Artists, being creatives, sometimes feel the need to change their names to better reflect who they are. MissHappyPink (misshappypink.com) — well, just saying, that name makes me smile. Her real name is Brittney McCormick, and her artwork is on our cover this week.
LEO: I’ve got to ask. Where did the name MissHappyPink come from?
MissHappyPink: Well, I’m kind of a jerk and was poking at my partner [Justin Kamerer]; he creates under the name ‘Angryblue’ and for years drew mostly skulls and bones. When he started to branch out and incorporate flowers and other elegant items into his work I started making up silly names for him. One of those was Happypink and after I started printing myself, I thought it was too cute not to steal and use as my own. The ‘miss’ got added on after the first year — it just sounded better in my option so I stuck with it. I’ve been going by Brittney Cat for 14 years. Simply put, I love cats!
LEO: When did you start screen printing, and what’s your favorite part about it?
MHP: A friend of mine was an artist, designer and printer, so I would hang out while he printed and help around his shop. I always thought it was interesting and in 2012, when I had two surgeries, I took up learning to design to keep myself busy post-op. That friend became my boyfriend, then my fiancé and is now my husband. He has helped teach me to design and print and I’m forever grateful. What I like most about screen printing is the process. With any of the various art [media] I’ve explored (photography, ceramics, sewing, just to name a few), the element that I loved the most was creating something from start to finish and the different stages it went through to become a final piece. When I started learning about the printing process and held a squeegee for the fist time, I felt like I found an extension of myself.
LEO: What is your printmaking process?
MHP: Once I create a design using Photoshop or Illustrator, I then screen print it the old fashioned way onto paper or textiles. By old-fashioned, I mean that I hand-pull my screen prints with two hands and a squeegee on a tabletop press. I love creating art prints and greeting cards on paper as well as wearable art such as patches and t-shirts. The process is not perfect and although prints may look pretty similar, no two are exactly alike. Some prints have imperfections and I find beauty in that.
LEO: You are currently in ‘Cuteopia!’ at Revelry Boutique Gallery. Why do you like to do that show?
MHP: This is the fourth year of this show and I’ve been lucky enough to be a part of it since the very first one! Mo McKnight Howe and Lyndi Lou do an awesome job of showcasing some of the city’s awesome and talented female artists. It’s inspiring and motivating to see the group come together each year and how diverse the art [media] represented are. Not to mention that the pieces are affordable and I end up treating myself to some awesome pieces to decorate my home and studio.
LEO: What is something people do not know about you that you want us to know?
MHP: I was 26 when quit my good paying day job with benefits and started working towards what I wanted to be doing, which was selling what I create. It took a few more years for the next step: stop having a back-up plan. When I stopped having a back-up plan and doubting in what I was capable of, that’s when I felt the passion and love for what I’m doing now. I’m putting in more hours and working harder then I have at any job ever. I don’t have a ton of money or the nicest of anything, but I do what I love everyday and that’s more then most people can say. Support local makers, artists and businesses — we are humble and grateful.
