Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Abigail Platter. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Abigail, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

The elusive “full time art job.”

I’ve cobbled my own full time art job by having 3 part time jobs. I work as an adjunct professor teaching my favorite subjects- drawing, painting, and illustration, I work at a church doing design, illustration, and art direction, and I’m currently earning my MFA in Illustration. I’m just paying for the last job instead of getting paid for it. ;)

I love that all of my work involves drawing and painting, yet I also get to create in other ways. I spend time writing and strategically planning in every job, so I’m always getting to flex different muscles. I feel lucky to get that experience even if my head spins because of it sometimes.

I am also always working to carve out more time to paint my own ideas. If I take time to sit and stare, great things can arise in the silence. I am a big fan of sitting and staring, and if I allow the ideas space to show up, they always do. This is an important part of all my work as well.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Drawing, painting, illustration, design- it has all been my passion since I was a kid. I majored in Illustration in 2014, and all of my favorite projects since have involved making beautiful images that have deep meaning to me.

I see my paintings as a form of writing, and my ideas are drawn from the connections I see in literature, art history, and my life experience. I have been very influenced by editorial illustration in how that kind of work is so conceptual, yet connects to an audience in a tangible way. It’s meant to be understood by the viewer. I think a lot of great fine art also does this. I am also obsessed with great book covers. They are so well designed. So, I endeavor to bring a high level of execution alongside conceptual thinking to any project I’m asked to work on.

I’m truly proud of the paintings I’ve made, many of which you can find on my website. If I was a kid looking at my work today, I would be overcome with joy. It’s such hard work, and it’s such a privilege to gain skills that you can use to express yourself at a high level. I want everyone to have the chance do to that.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

A little money, space, and/or time go so so far.

-Money. Hire us for projects. We can do a really good job!
-Space. Some of us could really use a studio space away from our homes or a place to display that makes our work look awesome and professional.
-Time. We take time to become the artist we’re supposed to be, so we might need to make weird things for awhile, and we really need you to be there for it. Stick with us. We need viewers (you!) so much!

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I wish I knew that I didn’t need all the resources. At a certain point, the only resource that will help me is me making what I want to make.

Contact Info:

• Website: abigailplatter.com
• Instagram: @abigailplatter
• Other: Pinterest: @abigailplatter email: abigail.platter@gmail.com

Image Credits
Headshot by Matt Kennelly https://www.fortvanity.com