Freshly Laundered 008 / Mundania Horvath

Our latest interviewee is a Pittsburgh local and CB pal, Mundania Horvath. Dane is very active in the local design/maker community, runs a popular local blog, and supports various events year round. Read on for more about her background and her ever evolving artistic endeavours.

CB: When we were first introduced to your work you were making amazing collage posters, but over the last year you’ve started making house portraits. What caused the shift?

DH: I’ve always been in awe of Pittsburgh architecture and knew I wanted to incorporate that into my work but I wasn’t sure how. In 2013, I worked as a designer for a local architect firm and while I was there, I came up with the idea of illustrating Pittsburgh houses as a year long project. I wanted to challenge myself into doing something in a medium that I wasn't entirely comfortable with, with a subject that I was passionate about. At that point, I hadn’t done illustration work since college. I actually practiced a few houses before I launched Pittsburgh Digs. Once I started posting the series, it took off unexpectedly. I received some press and then people started requesting commissions. I do still work on collage pieces and recently started a new collage project. It's hard finding the time to keep up with both and my full time gig on top of that. I wish we had more hours in the day!

CB: That’s great to keep yourself interested and learning by working in new mediums. Of the homes you’ve done, has there been a favorite?

DH: (editors note, she couldn’t pick just one; neither could we).

CB: These are all so beautiful! How did you get started in the graphic design world? Were you creative as a child?

DH: I was very creative and organized as a kid. I would sketch daily and keep my drawings dated, numbered, and signed in folders. (I still have them!) I later went to art school intending to focus on illustration, but a professor encouraged me to pursue design instead. So my introduction to the graphic design world was pretty traditional; I went to art school, did a design-focused internship, and then got a job with a small company in the Pittsburgh area.

I think that my illustration style was incongruent with the way that my professor taught, and he wasn’t very encouraging. I don’t regret ultimately focusing on design, but I wish I had continued with illustration too. I stopped sketching after that and didn’t return to it until I began my house illustration series in 2013.

CB: Do you ever thinking of going back to school and focusing on illustration? Or is working on that skill on your own time what works for you?

DH: Over the years I have learned that illustrations can come in different styles. I feel very comfortable where I am and I have the pleasure of working on house commission portraits for clients. During the day I have a full time gig at a university as their web content editor. I love my job and want to focus on that for now.

CB: It’s great to have a side project where you can continue to build upon a skill set you already have. Is there anything you’re interested in trying in the future that you don’t already have much experience with?

DH: I want to paint a mural, learn how to play drums, do a collage series that uses fiber art techniques and publish an illustration book.

CB: Wow - those are some ambitious goals! Good luck Dane, we can’t wait to see what you turn out next.

To keep up with Dane on the many things she is involved with, you can follow her on twitter, instagram, or her blog, Steeltown Anthem. Sign up here to be notified the next time she releases a tee on Cotton Bureau.