John Holcomb

John Holcomb grew up in Kansas and still works there today. His roots from the heartland feed into his quirky illustrations, like his United Plates series that features every state’s shape as food. He is currently working on his US Presidents series, where he contrasts a different distinguished leader with playful watercolors each week. Enjoy John’s unconventional take on Americana and 10 ANSWERS below.

1. How would you describe your work in three words?
Not-so-serious, subtly conceptual, me.

2. Who is your creative role model?
I am heavily inspired by post-Impressionists such as Van Gogh, Toulouse-Lautrec, Gaugin and Matisse. I’m also inspired by mid-20th century artists such as Charley Harper and a small number of modern illustrators.

3. If you had an extra hour each day what would you do with it?
I would definitely turn that hour into more down time. I’d listen to more vinyls, watch more sports or movies, read more books, etc. It’s good for business to be busy all the time; it’s a better environment for making great art to have time to do other things.

4. What place in the world most inspires you and why?
It has to be where I am right now – which is the Kansas plains. I create everything here and find new inspirations in the same old day-to-day routine. My small town, farming community life inspires like no big city ever could.

5. If you could do a different job for a day what would it be and why?
I’d love to play for the Kansas City Chiefs but after I took one hit I can already hear my bones crunching and see me lying lifeless on the turf. The trainer hovers over me and says “John! John! It’s just a sprained pinkie finger. Get up and get off the field!” I’d stay immobile and request the stretcher. I’d retire the next day with no fanfare and return to creating art. I’d love to create art for the Chiefs… now that sounds like a more realistic “What if” scenario!

6. What is your favorite homemade gift to give?
I love giving year-end mixes of my favorite songs from that year to my friends. I go way overboard and spend too much time making art and building packages. It’s a great way to keep track of the year-to-year progression of my musical tastes. The yearly Christmas card is also a fun project. I just wrapped up this year’s card.

7. What is your favorite object in your home?
My vintage rocking chair. I’ve sat on it since I was two. In it I listen to music, watch the Chiefs, the Jayhawks, the Royals, movies, sketch, talk about today and the future with my wife.

8. What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
Don’t ever give up!

I was told that in college, it fell on deaf ears. “Why would I give up? A career in art sounds awesome!” says a younger me. I was told that again a couple years later, I started to get it. “Wow this takes unending self-promotion, super long days and unnumbered rejections.” Now 3 years into this artist-full-time life and I’m only starting to fully realize how true that advice is. It’s easier to stop, but it’s more rewarding to move ahead. Patience and perseverance really do pay off.

9. What websites do you use for inspiration?
Grain Edit – though it’s been hit and more miss recently.
Booooooom – how many o’s?

Websites of  various go to illustrators, past or present, I know will always inspire me. I also look read a lot of actual printed books on illustration and art.

I honestly don’t view a lot of “inspiration” sites. The Internet is a great tool I try to use sparingly. Too much inspiration searching splinters the portfolio and weakens the product. Time alone is the best inspiration for me.

10. When do you consider a piece of your work complete?
Honestly this is the hardest thing for me to do. I always think I can do something better because when I stop thinking I can create something better my ego has become so large I’m no longer an effective artist or a decent human being. Since there’s always room for growth the best answer for commercial/editorial work is “I know a piece is complete when I see it printed” and for personal art “Never.” I just stop working on it forever.