Abbie Renzema
Abbie Renzema creates cute kind things for cute kind people. In 2016, she began her illustration shop with the goal of creating honest, imperfect artwork with the hope of inspiring others. Her Etsy shop has since grown to become her full-time job and she regularly adds new products adorned with uplifting images created in her signature style. Whimsical and colorful with thick inky line work, Abbie creates everything from greeting cards to enamel pins and more featuring inspirational phrases and fan art for some of her favorite movie and TV moments.
Hi Abbie! Tell us about yourself - how did you get to where you are today and when did you first become interested in design and illustration?
I first became interested in design and illustration out of high school. I always wanted to be an artist but I wasn't sure what kind of artist or how to actually make a career out of it. I knew graphic design was a job that uses creativity and pursued that. When I realized I didn't much care for the corporate world, I continued exploring my interest in illustration and tried my hand at illustrating children's books. On top of that. I started making and selling stationery and realized that was the right niche for me.
I might pursue children's books again one day. I have a certificate in Graphic Design and an associate’s degree in Fine Art, although I would say most of what I do is self-taught. I'm still glad I got some formal education under my belt and part of me wishes I would've gone to full-blown art school, though I'm grateful not to have the student loans.
Designer and Artist Abbie Renzema
“Consistent effort pays off! There are a lot of great artists not making any money, and there are a lot of "mediocre" artists making lots of money.
I believe the difference is consistently making and promoting work and learning about the marketing side of art.”
How would you describe your aesthetic and how has your design style changed over time?
I would describe my art as whimsical and colorful. I like a very rough, hand drawn look with thick inky black linework. I think I've become more detailed in my work over time, although I'm not afraid of experimentation and I think it's okay if not every piece an artist makes creates a cohesive body of work. Somehow though I feel like everything I make is "me".
Are there particular themes you like to explore through your work?
Yes! I try to be encouraging, funny, and lighthearted. I like mixing text and illustration. I also like making patterns (wrapping paper!). I bounce around when it comes to themes but I'm inspired by my favorite shows and movies (I make some fan art), and also by place. I live in the desert of Las Vegas and am from Michigan so you'll find things inspired by those places in my shop.
You create beautiful and uplifting illustrations that bring joy to many. Tell us about your shop Abbie Ren Illustrations - what led you to start your shop and how has it evolved over the last few years? What are some of your favorite items to create?
I started my shop because I love making art and I wanted to find a way to make money with it! I figured out that in order to find artistic opportunity you have to put yourself out there. The last few years have been a wild ride because I had a store front downtown Las Vegas where I sold my art as well as other gift items from other artists and artisans. I closed it last year because I was doing way too much by trying to run a shop and a stationery brand. I've found I'm much happier working solo, though I'm grateful for the experience and journey. Now I'm back on top of the stationery ball again and trying to get things rolling. My sales have slowed due to much of my energy going into my shop- but I know that with continuous effort I'll be doing great again soon. My favorite items to create are still art prints and posters, but I've been loving creating stickers more as well!
Can you tell us about your amazing alphabet posters? What inspired you to create these?
It started with one. I created a California Alphabet for an art show I did in San Diego in 2017. They sold so well that I wanted to make more states! And then started varying out from there to include some of my favorite shows and movies. I plan to make more!
Tell us about your creative process - how do you move through concept to execution of an idea?
Ideas come to me all the time, I might be vacuuming or at the grocery store. I have a note on my phone of all my product ideas. Sometimes they come to fruition quickly and other times I decide not to move forward with it. I'm also trying to be more organized in my process, like making sure I have greeting cards for every occasion and things like that. But some of the things that sell best were just a random idea first.
In addition to your incredible illustration work, you also co-host the Desert Dating Diaries podcast - can you tell us more about your podcasting journey?
I started Desert Dating Diaries with my co-host Pam at the beginning of this year. Both of us were single and were talking about everything we've learned in our dating journeys. Starting a podcast about dating had been an idea I previously had but I wasn't sure who to do it with. At lunch one day Pam said, "You should start a dating Podcast! Actually, I want to do it with you!" So it was meant to be. It's been really great to have a project different from what I'm used to creatively and to collaborate with a friend. We give our personal stories, insights, advice, have guests on the show, and tell stories from other people of what it's like to date in Las Vegas. We love it!
What’s been one of the biggest career lessons you've learned so far?
Consistent effort pays off! There are a lot of great artists not making any money, and there are a lot of "mediocre" artists making lots of money. I believe the difference is consistently making and promoting work and learning about the marketing side of art.
Where do you find inspiration?
Friends, family, my dog, silly things my boyfriend says, ideas I have in the grocery store, overheard conversations, my morning coffee. My friends will say something clever then say, "That would make a good card", and then I write it down.
Do you have any favorite design resources?
Yes, Creative Market, Behance, Instagram, and Pinterest are great to see what's trendy and what people are making these days. I think it's cute to see how popular illustrated wording and art has become over the years, I don't think it was this big when I started 8 years ago. I like the Proof to Product podcast and Etsy has a podcast for their sellers that's helpful as well.
What advice would you give to designers and illustrators just starting out?
Keep Going! The more products you have, the more everything sells. You should have at least 50 greeting cards in your line and the more the merrier.
Start an email list and use it.
When you look to the future, what are you excited about and what’s up next for you?
I'm looking forward to creating all kinds of new alphabets, hopefully eventually of every state. I'm also working on making more products about ADHD and Autism. I have both and it's been amazing to learn more about it, make art around it, and create more community online with people who can relate. My biggest goal right now is to create a lot of new, current art that feels true to me and increase the number of items in my shop.
Thanks for sharing with us Abbie! To view more of Abbie’s work, follow her on Instagram and check out her Etsy shop.
Abbie was nominated by Noun Project. All images courtesy of Abbie Renzema.