Creative Q&A: Erin Gleeson

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. 

Creative Q&A: Ruthie Lindsey

Name, Location, Occupation
Ruthie Lindsey
Nashville TN
Decorator, Stylist, Designer
 

Please describe your workspace:
It depends on the day. A lot of times its in my car shopping for clients, or i will set up shop at my favorite coffee shop Barista Parlor. I've learned that I don't work great from home because I get too distracted by a lot of other things that need to be done around my house.
 

What are you working on right now?
This week I am hosting an event for Free People with Beth Kirby of Local Milk in my back yard. We are doing dinner for them and the amazing band 'Sugar and the Hi Lows' are playing a set. I'm so excited about it! I'm also in the middle of a project for Mikky Ekko. I'm decorating his loft

What has been your most rewarding project to date?
Getting to speak at Creative Mornings a few months ago was such an honor and so rewarding. I feel like my purpose in life is to share the message that you can live a really beautiful like in the midst of trauma and brokenness.

Who are you inspired by?
I'm so inspired by my friends here in Nashville. I feel like I am surrounded by the most incredible artistic and inspirational people that inspire me everyday. I learn so much from watching this community grow, work hard, and do really incredible work.

Has there been a defining moment or turning point when you realized what you wanted to do for a living?
Yes. I didn't know I was creative until a few years ago (I explain that coming to that realization on my website) and after a 10 year relationship ended last year I realized I needed to figure out how to pay my bills so I honestly trusted other peoples words that I was creative and talented and just started offering my services... it's been so humbling to see all the amazing opportunities that have come! I started my business out of necessity but now I feel like I am getting to do what I was created for! I'm so so thankful.

What do you think is the most difficult aspect of your work?
Learning to value my time, I love the work so it's really easy for me to do loads of work for free, but learning to honor my time and my skills and charging accordingly. It's really hard and I pretty much stink at it.

What are you reading at the moment?
I go through seasons where I will devour an insane amount of books in a extremely short amount of time and then other times when I won't pick up a book for months on end. I'm in the latter of the two season right now. My next book to finish will be Pat Conroys last book 'The Death of Santini'. His writing is my favorite!
 

What websites do you visit for inspiration?
Pinterest.
 

What are your simplest daily pleasures?
Spending time with my incredible community.
 

What are your simplest daily pleasures?
Spending time with my incredible community.


Where do you see yourself in ten years?
I have no clue, if I've learned anything this past year or two, is life can change on a dime, and it's great to have goals and ideas for our future but so much of it is out of our hands. I try to remember to just take everyday as a gift and remain open to whatever the future brings.

Creative Q&A: Gillian Stevens

Name, Location, Occupation
Gillian Stevens
Vancouver, BC
Lifestyle Photographer


Please describe your workspace:
Most of the time I work from home, which is in an older apartment close to the beach. It’s quite charming, with lots of natural light. Lately I have been setting up my laptop in the kitchen. We have a large table, a repurposed drafting desk that fits nicely into the corner of the room. I love being able to spread my work over a large surface – plus it has a nice view of the lane beside our apartment (It gets a lot of funny activity throughout the day which makes for good people watching!).
 

What are you working on right now?
I’ve just begun my wedding season for this year, so I’ve been steadily working on photos from those days as well as lots of portrait sessions in between. I am also working on a rebrand right now which I am really excited about.
 

What has been your most rewarding project to date? 
Last year a good friend and I ran a blog called Part & Parcel. It was a little bit of everything and I loved being part of something so collaborative and inspiring. We connected with some incredibly talented local shop owners, artisans, artists and creative individuals and I grew a new appreciation for the city I live in. I think the reason I am so fond of that time in my life is because I was just coming into my own as a photographer – figuring out what I liked and developing my skills. I grew a lot as an artist.
 

Who are you inspired by?
My current inspirations are my husband Mark Stevens, shop owners Leighann Boquist, Janaki Larsen, Jacquelyn & Sarah Klassen, designers Steven Alan and Ace & Jig, as well as C.S. Lewis and Wes Anderson.
 

Has there been a defining moment or turning point when you realized what you wanted to do for a living?
I have loved taking pictures for as long as I can remember. I started working as a photographer about two years ago but I don’t think it was until this past January that I knew for certain that it was something I wanted to pursue whole-heartedly. I was just about to start my final semester of university and feeling the anxiety that comes along with graduation, and after a lot of reflection it was quite clear that I needed to take my own business further. After making that decision, I haven’t looked back once.


What do you think is the most difficult aspect of your work?
At times I can be my own worst critic. I tend to look ahead and think of all the things I can improve on instead of taking one day at a time and being proud of what I’ve created. I’m slowly learning to appreciate the process.What are you reading at the moment?
A lot of travel guides, blogs, and lonely planet in preparation for a trip to Europe this fall! My husband and I are spending a few weeks in England and France, and it’s been really fun bookmarking all the things we want to do and see!


What websites do you visit for inspiration?
I actually read a lot of food blogs. I get inspired to try different recipes and I love experimenting in the kitchen. And of course, Pinterest.

What are your simplest daily pleasures?
Lately my husband and I have been waking up for an early morning run by the ocean. It’s so quiet and beautiful, and the view takes my breath away the whole time. We get home early enough to enjoy a nice breakfast and coffee together before work, it’s been such a treat.


Where do you see yourself in ten years?
Hopefully with a few kids, enjoying life as a family and doing something that I love that lets me use my creativity daily.