Meet Hope Christofferson | Illustrator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Hope Christofferson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Hope, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?

“Striving for honor means “making oneself superior and also wishing to appear so publicly.” If the first is lacking and the second is desired nonetheless , then one speaks of vanity. If the second is lacking and it is not missed, then on speaks of pride.” – Nietzsche.

Self-awareness has always been an object of interest to me, for the perspective it engenders is akin to a lighthouse anchored steadfast to the earth, rooted and immobile amidst even the greatest of baleful storms. Although the view from this lighthouse of constructed objectivity pointed in all its brightness towards the self can be disorientating, it is at least closer to the sun than a perch down by the sea.

The differentiation between pride and vanity made by Nietzsche struck me because at this moment in time the human race has been handed an incredible tool that interlinks all of us via a globalized spiderweb of e-commerce. Technology has revolutionized communication, infrastructure, and economic systems, leaving us to soar and fall in the midst of our own creations.
As a creator who views art as alternative form of currency who’s value is dictated by the masses, much of what I do demands to be thrust into the public eye, where its value will be judged by the people or the algorithm (or both) in terms of engagement, which equates to time and eventually money.
And so the flavor of vanity invariably seeps into the ever-simmering stew of a modern creator whose work’s must be made public in order to amplify their value. In Nietzsche’s eye, vanity is said to occur when someone desires to be seen as superior, but what if to be successful, it is a necessity to be seen as superior? Is it still vanity then? Or simply an after effect, or in other words marketing? Personally, I do not think it possible to be very successful without a desire for pride, and in the line of art, the products of this pursuit look best when wrapped in the silky ribbons of vanity.

The all-consuming focus and persona that is required of creators must be docked at times, especially when clouds brew on the sea’s horizon and waves begin to roar. Luckily, the lighthouse is always there to help one navigate the ever-churning waters of vanity, pride, and creating in the 21st century.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

My art pulls from the curiosity and wonder inherent within childhood. I find a deep sense of joy through the observation of nature, internal dialogue, and intentional exploration. Upon growing up, I found that myself and many others are unavoidably affected by our environment- this is both a good and bad thing. For me, traditional school and the culture of the Midwest where I was raised was not always the most fruitful garden in which to grow a garden of intellectual independence. Around 5 I began to homeschool, which gave me a unique opportunity to develop my own perspective on the world through the books, people, and places I let my passions pull me towards. I’m incredibly grateful that my parents let me take this leap as kid, because a self-directed education is not for every personality.

The journey through my teens without the social aspects of traditional school allowed me time to create art as a way of processing the information I was ingesting- creating illustrations that served to organize and connect ideas from the realms of chemistry, history, botany, and philosophy. Since these drawings and paintings were a large part of my life, I put them on the internet, as I had a need to share information and communicate like all humans. Social media was a tool I used to reach an audience that would not have otherwise been possible, and I am extremely grateful for this. But I also wonder how much partaking in that system diverted my natural focus. This is a relatively new realm- the technological renaissance. I was one of the first generations to grow up with these systems woven into society, and there are just as many dark sides to these structures as there are light.
Over my teen years my business grew naturally, without the stress of rent or other expenses that come when we leave the nest. This incubation period allowed me to find my style, make business mistakes, and build up a client base over the course of my teenage years. I have loved creating my entire life, but I have no professional artists in my family, and as such was pushed towards careers in the sciences. After taking classes in a local college while in high school, I grew increasingly restless in my math and science classes, but I really loved the grey nature of anthropology, philosophy, and other liberal arts. These pools of inquiry are bottomless and teem with surprises like deep-sea creatures swimming in the depths of the ocean.

The early experience of going to university was confusing, and prompted me to question life and career from an existential point of view. Feeling utterly lost and afraid to follow my heart into art school, I took a gap year. During this time I worked as painting instructor, traveled Europe with my best friend, and accepted any illustration job that came my way. And slowly, I realized that I didn’t really care if I had a life as a poor artist, as long as I had enough time to explore, wonder, and attempt to find answers through the connections that creative inquiry illuminates. After going to a small school close to my hometown for a studio art degree, I started traveling, writing music, swimming with mermaids, riding unicorns, and slaying dragons. Being a freelance artist and moving about can be lonely in the traditional sense of the word, but it is also one of the most vibrant ways of twirling thought time..

On a more practical note, I pay my bills through a number of aggregated sources which are always in flux. Every creative’s financial portrait is different, but for me I’ve found that the sale of multiples (prints, stickers, etc) has been the most lucrative in terms of materials and time spent preparing the product. I work for companies and individuals when their ideas are in parallel with my own interests, and this will naturally happen to any artist as long as they are brave enough to create what they see as joyful to let the world know what is they love. My advice to anyone is that if you don’t work to build your dream, someone else will pay you to build theirs. So be sure to remember what it is you love, work for that love, and all will be well.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
One could spend a few days in the Denver Art Museum. Bring a sketchbook, and dedicate a few hours to roam, and then a few hours to sketch and research the pieces you really love. It may be difficult to find someone who won’t get bored if you happen to stop and stare at a painting for 30 minutes, so I recommend going alone so you feel no pressure to move with another person out of respect for their time. The cafe and restaurant in the museum is lovely, and when you are tired from the walking and gazing, sit down, and have a coffee of tea. Let the things that resonate with you inspire your research. Delve deeper into the artists or movements that catch your mind. Treat the museum like a friend’s house, where you are comfortable but also curious about the things they keep there from their travels and life experiences. Museums are like collective family living rooms, hung with frames of our shared experiences, memories, and emotions. If you are human, you are member of this family, you are in all the pictures. Often, we take a rushed, militant approach when in museum spaces, but this Dionysian approach can block one from relaxing and truly seeing. So take your time, and slow down. Quality reigns cooly over quantity.

Next, I’d highly recommend the Aquarium. Approach this location like the museum- with an open schedule. You never know when something will come up and cause you to develop a deep fascination that must be explored with time and observation. It is also a great place to bring the sketchbook and a small pan of watercolors since you’ll be surrounded by the aquatic wonder of the sea.
Then, as the week rolls along, assuming the weather is tolerable, hop over to the zoo. There is nothing like the confluence of a latte and lemurs to spark an appreciation for the magic of this life. Animals have such amazing ways of seeing the world, and if you enjoy art, you know it is all about differing perceptions. If you find the modernist abstract galleries in Denver interesting, the zoo will undoubtedly prove to be an environment full of wonder and thought-provoking adventure for the inner child and artist.

I always forget where I go to eat, but there is a small cottage-like restaurant a block south of the Art Museum, and it is a lovely escape from the concrete jungle.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have to thank my grandma for always offering me small doses of perspective and wisdom. And for teaching me my first art lessons, the beginning of the magic.

Website: https://www.hopechristoffersonart.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopechristofferson/

Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/HopeChristofferson?ref=seller-platform-mcnav

Image Credits
no credits, they are all my own