Julia Rothman’s illustrations can be found on almost any surface: from wallpapers, bedding, and fabric to billboards, subway posters, towels, and even the occasional umbrella. Working from her studio in the back of her apartment in Park Slope, Brooklyn her days are very much packed.
Having authored and illustrated over ten books, she also teaches Surface Design at the School of Visual Arts in New York and runs Ladies Drawing Night, a female-only drink and draw, with Leah Goren and Rachael Cole. She also co-founded Women Who Draw, an open directory of female professional illustrators, artists, and cartoonists which was created in an effort to increase the visibility of female illustrators.
And much like her everyday life, her illustrations are also crammed, illustrated in a loose, somewhat wobbly style, and packed with details. Evoking a sense of nostalgia, her crowded illustrations don’t shy away from the imperfect, making for a playful effect.
“My personal art is much less restricted than when I am working for clients,” said Rothman in an interview with Storey. “Working for someone else can be challenging — I am trying to please them, and sometimes I am forced to make artistic decisions I might not have preferred. Other times clients make very constructive criticisms that I might not have thought of, and my piece is improved!”
And when asked about her influences she reminisced: “I grew up loving the Sweet Pickle book series. The 1970s stylized illustrations by Richard Hefter are made with lines and flat color. The characters and surroundings are so wonky. When I saw the books again recently, I realized how similar our styles are and wondered how much these might have influenced me. I have been slowly collecting the entire series again through eBay purchases and yard sales.”
Take a look at some of her playful illustrations in the gallery below.
