JON KVASSAY
Jon Kvassay is a freelance illustrator based in Cleveland, Ohio, who specializes in editorial illustrations.
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CREATIVE STATEMENT
My interest in open spaces, folklore, and the unknown began with a series of long car rides. As a child, I traveled back and forth from the suburbs of Los Angeles to the Mojave Desert, helping repair rental houses. During those trips, I absorbed a lot of Coast to Coast AM and developed a love for the strange, rocky landscapes of the desert. Later in life, I drove myself around the country for various, now hard-to-remember reasons, collecting stories along the way—stories about orbs, Bigfoot, and anything else that seemed to be slowly becoming less unbelievable. Over the years, my painting and design practice has evolved through the constant experimentation and reinvention that come with making fine art and developing visual stories. As an illustrator specializing in editorial work with a folkloric point of view, I try to bring that same sense of curiosity into every project. I always put the client first while working within the visual universe I’ve created.
What I love most about illustration is its ability to bring fine art and design together. With a successful hand-painted illustration, I believe the goal is to give the client what they need while making the kind of work I do best. At its best, it’s a co-creation. For me, the two most important qualities of a successful primitive illustration are simple: Does it tell the story, and is it impactful? Ideally, it’s the kind of image a reader comes back to again and again. To maintain and expand my skill set, I’m always challenging myself to make new work, explore new ideas, and research the subjects that keep me curious.
Q&A
Which publication does a great job of using illustration?
Breath Magazine, Heartbeat Magazine, Broccoli Magazine, and Orion Magazine, as well as the classics: The New Yorker, The Atlantic, and Rolling Stone. I love publications that understand illustration can do more than simply accompany a story—that it can add another layer to it.
What topic do you most enjoy illustrating?
Anything that tells a personal story—a hero’s journey. I’m especially drawn to animals, nature, and Western and outdoor culture. Lately, I’ve also found myself increasingly interested in interior design and men’s fashion. It would be fun to take a crack at those worlds.
What magazine cover do you want your illustration to be on?
It’s always an honor to be on the cover of anything, but I suppose the cover of The New Yorker would be like winning a Gold Medal. I’ve always thought it would be pretty cool to see my work in an airport bookstore.
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