Adam Rosenlund Interview – 50 States (Idaho )
Adam Rosenlund – “My state has a pretty bold independent streak, for better or worse.”
This week we’re in Boise, Idaho talking to illustrator/graphic artist Adam Rosenlund for the 29th Edition of our 50 States series.
Adam has a penchant for comic book art isn’t afraid to switch up his visual approach.
You can see more from Adam Rosenlund on Behance.
Tell us a little bit more about yourself and what you do
I’m an illustrator and designer living in Boise, Idaho. My illustration style has a heavy comic book influence, mixed with traditional styles and heavy ink work. Growing up, I wanted to become an artist and would devour art, comics, animation, you name it (not literally of course), all to feed my imagination. I feel very fortunate that I not only knew what I wanted to do from a young age, but also found some success at it.
How has your state influenced the work that you do?
My state has a pretty bold independent streak, for better or worse. I think I bring some of that attitude to my own work. Idaho can be a bit tough for an artist due to its relatively remote location compared to other hubs of art and culture. Boise is about 6 hours in any direction away from the nearest metropolitan area, so it’s a bit tougher to get your work noticed.
But Boise itself has an incredible arts culture, and its remoteness kind of incubates unique ideas and work separate from these movements in larger cities. Plus, Boise is a modern city that sits in the middle of every kind of wilderness you could ask for.
I take influence from the natural world that’s just outside my door, but also from the urban oasis that my town has become. An equal parts mix of looking back and looking forward, with a will to do it my own way. That’s kind of Idaho itself in a nutshell.
Of your own work, what is your favourite project and why?
I worked closely with a band named Misery Signals on both their latest album artwork and their discography box set. I was friends with a few of them before they approached me to collaborate on the project, so the project evolved very naturally.
They had a few high-level ideas for what they wanted thematically, but overall it was very hands off. They just let me take the initial direction and interpret it however I liked. I think the end product was as close to exactly what I tried to achieve from the outset as I have ever come. Plus they and their fans really seemed to love it, so bonus points for that!
The 118th 366 Award goes to Adam Rosenlund for his outstanding creative work.
And finally, if you died and got reincarnated as a song, what would that song be?
I’d hope to be reincarnated as “Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen. It’s the antithesis to the idiom “stop and smell the roses.” To me, it’s about living at the speed of light. Experience all you can while you can. Live a full life of adventure and love. That’s something I try to strive for even now, but if I could embody a song after I pass away, I’d hope for it to be that one.
