Recently I discovered the amazing Caitlin Johns Designs on Instagram. She is an amazing digital illustrator who creates commissioned pieces and one off designs. I was so inspired by her visions and incredible art pieces that I wanted to interview her on my blog. I hope you enjoy reading the interview with her, please check her work out at @caitlinjohndesigns! Plus isn't this piece she drew of me amazing?!
Who are you and what do you
do?
I’m Caitlin Johns and I’m 17 years old (mostly known as
@caitlinjohnsdesigns on Instagram) I’m currently studying at Plymouth college
of art on the pre-degree program Graphic design, Game arts and illustration.
Whilst on this course I’ve developed my own graphic/ illustrative style and
have used that to create A4prints, tote-bags, t-shirts and magazines in this
style to raise awareness of really important issues that I believe too many
people are ignoring because it hasn’t and maybe won’t ever happen to them. Alongside
this I’m also working at the great superstore Tesco haha!
Why do you do what you do?
The reason behind my illustrations have ultimately been to spread
awareness. I literally don’t understand how throughout the whole of 2017 (&
2018 now!!) people don’t have opinions about such important topics! How can you
ignore everts including; racism, sexism, homophobia, police brutality,
politics’, rape culture etc. I want to portray my opinion and hopefully the
opinion which others will share to either encourage people to speak up, give
someone another point of view to consider or to change their minds completely
to start understanding issues outside of their bubbles. I hope that showing
other people it’s ok to speak out against the sh*t you don’t believe in and how
many people will back your thoughts- Of course it’s in moderation though; I’m
strictly promoting a better, equal world not encouraging people to be hateful.
I think it’s time everyone starts to love each other and own up to the crappy
things you’ve done or you’ve backed and change our world for the younger
generations to be able to never make the same mistakes that have previously
happened. We need to learn, accept and improve in all areas of our knowledge,
always. I just want to express these thoughts through art and creative outlets
to hopefully catch more attention that just writing about it I guess.
What’s your background?
I was born and am still currently living in Plymouth!? Um, I’m an
only child living with my mum and dad with our many pets haha, there not much
of a ‘background’ as such as I’ve been in the same place for my whole life so
far but I hope to soon get replies from the Universities I’ve applied for which
could potentially mean moving.
How has your practice change
over time
Seeing as my whole style is digitally created it probably will
sound hard to believe that I literally HATED digital art two years ago! I was
100% certain I would always be drawing in my sketch book but I was clearly
wrong, the more modern artists I would research for college work the more I’d
realise I should at least ‘give it ago’ and I remember the first illustration I
created with my own style in mind and how terrible it was! But you just have to
stick to it, try other options that’ll help you out and you’ll eventually get
it!
What work do you most enjoying
doing?
Work for a purpose I’d say. I’m really keen on the idea of helping
others and inspiring people to wake up and have an impact. But ultimately, it’s
anything that’ll allow me to hate on Donald Trump or be sassy and draw nudity
to empower women.
What themes do you pursue?
Personally I don’t think I’m strict with themes. I illustrate
fashion, self-portraits and of course my ‘ranting’ illustrations. The most
popular ones are probably my political pieces and women rights illustrations.
Describe a real-life situation
that inspired you?
My friend dan and I were up late once talking about feminism- this
led to my illustration of male feminism which ended up being one of the most
popular pieces of art work I had ever done! Same with the ‘no you can’t touch’
about women and men with crazy amazing curly/ afro hair - my fiend Elliot was
asked like three times in an hour by random girls if they could touch his hair
and it was clear he was getting annoyed so I thought ah! Something not everyone
understands so I should create something to raise the awareness. I don’t know
if it happens with other people but I mostly just hear other people’s stories
and the news and just really click with an issue; always having a passion for
the debates in RS at school I’ve always been the type to express why and how I
feel about something.
What superpower would you have
and why?
It’s got to be either mind control or being able to time travel,
I’d love to have experienced wearing gogo boots and also going to a Tupac
concert haha! But to also have helped impact how the world is today- mind
control to stop stupid people being in power making stupid decisions too.
Name something you love, and
why.
As cliché as it sounds I love LOVE. Whether it be from your fave
girlfriends or family members, maybe even an elderly person you’ve spoken to
randomly throughout the day I think it’s amazing how we all feel It throughout
our lives and I love how differently people express it! Through music, art,
poetry or sport just having love and passion for something! But I do love
chicken to.
What is your dream project?
Oh wow, my dream project would probably be to create a COLAB
magazine issue with Dazed or VICE and turn it into a potential little
mini-series of me just talking to activists of all different views of all
different things and gaining knowledge but also being able to perhaps alter their
views.
What’s the best piece of
advice you’ve been given?
“Be humble. Be hungry and Always be the hardest worker in the
room.” - Personally, it speaks volumes to me, always have a goal to be better
because no matter how good you get there’s always room to improve and new ideas
to be focused on!
Love Ciandra x
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