Kellee Rich

Kellee Rich is a freelance illustrator living and working in Brighton. Kellee’s work is largely geometric, with an emphasis on colour and line. Other pursuits involve listening to old-time radio drama, watching live comedy and reading books by Ray Bradbury and Patricia Highsmith. She created the beautiful artwork that illustrated Rowenna Davis’s Future.

?!X: What’s the Future You Choose?

KR: The future I choose is one in which each person is taught that to love themselves is the basis of living a happy life. Whether a person comes from the most dire upbringing or most desperate financial circumstances, truly believing that we are each worthy of living a good life is the cornerstone to creating a collectively happier planet. People who love themselves find it easy to love others – and the gifts of that are both transformative and boundless.

?!X: What’s a ‘think’ to create this future?

KR: A huge inspiration to me, in life and in my work, is an excerpt from an essay by Carl Sagan entitled “Pale Blue Dot”. He speaks of the Earth as seen from space – a tiny dot suspended in eternal blackness. Rather than presenting an image of isolation and hopelessness, Sagan speaks of how precious the Earth is, and how fortunate we are to inhabit it; how fruitless war and hatred is in the scale of the vast universe. Because Carl Sagan was such a beautiful speaker, I think the piece has most impact when listened to.

?!X: What’s an ‘act’ to create the future you choose?

KR: Kindness. Be kind to yourself, be kind to others. Smile at strangers. Make kind gestures to people you’ve never met before: let someone with fewer items go ahead of you in the queue at the supermarket, step aside for the person who clearly looks like they’re rushing. Look at the world through someone else’s eyes. If someone has made you think or has made your day better or has created something that has moved you, tell them.

?!X: What’s a ‘vote’ to create the future you choose?

KR: I support anything that encourages compassion for ourselves and others.

?!X: Future Soundtrack – What song would you take with you into the future? 

KR: ‘Human Condition’ by Joan As Police Woman. It says everything I think about being alive, beautifully and soulfully.

?!X: What are your five all time favourite weblinks?

KR:

The Carl Sagan Portal For all information relating to Carl Sagan and he and his wife Ann Druyan’s work for astrophysics and science communication.

Nate William Illustration  Super-inspiring illustrator, generously-minded man and guiding light in modern illustration. Creator of Illustration Mundo.

WordPress For me, the start of my journey to being a professional illustrator – easy-to-use themes so you can show your work to the world in a fairly cost-effective way.

TED A good friend recently introduced me to TED talks (and TEDx talks) and I’m hooked. Inspiring speeches from key figures in technology, education and design.

Twitter I know it’s kind of sewn into the fabric of being a creative freelancer these days, but meeting fellow illustrators and designers on Twitter, and hearing about open briefs and competitions, has opened up my world and led to so many exciting opportunities and new friendships. I can’t praise Twitter enough!

Follow Kellee on Twitter @KelleeRich

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