Meet Drew Madden | Illustrator & Watercolor Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Drew Madden and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Drew, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
I was substitute teaching in Santa Cruz and I needed a way to pass the time. A lot of days, I would watch the same movie 4-6 times. I started drawing and watercoloring and really enjoyed it. There is an artist named Tim Ward who makes stickers in Santa Cruz and sells them all over California. I thought I could make them for my home town and that summer printed some stickers and sold them at a local campground. I made $1,500 and was able to buy a ticket to Africa with the money I made. After that I decided it was a great way to make travel money and then through growing the number of stores I worked with, I was able to do it full time.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I think one of the most important experiences to help me get where I’m at was my job substitute teaching. A lot of time, they are busy taking tests, reading, or watching a movie. I would draw and paint a lot. To get better at something you have to be mediocre for a long time. It’s hard to make beautiful things. As I started to make money selling stickers, I was able to work fewer days a week. Substitute teaching really supported my artwork until it was able to support me. It also gave me the flexibility and time to put in the work it took to improve as an artist.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I like to surf, so I would probably take them to La Jolla Shores, then maybe go to Blacks Beach for a walk or Torrey Pines. I love Encinitas so I would definitely go up there and maybe get something at the Taco Stand. My favorite coffee shop is Pannikin in Encinitas but the one in La Jolla is also really nice.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My mom’s best friend is an artist. Her name is Andie Thrams. She was always getting me to draw and would get me little artist gifts for my birthday and Christmas. Over the course of my childhood that all added up. I don’t know that I would have become an artist without her encouragement.

Website: www.drewmaddenart.com

Instagram: @rivers.to.sea

Image Credits
Natasha Lozanoff Sydney Smith