I express my love...
by Hallie Bateman
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Dear Hallie, How do you define your work as an illustwriter? I write using images and words in different combinations. Sometimes this means classic panel comics, sometimes graphic essays, books, and more. Why do you do what you? It keeps me sane and hopefully helps others feel seen, entertained, understood, less alone. What are some of the coolest perks you enjoy because of your professional endeavors? What needs improvement? |
Photo: courtesy of the artist |
I love working from home and choosing my own projects. Because I’m my own boss, I can follow my curiosity and continue to make work that surprises and intrigues me. I also love staying in my pajamas longer than appropriate and getting to hang out with my dog all day every day.
I am always working to improve as a business person, since half of what I do is run a business. I want to push myself out of my comfort zone and try new things, things I’m not necessarily good at, yet. But I can’t go so far out of my comfort zone that I’m not making any money.
For example, I’m currently writing a screenplay with my brother. We work on the screen play around 3 hours a week. We’ve been working on it for two years. The slow pace infuriates the part of me that loves instant gratification, but since I already have a full-fledged career going, bit by bit is the only way it will happen.
How do you tackle issues that concern you?
I make art about them, or I make art to sell to raise money for a charity that addresses the issue.
Do you listen to music while you work? If yes, what type? If you prefer silence while working, what type of music do you generally listen to?
If I’m doing busy work, like knocking out a bunch of emails or shipping stuff, I listen to homework radio. It’s a lo-fi hip hop YouTube station mostly catering to high school and college students. It’s totally elevator music but it puts me in a productive zone.
If I’m doing something that involves drawing but not thinking, I’ll have a show (Gilmore Girls is my go-to) playing in the background.
If I’m writing, reading or sketching something, I need total silence.
What are your reading this summer?
A few favorites so far: Hello Girls (think teenage Thelma & Louise), Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life (I cried my way through it, in the best way), and King Cat Classix (always my go-to for restless summer nights.)
How you keep informed with what goes on in the world and with what interests you the most?
I read selectively, often with guidance from Study Hall, a journalism forum I’m part of, and podcasts like The Daily, Longform and Fresh Air. And I’m friends with many brilliant journalists, so as long as I follow them online I don’t miss out on anything huge.
But in general, I don’t just casually expose myself to much news every day because I’d spiral into a depression. I need to be in an okay mental state to make art. I’m careful what I look at and I use instapaper to save anything I want to read until I’m in a good emotional place.
I am always working to improve as a business person, since half of what I do is run a business. I want to push myself out of my comfort zone and try new things, things I’m not necessarily good at, yet. But I can’t go so far out of my comfort zone that I’m not making any money.
For example, I’m currently writing a screenplay with my brother. We work on the screen play around 3 hours a week. We’ve been working on it for two years. The slow pace infuriates the part of me that loves instant gratification, but since I already have a full-fledged career going, bit by bit is the only way it will happen.
How do you tackle issues that concern you?
I make art about them, or I make art to sell to raise money for a charity that addresses the issue.
Do you listen to music while you work? If yes, what type? If you prefer silence while working, what type of music do you generally listen to?
If I’m doing busy work, like knocking out a bunch of emails or shipping stuff, I listen to homework radio. It’s a lo-fi hip hop YouTube station mostly catering to high school and college students. It’s totally elevator music but it puts me in a productive zone.
If I’m doing something that involves drawing but not thinking, I’ll have a show (Gilmore Girls is my go-to) playing in the background.
If I’m writing, reading or sketching something, I need total silence.
What are your reading this summer?
A few favorites so far: Hello Girls (think teenage Thelma & Louise), Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life (I cried my way through it, in the best way), and King Cat Classix (always my go-to for restless summer nights.)
How you keep informed with what goes on in the world and with what interests you the most?
I read selectively, often with guidance from Study Hall, a journalism forum I’m part of, and podcasts like The Daily, Longform and Fresh Air. And I’m friends with many brilliant journalists, so as long as I follow them online I don’t miss out on anything huge.
But in general, I don’t just casually expose myself to much news every day because I’d spiral into a depression. I need to be in an okay mental state to make art. I’m careful what I look at and I use instapaper to save anything I want to read until I’m in a good emotional place.
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Can you name some of your current influences in the art world and beyond?
Comics/illustration
Lynda Barry
Lucy Knisely
Maira Kalman
Film
Miranda July
Mike Mills
Richard Linklater
Agnes Varda
Music
Jonathan Richman
Devendra Banhart
Writing
S.A.R.K.
Amy Krouse Rosenthal
Lydia Davis
Where is your happy place?
Laying on some nice grass.
It would be awesome to share your thoughts about one or both of our ongoing campaigns included below:
#BeatTheBlues
After years of workoholism and self-abuse “for the sake of my art,” I finally understood that my job wasn’t going anywhere and I should take better care of myself if I wanted to do it for the rest of my life. I now put Hallie - the human - before Hallie - the artist. I treat myself gently, take time for exercise, rest, good food and relaxation. I love cooking and every Saturday morning I go to the farmer’s market and plan out our meals for the week.
I am not allowed to pull all-nighters. I take frequent breaks when I’m working to stretch my legs, drink water, check in with myself. I ask for extensions if I feel stressed, instead of pushing myself to meet an arbitrary deadline. I say “no” to things if I’m already busy, or if the gig just doesn’t sound like it would be very fulfilling.
#WhatMatters
This sounds funny, but the most important thing to me right now is not giving up on my dreams. I’m turning 30 soon, my career is more stable than it’s ever been, and it feels tempting to settle down and get comfy in this niche I’ve carved for myself.
But deep down, I know I want to write films and make a graphic novel and do all this stuff that scares me really deeply. Those dreams feel so incredibly far away, and I constantly remind myself not to give up on them out of fear or impatience. Even if I just have an hour a week to devote to them, that’s enough. Many of my other dreams have come true, and those used to feel just as far away.
For more about Hallie, visit her website.