Organic and bright is the way that Tara Hogan sees the world around her; this view of life has clearly touched a chord with many and is likely one of the reasons her work resonates. This positive vision has its roots in the time Tara spent on the shorelines of New England, mixed in with the diversity and grandeur of her life in New York City.

Tara is the owner and founder of INK&WIT, a clean and elegant website where she sells her art prints and notecards directly to her customers. If you’re a reader of Design*Sponge or Domino Magazine, you’ve likely seen her beautiful Pommebirds print; I think it looks amazing both framed and unframed.

An accomplished designer and artist, Tara’s experiences are myriad and include the web and print worlds; she recently designed business cards for Holly of Decor8, and has been published by Great Arrow Graphics since 2004. I’m therefore happy to present to you this interview with Tara, where she discusses her experiences and influences in more detail.

Cuteable: Our readers always love to hear about how successful artists such as yourself got started; can you tell us a little bit about your artistic beginnings, and how you eventually came to found INK&WIT?

Tara: I studied design and illustration at Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY and was always thinking of creating my own brand, line, and world of designs that are fun and unique. After graduation, 1999, I assisted art directors at a catalog outside NYC,in South Norwalk, CT. I loved searching for 3D objects to prop a photoshoot since I was a prop stylist. It was fun to build the story from start to finish. However, I was thinking of how my design and illustration would eventually come to fruition on my own playing field.

I worked at a web design firm for a year and finally after 3 more years of working in a design studio began creating designs for stationery products.

I came up with the name “INK&WIT” because I wanted to play on words with images and work in a subtle concept. In the earlier designs there were holiday cards such as, “Holiday Cheer”, with a chair and some holly around the design. Eventually, these designs went away and suddenly there were birds EVERYWHERE in my line. But, there still is that wit, like in the postcard, “Thanks for being so dear”, with a bunch of little dears.

I eventually started to sell at local venues and submit to publishers. I have been published with Great Arrow Graphics, Buffalo, NY since 2004. And, Graphic de France recently picked up four designs. Once I started to hear back from publishers and buyers the wheel began to spin and I was creating more designs and streamlining my vision for INK&WIT.

Cuteable: What would you say are your primary influences and/or sources of inspiration? I.e., are there any specific people, places or events in your life that have been particularly inspiring or influential?

Tara: Everyone has been an influence, every place, and everything. it is all connected to our ultimate path to be happy. I have been greatly inspired by my parents who are extremely hard workers and artistic individuals. They were always traveling when I was growing up, mostly in Connecticut so the sites were constantly changing and inspiring to me.

I love Paris and could definitely live there for a while.

Snow and Graham was a huge influence when I first researched stationery. I really love how classy and elegant they are in every way.

And, of course, Japanese plants, culture, and colors are always an influence as well as Eastern philosophy. I teach yoga and have been lucky to study with Shri Dharma Mittra among many others who have been incredible teachers spiritually.

Cuteable: Here’s a hypothetical question: It’s a lazy Sunday and you have the entire day free to lounge about; what kind of “comfort art” would you indulge in (i.e. art that’s just for yourself)?

Tara: Mixed media using wax/resin mixture, collage, and pencil on wood.

Cuteable: Is there an artistic medium that you favor over others, e.g. acrylics, pen/pencil, vector art?

Tara: I love mixing paper/collage with gesso, pencil, and wax on board.

Cuteable: I noticed that you converted your note-cards to postcards; can go tell us a little bit about why you did this?

Tara: After receiving way too many envelopes with cards and not using them I thought who needs an envelope? You can always buy wholesale envelopes and use one with a postcard as you need it. I also thought about postage costs and how much you can save if you use the postcard. I do have some new letterpress notecard that will be available soon but I am making them quite small, 3×5 and using a recycled envelope. Less is more.

Cuteable: Lastly, are there any projects that you’re currently involved in that you’d like to tell us about?

Tara: Well, the word is some designs may become wallpaper. I will be showing new original work at Nahcotta, Portsmouth, New Hampshire in September. Lots in the mix. I will keep you posted =)

Cuteable: Lots is always good–we can’t to see your upcoming work, Tara. Thanks again, for answering our questions!