Describe your illustration style in ten words or less.
Vibrant colours, rich textures, whimsical movement, and diverse techniques.
What items are an essential part of your creative space?
My iPad Pro 11 inch, Procreate, and my MacBook are my essential tools.
Do you have a favorite artistic medium?
Do you have a favorite artistic medium?
Digital art has been my go-to since I taught myself back in 2005. Before that, during art school, watercolour was my favourite. I still try to revisit watercolour and experiment with gouache when I can.
Name three artists whose work inspires you.
Name three artists whose work inspires you.
Contemporary illustrators who inspire me are Loish, GDBeeArt, CatCoq, and Max Ulichney, Denis Zilber and Charles Santore.
I also love diving into the history of renowned illustrators like Norman Rockwell, N.C. Wyeth, and Maxfield Parrish.
Which artistic period would you most like to visit and why?
The Impressionist period. I’d love to see the brushwork techniques used by Monet, Van Gogh, Mary Cassatt, Degas, and Renoir in action.
Children’s books really inspired me to become an illustrator. I enjoy the idea of bringing a story to life through imagery.
Can you share a photo of your creative work space or part of the area where you work most often? Talk us through it.
My workspace is always evolving and, honestly, a bit messy, lol. I use my guest bedroom as my art studio. A few years ago, I redecorated my home and went bold using black for my main interior colour, which really reflects more of my style.
Can you share a photo of your creative work space or part of the area where you work most often? Talk us through it.
My workspace is always evolving and, honestly, a bit messy, lol. I use my guest bedroom as my art studio. A few years ago, I redecorated my home and went bold using black for my main interior colour, which really reflects more of my style.
My space is organized into sections: my desktop/computer area for editing, admin tasks, and website coding; my silhouette machine sits on the right of my desk, with my Epson printer and thermal printer on the left, along with my camera and art books.
I’m a big DIYer, so my desk is an old IKEA desktop converted into a standing desk with adjustable legs by IKEA as well. Next to the black door and closet, I have my order packing station for my Shopify and Etsy shops. My Epson Eco-Tank for printing stickers and branding materials sits at the end of my IKEA trestle desk.
To maximize space, I moved my MCM dresser into the closet for art supply storage. Under the large window, I have another IKEA drawer unit for supplies and art prints I sell.
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What is your favourite part of the illustration process?
The initial sketch phase, then blocking in colours and adding different textures with various blend modes.
What advice would you give to an aspiring illustrator?
Definitely focus on creating work that you are passionate about. I also highly recommend that aspiring illustrators prioritize learning about the business and marketing aspects of art, including topics such as contracts, taxes, self-promotion, networking, identifying target audiences, and developing scalable high-ticket services. Additionally, it's crucial to prioritize maintaining a balance between mental and physical wellness to prevent burnout.
What advice would you give to an aspiring illustrator?
Definitely focus on creating work that you are passionate about. I also highly recommend that aspiring illustrators prioritize learning about the business and marketing aspects of art, including topics such as contracts, taxes, self-promotion, networking, identifying target audiences, and developing scalable high-ticket services. Additionally, it's crucial to prioritize maintaining a balance between mental and physical wellness to prevent burnout.
Gigi Moore, owner of MoGigi™ in Virginia, is an illustrator and designer known for illustrating Hear My Prayer by Lee Bennett Hopkins. She studied at Moore College of Art & Design and ECPI University. Gigi creates captivating illustrations, celebrating diverse imagery, especially women of colour. She enjoys drawing while listening to music.
For more information please visit Gigi's website or follow her on instagram.
