Since we published our first issue two years ago, Rift's covers have been created by local artists and designers. Starting with this issue, we're profiling the cover artists.
Sean Tubridy designed this month's cover; he owns Blue Over Blue, a graphic and illustration business.
Rift: How long have you been creating art?
Sean Tubridy: For about seven years.
Rift: Why did you move to Minnesota?
ST: When I first started my career as a graphic designer, I was living in Boston and working for a small creative firm. I worked there for a few years, learning the trade from some very creative and talented people; however, the company was acquired by a large group that eventually let go of most of its creative staff, myself included. My wife, who's from Minneapolis, was attending law school in Boston at the time and planning to move back here following graduation. I came to Minneapolis for a visit and was so impressed, we both moved here and I started my business not long after.
Rift: What's the hardest part about making a living as an artist/graphic designer?
ST: Balancing work that allows me full creative rein with more conservative projects. In other words, I'm forced to switch gears often, but if that's my biggest problem, I'm pretty lucky.
Rift: What do you think of the Twin Cities' art scene?
ST: Just like the music scene, it's a great place to be if you're an artist or enjoy art. You can find a wide range of artwork everywhere, from street art to museums, but I'm most impressed with what falls in the middle. I have a studio in the Northrup King Building in northeast Minneapolis. This building, along with a few others in the area, holds hundreds of working artists' studios open to the public year round, so it's a great way for artists to show their work without going the gallery route. This is rare in a big city; we had nothing like this in Boston and it's something we shouldn't take for granted.
Rift: What's the best part about making a living as an artist/graphic designer?
ST: My job allows me to be independent, make my own rules, set my own standards and for the most part, set my own pace. I'm so completely involved in what I do, I often wake up in the middle of the night with ideas for projects I'm working on.
www.blueoverblue.com
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