five questions with artist molly egan

Did you know subscribers now get an exclusive poster with every issue? (You might have noticed when flicking through frankie 102.) Well, meet the wonderful artist responsible for our first bonus poster: Molly Egan.

Molly Egan is based in South Philadelphia, USA, and if you enjoy vibrant and playful narratives within your art then you need a little piece of her work in your life.

Tell us about your art and creative style. I'm an illustrator who loves making colourful work involving people, patterns, and flowers. Though I work traditionally and digitally, I'm happiest and at my most creative when I am painting – especially in my sketchbooks.

When and how did you first begin making art? I've always loved to make art. I honestly can't remember a time where I wasn't drawing in some shape or form. I was lucky to have supportive parents even though neither of them came from an art background. Their encouragement and having great art programs in my public school definitely fostered my interest in drawing.How did this illustration come to be? A while ago, I thought it would be fun to make a series about silly things I do when getting ready. This was actually the first in the series. I'm sure most people who shave know the panic of discovering rogue hairiness moments before you're supposed to leave the house and solving that problem with a dry shave. It is uncomfortable, but it does the trick!

Where do you find inspiration and creative motivation? I always find that traveling to new places fills me with inspiration. Obviously, that isn't really on the cards at the moment, so I've been turning to virtual tours and walking around my neighbourhood to fill in those gaps. It's not quite the same, but it's still a lot of fun.

What’s next on your ‘to-draw’ list? Hmm, I'm not sure what my next personal project will be. At the moment, I'm working on a floor-to-ceiling mural in my bedroom, which has definitely been keeping me busy! For my next project, I definitely see more sketchbooking as well as creative projects that aren't drawing (like quilting, sewing, and punch needle) in the future.

Where can we see more of your work? You can find me on Instagram and TikTok @mollytheillustrator and see my portfolio at molly-egan.com.