Answers With: Designer, illustrator and small business owner Allie Lehman
"I am curious 24/7 and any book that answers questions feels like a propeller for my brain."
Answers With is a new monthly series featuring the best kind of people, book people! I’ll be talking with readers I admire, from authors to booksellers and bookstagramers, all about where they find answers — in the pages, a movie, song, comfort watch, or dessert. This series is free for now, but if you like, consider pledging a subscription — and supporting the interviewees work!
Of all places to find inspiration, I wouldn’t think early 2000s Yelp to be a likely source, but that’s how I first connected with Allie Lehman and I’m so grateful I did. Since first meeting her at an event for the site, I’ve enthusiastically followed and been inspired by her work. Throughout the years her artistic projects, including painting and illustrating, have brought joy to my feed and motivated my own creative practice. As I marketer, I love seeing her designs as founder of Wonderly. There’s also her wonderful newsletter, Offline Recess, that gives my inbox a welcomed dose of grounded inspiration. And perhaps her most important project, her passion for and reminders to eat lunch.
Read on for where Allie turns for answers, her advice on tapping into creativity, her reading routine, and the dream theme party I’d like to be included on the guest list for.
Where do you turn to most for answers? Books, music, lunch?
I definitely turn to reading first. It’s one of the only things that opens my mind to new ideas or possibilities. It makes me more empathetic, emotional, and curious. I find connections no matter what — I could read a Substack newsletter, a novel, and two non-fiction books and find some sort of thread connecting them all!
Is there a particular lyric, or a quote from a movie, TV or book quote that runs through your mind often or has become part of your unique Allie language?
This is such a fun question! Yes! I have a lot, actually. Most of them are silly and humorous that wouldn’t make sense to anyone else. I quote shows and movies (comedy) constantly and are typically an inside joke with someone else at the point. I always think of an excerpt from You Are Here by Thich Nhat Hanh, "You already are everything you are seeking. Do not try to become something else."
I know we’re both big fans of lunch, what is it about the midday meal that's made it such an important part of your day-to-day?
Lunch, to me, feels like the truest expression of myself. I am not a social luncher due to my work schedule so it’s a moment where I can eat anything that I want. It can be random or simple or complex. I also love leftovers and think a lot of meals are better the next day and lunch is so perfect for that.
Did the process of creating the stories and illustrations for your book Being Here change you as a reader at all?
I gained so much respect for anyone who has published a novel or a collection of cohesive work. I consider my book a compilation or collection of my work but since I didn’t start off trying to make a book, I didn’t have to self edit or worry about continuity. I am so thankful for the project and the freedom that I had to create without constraints and then document it in print.
What advice would you give someone wanting to tap into their creativity more?
There is no way to tap into it without starting. Pick up the pencil, play the instrument, form blobs with clay, write a short poem, finger paint with a kid. You can't think your way into the rhythm. Thinking is important but you have to take action. I find that creativity is regenerative. If I make something for fun, it impacts my professional work. And vice versa. I make something every day and I am amazed that it doesn’t run out.
What’s your reading routine or some of your reading habits?
I read in the morning before work and at night before bed. On weekends I will read for hours and it’s so special. I started using a Kindle this year because I was traveling internationally a lot and I wanted it to be simple. I also send articles to my Kindle so I get all kinds of reading done. I still read from a regular book occasionally - especially if I want to support an author by pre-ordering. I rely on romance novels to keep my spirits up and sprinkle in novels that break my heart and stir my soul. I read a lot of non-fiction. I am curious 24/7 and any book that answers questions feels like a propeller for my brain.
What’s the book you recommend the most?
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
Favorite book this year? Or, what's next on your list?
The Work of Art by Adam Moss is such a lovely book. I’m trying to figure out my next romance novel now. And I’m about to start On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous.
What’s your go-to comfort watch?
Portlandia
Seinfeld
You’ve Got Mail
What’s your dream theme party? The food? The decorations? The costumes?
So there’s a silly skit in Rick and Morty called Lil Bits where there’s tiny bites of food. My dream party is one where hundreds of unique delicious bites are available and you can try so many flavors and meals without committing to one. I am unfortunately not a costume person so I’d ask people to wear whatever is most comfortable. The lights would be warm and the seating would be comfortable. I’m a highly sensitive person and so the music would be at the perfect volume and I’d just request that there is no small talk.
What's your go-to lunch right now? Or do you have a favorite fall lunch?
I’ve been going back and forth between a bean and cheese burrito dipped in sour cream and hot sauce and an egg sandwich (egg, raspberry jam, Calabrian peppers, ricotta, bacon, and cheese). I definitely get into soup during the fall but I just have to remember to make it. I made a really amazing chili (Alison Roman's recent recipe) tonight and am excited to eat it all week for lunch.
Allie Lehman is a designer, illustrator, and business owner based in Columbus, Ohio. She writes a newsletter, Offline Recess, which invites you to pause from digital distractions and rediscover the joy of finding inspiration on your own terms, away from the algorithm.
Allie often explores the idea of being present, with an emphasis on details normally missed by distraction. From a friend’s laugh to the way a kettle of water whistles when it’s boiling, there’s so much to observe (and remember). Her work reminds the viewer that life can be fun and that art can bring you to tears, joy, and laughter.
Connect with Allie: On Instagram and through her newsletter Offline Recess.
I hope you enjoyed this interview and a big thank you to Allie for sharing her answers!
Two of my fav ladies in one posting?!? What a treat.