Interview with illustrator Karen Mounsey-Smith

Visit Karen’s website to see more of her illustrations and beautiful stamp sets.

Samoan Fruit-Dove Stamp Set. Watercolour illustrations.

New Zealand Health Stamps for New Zealand Post.
Watercolour illustrations.

How have you got to where you are today?

My chosen career path chose me really. I just love to draw – all the time. Originally I was going be an entomologist or do veterinary science, but my heart over ruled my head and I decided to follow my passion and chose art and design. Too many years ago, I completed a 3 year degree in Visual Communication Design at Victoria University, Wellington. My first job was illustrating for The Correspondence School, which started my career focus on education and publishing.

For a few years I did an art apprenticeship of sorts, as a Finished Artist and Mac Operator in various advertising and design studios. Fast forward a few years, and I discovered the fun and interesting world of design and illustrating as an editorial designer/artist for Wellington’s evening newspaper.

When I took time away from the 9 – 5, to raise young family, I freelanced from home – all between sleep time and kindy runs! Then eight years ago, we decided to take a leap of faith and we move to sunny Queensland and set up camp in Brisbane. I continued freelancing and doing contract work, mainly in the publishing arena and with postage stamp design. Last year, after designing for the fabulous people of Hog’s Breath Cafe, I decided to try my hand at full-time freelance work again, and Gidgeymo Illustrations was born.

Shepherd girl praying – Private commission.
Drawn and coloured in photoshop.

Raji – Family cat in pastel.

In a few words, describe yourself…

My world has always involved art and nature. I am an artist, a mum, a wife and a sister. I love life, people and being busy.

What are you spending your time on at the moment?

I am fortunate to say I have a few projects on the run at the moment. I have a few postage stamp commissions, which involve a lot of design development and detailed, richly coloured art work. Plus, I regularly illustrate for a Redlands local, K-3 Teacher Resources.

Do you have a ritual for getting into the creative mindset? Or a creative process?

Music and exercise help to clear my mind of all the noise and crazy mish-mash of ideas that come with a new project.

I spend a lot of time researching and doing thumbnail sketches before I begin the more final ideas.

What or who inspires you?

It sounds cliché, but the world around me is my inspiration. My family and pets, our lives together and just simply, the every day. I take it all in and store it away to draw on another day. I am constantly inspired by other artists.There is such a plethora of amazing and brilliant talent out there – and thanks to today’s technology, none of us have to be isolated and work alone.

What are you most proud of?

My family’s support and love given to the crazy artist in me. Their understanding that I need to draw and want to earn a living doing just that.

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I actually always wanted to be a bug scientist (an entomologist) or be a vet. Drawing was something that I was good at and loved to do, but it never occurred to me that I could make it my career until high school.