For Los Angeles-based artist Robin Eisenberg, outer space is a safe space.
“The vastness of the universe has always felt oddly cozy to me,” she says. Eisenberg’s work often focuses on otherworldly beings engaged in everyday leisure activities, like lounging in bed or listening to music. By depicting these figures in moments of intimacy, she bridges the gap between the faraway and the familiar. Over years of illustrating, painting murals, and collaborating with brands, Eisenberg has carved out an impressive niche in the art world. Recently, she even brought her images to the screen in “The Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy,” a new animated TV series on Prime.
We connected with Robin to get an inside look at her artistic practice and hear the best piece of cosmic self-care advice she’s ever received.
Your work frequently centers on aliens and intergalactic creatures — how did you come to be interested in these figures?
I’ve always been so inspired by outer space (both what we know is out there and the possibility of what might be out there!) The thought of the vastness of the universe has always felt oddly cozy to me. Star Trek (especially TNG) and the X-Files have been my go-to comfort shows for as long as I can remember. I love fantasy, too, and have so many super old sketchbooks full of swordswomen and dragons. I’m also very inspired by life on Earth, just everyday moments – appreciating the feeling of being yourself, comfortable in your body and in your space or in nature. Drawing these cosmic intergalactic beings in relatable cozy settings felt very right – it felt like the combination of all the things that I’ve always loved.
You’ve collaborated with tons of brands — from Urban Decay to Vans to Adobe. How do you see your brand work as fitting into your broader creative practice?
It’s so much fun! I love figuring out how my art and style can intersect with a brand’s aesthetic – like creating through a different lens. I work alone most of the time so collaborating and getting to share ideas and excitement with a team of people is really awesome. I’m also so grateful that I’ve been able to see my work in such different formats than what I would normally create. The Urban Decay NAKED palette and the Vans skate deck were both very proud moments for me! I always try to balance brand projects with personal projects to keep myself evolving and feeling excited about my own work.
You were production designer and coproducer on Prime’s new animated TV series “The Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy.” How does your approach differ when you’re designing for animation rather than illustration?
It’s very different! I learned so much. There are a lot of factors you have to keep in mind – things you wouldn’t normally have to think about with illustration. This character you’re creating has to be able to move in all different directions and be animated by so many different people! There’s a lot of figuring out what’s possible and also what’s important. Then it’s so wild and awesome to see these characters and this world you’ve all been working on just be completely brought to life as all the pieces come together! It was amazing to work with so many incredible people who each brought something totally new and beautiful and funny to each part of the process. I had never experienced anything like that and it was really so wonderful.
What are the most frequent challenges you encounter during your artistic process? How do you go about solving them?
One challenge I deal with pretty often is just keeping my focus and energy where I want them to be. It can be hard as an artist to feel like you’re keeping up with every aspect of your career and it can feel impossible to focus equally on every different thing you need or want to do. Sometimes I get so overwhelmed and instead of drawing, I end up just sitting around worrying and overthinking. If I catch myself doing that, I’ll try to do an activity that’s totally unrelated to art or work for a few minutes, whether it’s making tea or taking a quick walk or making a playlist. It can help me to reset and come back to my work feeling more focused on the art I’m making right now, instead of on trying to figure everything out all at once.
Your book “Cosmic Care” combines drawings and helpful self-care tips. What’s the best piece of self-care advice you’ve ever gotten?
It’s one that I still really struggle with but just the idea that we all deserve rest – regardless of our output or our productivity. I tend to slip into the mindset that I can only really rest once I’ve finished all of my work or done all of my tasks or accomplished something important. I’m really trying to get better about resting without feeling any sense of guilt or pressure. Some of the most successful and creative artists I know are people who know how to truly rest and enjoy that time off regardless of what’s happening in their work life. I really admire that and I’m trying to let myself rest more often.
Your work has a unique and very distinctive palette. Can you talk about your approach to color?
Thank you so much! For so long I only really drew with black pen on paper, so it took me a long time to find a color palette and start even working with color at all. Getting a tablet and learning Photoshop helped so much! It felt really exciting to be able to experiment with different colors and figure out what felt right. I’ve always loved pastels, neons, and earthy tones, so I just started combining all of them and finding my favorite combinations. I’ve noticed that my palette has shifted a bit over the years and continues to evolve. I can always tell when I start to feel a little restless with my work that it might be time to try out some new colors!
Can you tell us a bit more about your workspace and the role it plays in your process? Do you keep any special trinkets or items around for inspiration?
It’s so important for me to have a place that feels calm and cozy and dreamy. I love having plants and stones and little lights and mirrors and scents that smell good (my fav are the piñon incense bricks by Incienso de Santa Fe!) I also love these two tiny geode caves I have – there’s a tiny woman figurine in each of them. They’re called Lady Caves from Chaparral Studio (who are amazing!) I also just painted some alien boob and butt mug containers for pens and brushes, and I love them so much! I always hang my own art up behind my desk, it sorta makes it feel like I’m hanging out with my space friends while I work. I feel supported! I moved recently, and in my new office my desk faces out to a corner of windows surrounded by trees and it’s so wonderful. I love having lots of light and it’s always been my dream to look out my office window into nature! There are hawks and squirrels outside constantly and it’s just so peaceful and lovely.
You’ve done an incredible job carving out a niche in the world of illustration. Could you talk about how you use Society6 to compliment your business as a whole?
Thank you so much! Society6 was so important in my career, it really was such a huge part of how I was able to start selling my art and get noticed. It helped me so much to get my art and my name out there (and also to see my art on a shower curtain which is still VERY exciting for me). I recently revamped my Society6 shop and I love that there are products on the site that can’t be found anywhere else. The wood panel art is sooo gorgeous! I also love the desk pads, and all of the household items like coasters and clocks. The quality of everything is amazing and the items feel really unique and special. I love that Society6 has been such a big part of my art career.
Comments