Cailin Doherty • Spring 2022
Seasons change, and so does our menu art. Spring has finally sprung and we’re happy to introduce this year's Spring menu artist, Cailin Doherty. Cailin’s illustrations are sure to inspire thoughts of warmer days, flowers blooming, squirrels frolicking in the park and birds chirping.
Specializing in her 2-D illustrations, this Toronto-based illustrator blew us away for this year’s Spring menu art. We recently sat down with Cailin to find out more about her work and her journey as a freelance illustrator. Read on.
Hi Cailin, tell us a bit about yourself and your art journey so far.
My name is Cailin Doherty, I’m a Toronto-based Illustrator. I specialize in 2-D illustration and have the most fun doing editorial illustration, drawing characters, and painting on anything I can find.
Ever since 2020, I’ve been kickin’ the freelance lifestyle and jumping into any projects I can. The most notable project being working with you guys (Demetres). I’ve also done the cover for NOW Magazine for the 2020 Thanksgiving Issue.
Cailin’s illustration for NOW Magazine Thanksgiving 2020
What sparked your interest in illustration ?
Crayola has outdone themselves. As a child, their scented markers and twistable crayons just fostered my creativity. I’m such a fan. I’ve been drawing since I’ve been able to hold a pencil so I’m fortunate enough to say that I think this was a calling for me.
Deck of personalized Pokémon cards designed by Greer
How long did it take you to develop your current style? Was it something that you had already established when you started at OCAD?
It’s crazy to think when I first started at OCAD I was terrified of digital work - which I can’t even fathom right now. Two years into my University career I had this fantastic professor, Fiona Smyth. She really helped me feel a lot more confident in my digital work. It took me a while to get into the digital pool and develop my skill but here we are!
Fiona Smyth’s design of Sneaky Dee’s signage - which has become a Toronto cultural icon
My creative process involves me hashing things out in my sketchbook first. My sketches don’t have to be perfect or look pretty; in fact, most of the time it doesn’t. From there, I create my work digitally and really see the piece come to life.
What about 2D illustration are you drawn to most?
I love texture in my work. I have so many brushes downloaded that are a variety of textures. It really adds so much depth to the picture.
What are the important tools you use in your daily work?
I use my sketchbook, Procreate and Photoshop on my iPad. When I do traditional work I usually use Gouache Paint.
Have you ever run into an artist’s block? If so, where do you turn to for inspiration?
110%. I usually watch shows or documentaries where I feel like I can learn something new. It doesn’t always have to be in the art field but it always helps when it is. For example, I’ve been watching this TV documentary - 10 Years with Hayao Miyazaki. It gives an intimate look into the director’s process. It shows him in various states of his artist block and it’s mind-blowing to witness how even professionals suffer from artist block.
We were looking at your OCAD U Thesis “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” and were fascinated by your illustrations. Can you expand more on theories of likeability and your motivations behind this project.
In my thesis, I wanted to depict in an ironic way how friendships can happen in unlikely ways. My friends are extremely important to me and I wanted to honour them through depicting relationships in connection with a bit of humour as well.
When you graduated from OCAD, did you transition into freelance work right away?
Yes, I think the way the program was structured for illustration at OCAD it caters more towards the freelance lifestyle, so I kind of just hopped right into that right away.
What's your dream client or project?
I’ve always wanted to combine my two passions of video gaming and art. Initially, I wanted to do concept art but then I had the sudden realization I enjoy drawing cute animals way too much. I use this program called Steam which runs all my PC games. They have various events which happen on their store pages, where they have great backdrops and characters to promote their sales. I would love to create something for this program and have it be displayed there.
Speaking of video games, what are some of your favourites?
I’m addicted to Elden Ring at the moment. I just finished the game Ghost of Tsushima and it was equally as amazing. I really like story-based RPG games where there is a lot of character customization. I’m really into Mass Effect and Dragon Age, both titles by BioWare.
Would you say your experience with video games differs as an artist?
Yes, I would say so. While playing through I’m always thinking about the attention to detail, time and effort that goes into the game.
Who is your biggest inspiration or illustration idol?
I’m extremely inspired by my fellow peers who graduated with me at OCAD. It helps knowing we’re all in this together and are able to speak with one another about various things. Often, we critique each other's work - I think it’s so important as an artist to get a third party to look at your work. You can be working on something for so long and sometimes you just need that outside perspective. It’s both humbling and inspiring to be friends with them, and feel motivated to pursue my dreams as well as share my journey in art with them.
Another inspiration of mine is Ivna Lins. She’s a great inspiration to my work as well so I’d like to shout her out.
Can you tell us more about your inspiration behind the 2022 Spring Menu Art and what messages you’re trying to convey?
In my work, I typically like to depict relationships and connections so I figured that should be easy enough to do with desserts. Obviously, desserts are a comfort food to all of us. Your friends and loved ones are also a comfort, so it’s all about combining this into one space.
It brings me joy to depict people interacting in an outdoor space; especially, in light of our most recent lockdown. I also get inspiration from the animals because they are a constant reminder of my father. We have an inside joke that he has this ongoing war with squirrels in our backyard. So that’s partially inspired by my father as well!
When you’re not working, what do you get up to here in Toronto? What do you enjoy doing most in your spare time?
I’m a bit of a hermit so I like to spend a lot of time indoors playing video games and I also stream my art. When I’m not doing that, I like to visit board game cafes with my friends, seeing movies is always very inspiring for me, I love all you can eat sushi and finally, I love to visit high park and seeing everyone with their adorable dogs.
What’s your ideal creative environment? Do you listen to anything in the background - music, podcasts, movies? Do you have favorites that you recommend?
Sometimes, I find it can be hard to focus on work if there’s too much going on around me, so silence just works better for me when I’m really in the zone.
More recently though, I’ve been watching my friends stream video games or their art on Twitch so I’ll keep them on in the background while I’m drawing. When they’re debuting artwork it’s a great collaborative space and it’s very inspiring. When I’m not watching, I like to listen to RnB, New Disco, Pop Punk, Hip-Hop. I’m a huge fan of the artist Joji. In terms of movies, Napoleon Dynamite has through and through been one of my favourites of all time.
If you can give a piece of advice to anyone new in the industry what would it be?
Keep producing work (with ample room for breaks obviously). You can’t get too caught up in your own headspace. Don’t feel too pressured to execute things flawlessly. Something you produce that you don’t like could be another person's favourite.
Thank you Cailin for the insightful conversation and beautiful artwork!
Here’s our Spring 2022 menu cover
And the bill cards
