Today we’d like to introduce you to Simone Riccardi.
Hi Simone, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I graduated in 2020 with Honors (BFA) in Illustration from the School of Visual Arts in New York City, where I exhibited my first series of work (at the SVA Chelsea Galleries). My technique is based on a balanced mixture of analog and digital, with a primary focus on visual narrative. Boldness and experimentation have led me to work for companies, magazines, art directors, and private clients. I have developed designs for Editorial Magazines, advertisements,s, and social media branding. Once I got back to Italy, I went back to my first artistic love: Comics, and I published my first graphic novel ‘Una sera’ edited by the Centro Fumetto Andrea Pazienza and then brought it to Lucca Comics, Napoli Comicon, the TCBCF, etc.
The Society Of Illustrators and ArtsThread-iD has recognized my work.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The creative path is never easy, and these past years have been very challenging for everyone but especially for graduating students of 2020, and I was one of them. I was one of the many International students that left the US when they closed the borders and went back home in Italy, thinking that everything would be over in a few months and then I would come back to my artist life in NY but coming back had become impossible due to the Visa restrictions situation. I haven’t given up trying to come back tough: I keep in contact with my former classmates, scattered all over the world, few who remained in the US and all the others who cannot leave the country in fear of being rejected.
I’ve been working towards finding the right avenue to come back and work in the American Art Industry, that is the most flourishing and vibrant in the world. I’d love to live in LA for instance, after almost four years spent in New York and living the city, I met many creatives who invited me to visit them in the West Coast, who knows what the future holds.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
When I came back home, I kept doing what I’ve learned at the School of Visual Arts: putting my creative skills at service of the art directors and companies. Thanks to my experience, I can say I’ve seen an oversaturated industry of very creative people that work by the book, sticking to the corporate guidelines and it’s not my place to say to break the rules: it is hard to do so if you’re the junior of your team. But on my part, I always try to push boundaries and risk my game because otherwise creativity dies; it’s worth it. Maybe it’s the way I am, I guess this why I’ve been working as a graphic designer for social media, I’ve published my first comic book, I have started a relationship with Art Directors and published editorial illustrations and book covers while I self-produced a card deck that I illustrated and sold to the biggest bookstores in my country.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
My journey is still pretty much at its beginning, but in these trying times I’ve learned one thing from my own struggles: the most important characteristic in a creative person is to be great at balancing your work life and your creative life. Don’t think the two will align, they probably will if you’re lucky but that is not the norm, and to become a great artist, you need to develop many skills they don’t teach you in Art School. The draughtmanship you have is only one arrow in your quiver; to catch an opportunity when it is the right time is essential to have found that balance in your life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://simonericcardiart.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sriccardistudio/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/
Image Credits
(all photos) All rights reserved to SR Studio (the cover of the kid in front of the Statue of Liberty) Credit Bloomsbury Publishing, London
