Meet the Artist behind Minni's Summer Coloring Cards - Margot Huffman
Artist Spotlight: Margot Huffman
Have you seen our newest coloring cards? If you haven’t make sure you grab one next time you come to class, they’re perfect for quick on-the-go coloring and doodling for your little artist(s).
We were lucky enough to collaborate with local artist and illustrator Margot Huffman to create our newest coloring cards for summer. Dive deeper into how Margot first discovered Minni, learn more about her career, and what she’s up to now in our ‘minni interview’ below.
And if you’re staying local this summer and looking for engaging and creative programming for your little one(s), be sure to check out Minni’s Summer Programming. You can find Minni all over Boston this summer in Beacon Hill, South End, and Cambridge.
Please share a bit about yourself and how you came to be where you are today.
During undergrad, I studied studio art and marketing with a minor in art history. I really wanted to work in arts marketing, for a gallery or museum. When I first moved to New York after school I worked for the Whitney Museum of American Art and later for ARTnews Magazine.
It was during my time at the magazine, however, that I decided to go back to school and dive deeper into design. So I left my full time job to attend a program at Parsons School of Design. Still needing to make rent, I ended up nannying part time for a few different families in my neighborhood in Brooklyn.
Surrounded by little ones, my approach to design quickly revolved around kids' products and illustration and its been a continued source of inspiration as I continue exploring childrens' book illustration.
How would you describe yourself in three words?
Curious, curator, collector
Where do you get your inspiration from?
We live in Charleston, SC, so I'm never far from the ocean. I find that collecting objects from nature is always a good place to start when starting a new project.
I've also been collecting art history and design books for years, so I have huge collection to pull from when I need a jolt of inspiration. Whenever I'm in a creative rut, I pull books off the shelf and flip through until something strikes
Do you have a favorite project of yours?
During quarantine, I would go for walks collecting dried flowers, rocks, and even bees and butterflies I found on the ground. There was one particular courtyard that was filled with dried hydrangeas that gathered in piles and I would collect them without any idea what to do with them.
I later disassembled them to create a textural piece that involved laying out individual petals in a subtle pattern. I love this piece because it reminds me of when we were all stuck inside without the ability to visit museums or galleries. It was a time you could see people everywhere getting really creative to fill that hole.
Anything exciting in the works that you can share?
Right now I'm participating in a 75 day drawing challenge with a community of illustrators and aspiring illustrators of all levels of experience. My illustration style during this challenge has taken an unexpected shift, exploring a more photo-realist style, so I'm leaning into it to see where it might lead.
What made you want to collaborate with Minni?
I actually lived in Boston for several years. During my first year, I nannied for a family in the South End and discovered Minni and the studio's open hours. I used to take my little ones over to sit in the reading corner or create messy collages from scrap material. It was the perfect escape just a few blocks from home and the kids found the space so exciting.
I had no idea at the time that I would later meet Minni's founder and owner Kelly Harris Smith through a job I got right after. I started working with the marketing team for FilzFelt, a company that Kelly founded as well!
Minni was a space that provided such an inspiring experience for the little ones I nannied at the time. It was an absolute pleasure when Kelly reached out about illustrating the studio's next coloring page.
Which other artists do you admire and why?
Right now I'm surrounding myself with childrens' books by illustrators I love. I love the work of M. Sesak and his series of city books (This is New York, This is London, etc). I also love the style of Jon Klasson, Julia Sarda, Edward Gorey, and Oliver Jeffers.