cute art of lemon shortbread

Behold the cute art of Lemon Shortbread! I'm delighted to share with you the beautifully whimsical art of one very talented Vera Ma from Singapore, who creates art under the name of Lemon Shortbread. Her artwork is colorful and radiates with fun!

Lemon Shortbread was gracious enough to answer some questions about her art and artistic process. Her responses are sure to inspire anyone looking to create their own whimsical art! Her interview provides a fascinating glimpse into the world of a contemporary maker of cute, whimsical art.

How long have you been an artist?
I liked to draw since a child, and was confident enough to sell my artworks around 2005. There was a time I submitted comic strip gags for pocket money in school long ago.

What is your favorite subject matter and why?
Funny hybrid Shortbread folk - they like to frolick in nature though at times they disappear and let the pretty manga girls in vintage outfits step in.

What is your favorite medium and why?
They would be the technical pen and Copic Multiliner pens. Mess-free and great for my lack of working space. I also like to create clean and bold lines on medium-weight paper.

How would you describe your artwork?
Pop illustrations... Asian-ish at times. Colors!

What influences your artwork?
Psychedelia, old-school things, nature, comic illustrations, etc. Also my favorite artists like Yoshitomo Nara and Peter Max; but then I am a fan of many genres so you see signs of nouveau and ukiyo-e.

Where do you get your ideas?
Some of my ideas are frankensteins of what's around or wanting to normalize something ridiculous. Sometimes they are conceptual or to re-interpret a popular topic or story. Mostly I sketch whatever comes by; dreams are also quite helpful! I also doodle things while laying on my bed.

What do you like most about working in this style?
The best part is I don't have to care whether it's anatomically correct or politically correct or whatever people think is correct - that includes color combinations lol (though I do take quite a while to ponder an intentional color blunder).

What art supplies do you use?
I use pigment-based technical pens like Sakura Pigma Micron and Copic Multiliner (brown). My older artworks were made by Pilot Twin Markers (alcohol-based) but it seems to be no longer manufactured in brown. I try out all sorts of markers for coloring but own mostly Copics & Prismacolors now. For larger artworks I usually use Adobe Photoshop to digitally color my lineart.

Do you have any tips or advice for people who want to make cute, whimsical art?
If I can do it, anybody can do it! All it takes is patience and you can exaggerate without worry.

All of the Lemon Shortbread artwork on this page are original ACEOs. ACEO stands for "Art Cards, Editions and Originals", and refers to artwork that is 2.5" x 3.5" - the size of playing cards or baseball cards. ACEO cards are fun, tiny, collectible works of art! You can purchase these delightful ACEO cards and other hand-crafted goodness at her etsy shop, lemonshortbread.etsy.com. You can also see more of her artwork at her website, www.lemonshortbread.com.

Many thanks to Lemon Shortbread for her insightful interview, and for sharing her artistic vision with the world. Such cute art brings a smile to your face and cheer to your day!

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