Illustrator Stacy Moffatt talks to RAW about her eclectic and whimsical work. Be sure to RSVP for the next Long Beach showcase to see them on display at the Maya Hotel on Thursday, August 26th! 

Tell us about yourself. 
I am a normal kid from the gorgeous bubble of a suburb city surrounding Los Angeles. My parents are my heroes, mentors, and best friends. I have always been kind of a nerd, but I feel like I play it off well. In the eighth grade, I sat my parents down and told them that I was going to become an illustrator, to this day I am embarking on that journey, and so it really does feel like everyday I am living the dream.

How would you describe your aesthetic?
Whimsical. A cross between child-like perception, and modern lowbrow iconography. I love bright, saturated colors, and incorporating a million little things into an overall composition. I like busy. I hope that every time you come back to look at my art you find something new.

From where you do you draw inspiration for your work?
I draw inspiration for my work from everywhere, although I am sure most artists say that. Probably, a leading aesthetic that particularly lights my fire is anything vintage. I love old things, with a story, and a little character, not so fresh, and clean and germ free as everything is now. Something you’re not afraid to touch because you don’t want to ruin it. I like aged, and sentimental. And, the old stuff is usually pretty socially wrong and that too makes me laugh. It is incredible to see how much our culture and society changes, even now, daily;  the social constraints on say, a woman in 1960, versus women now. It makes me tremendously grateful for the here and now, and thankful that I can gather from the past and let it inspire the future. I love good stories.

Do you engage in or draw from any other forms of art?
I draw inspiration from movies. Animated movies are the best. The character design coming out of Pixar, and Dream Works, and Illumination Entertainment are so amazing. I am in love with the worlds they create - so stylized, yet so believable. I am also a huge fan of the slice of life stories from pod casts like this American life and the Moth. They get my brain excited about aspects of the whole world I never consider in my everyday experiences. It opens me up for new and exciting avenues, while also making me more able to relate and understand things I would otherwise have just no idea about.

Artistic influences?
Norman Rockwell, JC Leyendecker, Bernie Fuchs, Ben Jaroslaw, Jack Potter, Joe Grant, Annette Mangseth, Samantha Battersby, Peter De Seve, Rick Reese, Sylvia Ji, Renee Kurilla, Caitlin McGauley, Olivia De Berardinis, Angelique Houtkamp, Kathe Kollwitz, Alphonse Mucha, Norman “Sailor Jerry” Collins, Brenda Dunn, Ron Burgendy, Pieter Bruegel, Robin Glasser, Leo Hartas, Jason Dreamer, Jason Cruz, Carter Goodrichand the list goes on and on. I love 1900-1970’s illustrated advertisements, especially for cars and fruit crates. Love pin-up and Betty Page inspired anything, especially burlesque. Love refurbished Shasta Trailers, and painted desserts. Love pinstripes, and day of the dead, and old Chinese wallpaper.

Why showcase with RAW?
RAW is the most crazy awesome opportunity. I cannot believe they decided to showcase me! The caliber of their featured artists are quality, and when I submitted I literally thought, if I never try, it will never happen. I love their love and understanding about how crucial art is, in all art forms, and the impact it has on everyone. Art is needed. Art is a voice, and the arts are love. It is the moment, it is alive. Raw gets that, and they offer such a fun, and viable way to be heard, seen, and enjoyed. I am super stoked and incredibly grateful to be featured with RAW, what they do inspires me.

When you aren’t busy making art, how do you enjoy spending your free time?
Outside of the studio I love camping, playing on the lake, traveling, going off-roading, eating Baja Fish Tacos, checking out car shows, and whisking away to visit family and friends. They ground me and keep me sane, well most of the time. Just being social is a wonderful thing because of my hermit tendencies.

Any current rising stars within the genre that you would recommend we keep our eyes out for?
Check out these rising stars: Ashleymarie Sey, Walter Mancia, Robin Watts, Ian Paul Montelongo, and Jennifer Cotterill. All super amazing at what they do, and stylistically completely different.