GEMMA CORRELL - ARTIST OF THE MONTH DECEMBER '23

An artist that needs no introduction, the talented Gemma Correll is the Ohh Deer Artist of the Month for December 2023!

Gemma is an illustrator, cartoonist and writer from England, currently living in California. She has written several books and worked with huge clients like The New York Times and Oxford University Press and she has almost 1M followers on Instagram.

Gemma is well-known for her relatable and funny illustrations, which feature themes of anxiety and lots of pugs! Her greeting cards are super popular at Ohh Deer and you can see why... Keep scrolling to see some of our faves! 

  

What is the absolute best thing about being an illustrator and cartoonist? 

Being able to work from home, on my couch (although I know that I shouldn't - if a volcano ever erupts and covers California with ash, the archaeologists of the future will find me hunched over my drawing tablet and wonder what on earth people in 2023 were doing with their time. I guess we'll all look like that, with our phones... I'm sounding like an old person... I'll stop now) with my dogs and endless cups of tea. Even after years of being an illustrator/cartoonist, I still can't believe that I get paid to draw pictures and write silly little jokes.

Living in California must be a completely different experience from living in England. What is your favourite thing about living there (and what's your fave thing about growing up in England?)

The weather is a big part of it. I've always struggled with being cold. I despised playtime at school because I hated going outside so much. I actually enjoy spending time outdoors now - although I still spend most of my time inside, working. I love the scenery and the architecture here in SoCal - there are so many storefronts that still have amazing 1950s signs up and houses that look like they came out of a Disney fairytale (I live near Disneyland).
I do really miss the British sense of humor. And my friends and family of course!

Your work is incredibly funny but also very insightful and relatable. What is the best feedback you've ever received or a comment you've seen that has really touched you? 

I can't think of one specific comment but I am touched any time someone tells me that my work has been helpful to them in some way, maybe by helping them to notice or understand a part of their mental health that is having an effect on their life. I remember why I started making art in the first place, to process my own emotions and ideas. And to make people laugh, of course, which I’m only sporadically good at.

You've worked with so many huge names across the world. What exciting projects have you got coming up that you can tell us about?

I'm currently working on the second season of City Island, the PBS Kids (Public Broadcasting Service) animated show created by Aaron Augenblick that I art direct. There are some new music videos for the show coming out this month (December), too. I've created hundreds of characters for the show - everything in City Island is alive, from the buildings to the clouds in the sky - so there are lots of new characters to create for every episode. It's a lot of fun. I believe all of the episodes are available to watch on YouTube.

And finally, what advice would you give someone wanting to make a career in illustration?

Persistence is key. It takes hard work and dedication to “make it” as an illustrator. I worked for years in another full-time job, while doing artwork on the side, before I was able to financially support myself as a full-time illustrator. It is a fun job but it’s also a tough one sometimes. It’s also important to find your own style and to stick with it, rather than being swayed by trends and social media fads.

Give Gemma a follow on Instagram @gemmacorrell

 Shop Gemma Correll

And finally, what advice would you give someone wanting to make a career in illustration?

Persistence is key. It takes hard work and dedication to “make it” as an illustrator. I worked for years in another full-time job, while doing artwork on the side, before I was able to financially support myself as a full-time illustrator. It is a fun job but it’s also a tough one sometimes. It’s also important to find your own style and to stick with it, rather than being swayed by trends and social media fads.
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