Today's motivation is brought to you by graphic designer mom, Beckie Reilly. She gathers inspiration from a variety of sources and turns brown bags into surprise works of art for her son. You can see more of Beckie's lunch bags on Instagram.
Tell me a little bit about your background... Who you are; what made you interested in art?
I have lived in the northern panhandle of West Virginia my entire life. I have been a graphic designer for over 15 years and currently work for a photographer, specializing in photo manipulation. My son, Cole, is 12 years old.
I have been interested in art as long as I can remember. If I wasn't drawing, I had a camera in my hand.
Who are your current art inspirations and how do they affect your artistic process?
I have always been inspired by such a wide range of artistic styles, from Dr. Suess to Francis Bacon. I am fascinated with typography. When I'm trying to come up with ideas for the lunch bags, I like to try and include text.
Why do you prefer to work on paper bags?
I like the challenge of creating something simple (almost) every day. There's no real commitment (other than my son expecting them!). It gives me a chance to practice and develop my drawing without a lot of pressure.
What are your thoughts on the art community in your area?
I'm not involved with much in my immediate area, so I can't really say what's out there. It's a small town, so programs may be limited. I do live within an hour of Pittsburgh, PA, and there's always interesting galleries and exhibits to visit there.
How did your children change your life, both personally/professionally and as an artist?
Having kids gives you a different perspective. Once Cole was born, my creativity shifted toward helping him to learn and grow. We are each other's biggest fans and I wouldn't have it any other way.
How have they been involved in your art?
The lunch bags are inspired by movies that we watch, sports, Cole's favorite athletes, cartoons, etc., so he is a constant inspiration. When I started creating them I would try and find important events that happened on that particular day in history. Some days I still do that when I think it will spark his interest. He makes requests every now and then, but I prefer to surprise him with the subject. He never knows what's coming.
How has your background as an artist affected your kids? Do you think having an artist mom helps inspire their creativity?
My son is very creative, but in ways that I am not. He will sit and draw out blueprints for a tree house or fort but rarely sits and just doodles. That balances out well when we work on projects together.
I would like to thank Beckie for taking the time to participate in this interview. More importantly, I would like to thank her for using her artistic talents to make a difference in her son's life. Don't forget to show Beckie some love on Instagram.
Is there a parent who is an artist you know who could provide us some Monday motivation? If so, please send their name and a link to their work (or social media account) to LunchNoteSketch@gmail.com, or tag them in any Monday motivation post on any of the Lunch Note Sketch social media pages. I would love to feature him/her.