Artist Colony // Stanislava Pinchuk

“The best thing as an artist, is that it’s a practice and way of living that lets you expand on every curiosity and every part of yourself.”

Stanislava Pinchuk (you may know her as MISO) is quite easily one of my favourite artists, creating beautiful works by data mapping war and conflict zones. She is also insanely lovely, and gave such in-depth and inspiring answers to my questions, as well as calling me an ‘Epic. Woman. Fuck yeah.’ which I will be making into a badge, thank you very much.

How are you? What have you been up to recently?

I’m well! It’s a good few weeks in the studio. I’m on a plane every other day. It’s the very end of the year and somehow things just really ramped up in a wild way. It feels like a really good place to be, lots of really diverse projects, all in the beginning stages of development. I’ve just finished a project data mapping the oil fires set by ISIS south of Mosul, on the Tigris river basin. I feel really excited about what that project will become.

What is your process when it comes to creating your art? How do you map nuclear disasters?

With my practice, there is a lot of research. There’s a lot of development before you even work on the ground, and there are a lot of logistics around that. And after, there is always a lot of research prompted by what you found, or by thoughts that experienced triggered. Sometimes you need to go back and forth, and keep resolving things. With mapping the nuclear zone bodies of work - they were both really different methods.

That’s the hardest thing with working in difficult places - you can’t really have a standard way of working or methodology you apply to places. Security is limited, time is limited, exposure is limited. So you have to be quite nimble and adaptive. In a way, I’m really glad for that - because it gave me a pretty big crash course in surveying pretty quickly. So in Fukushima, I very much had to map the land and the fresh layers of new earth topography that were created in removing the radioactive topsoil. I had a little more time, that that worked really well for me. And with Chernobyl, which is a much earlier nuclear disaster, I was able to map how different ground retains radioactivity with geigometers and plots. There, I only had 30 minutes at Reactor 4, and strictly no recording or photography - so I really had to work with what I had, and it turned into a really incredible data set. And that was partly from research, and partly a hunch and being really aware of your surroundings and what you’re looking at.

Your work focuses around places that you call home, no matter the dangers within them. What does the concept of home mean to you?

It’s a funny one for me. I don’t think I have a strong concept of home, in the way of most people. I didn’t grow up in one place, and I travel pretty permanently. I have two passports, and I’m not ethnically really a part of either country. I’m actually pretty grateful for this - so I feel really home everywhere. I like that a lot. So mostly and very strongly, I feel that my body is my home. And my chosen family, creative family - in whatever city, that is my home. I’m lucky to have deep friendships in a lot of places as I move.

Why did you decide to set tattoo solely around trade with friends?

I find tattooing a really intimate thing. There’s a lot of trust, and I give it so much of myself. So it’s not something I felt, from the start, ten years ago - that I could put a financial amount on. And it never felt like something I could provide for strangers, or people I didn’t know. And it still doesn’t.

Who was the most interesting person you’ve tattooed?

Every tattoo and every friend is interesting to me. I think it would be a huge disrespect to tattoo something I wasn’t excited about, on someone forever. So I really only agree to do things, if I feel genuinely inspired and enthusiastic to do it and do a good job.

Describe your workspace…

I’m on the move pretty permanently. I don’t think I’ve been anywhere more than two weeks for about ten years. You’ve got to be pretty nimble when you live and work like that! So some days it might be a sculpture studio, some days its my publisher’s place in Paris, some days it’s the public library in New York, sometimes a hotel room or an airplane, some days a photo studio… and some days it’s my actual studio. Where I can, a clean desk and natural light is a bonus! Right now, and for the rest of the day, it’s a beach in Sydney.

What is the hardest thing you have had to overcome as an artist? What’s the best thing that has come out of being an artist?

Some of the hardest things that have happened to me, have fed me tremendously as an artist.

And some others - surviving them was enough, and I would never let them have the victory of appearing in my practice. In overcoming, building support networks can be a really difficult thing. Finding the right people and collaborators you can trust, or producers or galleries that can adequately support the work. It takes a huge amount of capacity to have a sustainable art practice, and an expansive art practice - and finding the logistical ways to make it real, and people who work as hard as you do, has been - and still is - a really big one for me. And I think it will be a challenge for the rest of my life, because the work should always keep moving and needing different things.

The best thing as an artist, is that it’s a practice and way of living that lets you expand on every curiosity and every part of yourself. The ability to shape your job by braiding everything you are interested in and creating your own world, and being rewarded for it. And truly, I think one of the best things about being an artist - is that we really see the highs and lows of the world. I think we are really welcomed in, and invited in by people, to see a really huge strata of the world and ways of living. I would never give that up in my life. And I don’t think many other jobs give you that experience so deeply.

If you could, what would you tell your younger self?

To worry a little less. That if you make things you really, really feel - and really smart work, that other people feel that, and want to be a part of it. If the work is strong, the rest falls into place.

When I was younger, I didn’t believe this so much, when older artists said that to me. I thought it was just an older generation that had it easier. But now, I really see it.

I Want Your Job - Episode One

The FIRST episode of my new series I Want Your Job. I’ve been working on this for a while and am pretty happy with how it all turned out. In this episode I chat to three people working at the National Gallery of Victoria to get an idea of what they do and how they got there. So excited to make the next episode!

I asked three influencers what drives them to share their lives with complete strangers.

After a brief dinner party conversation with my next door neighbour over a bowl of homemade pasta about what ‘the blogs’ are, she begged the question why would people want to share so much with the world? I knew my answer, but it did leave me wondering why so many people do do it. It is an odd concept, and even weirder to explain… So, this week I decided to interview some pretty cool kidz (added the ‘z’ because that is obviously what cool kids do) about what drives them to share their lives with complete strangers.

1 / I would say that there is a lot of confusion and misconception about what an ‘influencer’ is or whether it’s a proper job. What is it that makes you an influencer, when did you begin and how and why do you do it?

Maggie: To be quite frank, I don’t really like the term influencer – I think it can insinuate that followers are mindless, sheep-like or easily influenced. But I guess Instagram allows people to showcase their life, educate or entertain their followers. That’s how I would I could describe what I do. I began Instagramming four years ago when I was 15. I grew up with Tumblr and Twitter and was always invested in social media sites. I love Instagram because it allows me to showcase my fashion and my photography and connects me to all these amazing people globally. And to be honest? I just love the whole process of picking an outfit, finding a location, shooting and editing photos. I find it therapeutic.

Denilson: I mean I never realised I was an influencer until later. I never knew anything about being an influencer (but I was always into fashion), until I met a friend of mine Tara Chandra. She was one of the biggest influencer when it comes to fashion I mean she was an iconic. I never used to post photos of me, I was always used to takes photos of places, people and nature stuff. It all started when I uploaded a photo of me with an outfit and I realised it starting to get more likes than my previous photos. I did it because I felt like i would be able to get to meet people/hanging out with the same vibe that I was into.

Tara: I think influencers are essentially any people online that have the ability to sway the actions or decisions of viewers of their content – this could be through their purchasing decisions, lifestyle actions, or way someone dresses. I started my social media nearly 5 years ago, but probably didn't start properly doing influencer work till around 1.5-2 years ago. I do social media as a hobby, but influencer work is something I do on the side which helps me create new outfits and be more creative in a business-minded aspect.

2 / Everyone has their own style when it comes to blogging / instagram / youtube etc and some people portray more of their life online then others. Do you ever find it weird sharing where you are, what you’re thinking or even eating to complete strangers? Or are you more self conscious about other things?

Maggie: (This is a great question btw) I totally know that I overshare online but we’ve grown up with social media playing such a heavy part in our lives that it’s almost second nature to me. I’m pretty desensitised to it all and am happy sharing parts of my day with my followers; I think being open and genuine is really needed in an industry that typically showcases one’s ‘highlight reel.’ As with anything, balance is key. There are things I don’t share either. In terms of safety, I don’t usually post in my Stories where I am at the given moment, rather I’ll post it later when I’m not there… justtttt in case.

Denilson: I personally think it is weird but at the same time I feel like that’s just how it is now a days - everybody has their own perspective.

Tara: I think it has become normalised to me - whether this is a good or bad thing, I'm not sure. I share what I want to share and I don't share what I want to keep personal or private. Social media will never capture the full picture of someone's life - so no, I don't get self conscious about what I post, because I consciously posted it there for it to be seen. I like sharing these aspects of my life because it can see another country that someone may not ever visit. Using social media as an outlet for my thoughts creates discussion - and sharing food is a way of inspiration for other students making food or places to eat 😊

3 / Has instagram become more comparison and copy rather than compliment?

Maggie: Yes and no. Some days I reckon majority of influencers look exactly the same and are shooting the exact same content… But honestly,  I think it can be a really positive and uplifting environment where people do genuinely compliment and boost others.

Denilson: Yes, unless you’re a celebrity then it’s a complement if that makes sense.

Tara: That's a really interesting way of putting it. I think there is a large part of Instagram that is focused on comparison and copy – but for the most part there are a lot of people on there who are doing their own thing and what they want to be doing. However, nowadays - everything is a copy.

4 / Do you ever feel as if you need to watch what you say or how you portray yourself online?

Maggie: Yes, for sure! There are times where I stop myself from posting because something’s quite personal or confronting or I’m worried about how others will view me too. I’ve gotten better about not caring over the years, in high school it was way more difficult.

Denilson: I always do because it represents myself offline, and also because I’m bad with captions.

Tara: Yes, mainly for the sake of the wrong eyes seeing things. But for the most part, I'm not that scandy so I don't have to do this too much.

5 / Would you say the way you present yourself online accurately represents who you are offline?

Maggie: Above all, I always try to accurately portray myself as real as possible. In person and online, I would say that I’m a very happy-go-lucky gal. I try to spread that positivity through my account. That being said, everyone has their shit days – and I’ve had my fair share. Without ranting and raving to my followers, I’ll sometimes share the lower moments too. It’s important that people know that life isn’t as perfect as it appears in these little squares.

Denilson: No, I’m totally opposite when it comes to represents myself on online. I’m more myself when I’m offline than being on online

Tara: Yes I definitely do think my 'online self' represents my 'offline self' to an extent. I am definitely more outspoken and confident online because it's a space I have curated for myself to fit in. In real life, you're constantly placed in situations you can't control which is where I think my reactions and ability to respond to situations are different.

6 / Lastly, what has been the best thing that has come out of social media for you?

Maggie: Oh, so many! The friends I’ve made, the opportunities it’s given me. Without a doubt, it’s helped me to the position I’m in today. Getting into my course, getting internships and jobs… I definitely owe some of the credit to social media.

Denilson: Meeting the coolest people around the world with the same mindset. Getting the opportunity to collab with my favourite brands such converse / all star - it was one the biggest and coolest brands to represent, and a few independent brands from around Australia.

Tara: The opportunities and people. I would never have imagined working with the brands I have, or making best friends for life through social media.

Find Maggie here, Denilson here, and Tara here.

Hey girrrrrl! It's International Women's Day!

Whoooooohooooo! Happy International Women's Day to all the lovely ladies out there. Today is definitely a day to celebrate, to think about all the immensely inspiring women that have achieved incredible things, as well as thinking about our own future, and what you can do to change it. One thing that our society needs to understand is that everyone deserves equal rights. No matter your gender, race, sexuality or religion, you deserve equality.  We need to be the generation that makes equality happen, so the generations after us are capable of achieving anything, without being swept under the carpet. 

This post is kind of a mishmash of cool gals' that inspire me, and hopefully inspire you too! I've also attached my essay I wrote for school about Amandla Stenberg for Black History Month, incase you want to read it. Also on the agenda is a pretty cool #girlboss , Marta Oktaba from Almost Iris. She's answered a few questions on starting your own business as well as her tips on being a teenager. 

posters via For All Women Kind

Amandla Stenberg Essay

In this era, it is incredibly easy to have a voice. Social media platforms allow us to be updated on the lives of celebrities, bloggers and independent people making a living off a daily selfie; and we are capable of emitting whatever woes we have by uploading videos, comments and status updates. But the problems that we as humans face can’t just be justified by a ‘lol’ and an ‘fml’. These problems are much larger, although being hidden by a new instagram picture and our star struck minds. Although it may feel as if these new generations are drowning in narcissism and filters, there are some incredibly strong voices that use these platforms for the better.

I first saw Amandla Stenberg in The Hunger Games movie. Her portrayal of her character, Rue, was captivating, beautiful and strong.  I, at the time, didn’t own any social media so was not able to do the ‘mandatory’ stalk and follow, so instead dedicated time to watching videos of her on YouTube. These videos were mostly short films, comedy clips and interviews but I soon became aware of her activism. Very soon after The Hunger Games was released, there was a large spike in racist tweets directed towards Amandla. Thirteen at the time, Amandla handled the situation with an incredibly poised response, telling US Weekly, “As a fan of the books, I feel fortunate to be part of ‘The Hunger Games’ family. It was an amazing experience. I am proud of the film and my performance. I want to thank all of my fans and the entire ‘Hunger Games’ community for their support and loyalty.” (huffingtonpost.com).

Soon after, Amandla posted a video on YouTube called ‘Don’t Cash Crop My Cornrows’, addressing the subject of cultural appropriation. She ends the video with the question “...what would America be like if we loved black people as much as we love black culture?”

 (Don’t Cash Crop My Cornrows). This film got over 2 million views on YouTube, pushing Amandla further into speaking out about the problems within our society.

In 2015, Amandla and Rowan Blanchard where awarded by the Ms. Foundation for Women the Feminist Celebrity of the Year Award (Cosmopolitan). Tieing first place for their impeccable work on communicating to the public about their embrace of feminism and the fight for equal rights in all aspects, the girls grew in popularity, especially in the online world. In 2016, Amandla was awarded the Young, Black and Gifted award in the ceremony run my Black Girls Rock Inc. (Amandla Stenberg Website). Only four days later, Amandla spoke at Oprah Winfrey’s Super Soul 100, delivering her speech “My Authenticity is My Activism.”  (Amandla Stenberg Website).  Amandla’s use of power is used to influence and educate our society, motivating teenage girls to see and utilize their true potential. Her wide range of  mediums gets her message across allowing absolutely anybody to embody her courage and influence others. She released her comic ‘Niobe she is life’ in collaboration with Stranger Comics in late 2015, as well as pushing for the ‘Art Hoe’ movement, which “describes self-reflexive work made mostly (but not exclusively) by people of colour to address issues of race and representation in art.” (Oyster Magazine).

 Being caucasian, I will definitely never fully understand the full extent of racism, cultural  appropriation and how it affects me in my day to day life, but, thanks to Amandla, my knowledge of these issues have grown immensely and I am able to stand up and communicate with friends, family and society.

The Hunger Game's 16-year-old Amandla Stenberg delivers a crash course on black culture with a fellow classmate for their history class. http://www.hypehair.com/46876/amandla-stenberg-addresses-black-hairstyles-discussing-cultural-appropriation/ Original posted on Amandla's Tumblr " clandesteen.tumblr.com/post/107484511963/dont-cash-crop-my-cornrows-a-crash-discourse-on RELATED: Is Katy Perry's Gelled Baby Hairs Cultural Appropriation?

Amandla Stenberg for NYLON

 

#girlboss Marta Oktaba aka almost iris

I thought it would be cool to interview a woman who owns her own business, as well as letting us into the secrets of teenager-hood. Marta has just started selling jewellery on her online store Almost Iris. Her jewellery symbolises mental health and the emotional ups and downs of life. Marta was inspired by her struggle with anxiety when creating these earrings, which I know a lot of you reading this will relate to, too. I think it's pretty important and totally rad that there is jewellery being made focusing on mental illnesses (and they look really cool too). 

As I’m getting older and delving deeper into my ‘teenage girlhood’, I’d love to hear what your teen years were like? How did they shape you as a person and any tips about being a teen?   I grew up in a suburban area where a lot of European families immigrated in the 90s; as did my family. I was quite reserved. I was an odd mix of confident and shy. I always had a part-time job and that freedom made me feel a little more grown up. I often pushed the limits of how late I could stay out but only because I wanted to spend time with my friends and the night made me feel calm. 

My teenage years were set in the beginnings of the internet. I didn’t have the pressures of social media. I think I got my first mobile phone as a hand me down when I was 15 and the internet didn’t exist on those phones. It was all about free minutes on phone calls to friends after 8 pm. I feel like my teenage years didn’t impact me as much as my early 20s did, but they were very vital in developing the strength that I have found within myself. I would tell any teenager today not to fear their true self. I know it’s cliché but it’s very real. Also, learn to write without thinking. It’s in those moments that you will discover things about yourself that may otherwise never seep out.    

Who are some of your favourite influential women? I feel like I’m going to do a very bad job at answering this question because I don’t necessarily have some iconic woman that I look up to. I’m influenced by little bits that I see in everyday women. 

But if I was to give you a name that you can Google; I would say Grace Neutral. She is delicate yet powerful. I resonate with her views on women and beauty and the challenges we face. If you haven’t had the pleasure of hearing her views you should watch the documentary Beyond Beauty. 

What’s it like working for yourself? What would you say to a young entrepreneur wanting to develop their business?  Working for myself is a mixture of the most amazing thing I have ever done and the most terrifying. There is a beauty in following your heart no matter how hard the path may be. The hardest part is beginning. We all have ideas but it’s what we make of them that can start something wonderful. 

A huge terror of mine was not having a steady income because without it I felt like a failure. Sadly, we live in a world where our achievements are measured by money. Remember it takes time and a lot of patience to develop. There may be times when you may have to make a lot of sacrifices. I would tell a young entrepreneur not to be discouraged if what they are trying to develop is not defined as a job. If you have heart in what you are doing your work is important.    

Your main concern/s that the women of today face is/are…   This is terribly hard to pinpoint. We are all experiencing a wide range of battles. If I was to speak for myself as a woman, it’s the want to feel okay with myself on a day where my mental health may not be at its best. It’s never having to feel dominated by the power of a male who is trying to intimidate me with his strength. It’s walking alone at night and feeling safe. I want to know that my femininity is not defined or challenged by the way I choose to dress or groom myself. I want beauty to be the blemishes on my face and the stubble on my legs, without the need to apologise for it.      

How would you change the world?   If I could in any way inspire people to live from a place of love; I think the power of that could bring us all together to make a positive change.

I hope this post inspired you somehow! Always remember that you are strong, powerful, beautiful, intelligent and going to do some good to this world. Happy International Women's day you awesome person, you. 

Seeya next week,

Camille

Artist Colony // Camille Olsen-Ormandy

In what ever you do, if you work really hard and with passion, anything is possible. 

Apart from the fact that Camille has a really great name, *cough hmhmm*, she is also crazy talented, creating bright, colourful portraiture with a quirky edge. Inspired by some incredible sights as well as her artistic parents, Camille's artwork showcases a variety of different experiences all through the one face.  

With her impeccable eye for colour and the coolest style *ever*, Camille is one groovy gal'. She was kind enough to let me steal some of her Instagram pictures, as well as letting me ask her a few questions. Thanks Camille!

Hey! How are you? What have you been up to lately?  Hey! I am good, I have just finished high school! Lately I’ve been juggling between working as a Christmas casual at Dinosaur Designs, working both retail and warehouse, while of course painting as much as I can in between.   

You come from an incredibly artistic family. How has this helped you develop as an artist? Coming from an artistic family, it was almost impossible not to be an artist. As hard as I tried, my inevitable path was creative. From a young age my appreciation for art developed as the endless cycle of bouncing from gallery to gallery, seeing and meeting eccentric artists all exuding their own contagious passion for art. As a child I always looked up to my parents, as I observed their own passion. I was instantly enthralled; opening my eyes to a world of colour, playfulness and absurd messiness, the endless conversations between colours fascinated me.

What inspires you?   My inspirations generally come from my own experience and observations. My trips to Japan and New York from a young age have always inspired me. Colour is a large facture in my art. Seen through the colourful contemporary culture of Tokyo and the street art of downtown Manhattan. I’ve always made connections to Shibuya station as the inside of my mind. Flashing bright screens, neon colours, Harajuku fashion, loud voice-overs and the neat organised chaos.  

I also take inspiration from both my Mum and Dad who both live for colour. My father constantly talks about the conversations exchanged through colour, such as a dark navy and light purple pink construct a sharp yet harmonious conversation. On the other hand my portrait inspiration is generally from the renaissance, including 16-17th century Dutch and Pre-Raphaelite.

Describe your workspace…  My workspace mainly exists in a spare bedroom, a single table with my oil paint, loose canvas, disposable palates, brushes and speakers pumping out all kinds of genres ranging from French rap, Korean R&B soul, as well as notable artist David Bowie, Gorillaz, Sticky Fingers and Metronomy to name a few.

So I’ve been stalking your Instagram and am a little jealous of all the amazing galleries you have been to all over the world. Which one was your favourite and why?   Each gallery and exhibition has its own unique interpretation. Instead of having a single favourite gallery, I really enjoy the Chelsea gallery area in New York. Ranging from the Gagosian Gallery exhibiting modern masters, Marlborough Gallery showing abstract and representational paintings to the Andrea Rosen Gallery displaying a variety of media by contemporary artists. The area allows you to spend a day discovering known and unknown artist with a multitude of mediums and expressions in a single area.

How would you describe your painting style?  My style is constantly developing and changing, mainly focusing in portraiture.  At this point in time I see it as both quirky and naive in it's approach, which I really enjoy. I am completely infatuated with the human face and the fun of tackling such a complicated form. Such as battling a wonky eye or a 3-quarter turn, the imperfection fuels my passion. Through trial and error I may change the way I tackle the face, either through starting with tonal contrast then adding colour. I always start with straight oil on canvas, sketching out the face as I go, shifting and moulding the face.

What’s the next artwork you have in mind?  I find many of my portrait inspirations off Instagram, I have a huge album of photos on my phone filled with interesting faces. I never truly know what my next work will be as my choices are always based on how I feel on the day. I might want to challenge myself with a complicated perspective or maybe a clear front on which is relaxing.

What are your plans for the future?   Since I just finished high school, this year I will be going to Art school, where I plan to learn more about art throughout history and continue to explore new mediums, subjects and generally have fun making art.

If you could be one artist for a day, who would you choose?  I would love to be apart of the Japanese based group Teamlab for a day. Their effortless connection of traditional Japanese art and culture mixed with digital interactive projections creates a poetic approach to moving art, combining both the old and new. I would love to learn more about digital art and how I could incorporate it into my own.

5 quick facts about you:

1. I love film, such as the visual richness of Wes Anderson and Hayao Miyazaki

2. I live by the sea.

3. I have a dog called skipper, his star sign is Leo, which makes him think that he is literally a majestic lion, when in fact he is a short and stubby sausage dog. 

4. I’ve only been painting portraits for 2 years now.

5. I could eat sushi for the rest of my life and not get sick of it.

What is something you would tell your younger self?   In what ever you do, if you work really hard and with passion, anything is possible. 

Artist Colony // Naíma Almeida

Beautiful, heart"felt" creations. (okay that was terrible, I am so sorry) 

Naíma Almeida is a graphic designer from Brazil, who creates colourful felt artworks by hand. The boldness of her creations catches the eye and also brings back some childhood nostalgia, (does anyone else remember those stick-a-felt boards??).  

She was kind enough to answer some questions I sent through. You can find Naíma's website here, her english version here, and instagram here. Thank you Naíma! 

Hi! Introduce yourself. How are you? Hi! My name is Naíma, I’m a graphic designer from Brazil. I have a authorial project called Lhama where I create big compositions made of felt layers.

What inspired you to start ‘Lhama’? I started Lhama searching for a break of my routine in graphic design jobs. In that time I was a little bit stressed and disappointed with the lack of creative process inside design agencies here. So I started seeking for the opposite, to balance my mind. Something that could be made with my hands, in a long produce time, with no client, no target, no deadline and most importantly, with no expectation. Just for fun. One day I saw a very simple felt placemat on a blog and I realised that this material could be very similar to vectorial illustrations. It is a plain colour block, that I could cut in any shape. Then I did some tests and I've been using it ever since!

Has felt always been your chosen medium? What else do you like to use?  Felt is my medium (until this moment) only for this project Lhama. It's like Lhama was my lab to try this material.  For other works I feel free to change mediums. Recently, I have been getting involved with tapestry.

What is your favourite artwork that you have created? I have a special love for Urso (that was my first big challenge) But now I would say that Tropicaliente is my new favourite, in terms of difficulty level and a longer process. 

What is your creative process? Usually I give myself a technical challenge, like “today I’m going to make a piece that only has 10 layers to stick down”, or “today I’ll try to make a composition with the smaller pieces that I have”. Normally the technical goal comes before, then the subject. And then, I make a lot of drafts on the computer, experimenting the compositions until I feel that I can reach that initial goal. It is at this part of the process that the theme comes. It can take more than 20 other potential artworks before I choose one to take forward. When I think that I already have a path to go through, I start to think about the layers. That’s a difficult part, because as a graphic designer, I have more familiarity with 2D solutions. It’s a little bit complex to imagine the 3D behaviour of the artwork. I then start cutting and overlapping the pieces that I had planned. During this process, I always change a lot the initial idea. The final result is something that is built in every part of process. Until the end I can feel the necessity of include something else, or change a colour, a shape.

Favourite and least favourite things about your job are… I love the big colour range. I don't like all the blisters on my fingers.

What did you want to be when you where a kid?  I don’t remember as a kid, but when I was teenager I wanted to be a cultural producer, imagining that I would make a lot of concerts happen, and festivals.

What do you like to do when you are not working on your artworks? I wouldn't know how to answer that, because when I read the question, I instantly think of other kinds of projects that I want to do. The work and my personal life are kind of mixed. I could answer this saying that I like to study tapestry, but I’m not really sure if that would count as work. I think that when you love visual communication, arts or any creative field, you are always ready to capture something interesting. It makes the boundaries of work and fun very blurry. 

5 facts about you are…

I don’t like to talk on the phone

I like drinks made of tomatoes

I’m always shy to talk in public 

I’m terrible driver

I love coriander

What is your favourite colour to use? It changes every second, but now I’m in love with a very, very light blue.

Who and what inspires you? Nowadays, I think fashion is something that is inspiring me in someway. I follow a lot of good stylists and small brands on Instagram and I see a big flow of art in this area. Instagram has been a great tool to keep in touch with amazing people, I follow a lot of talented young artists that i’m loving.

But, to say a more direct influence, in my last series “Tropicaliente" I would say my influence would be Kennedy Bahia, an artist that was born in Chile but lived here in Brazil and had a great production in the 60’s. I am also frequently influenced by designer Paul Rand. He made a big range of works crossing limits between institutional design, art and illustration. 

Artist Colony // Corrie Beth Hogg

A little something for the crafter, the plant lover and the darkest of black thumbs.

I may be a little obsessed with Corrie. I am in love with the indoor plant trend and can't wait to make my new room an indoor forest. Thing is, a Chicago winter mixed with my plant care etiquette is not a very good idea. But guys!!! Corrie has the answer! She makes PAPER PLANTS. This is the moment when the angels start to sing and everything makes sense. Of course! Paper plants are un-killable AND fun to make make.  You can find Corrie's website here, her DIY blog here, and her Instagram here. 

Hi! Introduce yourself. How are you?  I’m great! Thank you! I’m Corrie Beth Hogg, a maker of things… most recently paper plants. But, I enjoy working in a variety of mediums: paints, fabric, paper!

Explain your job in one sentence.  My day job... I work for an event design and production firm, I work on all the handmade stuff for our company, that could mean a centerpiece for a wedding or a wall made out of folded paper. On my own time, I make paper plants! (And, whatever else sparks my interest!)

What projects have you been working on lately? I just finished my paper maiden hair fern, which was a lot of fun and I like the way it turned out. Next, I am making a giant monstera deliciosa.

How did you come up with the idea to create paper plants? It all started because I wanted a fiddle leaf fig tree in my living room, which is quite dark. A ‘real’ one would never survive. I decided to try making one out of paper. I made the trunk and branches out of dowel rods and paper mache and the leaves out of paper painted on one side. After that, I’ve been having a lot of fun trying to figure out how to make other plants.

Who and what inspires your work? I find a lot of inspiration at the park and botanic garden near my apartment. I feel lucky to live just a 10 minute walk from both. I spent a lot of time wandering around taking pictures with my phone of plants: the underside of leaves, where the branches connect, buds, and flowers. I reference those photos when I start on a new project in my studio.  

What would you say was the biggest turning point in your career? I don’t know if it was a turning point in my career, so much as a turning point in my thought process. Several years back, I made a conscious decision to try to be brave and step out of my comfort zone. The first time I did that - when I quit my job and went to work on a organic farm, I was so scared. I ended up learning a lot about myself and how to take on things that may seem daunting at first, how to set a goal and break it down into mini-goals.

Image via yenmag.net

What is your design process? Like I mentioned above, it starts with finding inspiration at the garden. Then, I spent a lot of time looking at images of plants online. When I start playing with paper, I typically make several leaf samples before I decide on a method.

What did you want to be when you were a kid?  An artist. As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be an artist. There was a brief moment when I wanted to be a biologist - and I still enjoy science, but making things is what makes me happy.

If you could only choose one plant to create for the rest of your life, what would you choose and why? Oh! Haha! I don’t think I could ever pick just one. I like too many! But, begonias are interesting, there are so many varieties from pink to black to polka dotted. That could keep me entertained for a while.

What do you like to do in your spare time? I sing and play guitar, I really like classic country music from the 1920s. I also take a swing dance class once a week with my boyfriend. We go on lots of hikes with friends and out to see live music.

Black or green thumb? Mostly green! But it has been so hot in NYC lately that I lost a few. My heart breaks a little when that happens.

Can you give some advice for anyone that wants to pursue a career like your own? What skills do you think are necessary? A career as a crafter? Practice and more practice. I would also suggest taking classes - even if it is just a weekend course, you can grow leaps and bounds when you get help from someone who is a master at a certain skill. I still take classes even though I know how to make a variety of things. There is always more to learn. Once you have a mix of skills under your belt, they are like tools in your tool box, so when you are approaching a new project, or new idea, you have options as to how you can get it done.

Interview with Jen Booth!

Jen Booth is one creative cookie in the design world. Her newest design are the 'mixed doubles bracelets' which POP in colour and are just so darn fun!

I have interviewed Jen to see what makes her tick.

~How old where you when you first had the idea of becoming a designer?

I'm not sure exactly when I decided to be a designer, but I've always been creative. Even when I was in high school I was making jewellery for my friends. My first job was as a makeup artist, which ignited my passion for colour.

~How do you get ideas for your designs?                                                                                                              

Life!                                                                                                                                                                                                     I find inspiration for colour and pattern everywhere. Local markets, nature, food, people!

~Out of all your products, which one is your favourite? Why?

One of my accessory range was inspired by French food. I love using perspex because of their strong colours and the texture. My favourite has to be the pink langoustine. I wanted all the names of the food to be in French. They're some of my favourite words to say with an accent. Funny how you can be inspired by anything around you!

~Who do you look up to/ role model?

So many people! I'm inspired by anyone who has their own business and makes from their heart.   All my friends, they inspire me daily!!!!

~What would you say to budding designers?      

Be true to your aesthetic. I design what I want to wear!

Thank you Jen!!

You can find Jen on her blog, shop, facebook + instagram