Sobremesa with Delaney Yvonne

Artist and designer on switching careers and starting over in your late 20's

Illustration over a digital photo I took the day I met Delaney at the park for this interview. A beautiful, early summer day in Kitsilano.

Today’s guest is Delaney Yvonne, a Vancouver-based artist and designer. Delaney’s work speaks in an intimate language that reaches the ethereal while often being inspired by the mundane. When I met Delaney in person for the first time back in the Spring at a local market, I was delighted by her warmth and her gift to make you feel seen. We bonded over fashion, art making, and the challenges of building community in this city. Instinctively, I asked her to be a guest in the newsletter. I am so excited to share my conversation with her today.

We chatted about:

• What it takes to change careers in your late 20s and how she did it

• How she makes sure precious ideas don’t vanish

• Her obsession with going down niche Etsy rabbit holes

• And so much more!

Grab a seat, your favorite drink, and let’s start with Sobremesa : )

late Summer outfit inspo served by fashion icon and today’s guest

Meet Delaney 👡

I’m a painter and graphic designer based in Vancouver. I’m primarily a painter and art has always been my main passion. In 2021, I went to school to study graphic design and now work full-time at a design agency while continuing to pursue my painting practice. I love biking to work every day, spending time with my family, drinking natural wine with my girlfriends, watching horror movies, and fashion.

My painting style leans toward realism, but I like to include a sense of contradiction or irony, and sometimes elements of social commentary or critique. Visually, I would say my work is feminine and whimsical. I am very intrigued by beauty culture so that theme often finds its way into my work.

In the studio, via Delaney’s Instagram

For people who might not be familiar with your work, what are your preferred materials to work with and favorite techniques?

I am a painter and generally use acrylic on canvas. I’m currently doing a series of paintings that look closely at different textiles and patterns, focusing on their detail and texture. I love making very detailed paintings and using the smallest paintbrush imaginable. If I wake up with a sore wrist, that’s how I know yesterday was a good painting day. Outside of painting, I am a graphic designer. I find that my design work informs my artwork, and vice versa. I love when art and design intersect.

I know you’ve been making art since you were very little. Was this something that came from your parents’ encouragement, maybe by taking you to classes, or have you always naturally gravitated toward creating?

I think a little bit of both. I was always drawn to creative stuff and it always came very naturally to me. But my parents also encouraged me. They gave me time and freedom to draw, paint, collage and let me figure things out on my own. They also introduced me to their artist friends, so I had creative adults I could look up to.

I am a twin, and I’m sure that played a role as well. My twin sister is an amazing athlete and I think I wanted to find my own thing.

‘Make up’ 6X6 by Delaney Yvonne

Before deciding to work in a creative field, you spent a few years in a completely different industry, until you decided to start over and return to school. Many people in their 20s and 30s are afraid of pivoting; it can be a risk, especially when you've built skills in a particular field for some years. What would you say to someone considering making a pivot? Any tips you can share from your experience?

I originally studied science and worked in the environmental non-profit sector as a project manager for years. As much as I loved that work and respect that field, I couldn’t shake the feeling that it wasn’t quite right for me. I would work at my project management job during the day and paint in the evenings. I always felt so happy and alive when I was painting.