Bianca deBardelaben is our Illustrator of the Week!
Our love for Bianca deBardelaben is essentially infinite. The artist and illustrator has an amazing weekly column for us called Bianca’s Drawing Room, and she even joined our A Tale of Two Besties book tour when we came through Chicago. We’ve been obsessed with her illustrations for ages; and if you’ve seen her stuff, it’s easy to see why. Bianca’s work is as relatable as it is adorable, and she has an artistic style that’s entirely her own. Her art has this wonderful, youthful joy to it, combined with subject matter that any girl in her 20’s can relate to — and that’s why she’s our Illustrator of the Week!
Find out more about Bianca and her art below, and buy some of her exclusive-to-HelloGiggles phone cases by clicking right here.
No pressure, but describe your art: Inspired by Madeline and Lyle Crocodile! I love to mix the nostalgia of being young with the humor of what it feels like to be an adult. It’s awkward! You feel like a child trapped in an adult body! I hope my art conveys this.
What inspires you to make things: I’m inspired by embarrassing moments, or my own secrets! Like my ode to tacos — I love tacos to an obsession and I could eat them every day if people would let me. I want other girls (and boys) to know it’s ok to be weird, awkward, and a beautiful mess.
Your favorite thing(s) to draw: Probably myself! (Okay, that totally sounded more narcissistic than it should have.) I struggle with anxiety, and being able to illustrate my problems helps me see that I had nothing to be worried about from the beginning. It puts things in perspective, and ultimately, it makes me laugh. If I can help other people by showing my true self, then all the better!
Medium of choice: Faber Castell Pens, Copic Markers, Sakura Pens. I draw everything by hand and then color on my Bamboo tablet. I like to be able to draw in a sketchbook and take it anywhere and everywhere, rather than lugging around a computer. I work as a graphic designer, too, and to be able to turn the computer off and make art with my bare hands feels incredible!
The first time you knew you wanted to be an artist: When I drew a picture of fire-women in kindergarten, all wearing heels while putting out a fire. I asked why can’t firefighters be both women and fabulous? My teacher loved it, and I loved the feeling of making people laugh, so I’ve been unstoppable since.
Proudest achievement so far: My weekly comic here — that’s the honest truth, and every day I feel incredibly humbled.
Music you listen to while you work: The 1980’s alternative station on iTunes radio. Filled with The Smiths, The Cure, The Clash, The The.
Your most prized possession: My hands! I mean I couldn’t do this without my hands — every day I am grateful for them. But my tablet my boyfriend bought me two Christmases ago is a close second.
Your personal hero: My mother. She proves to me that being a working artist is possible. I don’t think I would believe in myself without her.
The last thing to make you giggle: My niece trying to steal my cheesecake.
Current project(s): Bianca’s Drawing Room, and just doing commissioned work. I’m secretly working on a graphic novel that will hopefully be done in 2016!
Check out Bianca’s amazing phone cases via Casetify — they’re an exclusive partnership with HelloGiggles — and her previous work with us here! For more of her work, check out her portfolio, Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, and Etsy.
