Interview by Rachel Gottesman

Hello Priscilla, welcome back for another interview!

Thank you for having me!

How did you get your start in design?

Well, I've been drawing almost my entire life so I started out in the direction of fine art. Then when I was in community college, I had to take a couple of graphic communication courses. I realized that I actually enjoyed doing this sort of work and that it would lead to consistent, full time work. I didn't want to become a starving artist so I switched majors.



You are probably one of the most popular designers on Threadless. How does it feel to know you've got a t-shirt fan base?

Ha! I don't know if I'm that popular – but knowing that people out there besides my Mom are wearing my designs is a pretty awesome feeling! I truly believe that I am living the American dream: an apartment all to myself, fish as pets and the opportunity to design t-shirts for US dollars.

I also like the use of the words "fan base". It's like Mel from Flight of the Conchords. All you really need is one person, but if you call them a "fan base" it sounds like you actually have a huge crowd following you. I might start using that!



Has your style developed drastically from one thing to another over time, or have you always been stylized and detail-oriented?

Honestly, I used to not really have much of a style. I'd just draw things as realistically as I could. In college I heard that if someone wanted to become an illustrator they should have one style so they could market themselves. When I joined Threadless I tried to hone in on my "style" a bit more.



Even in just the past couple of years I think it has evolved a little bit, but it's still probably recognizable to people who know me, if that makes sense. I'd like to continue to try out new things and push myself artistically. In a couple more years I'm sure my illustrations will look different than they do now – hopefully they'll be better and not worse!

What has been your favorite Threadless "Loves Challenge" of all time and why was it so awesome?

Oh man, that's a toughie. Of course, I really liked the Owen Loves competition because I won it and received a ton of amazing music prizes. I'd be lying if I didn't say that Loves Challenge has a special place in my heart. I also really enjoyed the Travel Loves challenge because there were so many ways to interpret the theme.

With some of the challenges, it seems that designers take the theme title too literally and you end up voting on many designs that are very similar conceptually. However, with challenges like Travel Loves there was a broader spectrum of submissions. The theme also lent itself to illustrations that are more endearing which is always nice to see.

So far, what has your favorite client to work for been?

So far, I think one of my favorites might be the Dave Matthews Band. I worked with them through Red Star Merch, who initially approached me. It was sort of a surreal experience. When I received the email asking if I wanted to do a design for them, I thought it was a joke or somebody weird who was trying to get bootlegged DMB designs. I know the latter hardly makes sense, but at the time it seemed more logical than having a really famous band ask me to do designs for their summer tour.

One of the most fun things about that experience was that my sister, my friend and I actually got to see them play. It was so cool to see my designs for sale at the merch tables and to see people buying them! There were also shirt designs by some other Threadless designers – arzie13, danrule and Flying Mouse. Threadless was pretty much taking over the show!

Do you prefer client work or work for places like Threadless where the general public gets to decide which of your pieces they like?

I will always have a soft spot for Threadless. Of all places and clients, I think I enjoy designing and submitting to Threadless the most. It's such a great place to be able to get feedback on designs, and you really can't beat the community aspect either. Threadless bloggers are the best and you can't get a better client than them!



What is your favorite subject material and why do you draw it? Is it because it's your favorite, or is it because you find that it comes most naturally to you?

I tend to draw more natural elements whether it be flora or fauna. I think I tend to draw it more because of where I live. It's something I get to see everyday so it's probably ingrained in my mind more than other things. Also, I really enjoy drawing things with a sea influence.

For a lot of my life, my family has done activities or had jobs on the ocean. Hearing about it and being around it means that I can't help but illustrate it. I think drawing things like the sea, trees, deer, etc. is comforting to me because there are a lot of good memories associated with that subject matter.



Which dinosaur is better: Stegosaurus or Velociraptor?

Velociraptor, hands down. A velociraptor could eat a stegosaurus for a midnight snack and still be hungry because they are that much more awesome. If Jurassic Park tells us anything, it's that you should fear the mighty velociraptor and that you can possibly hide from them behind a steel cabinet.

Do you have anything you'd like to add?

...and that's why you always leave a note.

Thanks for chatting!

Interview by Rachel Gottesman

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