We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Evelyn McBride a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Evelyn, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
I first knew I wanted to pursue a creative career during my last year of high school. Up to that point, I never really heard of graphic design or any other creative fields before taking a digital arts class my senior year. I also never really had anyone around me growing up in a creative field so being introduced to the world of art and design was eye-opening. I loved learning about different programs such as Photoshop and Illustrator and seeing what I could make with those.
My high school also held a chalk art event towards the end of the year where students could submit proposals for chalk art around the school. I was incredibly anxious about submitting artwork for it but my then girlfriend and my now wife, really encouraged me to try it. I remember being overjoyed when my artwork got picked and years later, I’m still feeling that feeling every time I get the opportunity to paint or to see my designs out and about. I can’t really imagine myself in any other career path.
Evelyn, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I’m a graphic designer & muralist living and creating in Columbus, OH. I graduated from the Columbus College of Art & Design in 2021 and currently work as a graphic designer for higher education while also painting murals around the Central Ohio area. I painted my first mural in the fall of 2022 and immediately fell in love with the medium. Since then, I’ve been participating in public art festivals and working with local businesses to create vibrant, graphic-like murals with positive messaging.
In both design and in painting, my favorite aspect is being able to bring visibility to important issues and community efforts. As an LGBTQ+ creative, some of my favorite projects that I’ve had the privilege of working on have been centered around pride and representation of queer joy. From painting the windows of one of the last remaining lesbian bars in the country to designing t-shirts worn in the pride parade, I feel privileged to be able to create the kind of work that I’d like to see more of in the world.
I also greatly enjoy volunteering with local art nonprofits such as the Columbus Society of Communicating Arts (CSCA) and 934 Gallery. There’s so many amazing organizations and events that focus on art in Columbus that it’s been relatively easy to find community and peers that inspire me to keep creating my best work possible.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspect of my work is seeing how the public connects and resonates with the work. Some of my fondest memories while live-painting murals have been from onlookers who see themselves represented in a mural or share a story about what it means to them. Design-wise, it’s always incredible to hear how successful an event or a fundraising effort is after helping design the promotional material for it. It’s an awesome feeling when your creative work helps even a little bit to do some good.
Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?
I think the most important resource we can have as creatives is community. It was really difficult to connect with other creatives during my time at college with everything being remote but getting involved in local events and organizations that last year or two has really helped me break out of my shell and meet a lot of amazing people. I wish I made more of an effort while studying to find ways to get involved because being around people that are also passionate about art and design is such a great way to learn and grow as a creative. 
Contact Info:
- Website: https://evelyn.portfolio.site/
- Instagram: @evelynagainagain
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evelynmcbride404/
Image Credits
Vincent-Natasha Gay