You may remember Sara Olsher from Stinkerpants Designs from our recent blog post Pissed off with good graphic design. She’s a brilliant artist with a great gift, and I had the pleasure of interviewing her!
Tell us a bit about the work that you do.
I illustrate completely custom artwork that tells a story about the couple getting married–their engagement story, their favorite activities, or their love of their pets. The artwork is then incorporated into Save the Dates, wedding invitations, thank you cards, or a large piece of artwork to display at the event and then hang in your home. These drawings really add something personal and unique to a wedding. They’re fun, kind of silly, and really represent the one-of-a-kind relationship shared by the couple.
What do you love about what you do?
I LOVE what I do. I get to talk to so many different people and hear about their lives together. Sometimes people come to me with a vision of what they’d like me to draw, but sometimes they have no idea–so we brainstorm and come up with something perfect for them. My clients usually have a good sense of humor, too, so working with them is fun–I really feel lucky to have such great clients! I also love being able to produce something that gets people really excited. Hearing from clients after their guests have seen what we came up with, is great too–they always have such nice things to say!
How did you get into doing what you do?
I started planning my wedding in mid-2007, and wanted it to reflect the wonderful relationship that I have with my partner. I drew our Save the Dates first, and then did a drawing for each table (this ended up to be 18 drawings! It was SO MUCH WORK!). When I shared my Save the Dates on my local knot.com discussion board, people loved them–and several asked me to do a drawing for them! I really knew I was on to something at our wedding–our guests loved the drawings.
What do you wear when you’re doing what you do?
Hehehe, I like this question! Despite the fact that I work from home, I get fully dressed every day. I just don’t feel like I’m ready to start working if I don’t dress for work! Although, every day IS casual Friday, I must admit. I basically live in my jeans! ;)
Are there any special products you offer?
One of the more unique options I offer (in addition to invitations, Save the Dates and thank you cards) is called an Event Theme. Instead of purchasing a printed product, couples can purchase the rights to reproduce the illustration–put it on programs, water bottles, out of town bags, and anything else they can think to stick it on. These drawings are usually in circles and squares so they can be easily incorporated into the designs of various paper products. (See images below!)
If you have worked at a gay wedding, what is one thing you had to change your assumptions about?
I have done drawings for gay couples before, and I can honestly tell you that I didn’t have any assumptions that I needed to change. Gay people are people, just like everyone else– although generally they have political and ethical beliefs in line with my own, which is always nice. ;) I really enjoy doing gay weddings specifically because it makes me very happy to see, state by state, that our country is legalizing gay marriage. I am also very happy every time I see a gay couple in my home state of California choosing to tie the knot in spite of Prop 8. A commitment ceremony or civil union isn’t called marriage just yet, but love is love. :) We’ll get there.
Do you have a favorite “moment” that happens while you’re doing your job?
Definitely. There’s a certain point in every drawing when something clicks–a sparkle I draw on a wine glass or a dog with his tongue hanging out–and I suddenly think, “OMG! This is going to be SO CUTE!”
Rave and sample time!
“We sent out the invites a couple days ago and we’ve been getting SO MUCH awesome feedback on them…my friends have called me up and told me that they made them so happy….and of course everyone loves the cats. My mom’s friends have called her and told her that they normally like more traditional things but they love these. Thank you so so so much!!”
“Thanks again for everything!! It was a fun experience for me, and I loved the finished product! I can’t stop looking at it. =) You really helped me to get started on my wedding planning and it makes me happy knowing that I will be able to share such a personalized “theme” with my family and friends.”
Thank you so much, guys!
[...] soyoureengayged.com. Awhile ago, she sent an email out to all of So You’re Engayged’s Featured Vendors, letting us know that they’d have a booth at Pride this year, and inviting us to send [...]