Blogger Babble: Anna Bond

By Lexi Green
April 29, 2010

Anna Bond Gallery

Rifle Paper Co. Happy Mother's Day Card ($4.50)
Illustrated Notes & Calling Cards featuring whimsical portraits in your likeness
Custom Invitation: Avi & Kate
Blog Post: Happy Weekend, the genius of Saipua, & Twitter
Katharine & Brandon's Wedding Program Fans
Alphabet Poster ($50)
Blog Post: The wedding shoebox palette
Assorted Dog Card Set ($16)

Back in high school, Anna Bond thought she would be a traditional artist, painting away on canvases, showing in galleries and hoping to someday land her work in a museum. Fate had a different plan for her. After majoring in graphic design in college and working as an art director at a magazine (where she often incorporated her own illustrative work into the layouts), she was doing freelancing work when a close friend asked Bond to design her wedding invitation.

"It just clicked," she tells us of her first attempt a designing paper goods. "[They] became the perfect medium to experiment and incorporate my love of drawing with my love of graphic design in a really unique way." As orders began to come in, Bond decided to create her own brand. "I realized that I wanted to start and grow my own company, so I began working toward creating a look and a brand, she says. "I loved freelancing, but I really had a passion to start a line of products and have the freedom to do exactly what I wanted do and create what I wanted to create."

Last year, she officially opened the doors to her boutique stationery and design studio, Rifle Paper. In addition to custom work, Rifle offers greeting cards, stationery (with personalization options), prints, wrapping paper and more. All boast Bond's signature painterly, whimsical and slightly folk-y style.

Bond keeps fans up to date on her latest endeavors and inspirations from her blog, Rifle Made. It's here where we'll be awaiting the launch next month of her wedding and events templates (party and wedding invitations, save the dates and birth announcements available more affordable prices than her completely custom work) and where we're currently obsessing over a hand-painted and embroidered wedding invitation she recently made for a client.

TIS: What was the first drawing that made you say, "OK I can do this!"?

Anna Bond: I remember painting the alphabet poster that we have in the shop a long time ago and feeling like something clicked. I painted it as a gift for my sister-in-law and it was the first time that I illustrated using gouache paint [a water-based paint that is thicker than traditional watercolor]. I felt like it was at that moment that I finally found my illustration voice. It just did something to the way I illustrated that I loved.

TIS: How would you describe your aesthetic?

AB: I think it's some sort of mix of nostalgia and whimsy. I love things that have a simple and timeless look yet are really interesting and unique. That's the balance that I strive for.

TIS: Where do you gather your inspiration from?

AB: I try to find inspiration everywhere around me. I'm always curious about different things, their history and how they work. I love architecture, interior design, typography, and fashion. I tend to mull over the things I see in my head, and then draw rough sketches before beginning any work on my final designs.

TIS: What about your personal design aesthetic, from home decor to fashion—does it match your illustration aesthetic?

AB: Sometimes I feel that it does and sometimes not at all! I love clothing that has a very organic, whimsical, and girly feel. But, I also love stark and modern looks such as mid-century styles and industrial looks. I love so many different styles of design! But, with my own pieces, I'm more careful about making sure everything works together cohesively!

TIS: If I were to give you a blank canvas, what would you draw and why?

AB: That's a tough question! I'd probably draw something from nature. I tend to feel the most at home when I draw flowers and similar illustrative elements. It can often be freer-flowing than a carefully constructed scene to me.

TIS: How have you used eBay, either for design or personal shopping?

AB: eBay is great for looking at styles, textures, and any kind of inspiration! I love that you can get lost in the site and see new things all the time. My favorite eBay purchase is probably my vintage manual camera that was made in the '70s. My dad purchased it on eBay when I was in high school and I've been using it ever since. It takes beautiful pictures and it's one of my favorite things that I own!