Devin DuMond: Meet the Artist

Meet Devin DuMond, an artist focused in graphic design, illustration, graphite drawings and murals. Devin has worked with Lions and Rabbits on RAD Women A-Z, Storm Drains and an independent mural at Matchbox restaurant. We are honored to have worked with Devin and invite you to learn more about their work in the following interview.

Q: How did you get involved with Lions and Rabbits?

A: My students at Kendall told me about Lions & Rabbits when it first opened up. I loved the gallery layout and how it was so different from anything else in town. It wasn't long before I responded to a call for teachers and soon began holding classes and workshops in the space as well as showing my work. They have provided so many great opportunities for me as an artist and educator, including my most recent mural located in Eastown.

Q: What themes/ideas are highlighted in your work? Intentions?

A: It really depends on the project. When working with a client or collaborator, I try to make sure that the work I am creating is what is asked for and needed. I enjoy creating work that reflects the space it is in and can connect with the local community. I'd say my mural work is all about that: community.

Matchbox 1345 Lake Dr. SE Grand Rapids, MI 49506

Q: Run us through your creative process - How do you start, flow and finish?

A: I'm a perfectionist so I go through many stages with my work to make sure I have a well thought out plan and am communicating with my client well. Generally, I start with a pencil or digital drawing of the concept. From there, I will do a full color digital mockup that is to scale. This not only conveys my image really effectively, but also serves as my map for large scale work. I do a lot of measuring and planning! Once I have approval for my design, its go time! I use a lot of flat colors and simple shapes in my mural work which—when it all comes together—creates a piece that is fun, graphic, and easy to read from a distance.

Q: What obstacles/struggles have you encountered throughout your career as an artist? Or challenges you face through your creative process

A: I'd say one of my biggest obstacles is time management. I think I do a fair job balancing everything but when it comes to being a freelance artist, you can't really plan ahead when you'll have a lot of work or not. Murals are both time sensitive and time intensive, so making sure my other work is still being taken care of while on a big painting job is key.

Q: Can you share a little more about how your art career started. Have you always been in your field? Were you self taught or had additional schooling?

A: Both of my parents are artists so I had the advantage as a child to grow up in a creative environment. For example, I started using Photoshop at a fairly young age because my mom was working from home as a graphic designer. I started taking on freelance projects in High School and really consider that the beginning of my career. I continued from there to Kendall College of Art and Design for both undergrad and grad school, where I majored in Illustration and Fine Art Drawing, respectively.

Q: Who/what are your biggest inspirations that play a key role in the work you produce?

A: I'd say my parents for sure. They taught be a lot on both the fine art end of the spectrum to the commercial side of art.

Storm Drain 2021 : Trowbridge St NW & Bond Ave NW

Q: Is there anything you wish you could change about your work?

A: That it was better! Seriously though, I look at so much art that it is easy to fall into imposter syndrome. I have to remind myself that even though there are incredible artists doing amazing things every day, that there is still room, and validity, to my artwork.

Q: What mistakes have you made? What did you learn from them? What are you trying to get better at?

A: I think one of the biggest mistakes I make as a professional artist is not valuing what I do enough. Pricing your work is one of the biggest challenges as an artist and I can think of so many times when I made the mistake of under-selling what I do.

Q: Do you feel supported by your community as an artist? In what ways could you feel more supported?

A: Yes and I think L&R does a FANTASTIC job supporting artists :)

Q: Describe a moment when you felt most proud of yourself

A: Completing any mural has been a huge moment for me. Murals are so challenging — whether its the scale, the location, or the equipment needed — and when I finish one I always look back and think, "wow, I thought that would be impossible... but I did it!”

Q: What's most important to you about what you create, and how it impacts others?

A: That it's authentic. I always want to create work that only I can create... that has that unique "Devin" quality to it. I may change styles, or media, or color palettes, but at the end of the day, I want to make sure my work reflects me as an artist.

Q: What's next? What are you currently focusing on or looking forward to?

A: Just open to what 2022 has in store for me!

Q: What does being an artist mean to you? What is the function of artists in society?

A: Being an artist means so many things. We are the creators and visionaries of the world. Artists are capable of bringing beauty, change, conversation, and so much more. For me personally, I love taking ideas and giving them life through art — its the foundation of my business! I don't think there's anything better than being an artist.

Q: And of course, if you could chose any vehicle to travel, real or imaginary what would it be?

A: A sweet-a** Jeep ;)

Follow more of their work on hatchcs.com and instagram.com/hatchcreativeservices

Thank you for tuning into this week’s Meet the Artist, be sure to checkout more artist stories every week on our blog!

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