Today’s “20 Questions” feature is with an awesome dude named Lonny Hurley. I have known him for about 15 years. (wow…it’s been that long?) Lonny & I both grew up in the same town. Graduated from the same high school. And we both moved away from there. He has gone on to become such an amazing graphic artist. He and his wife Kate currently live in Portland, where is works for Nike. His artwork inspires me to get off my butt and be creative and find something I truly enjoy in life. I hope that you enjoy these questions and answers!!! Let’s get this started!
Name: Lonny Hurley
Location: Portland, OR
Hometown: Bandera, TX
Website: www.lonnyhurley.com
1. How long have you worked in the Graphic Arts field?
I’ve been dabbling in the graphics arena in some form or fashion since 2003
2. What sparked your interest causing you to pursue this career?
I was taking illustration classes in Austin, TX at the community college when I was asked if I wanted to be a screen printing apprentice by Sam Coronado at his studio and there began to learn more about posters and minimal colors for design, from there I knew design was the way to go and left illustration behind(reminding me i still would like to draw more. I guess another turning point was working with David Allen at HM Magazine, he was a big inspiration to be creative.
3. What is your favorite project that you have done to date?
I designed a pair of boots for Helm Handmade out of Austin. This was done while I was working out of Brooklyn so I gave them that name. The boots are a classic engineer boot with a double thick toe, so classy.
4. What would be your dream design job?
Disney/Pixar. That would be killer.
5. If you weren’t a graphic designer, what would you like to be doing for a living?
Traveling Banjo player or an actor in McDonalds commercials.
6. Did you have any artistic background?
Sorta, in High School I was in theater so that is a creative thing.
7. Do you have any specific ways to keep the creative-ness flowing when working on a project?
Procrastinate to the last min. then bust it out.
8. Who is another artist that you look up to? Why?
I have 2, Erick Montes who works with Helm Workshop in Austin, he is incredibly talented and so motivated to be the best he can. My second is Adam Garcia, he is another designer at Nike, his hand lettering is unreal, pretty sure he sold his soul to el doable.
9. What are the best//worst parts of being a graphic designer?
The best part is that its possible to work for yourself and do well. The worst part is that it becomes hard to do anything just for yourself.
10. What would be your best advice to anyone wanting to pursue this career?
The secret, I don’t know… I guess you’ve just gotta find something you love to do and then… do it for the rest of your life. For me, it’s going to Rushmore.
Max Fischer:
(Begin random-ness)
11. What are your top 5 favorite albums?
Impossible question
Right now my top are as follows
Thurston Moore : Benediction
Grails : Deep Politics
Okkervil River : I am Very Far
David Bazan : Stange Negotiations
My Morning Jacket : Circuital
12. What is your favorite song of all time?
Any Ramones song
13. If you were the topic of tabloid headlines, what would the headlines read?
Mans Head Found : It Wasn’t Attached
14. If a movie was to be made about your life, what actor would you like to see play the role as you?
Joseph Gordon-Levitt
15. What type of movie would it be? (Horror, comedy….)
Sci-Fi Comedy
16. What is your favorite food/drink combo?
Taco/Horchata
17. What was the last movie you saw in the theater? How was it?
Hangover 2; ehh.
18. What do you miss most about Texas?
Food, sunshine, food.
19. What do you enjoy doing in your spare time, for fun?
Watching entire seasons of TV shows I missed, just finished PArty Down (RIP)
20. What would be your best “life advice” to the readers of this interview?
See question 10.
Thank you so much Lonny for taking time to answer these questions! I am excited to see all the amazing artistc-ness you come up with in the future! Everyone else be sure and check out his website!
XOXO, Christie Gee
