Check Out Joan Savitt’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Joan Savitt. 

Hi Joan, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I attended St. Dominic’s School in Shaker Heights, Ohio. In fifth grade, we had an actual art teacher. She taught us how to draw people by drawing very loose ovals and circles for the trunk, hips, limbs, and head. It was as if I had been given a key – I had an idea of how to draw. I started drawing everything I could. Soon, my mom signed me up for figure drawing classes at the Cleveland Institute of Art. Those Saturday classes were the happiest times of my childhood. 

As an adult, I took drawing and watercolor painting at Mass Bay Community College in Wellesley, Massachusetts. My teacher taught our class how to draw using perspective. Another key was handed to me. My drawings started to look “real”. I started to take classes on the weekend and in the evenings at the deCordova Museum School, MassArt, and the New Art Center in Newton. In 2012 I started work on a fictionalized family memoir, “The Little Cleveland” which I both wrote and illustrated. I asked my daughter, then in the Art school at Washington University in St. Louis, if I should pursue a certificate in illustration at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston (now part of Tufts University). She said “yes”, and I signed up. I found soul mates at school. The courses, on drawing, color, composition, illustration, Photoshop, and Illustrator were challenging and engrossing. I loved the experience. 

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Self-doubt is a big challenge, as is working solo. People often do not understand how much work goes into designing and executing an illustration. People hear “graphic designer” when I tell them that I an illustrator. It is tough to find work and a humbling experience. 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I create editorial illustrations, promotional pieces, and logos, using analog (drawing with pen and ink, pencil; painting with watercolor, gouache), digital (Photoshop and Illustrator), and a combination of analog and digital techniques. 

My work follows this process: I first research the subject to find out as much as I can about it and what the illustrated piece is supposed to communicate. I then do “mind mapping” exercises to tease out ideas that can help me guide my illustration. After coming up with good concepts I start to do thumbnails – many, many small penciled images of my ideas. After creating about 50 thumbnails, I pick a few that have potential to really communicate the idea, and work on refining and expanding them. I pick my final design from this group, then execute it in the medium that I think will work best. 

We’d love to hear about what you think about risk-taking?
Telling my husband that I was going to work as an artist, then as an illustrator, was a big leap for me, especially since I have a graduate business degree. Knowing that I was not going to make a lot of money, and not be able to support my family financially as well as I could have was scary. 

Contact Info:

• Email: joansavitt@gmail.com
• Website: https://www.joansavitt.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joansavitt
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JoanSavittIllustrator
• Other: https://www.behance.net/joansavitt