Dan May – Illustrator

danmay@mayillustration.com
http://www.mayillustration.com
 http://www.flickr.com/photos/danmay

Growing up in Rochester, what inspired you the most to become an illustrator?

From an early age I knew that I wanted to be an artist. As a kid I had stacks of coloring books, filled with uncolored pages… I always chose to draw my own pictures on the blank inside covers. I guess you could say that I never really liked to stay in the lines! My grandfather was probably the first person in my life who introduced me to the notion of being an artist professionally. He was a graphic artist for Eastman Kodak Company, and at one point in his career he even had an opportunity to work for Disney as an animator. Looking toward college, I began to discover illustration. I remember flipping through the pages of RollingStone, admiring illustrations by Phillip Burke and Steve Brodner among others, and thinking how cool it would be to get something published one day. I think that’s pretty much the point when I realized illustration was for me.

 

How important was it for you to receive a formal education in the arts? If any?

I graduated with a degree in illustration from Syracuse University. It definitely provided me a solid foundation to build on. Just as a paintbrush is a tool for painting a picture, a good education is a tool for shaping an artist. While in school I learned a great deal on the history of illustration, improved on my technical skills, strengthened my conceptual thinking, and learned how to run the business side of things.

 

After school life can get crazier… what sorta challenges did you face after you graduated to get some sorta steady work? Was there a low point?

Shortly after graduation, I packed up and relocated to NYC. I was determined to get work and nothing was going to stop me. I sent out a postcard mailing to anyone who I thought might have interest in my work. I must have dropped off portfolios at every major magazine, publishing house, and advertising/design agency in the city. I was sure the phone would be ringing off the hook in a matter of weeks! Weeks past, and not one call came in. I quickly realized that this was not going to be an easy road. I ended up crashing on my friends couch for about 6 months, and picked up a job tending bar in order to pay the bills. It wasn’t exactly the way I had envisioned things when I was flipping through RolligStone, but I still wanted it just as bad. I slowly re-vamped my portfolio, built myself a website, started making contacts, emailed illustrators whom I admired and bounced questions off of them, and continued to send out new mailings. Eventually I started landing some jobs here and there, not enough to quit my “day job,” but enough to start building a reputation and a new body of “published” work… things snowballed from there.

 

What one thing helped you out the most in your career?

Well, I’m still at an early stage in my career, so I can’t really pinpoint one thing in particular. I feel like my career has been a series of small battles, each one presenting me with a new set of challenges. I always try to learn as much as I can from each one and take what I’ve learned onto the next…

 

What was your first real break after you graduated?

I’m not sure if I would call it a break or not, but I’ll never forget my first “real” assignment. I was asked to do a cover illustration for a weekly law journal. As my first commissioned piece, this was huge for me! I remember staying up all night working out every little detail. It was a pen and ink piece, and featured some hand written text. I sent it off the next morning and felt really good about things. A couple of days later, while looking a little closer at the piece, I noticed that I had misspelled one of the words. When it came out in print they had edited things to the best of their ability. Needless to say, I never got another call from them again! To this day I will never forget that mistake…

 

What are your methods for securing a client/job? Any guerilla tactics? All legal right?

I now have an agent working for me, which has increased my ability to gain potential clients. I still continue, however, with periodic postcard mailings. I’m also currently in the process of working up some cool promotional buttons, stickers, and prints as an extra way to get my work out there. I think the internet and simple word of mouth have been the best way of gaining new clients. Also, Flickr has been another awesome resource. It’s been a great way for my art to reach the masses.

 

Your work is fun and fantastical. What do you hope to get out of the viewer and yourself when you create an original piece?

Yeah, I have a lot of fun creating my art. My ideas are often pulled from my subconscious and brought to life on canvas. Some of these thoughts make perfect sense, while others continue to keep you guessing. I love building the mystery. I try to present a piece of the puzzle and let the viewer fill in the blanks, or continue where I left off. I get great satisfaction out of hearing the stories people come up with for each piece… they’re usually better than anything I could have come up with!

 

What sort of projects are you currently excited about?

I just wrapped up a cover illustration for a children’s fantasy novel, which should be out later this summer.  At the moment, I’m currently working on a skate deck design, and I’m also working on putting out a couple of toy’s later in the year, something I’m definitely looking forward to. Other than that, I’ve really been into my personal work, and hope to continue showing my art at various galleries in the coming months.

 

“Keep Out” and “Magnanimous Conqueror” are my favorites; is there a certain frame of mind or time of dat or music or whatever that you like to be in when creating a piece?

I’m not sure what it is, but I have always been a night owl. I’m not really an early rise. In fact, I’m sometimes still painting as others are headed off to work. I usually use the day time hours to run errands, correspond with clients, etc. I seem to be way more productive once the sun goes down, and the rest of the world goes to sleep. Music is a big part of my work. No particular type of music though… I’m all over the place when it comes to my tunes!

 

What is your favorite piece and who do you look up to from within your industry?

My favorite piece is usually the one I just completed. I always try to out-do myself each time I pick up a brush. When I look back at my work, I hope to see an evolution. I try to learn a little something from each piece. It’s definitely a growing process. As for who I look up to in the industry, I would have to say that I tend to admire anyone who is constantly pushing the envelope with their work, and sticking themselves out there for the world to see. I know that’s kind of a generic answer, but I truly think that this is a grand time in the art world. With the amount of talented artists out there, it would be unfair to name names.

 

It’s time for the question we’ve all been waiting for, any tips for those aspiring to be illustrators?

Well, considering that I’m at an early stage in my career, I don’t feel as if I can offer up a ton of advice. However, I think there are a few general things that I have learned along the way that might help those just starting out. Always deliver your work on time. There is nothing worse than missing a deadline! If you do, chances are you will never hear from that client again. Never burn bridges, jobs seem to come from the strangest places. When I was first starting out, I took on every single job that came my way, even the ones that paid little or nothing. It certainly wasn’t enough to pay the bills right out of the gate, but it was enough to keep me growing as an artist. I think it’s important to scratch and claw your way into this field. If you’re hungry enough, you’ll make it happen. For me, there just was no other way…

 

Where do you see yourself heading in the next couple years?

I try not to control things too much. As long as I’m painting, I’m happy. I wake up each day just thankful to be doing this for a living, and look forward to all that the future holds!