Artist Highlight: Liana Finck
Liana’s pup, Penny
Our first distinguished interviewee is cartoonist, author, illustrator, funny person, Fulbright fellowship recipient, and new mother (congrats!) Liana Finck. I discovered Liana through her work with The New Yorker years ago, and am honored to have an original drawing of her’s hanging in the cushioned nook of Cherry on Top. Her always insightful, often personal illustrations bring light to the absurdity of everyday interactions in a very funny way. From gender expectations to relationships with pets, her drawings expose and twist the awkward situations of life that can be so uncomfortable to deal with. Liana however, confronts these situations in a way that makes us want to laugh, not cry (well maybe both, and also punch something but lightheartedly), striking an out of tune chord within everyone who has ever felt the weight of societal norms, or at least stepped foot on a subway.
Q: Did you study art? If so what? If no what, and how did you start creating?
A: I️ didn’t really have art classes until I️ started preparing to apply for college. Then I️ went to art school, Cooper Union. I️ thought I’d be a fine artist but art school made me think otherwise.
Q: Name one of your first strong memories of color
A: The rust orange carpet in the house we rented until I️ was 9 months old. My mom hated that carpet, but of course I️ loved it.
Q:What brought you to NYC?
A: I’m descended from New York Jews. Our trajectory was Brooklyn -> the suburbs -> the exurbs -> Brooklyn again.
Q: Why did you choose the area of the city you live in? Does it impact your work?
A: I’m in Windsor Terrace now. It’s low-key and kind. I️ was in park slope for a long time, and that’s part of why I️ used to do a lot of cartoons about rage - it’s pushy and entitled there, although also so beautiful and still a place I️ love.
Q: Have you ever felt stuck in your style? If so, what did you do to move past this block?
A: I️ felt more stuck before I️ had a style. I️ came up with my style pretty consciously when I️ was in my late twenties. It’s a shorthand and makes me feel lest lost in indecision. I’d still like more of that—more confidence, more ability to use shorthand.
Q: Is there a specific travel experience or place that you remember being overwhelmed by inspiration? If so, how did that manifest itself?
A: Before covid time and having a baby, I️ used to go to the ocean once a week. I️ still go there in my dreams pretty often. It cleared my head and made my happy. Being with my kid does that now, so I️ don’t need it as much, but boy do I️ miss having real glimpses of nature.
Q: What did you want to be when you were a five year old?
A: A cartoonist. Who also worked in an ice cream parlor.
Q: What did you want to be in high school?
A: A fine artist.
Q: What were your favorite foods when you were five? In high school?
A: Five: salmon, avocado, peas and cheese. High school: Diet Coke, cool whip, dry cereal eaten on the sly.
Q: Do you consider yourself more of a city person or a country person? Does that affect your work?
A: im a country person who lives in the city. My work is all about that.
Q: What medium do you like to work in?
A: pen on paper. It’s helpful to be proficient in digital things, too, for editing and adding color, but that’s not really how I️ draw.
Q: How do you think your style has evolved since you started creating art?
A: I️ think.
FAVORITES
Food: kale salad with tuna. chocolate croissant
Drink: coffee
Read: Renata Adler’s Speedboat
Film: Satyajit Ray’s Charulata
Podcast: WTF
Smell: geranium
Color: coral
Texture: flannel
Song to play on repeat: Anything by Cecile mcLorin Salvant
Self-care practice: bath with baby. The met. train riding.
Article of clothing I like woven silk sweaters from thrift stores. But mostly live in my jogging t-shirts and sweatpants or shorts.
Saying: Does a bear shit in the woods? (My brother says that sometimes).
Time of day: Anything but afternoon
Piece of advice you’ve been given: My new therapist recently told me that when someone yells at you on the street, they’re not taking your autonomy, they’re asking for it. If you yell back, they got it.
Wine: Paleokerisio , or Manischewitz
