Broadway. My favorite album is Jeff Buckley's "Grace". This album is so visual for a musical piece. There's so much imagery in music. I would love to capture each and every emotion. This album makes me hear colors, and see sounds. My music is dependent on what kind of a mood I'm in when I start working, and often my work is dependent on what music I put on my playlist. Sometimes, my mood changes halfway through a piece, and (at least to me) the change is visible.

7. Insects and nature: So much beauty all around. I can't wait to explore Portland a little more and see what new flora and fauna are here to be found

8. Memes and humor: I am REALLY easily amused. Things that amuse me or bring me joy are things that usually end up in my art. Like . One of my favorite scenes from one of my favorite books. Something so small can inspire me to do so much with it. For this, I chose Art Student Owl because I'm a art student. And everyone likes owls.

9. Takashi Murakami: I was introduced to Murakami by my art teacher in Art 101. He was a big fan, and was also heavily influenced by his style. I love the bright colors, the repetition, the symmetry, and of course - mushrooms!

10.Music/Movie posters: This is one of my favorites ones I have seen. I'm also a huge Blind Melon fan, so I may be biased.

11. Mushrooms: Ok. I want to clarify something, just in case anyone might have thought otherwise. I'm REALLY into Mycology. Mushrooms are some of the neatest things I have ever studied. I took a botany class in high school (with a teacher even cooler/weirder than Ms. Frizzle from The Magic Schoolbus). We studied all kinds of things, but fungus and mushrooms were by far my favorite. I'm psyched to live in Portland now so I might try mushroom hunting at some point. I guess you could say I have.... questionable morels (har har har)

12. Body art: Some of the best art I ever did got washed away in the shower. I love henna, but it's expensive. I substituted Sharpie. A lot. I loved drawing henna designs on my body with Sharpies. If only I'd been into varied line weight then. Using big and small ones together would have made neat designs. This inspired a lot of my mandala-like work.

13. Political posters - you'd be surprised how many amazing designs get lost in the fray of mudslinging.

14. Books - Well known fact: before I was an art student, I was an English major who intended to become a librarian. Heavily influenced by 18th century literature, which was the end of my spectrum of concentration (I did Medieval through 18th century. Not big on Ancient, not too terribly big on modern, absolutely hate Victorian Poetry)

15. Robert Del Naja from Massive Attack: Amazing musician, amazing artist, amazing activist. His spray paint pieces are mind-bending. I love what he does using both the negative and the positive pieces of his stencils. I applaud him - I'd never be that good with spray paint.

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There you have it. 15 things that influence me. There are lots more. Probably many that I've forgotten or lost, and too many to count. However, these are A.) either so deeply ingrained in me that I would not be an artist without them or B.) what is currently moving me to create at all.

Happy to answer any questions about my influences, my methods, my designs, and of course - about me