Sobremesa with Delaney Yvonne
Artist and designer on switching careers and starting over in your late 20's
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 : )
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.
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.
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.
Over time, it became obvious that I needed to pivot to something creative. I enrolled in a graphic design program and never looked back. As soon as I was in my first class I was like “this is the perfect job for me”. It seems so obvious in retrospect but it took me a long time to get to that point. For some reason, I wasn’t giving myself permission to think of art as a career option.
The advice I would give to someone considering a pivot:
Give yourself permission. Don’t wait for someone to tell you it’s okay.
You probably think you’re too old to pivot but you’re not.
Think of it as an advantage! You will have experience and skills from someone who has only worked in one field. You may be a few years older than your new coworkers or classmates, but you will have diverse experience.
Let’s talk about your creative process! When you get great ideas you’re excited about, how do you make sure they don’t slip away? What’s the first step you take to bring them to life? I like to keep a little notepad and write everything down, but I’ve heard of friends who like to draw their ideas or record themselves to capture them before they disappear.
I write myself little notes that would make zero sense to an outsider. My notes app is unhinged. An example I just found: “repeating like animorph, mesh, transparency multiply”. Makes perfect sense!
I remember ideas better with visual references, so I have a private Pinterest board for every idea I’ve ever had.
“Over time, it became obvious that I needed to pivot to something creative. I enrolled in a graphic design program and never looked back. As soon as I was in my first class, I was like “this is the perfect job for me”. It seems so obvious in retrospect but it took me a long time to get to that point. For some reason, I wasn’t giving myself permission to think of art as a career option.”
Do you have any techniques for overcoming creative blocks? For those times when you don’t know what to create or where to start?
Sleep on it: Whenever I get stuck on something, I take time away and come back the next day. The problem always seems easier with fresh eyes.
Thumbnail sketches & word mapping: I got in the habit of doing these during design school. It always helps.
When all else fails, watch a good movie.
What are your favorite ways of finding inspiration outside of the internet?
Volunteering. I volunteer with an arts organization called The 525. We host exhibitions for emerging artists. I do all of the design work, including the posters for all of the exhibitions. Working with that group and meeting the artists is a constant inspiration.
Friends from different age groups! I have friends who are way older than me and friends who are way younger. Can’t recommend this enough!
Getting dressed. I love planning outfits. It’s a fun way to be creative that is completely separate from my work and just for myself. Shout out to my sweet partner for giving me so much closet space
Things Delaney is loving lately 💋
Online:
Post Projects: The design studio I work at!!!
Anjela Freja on TikTok: She does a weekly video that reviews what’s happening in the art/design world. She’s so good.
Jessica DeFino: The Review of Beauty: I am obsessed with Jessica’s work. She is a beauty reporter and critic. She critiques the beauty industry in a thoughtful and enlightening way, and she has changed the way I view beauty culture.
Fire of Love: A movie about volcanoes that is visually breathtaking.
The Pitt: So much medical jargon. So much drama. I loved it.
Going down niche Etsy rabbit holes. For example, I have one multi-page collection for keychains, one for vintage French ribbon, and one for Juicy Couture zip-ups.
Offline:
Urban Source craft store in Vancouver: They have a huge assortment of alternative art supplies (for example, an entire bin of mismatched vinyl scraps). Great place for ephemera, weird art materials and design inspiration.
Maude Sips: Really cool, wine-forward event series in Vancouver. Hosted by the brilliant Martina Maude.
Tools Magazine: An annual publication out of Paris. Each issue revolves around a different type of manufacturing technique or “tool”.
The Wall by Marlen Haushoffer: A book I really enjoyed about a woman who gets isolated in the Swiss Alps behind a mysterious wall. It's a dystopian story, but it somehow felt soft and idyllic.
Explore Delaney’s work at delaneyyvonne.com or connect with her on Instagram.
Thanks so much for reading this edition of Sobremesa! If this conversation sparked something in you, please let us know in the comments. We want to hear all about it.
really enjoyed this, her paintings are lovely! I can't wait to watch this volcano movie
this was so fun! thanks for inviting me into your world! I love your creative mind and the community you've built 💌