Liz Haywood
Liz Haywood is a Brooklyn graphic designer and illustrator. Haywood studied art in Florence and also attended the Portfolio Center in Atlanta, Georgia where she graduated with a dual concentration in Design and Illustration. She has received multiple awards for her work, including a gold medal in illustration from the Portfolio Center.
Getting to know the artist:
Why do you love being an artist/designer?
I have been an artist and designer for as long as I can remember. Thank God I can make a living using these skills otherwise I have no idea what I would do. Design and Illustration give my life purpose. I paint on every surface I can find. All of my friends save large pieces of cardboard for me to paint on. I try to paint everyday.
What was your inspiration for the "It Gets Better" shirt?
The It Gets Better Project has always inspired me, and that’s why I was so excited (and admittedly a little nervous) to create the design. I bounced back and forth with a number of different concepts, but ultimately decided to use the “It Gets Better” phrase combined with the image of a globe.
The phrase “It Gets Better” is so powerful, and so full of hope, that I wanted it to occupy the majority of the design. The image of the globe is intended to convey a sense of togetherness and universality. And, combined, the two are intended to spread the message, “By sticking together and showing LGBT youth that they aren’t alone, things WILL get better and we will change the world together.”
What was your inspiration for the "Mayor's Alliance" shirt?
When I sat down to design the t-shirt for the Mayor’s Aliiance, I knew I wanted the image to represent all of the animals that the Alliance has saved over the years. There are thousands!
I really wanted to accent the word “Alliance”, and create an image of solidarity and family. For this reason I chose to create a design that was comprised of many different faces, and four legged personalities, but from far away (accented by the one color nature of the design) looks like one cohesive image.
I am so proud to have created a design for the “Mayor’s Alliance for NYC Animals” – and I hope the t-shirt raises awareness and prompts people to adopt more Little New Yorkers!
What was your inspiration for the "Women In Need" shirt?
When I started brainstorming t-shirt ideas for this project, I couldn’t get Gustav Klimt’s “Tree of Life” out of my mind. The decision to plant a tree is to make an investment in the future. Over the life of a tree, perhaps generations, it will provide shelter and fruit (assuming it’s a fruit tree) to those who depend on it.
I think this idea has many parallels to Women In Need. WIN provides women with a safe place to bring their families, and then gives them skill set to become self-sufficient, stand on their own two feet and ultimately help break the cycle of homelessness.
What was your inspiration for the "Humane Society of New York" shirt?
My inspiration for this shirt was my dog Luna. She is an angel. I adopted her when I was in graduate school at The Portfolio Center in Atlanta. I grew up with a 'pound puppy.' They are the best dogs. When you rescue a dog they know that you saved them and are forever loyal and grateful. Luna, named after 'Luna Lovegood' a character from Harry Potter, had a rough life before we found each other. She was so frightened of people that she wouldn't leave her kennel at the shelter. She was in the shelter for a year before I found her. What if she had been at a shelter that euthanizes unwanted dogs? I can't bare to think about that!
Before I found Luna she was very submissive and pee'd herself anytime she had an interaction with a male. That stopped right after she met my father, who all dogs are naturally drawn to. After a few months of constant love and admiration she was a whole new dog! Luna has repaid the kindness I gave to her a million times over. Her unconditional love and puppy-dog-kisses are simply the best.
I am a huge dog enthusiast. There is no such thing as a bad dog. I am so grateful that there are organizations like 'The Humane Society,' with loving people who take the time and energy to care for the pups that have been cast aside. What would my life be without my little furry Companion? I shudder to think of it.
What are a few crazy or interesting things people should know about you?
I get really pumped when any of my friends order large packages in the mail because I can snag the cardboard to paint on. When my boyfriend ordered a new bass I practically had a conniption.
When I was younger I played soccer, the trombone and took horseback riding lessons.
I like to paint my toenails bright pink.
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