While I can’t draw a stick figure, The Food Section this year has had the good fortune to collaborate with a series of exceptional visual artists, including photographer Scott Areman, who documented Atlanta’s dry-fried eggplant tradition alongside reporter Candy Hom; photojournalist Kate Medley, who agreed to check in with convenience store operators in the shadow of a South Carolin Buc-ee’s, and designer Annie Grotophorst, who created our first Spirited Brunch poster.
Our lucky streak continued with I-40 Exit Strategy, our eating guide to interstate 40 exits in North Carolina. Good Printed Things’ owner Lib Ramos (you’ll meet her in the newsletter tomorrow—and in person at next week’s launch party, if you’re able to join us in Raleigh) commissioned Durham’s Kristen Solecki to illustrate the map; you might know Solecki’s work from Southern Cultures, Local Palate, or the cover of Gravy. I spoke to her briefly about the I-40 project and how she approached it.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
HANNA RASKIN: Honestly, all I really know about you is what I read on the map. How did you end up doing this kind of work?
KRISTEN SOLECKI: I’ve been a full-time illustrator for well over a decade. I typically work with book publishers and magazines. I’ve also gotten to work on some really cool brand collaborations with Warby Parker and IHG Hotels. It’s all different ways to tell stories, which is really nice.
RASKIN: Totally. So, obviously, you’ve been successful. What’s your reputation in the industry? “Call Kristen because she…”
SOLECKI: Because I think outside of the box and do all my stuff by hand, as much as possible. That tactile quality, especially now, brings a really great lens to things. And I have a really big sketchbook practice, so all of my concepts are usually taken from ideas that I’ve been keeping for decades.
RASKIN: Tell me about your initial response to this project.
SOLECKI: I mean, it was so cool. I love road trips. I love food. This is kind of just in my wheelhouse.
RASKIN: I understand you’re in the Triangle, I think. Do you spend time on 40? Do you have a relationship with it?
SOLECKI: Oh, yeah. I live in Durham, so we’re like smack dab in the middle, and I go to Wilmington all the time and I go to Charlotte all the time, and then the mountains for work and family visits. So, it was really cool to see certain places that we know get a shoutout on the map.
RASKIN: OK, you’ve already mentioned you have a sketchbook, but what else were you thinking about in terms of bringing this idea to life?
SOLECKI: I love the nostalgia of a road trip: all the iconic signage and fun suitcases. It’s just a big part of the summer; that’s something I really wanted to capture, having the throwback motel signs and kind-of vintage car. I think it’s something we’re all trying to capture as much as we can.
RASKIN: How did you choose the colors?
SOLECKI: Lib of sent a mood board of some things she was interested in and then I brought some other colors, like the yellows and red, for a little more vibrancy. We want something that is going to read well when you’re seeing the map in real life or seeing a small feature on the phone.
RASKIN: I know you said you’re a frequent I-40 traveler. If you were going to add a stop to this map, what would you add?
SOLECKI: Benchwarmers Bagelsin Raleigh. It’s about 1.5 miles off I-40; it’s a great place to stop if you’re headed to the beach. My favorites are the #5 (smoked fish spread) and #6 (fried bologna, egg, and cheese.) We’re planning on bringing a cooler next time so we can take the maître d’hôtel spread and fish spread with us.
RASKIN: That’s one of my very favorites too, right down to the smoked fish. So, now that we’re getting hungry, last question: Is there anything you want folks to keep in mind when they look at the map?
SOLECKI: I just hope it inspires them to check out something near or far from them; to get curious; and to support local businesses. That’s really important.
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