Name, Location, Occupation
Erin Gleeson
The Forest Feast
San Francisco Bay Area
Food Photographer/Illustrator/Cookbook Author
Please describe your workspace:
I work from home in a cabin in the woods. I do all my shooting outdoors, but I have a little separate building that I use as a studio and that's where I paint and do all my photo editing.
What are you working on right now?
My first cookbook, The Forest Feast, just came out, so I have been having fun sharing it! I have also been working on a line of paper products and stationery that will come out next year with items like a box of watercolor prints, a meal planner for your fridge and a pad of paper placemats for dinner parties. They all feature watercolors and photos from the book and are very whimsical and colorful. I also blog regularly and post recipes and artwork on The Forest Feast.
What has been your most rewarding project to date?
My cookbook, The Forest Feast, definitely. It was such a dream project! I had this vision for a book that would be part art book, part cookbook, displaying recipes visually with minimal text, and incorporating a blend of watercolors, photography and lettering. I was so excited to get a chance to create it and am really happy with the way it came out.
Who are you inspired by?
Kayoko + Yoko, founders of Umami Mart
Illustrator Anna Rifle Bond
Illustrator and author Samantha Hahn
Cookbook author Mark Bittman
Blogger Grace Bonney of Design Sponge
The guys behind Sweet Paul Magazine
Has there been a defining moment or turning point when you realized what you wanted to do for a living?
Since I was little, I have always been interested in art. But in college, I decided I wanted to be a photographer, and that's why I moved to New York right after school. But it took leaving New York and starting over in a cabin in the woods in California to come up with this idea for The Forest Feast blog and cookbook which has taken my career in a whole new exciting direction.
What do you think is the most difficult aspect of your work?
The business and marketing side of things- invoicing, networking, building clientele.
What are you reading at the moment?
I am really enjoying the book Provence, 1970 right now. Plus I always have Bon Appetit, Vogue and the NY Times "T" Style magazine close by.
What websites do you visit for inspiration?
Mimi Thorrison/ Manger (food blog in France)
Illustration and fashion blog Garance Dore
Cannelle et Vanille (Food photography/recipes)
Mrs. Lilien
and of course Instagram and Pinterest!
What are your simplest daily pleasures?
Toast and coffee in the morning. Cheese, fruit and wine in the evening.
Where do you see yourself in ten years?
Good question! I would love to do more cookbooks, more design based textile projects and perhaps even a clothing line using my photography and illustration printed on fabric.
