6KQ: Six Kwik Questions With Jesse Kuhn, Illustrator and Designer

It’s been a while since I got around to conducting another interview for my 6KQ series, but number 4 is finally here. This time, I caught up with Jesse Kuhn, a New York based illustrator and designer who gives away free photo prints of his work every month (I was lucky enough to be a recipient) through an on-line contest.

Jesse Kuhn, Illustrator and Graphic Designer, NYC

[Note: All images used in this entry are the property of Jesse Kuhn and may not be re-used without his permission.]

1. Thank you for agreeing to spare some time from your busy schedule for this interview, Jesse. First of, what inspired you to become an illustrator?

Jesse: I think it just comes down to the very basic of idea of loving to create. The ability to take a blank space and turn it into something that others are able to connect with never gets old for me. The communication aspect is very important. The idea that we have the ability to create images that will continue to communicate long after we are gone has always been inspiring to me. Illustration tends to be a very independent process for the most part which suits me well too. Even as a kid I remember being completely self entertained. I could easily get consumed by a lego sculpture for several days (sometimes weeks) until it was ready for the grand unveiling to my family and any other random visitors. I still like that part of the process too, Mom and Dad get mailed a copy of everything that I do.

'Greetings From Mr Bird' by Raw Toast Design

2. What has been the toughest lesson to learn in all the years that you’ve been practising the art of illustration?

Jesse: Earlier on, patience and flexibility was a little tough. I’ve learned to embrace all aspects of life and illustration though; requests, revisions, difficult clients, etc. There’s always a silver lining and a lesson to be learned. Even if the client is a nightmare, get through the job professionally, take them off your mailing list, grow from it, and move on. Another tough one on the business side was taxes. Make sure you are preparing for this quarterly, especially if your income is comprised of freelancing only. The government is going to make sure they get their cut eventually, might as well prepare for it so you don’t have to buy a truck load of Prozac later.

'Meathead' by Raw Toast Design

3. How much of a role does the creative environment of NYC – where your studio is located – play in influencing your work?

Jesse: New York has been fundamental for my creative career as well as personal exploration and growth. The pulse of this city is like no other that I know of. So many resources, culture, mixes of societal class, and mountains of inspiration packed so densely onto one little island. It’s definitely not an inexpensive place to live either, which forced me to reevaluate my fees and also helped me get off the couch for more work. I suppose when more work = drawing more pictures, things could definitely be worse. I’m grateful every morning for the city I live in and the work I get to choose to do in it.

'Adrift' by Raw Toast Design

4. What is the story behind the name of your studio – Raw Toast Design?

Jesse: Raw Toast actually came about during a late night run to a casino diner many moons ago. “It” was summoned to the counter after a friend had asked for the fastest thing they had on the menu. The waitress did a quick turn, spun back around, and tossed some bread n butter in front of us. I then mumbled “RawToast?”… everyone laughed and the name sort of stuck with me after that. So a couple years later it became my stage name in the art world You could say some of the basic principles of “bread n butter” are what I try to strive for within my illustrations as well… simple, uncomplicated, conceptual, with a sweet n salty sprinkling of sarcasm.

5. From your own experiences of working while constantly on the move, do you think the notion of ‘travelling designer/artist’ can be a financially viable reality?

Jesse: Most definitely. Working virtually is so easy now. Technology keeps getting smaller and it’s sort of a challenge to go someplace that isn’t “connected” anymore. I can actually process credit cards on my phone now too. Clients don’t really question where in the world the work is coming  from, all that matters to them is that it’s on time and done well. The main thing you need to have squared away is where they need to send the check. And if you’re not going to be there, make sure someone who can cash and deposit it for you is

'Unwritten Letters' by Raw Toast Design

6. And finally, tell us a little about the contest where you give away a photo print of your work as a prize to randomly selected people every month. How do the people reading this participate in it?

Jesse: Sure, it’s quite simple. I give away a free signed 5×7 print of the winners choice each month and there is a grand prize drawing for one of my limited edition 16×20 prints at the end of the year as well. If you tweet it or post it to your blog or facebook (and send me the link) I’ll enter you twice for that month. Each month starts over, so people should enter every month if they want to be eligible for each monthly drawing. Only one entry during the year is needed for the grand prize drawing though. Blog shout outs will get you an extra entry for the grand prize too. Details are on the blog: http://tinyurl.com/ycm5zjx.

For more info on Jesse and Raw Toast Design, visit his website at www.rawtoastdesign.com.