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Vancouver is an amazing city, chockfull of creative talent. WE ARE VANCVR is a simple, elegant way to showcase all that talent in one place. Every Tuesday we profile one individual from the VANCVR community. |
We're always amazed at the breadth of talent that shows up every day on VANCVR.com, but when Kirsti Wakelin added herself a few weeks ago we spent ages drooling over her whimsical illos—which have appeared in all manner of books, magazines and displays in Vancouver and well beyond. Check out her work and scroll down to read why she likes being a creative in Vancouver.
What do you do?
• I do draw, a lot (commercial illustration & book illustration).
• I do design exhibitions (with Resolve Design).
• I do indulge spectacularly in diversions.
Why do you love being a creative in Vancouver?
I enjoy all the typical inspiring urban offerings in Vancouver, and really appreciate that there are creative businesses and people doing very interesting things here, but Vancouver is extra special to me—and this is going to sound really weird—for the smell. Except for some very notable exceptions (we know who you are, rendering plant), there are parts of Vancouver that smell amazing, all thanks to its fantastic location and collection of green leafy neighbourhoods (which I hope we don't lose).
When I get stuck on a tough bit in a project, I can walk out the door and go out into the forest and the answers always seem to be there. The forest around the city smells incredible, especially when it's raining. For some reason smell and creativity/inspiration are really strongly linked for me. As much as I enjoy big, urban centres stuffed with culture, there's nothing quite like that slightly rank, briny spice blowing in off the ocean, or the deep green clean forest dampness to spur me to do something.
How would you love to collaborate with other local creatives?
I've enjoyed working on illustration projects with creative businesses like lighting designers, fabricators and experiential design firms. Each job is so different and none of them have been typical print-as-end-product situations, so I've learned something new each time, both about my process and theirs. That's a lot of fun and I'd like to continue on that path.
How can people reach you?
I have a healthy little collection of email addresses, there are one or two on my website(s): www.kirstiwakelin.com and www.mysecretelephant.com
