We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Linnea Stevens. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Linnea below.

Linnea, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

Some of my earliest memories involve my mom reading bedtime stories to me and my siblings. Even before I could read, I would just stare at the pictures. Most of my childhood drawings are contained to the bottom half of the paper, because I was planning to add text later (though often didn’t.) I was always fascinated with the word “illustrator,” and knew that I wanted to create art that tells stories.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

Hi! My name is Linnea (Lih-NAY-uh) Stevens (She/Her). I’m an artist, illustrator, and educator living in Ohio. My main medium these days is digital illustration (Procreate on iPad pro), but I love working with a variety of two-dimensional media including watercolor, pens, marker, and colored pencil. My main inspirations come from vintage comics, children’s books, animated films, and pin-up art. In the past I have done portrait comissions, character design, and book illustration. I recently tabeled at my first Comic-Con and will be tabeling at other events in the next year.

Professionally, I’m working full-time as a graphic designer and creative marketing director for an educational art studio/gallery. I also have my MA in art history (Ohio University ’22), and am an adjunct professor. I teach general art history, history of comics, and history of illustration at the university level

For me, I see my experiences as an artist and an art historian as inseparable. I use my historical knowledge to inform my practice, and can find inspiration from any time or place in unexpected ways.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Figure drawing classes! When it comes to learning anatomy, there is no substitute for drawing a live nude model. Drawing from photos, though helpful, can cause you to be tighter and less expressive. Clothed models can cause you to segment the body artificially. But a live nude model allows you to be more spontaneous and expressive with your gestures, and to see the human body as a singular form. I didn’t have access to this resource until AFTER I had graduated with a BA in Studio Art. The growth that my anatomy skills had in just one year of weekly sessions was exponential.

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

Don’t take us for granted. There’s so much misconception about how “useless” an art degree is, but think about it: who made the graphic on your t-shirt? Who illustrated that book you read to your kids last night? Who designed the floral pattern on your shower curtain? Art isn’t just what is in art galleries; design and creativity are everywhere. Also, commission artists – say no to AI generated imagery!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @artnessbylinnea
• Facebook: @artnessbylinnea

Image Credits
all images are mine