Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrew Tripp.
Hi Andrew, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I got started in art very young, my parents were always supporting my art by signing me up for art classes at the Flint Institute of Arts all throughout my childhood into High School. Growing up I actually thought I wanted to be a marine biologist, but after deciding that path wasn’t for me I found out I could choose art as an option. Art, and creating things has always been something I can rely on to get me through anything. After High School, I went on to study at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, and there I found a renewed love for the art I want to create. I landed on majoring in Illustration, and I learned a lot about myself as an artist there. Creating paintings, digital drawings, clay sculptures, handmade greeting cards, and so much more helped me discover the type of creativity I wanted to put out into the world.
I wouldn’t be even remotely close to where I am without the support of the people around me, especially my friends and parents. My mom has always supported any direction I’ve thought I wanted to take my life in, and never fails to amaze me with just how supportive of my artwork she can be. I also wouldn’t be anywhere near where I am today without the love and support of my partner, Addison. We met in 2021 and I can’t imagine my life without him in it. His encouragement keeps me going day by day, and he constantly renews my passion to create.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been smooth, I’ve been battling my mental health for years and years now, since I was a kid, and it never gets easier to claw my way out of the darkness whenever it decides to show up. After graduating from CCS, I was working full time at a job that was overall very mentally and physically exhausting- but I needed the money. During that time I didn’t actually do a whole lot of drawing or other art, not even just for myself, and left a lot worse because of it. Which made me realize no job like that was worth the detriment it was to my mental state and art. If I wasn’t creating something I didn’t really know who I was.
Since then I’ve been able to participate in craft fairs, make Christmas presents for family, and with a renewed passion I thought I has lost, work on myself and my brand as an artist. I’ve felt the best I have in years lately because of the support of my partner and my family, and I couldn’t be more grateful to be where I am.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I like to market myself as a “gift illustrator and designer,” with the idea being that I love to help someone bring their artistic vision to life as a gift to someone else. I’ve done digital and traditional portraits, pet portraits, birthday/holiday cards, wedding invitations, trinket dishes, and a lot in between. My favorite thing is watching someones reaction to opening a gift or seeing something I’ve created for others, their smiles are entirely worth however long the creative process for a project takes.
Lately I’ve been the most proud of the dishes and illustrations I have been doing for this Halloween Craft Fair I have participated in the last two years up at the Flint Farmers Market. I have a blast doing themed art, and Halloween has always been my favorite inspiration-wise. I think what may set me apart from other artists is my attention to detail with even the smallest things. Especially with the trinket dishes I paint, even with a slight tremor in my right hand, I love covering almost every inch with some sort of detail like dots or florals or some other kind of design. I really do enjoy creating something visually fulfilling.
What matters most to you? Why?
I think what matters most to me right now, where I currently am in life, is my family and the people I surround myself with. My art will always be an integral part of my being a human on this planet, but I’m nothing without the support of my family and friends, especially my partner (and our two cats). I wouldn’t be anywhere without them, and they inspire much of the art I create and want to do in the future. I always feel like I could do anything whenever I’m around them, and they constantly help me find my around issues or doubts I ever have about myself. Their support means everything to me, and it’s why I do what I do.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.andrewtrippillustration.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/celestial_space_bee
