We had the good fortune of connecting with gayle kabaker and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi gayle, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I’d always wanted to be a fashion illustrator ever since i was a kid. i went to art school at 18 and have free lanced since graduating at 22.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
i’ve freelanced my who career. many ups and downs. being married to an artist who understands this has helped but also made things scary at times when things were not going great. What always kept me going was continuing to evolve my style and grow as an artist. And trusting that things would improve with hard work.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
i live in the country on 50 acres. I’d take a friend who is visiting in the summer ( the best time here) to nearby Ashfield lake – to a few of my fave vegan places to eat – on long walks in the woods with my dog. the mass moca – an amazing museum an hour away and maybe spend a day shopping at thrift and antique stores.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
i’ve had some amazing highlights in my career – but if I had to choose 2 – it’s Francoise Mouly – the Art director at the new yorker magazine who gave me my first cover and I’ve had 8 since then.
and alyse Nelson – the CEO and founder of Vital voices who found me and pulled me into the vitalvoices.com world and then we did a book of 100 portraits called Vital Voices- 100 women using their power to empower and it’s been.

Website: www.gkabaker.com

Instagram: gaylekabaker

Linkedin: gayle kabaker

Twitter: gaylekabaker

Facebook: gayle kabaker

Other: https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2020/06/22/wellness-coronavirus-stress-artist-sketchbook/ Column i had for the Washington post Vital voices book https://www.assouline.com/products/vital-voices-100-women-using-their-power-to-empower?mkwid=s_dc&pcrid=521003375476&gclid=CjwKCAjwq-WgBhBMEiwAzKSH6CySlKvmY04nFx-2A-j_eCzphIM-j4QvJ7FYgW5x2T0-DmibuLU4qhoC4MUQAvD_BwE

Image Credits
all new yorker covers

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutArizona is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.