HEDY MAG ISSUE 1

I teach a great class in the Illustration MFA program
at FIT in NYC where I get to bring in interesting
speakers who talk about side projects
leading to career shifts. Last year I brought in
Andy Rementer, a fellow Philadelphian, and on
the ride home he introduced me to the cafe car
on Amtrak. I had always sat in the regular cars
on my commutes to NYC and back. It was more
fun to sit at a table and draw together. So now
I always sit in the cafe car with a snack and a
glass of wine, a sketchbook and markers. I pick
a theme in NYC and try to fill the page before I
get to Philadelphia. The short trip forces one to
not think too much which for me dooms a piece
of art. I have dreams of bringing together Philly
and NYC artists to take over the cafe car, but I
haven’t quite figured out the logistics yet.
Do you have a dream project or is there a dream
project in the works?
Well this summer I get to fill the lobby area of the
Wieden + Kennedy ad agency with my art and
it’s pretty much a dream. Murals, installations,
sketchbooks galore! It’s a super cool space and
there isn’t the pressure of selling art for a gallerist
or being fine arty. I get to be me. It’s intimidating
and exciting at the same time. These are good
things. AND I am doing all the illustrations for a
new book by the Jealous Curator! I am having a
pinch myself year.
What’s the most indispensable item in your
studio? My studio-mates.: Andrea Cipriani
Mecchi, Matt Curtius and Gina Triplett. In your
fridge? grapefruits. In your pantry? Wine and
bourbon. In your wardrobe? Jeans and tees!
What’s the last artwork you purchased?
I just bought a print by Eugenia Loli and I commissioned
a friend’s nephew to draw a portrait
of my cat.
Would you share with us a recipe against procrastination?
Get off the computer and tell yourself you will
draw for only 5 minutes. I read this tip while on
the computer (ha), but it works as you usually
keep going and before you know it you are working
on something cool.
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HEDY