7Qs… A peek inside the world of Kirsten Ulve:

How would you best describe your illustration style?
Hmmm… Erté meets The Powerpuff girls at the disco on New Year’s Eve!

When did you really know you were born to illustrate?
One of my friends suggested it to me when I was about 12. I never forgot.

What training path did you follow – traditional or nontraditional?
A bit of both. I got a BFA in drawing (very traditional) and a BA in Graphic design at the University of Iowa. I also worked at the graphic design studio there, where I learned a more practical, working way to use and combine both of these skills. Over the years working as an illustrator, my style became much more refined. So actually working has been my best training.

Of all your FABULOUS characters, do you have a favorite and why?
I love the girls who look the most transported by joy, like the Trapeze girl. She has that feeling of being ecstatically in love, which is the greatest feeling ever!

What’s your creative process… how do you find inspiration?
I’m an avid mag flipper for what’s new, but inspiration is everywhere, all the time. I don’t really control where it comes from, I just go with what excites and entertains me. It’s important to keep an open mind. I keep a notebook on me to jot a quick sketch down.

What’s the best advice you could offer an aspiring fashion illustrator?
Study old pin up drawings by Gil Elvgren and George Petty for starters. Learning to draw the female form (especially hands and feet) is key. Also, try to learn natural looking and creative poses from actual models (or photos of them).

We have to ask – do you have a special fondness for PINK?
Of course! Hot pink, blush pink, metallic pink, bubblegum pink, dusted canyon rose… I love them all.

Kirsten Ulve
7Qs - Dec. 2008