Field Interview: Lynn Bouchard
Today's interview is with artist, Lynn Bouchard of Legendary Lynn. Her illustrations are so recognizable and evoke such happiness and wonder. The Legendary Lynn booth is a refreshing addition to the Field! Pick up some adorable stickers or prints for a loved one tomorrow! She also can do custom pet portraits in 20 min!
Find Lynn in the Field at
Whalers Brewing Company on:
SUNDAY: 2/11
1. Your Legendary Lynn collection is full of magical illustrations! What intrigues you about fantastical girls and animals?
Thank you! Fantasy girls and animals intrigue me because they take me to a different world. There's a lot of darkness in real life and my drawings make me believe in magic and romance. I like to be able to share those themes with everyone.
2. Have you always been focused on these themes? Or has your focus changed over time?
For as long as I can remember, I've always focused on these themes. Growing up I'd draw fairies and Sailor Moon. Fairytales were a constant source for imagination.
3. Your girls are very recognizable. Did it take you a long time to develop such a personal drawing style?
That means a lot. I've made it my mission to harness my style and it did take time. I started to take my illustrations seriously for the first time in 2016. Drawing every day helped so much for developing my style.
4. Do you have a pool of characters/personalities that you epeat or is each illustration a new girl or animal?
My top three ladies are witches, mermaids, and fairies. These personalities all mean so much to me. I quickly realized they resonated with others too. It's nice to form a connection with someone who gets excited about a character you love!
My go-to animal is always a cat! I love cats. That's a fact that I think anyone who has ever met me will say they know.
5. Do you use a combination of mediums in one piece?
Yes! I typically use a mixture of colored pencil, Copic markers, and watercolor. I've been working on some digital for future works.
6. Your pet portraits are adorable! What's the lead time on one and how should a shopper go about ordering a custom pet portrait from you? Do you do people portraits as well?
Thank you so much! For my simplistic, whimsy, head shot animal portraits, they can take around 10-20 minutes. For a full portrait with detail and background, it takes more toward an hour. Shoppers can come to my table at the Field for a whimsy pet portrait to be made right there! Email or show me your pet and I can work on it as you shop around! Shoppers can also find me on Etsy where they can purchase custom portraits of animals and people! My people portraits typically are fantasy types and take the longest to complete.
7. I've noticed you do a lot of competitions, partnerships and group drawing exercises on Instagram. How has social media helped your business evolve?
Art challenges and art swaps on Instagram helped me greatly. I started creating illustrations by joining in a month long Halloween drawing challenge hosted by one of my favorite artists, Mab Graves. The positive community that came along with the challenge was incredible. Everyone was at different levels and supportive! I honestly might have stopped drawing if it weren't for the amount of support. I've made so many friends and learned so much. Having prompts and themes to your art can push yourself to create things you might not have on your own. Instagram has its problems, but it definitely helped me be confident to share my work in order to start a business.
8. Do you think it's necessary for an artist to have an online presence in order for them to succeed financially or have a chance at making their art a full time job?
I think it is. It's necessary to be present and active in your community. Which online is a huge part of the art world now. It's still difficult to get noticed but it's a tool that helps me to push myself.
9. What would your advice be to a fellow artist ho wants to network with similar minded artists?
Social media platforms are great to find like-minded artists. My start was on Instagram. There are so many art challenges for all different themes and mediums. It's a lot of fun and creates a fast community of support and advice! Another tip would be to look at local classes or artisan shows to stay connected in your state.
10. Dream collaboration? Can be a specific person, general person, company, etc. What would you create together?!
What a great question! My dream collaboration would be with the artist Mab Graves. She paints pop surrealist girls with large eyes, among many other talents! It would be amazing to create a story book with her.
See more of Lynn's work through her Instagram!