My name is Abby Rapp and I am from Clayton, Ohio. I use many different kinds of mediums for my illustrations, but my favorites are ink, marker, and watercolor. For my watercolors I incorporate a lot of sweeping shapes emphasized with dramatic and clean lines, usually utilizing either extremely muted shades or monochromes contrasting with a few extra bright accents. When using marker my approach to lineart is very similar, although my colors are much more saturated and lively. Despite using a lot of details I still like to keep things very clean and easy to read, since I am a very organized person by nature. Even in more surreal and dark pieces things are never untidy. I have also begun to work with metal to create wearable pieces that have similar themes and designs to my illustrations.

 

                I am very inspired by art nouveau, surrealism, and alternative culture, all of which I incorporate in some way into most of my pieces. I have always loved drawing intricate details in clothing and hair, so naturally the work of Alphonse Mucha drew me in instantly and greatly influenced parts of the style I have today, although I have added something of a macabre twist to my pieces. I am currently very interested in skeletal structures and other organic forms so I have worked those into my own imagery also.

 

                I am a very introverted person unless I am around friends, and insecurity and unsurity are both very common themes in my illustrations. I demand a lot from myself and those around me so I can sometimes get bogged down and feel the need to use my art for myself as an outlet. However, no matter how dark or depressing I might make the themes of my work sometimes I always strive to give my work beauty and grace at the same time. Like those who studied and developed art nouveau I really enjoy drawing the female form and exploring beauty while portraying everything from serene images to those that are more dark and seductive. I am very interested in the contrast of the macabre and the beautiful and how they can relate, especially within nature.

 

                For the future I have no specific aims, as long as I am able to illustrate. I try to keep myself very open and experiment with as many styles and mediums as possible in order to keep myself flexible in the competitive market. Through trial and error I have picked up many tricks and met a lot of very talented people who encourage me as an artist and a person. Since I do have the tendency to get run-down and moody and demanding I always am appreciative of having both art and good friends to vent with. I know I am not all that skilled and do not stand out that much at what I do right now, but I am very driven and I will do anything I can to forge a place for myself within the world of illustration.