The Interlude

Robin Eisenberg seems like she’s everywhere online, especially on Instagram. The visionary LA-based artist illustrates vivid, yet soothing intergalactic dreamscapes. Often, women of all sizes are at the center of her work, indulging in their desires, whether that be eating pizza or making out. While self-care may never always be at the center of her work, empowering imagery of women embracing who they are, through the female gaze allows followers and fans alike to relax a bit. There’s a sense of comfort in consuming art that feels like it’s naturally made for you.

And that art comes at an affordable rate. Eisenberg sells prints of her work starting at $15, phone cases at $20, and tote bags at $30 on her website. She also shares phone backgrounds on her Instagram account for all followers to screenshot and display her art wherever, whether that be on their phones, hanging on apartment walls, or hanging off their shoulders.

Eisenberg doesn’t just stick to producing her own work, she’s always looking to collaborate with brands like Vans and Thrasher, and for inspiration from video games like Animal Crossing and The Witcher. Pop culture frequently pops up in her artistry, most likely because her cosmic renderings were influenced by her love for Star Trek. Most recently, she produced a variant cover of Wonder Woman for Rooster Teeth. For the collaboration, Eisenberg reimagined Wonder Woman as a plus-size woman, gazing out to the horizon.

Now, her art can be flipped through with the debut of her first book, Cosmic Care: An Intergalactic Guide to Finding Your Glow, which is a collection of artwork that reminds readers how to embrace their natural radiance. According to Eisenberg, “Cosmic care is the idea that we all need the occasional reminder to make time for ourselves (no matter what galaxy we inhabit).” Through bite-sized pieces of advice and her signature exuberant, neon style, Eisenberg’s new book illuminates how self-care doesn’t have to be so complicated, or so bland — it can be vibrant, simple, and fun.

Eisenberg spoke with the Interlude about her views on the value of self-care and artistic expression.

Illustration by Robin Eisenberg.

Congrats on your debut book! What led you to curate a book full of your art?

I’ve always wanted to create a book full of my art that people can turn to when they need a little coziness. One of my favorite things about drawing is being able to connect with people, and I love creating worlds that people can hopefully see themselves in. Sahara Clement [an Associate Editor] over at Chronicle Books reached out and asked if I had ever thought of making a book, and we came up with this idea of self-care in space which led to the idea of Cosmic Care. Making the book was really fulfilling (and also challenging!), and I’m so, so proud of it. Also, Sahara is an incredible editor and person, and working on the book with her was so much fun!

Throughout the book, your illustrations and bite-sized pieces of advice recommend the reader to do certain activities, like stargazing, going out for a hike, and disconnecting from the internet. Do you find going out and doing activities more rewarding than let’s say, journaling and reflecting.

I think both can be very important at different times and for different people. For me personally, I tend to overthink a great deal, so getting myself out of my head and out of my inner spiraling can be really helpful in resetting my mood/state. But, I’m also trying to get better about paying attention to how I’m truly feeling… tuning in to myself over the noise of my thoughts!

Illustration by Robin Eisenberg.

Your work consistently finds the familiar in space. How does the unknown bring you comfort?

I’ve always found vastness to be very calming, whether it’s outer space, the ocean, the desert, etc. All of these places have the appearance of tranquility from a distance, but in reality they are teeming with activity and chaos and change. Observing that tranquil chaos is comforting to me — I think it helps me to put my own life into perspective. I also think that growing up watching Star Trek: The Next Generation made me fall in love with space and the idea of finding peace while looking out at the stars.

Along with your debut book, you also recently debuted your online store. You’ve continued to keep your artwork at a relatively affordable rate. What does the accessibility of art mean to you as an illustrator?

It’s so important! I’ve been wanting to make prints and clothing available for a long time, but I wanted everything to be as affordable as possible, and I wanted the clothing to be available in a broad range of sizes. One of the things I love about sharing art is that it can be relatable to so many different people. Along those same lines, I also want to try to make everything in my shop available to as many people as possible.

You also have over 600k followers on Instagram. Walk me through your relationship to your audience online.

I seriously feel so honored and lucky that people choose to look at my art and share it. Being an artist and connecting to people through art has been one of my biggest life goals since I was a kid, and sometimes it still feels very surreal. I try to read every comment that’s posted and I try to respond as much as possible. I have a hard time keeping up with DMs, but when I get emails asking for advice or expressing appreciation I try my best to get back to them. I may start doing more live Q+A at some point! I did a livestream AMA recently that was a lot of fun. Live drawing might be fun, too!

For the women who display your art — and soon this book in their homes — how do you hope they connect with your work?

I love it when people say that they see themselves in my work, or that seeing their body type in my art makes them feel beautiful. I hope that the book is a continuation of that feeling, that people recognize themselves in the pages, and that reading it helps them to feel seen and soothed.

Who would you say is inspiring you right now, in this moment?

I’ve been really inspired by Laci Jordan’s art (@solacilike). Her work is so beautiful and vivid and very different from mine in that she often uses shapes without linework — I love it so much! Also, not exactly a “who,” but I’ve been really inspired playing Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild again lately! The world is so immersive and gorgeous, and exploring it always inspires me to draw.

Illustration by Robin Eisenberg.

You started Cosmic Care before the pandemic hit the U.S. How does this period of turmoil influence the book’s meaning to you?

This year has been incredibly exhausting and difficult for people in so many different ways, and I know it’s been hard for many to stay afloat. I hope my book helps, even in a small way. I think art and joy can be extra important when life feels as heavy as it has felt lately.

Since September is Self-Care Awareness Month, what is one thing you will do to celebrate yourself and this accomplishment?

I’m planning a trip to the mountains once I finish some upcoming projects. I can’t wait to read and look at trees and stars and drink tea and not turn on a computer for days.

Cosmic Care is now available for purchase. You can find more of Robin Eisenberg’s work on Instagram and her website.