Illustrator Danielle Kroll’s draws her inspiration from the past. Fond of vintage children’s books, and mid-century illustrators like Saul Steinberg and Mary Blair she admits that “it’s hard to pinpoint a favorite decade,” as she loves them all. “I’ve always loved the past in a despondent sort of way,” she remarked in an interview with Lonny Magazine.
But she’s also obsessed with ornate architecture – an obsession she believes stems from having studied in Italy. “I get inspired by ornamental architecture, and luckily there’s plenty of that to find in New York,” she says.
Kroll’s admiration for all things pretty translates to her art. Her illustrations have an air of naivety about them – a playful reflection of everyday life. In one illustration she focuses on an ice-cream counter, in another, she showcases her Pez dispenser collection.
“When I’m feeling lost I look at my past sketchbooks for reassurance,” she says. “Sometimes I’ll find a little doodle that’ll spark something bigger. I think my best ideas come when I’m not expecting them, so it can be frustrating when nothing comes. It’s not something I feel like I can’t force, but I can encourage it by taking a walk, going to museums, or getting out of the city.”
Here are some of our favorite pieces by her:
