Interviews

Guest Posting on A Print a Day: See how vintage burlesque queens and 1950’s fashion mags influence my work

Yasmine asked me to guest blog on A Print a Day while she takes a holiday break. Follow the links to the posts where I  tell how my work is influenced by vintage glossies and burlesque queens!

Post 1: Burlesque, Post 2: 1950’s fashion magazine illustration

Interview with Lorena Barrezueta

I’m a huge fan of Lorena Barrezueta. That’s me in the “S” necklace above. I adore it. I just interviewed Lorena below. Now we can find out more about this creative genius. Here’s where I’ve swooned over her in the past:

1. Listen Lady jewelry announcement
2. Colorful dishes round-up
3. Gourmet Collection

She’s having a giant sale this weekend in her Brooklyn studio if you can make it. If not check her etsy shop.

Interview with Lorena:

How did you decide to become an artist?

I have always been dancing, singing, drawing, crafting…etc since I was very young. My brother, who’s eleven years older than me, was a super talented sketcher/illustrator/graffiti artist back in the early days of bombing. I would gawk over his sketch books whenever I could. Unfortunately he was doing graffiti when it wasn’t considered an art form and I was so young that I think I began to equate art with trouble. My family was always insanely supportive of anything I did but something inside me held back until I took my first formal art class while in college over at Northeastern University in Boston. I found myself pulling all nighters working on sculptures and just transferred over to Parsons in NY. The rest is well…history in the making.

Was it hard to start your own business?

Yes and no. When you don’t have anything to start out with then what do you have to loose? It was and is challenging but this crazy ambition and constant support from family, friends and now fans/customers helps fuel my will a whole bunch.

Did you have to work two jobs till it got rolling?

More than two, doll. More than two. I’ve done a lot of freelance and even held down a full time gig designing handbags all while building the business. I also taught industrial design to second year design students in Japan. I’m not opposed to multi tasking at all. I think it’s healthy to take on other projects and challenges if you can.

Any advice to other artists who might want to take their work to the next level?

1. Be realistic about your money game! Quit spending money needlessly!
   
2. Be organized. Have an idea of the work you would like to develop in the next few months to a year.
3. Work on self promotion. Send press kits. Don’t spend a bunch of money on that either. Your home printer and emails work wonders.
4. Try not to loose heart and refrain from putting all your eggs in one basket. Have another career in mind that can possibly support your artistic habit.

What made you venture from ceramic plates and bowls into jewelry?

What initially inspired me to create jewelry was my father who worked in the diamond district in NY for about 35 years. He’s made a lot of pieces for my family and I throughout the years. I made some jewelry while at Parsons and have finally found the opportunity to introduce it back into my body of work.

Briefly tell us what a day in the life of Lorena would be like.

Wake up. Have some coffee while reading my bible. Pray a bit. Head to the computer read over emails and get to the studio. Work, work, work, work. Have lunch while working on the computer. Work, work, Work. (Build in gym time here…I’m working on that…promise!) and head home to have some dinner and watch Top Chef!

What’s your favorite thing to do besides art?

Laugh.

What inspires you?

Everything. I try to keep my brain open to everything and anything. Textures, colors, patterns, people, music, family, love, fashion….

Who are your favorite artists?

A few of the artists whose work I really admire are (in no particular order): my super talented group of friends, Andrea Zittel, Bjork, David Bowie, El Gran Combo, Fafi, Julieta Venegas, Pepón Osorio, Lee Bontecou, Radiohead, Zoe Bradley, and many, many, many, more…

What other artistic ventures do you have planned?

I don’t know…you’ll have to stay tuned!  Oh wait! I’m in the middle of planning my wedding! Does that count?

Do you draw your ideas out or are you a tactile 2D-3D hands on gal?

I write a lot, do some initial sketches, and then head straight to model making.

Thanks for stopping by Lorena.

Have a splendid weekend Maquette friends….XOXOXO,

Sam

Claire Nereim interview

I’ve become totally enamored with Claire Nereim‘s work. For a long while I’ve been eyeing it on etsy. We’re trying to keep our home sparse, so I’m attempting to curate thoughtfully. But I had no qualms about purchasing Claire’s beautiful, graphic, and delicate work. The problem is, I want more of it now that I have one piece.

In the next issue of Truant (coming soon) I even chose Claire’s wildflower calendar as my holiday gift wish. I told Dave in passing. Then I contacted Claire to see if she’d like to do an artwork trade! She said she’d love to. However when I shouted out in excitement from my desk, Dave told me he’d already ordered it for me! I’m so thrilled. Now I have my eye on her constellations, or even her flowering trees (see both above). Oh Claire!

Claire was kind enough to stop by Maquette today for a little interview. I know you are just dying to find out more about her and her beautiful work and influences. So read on dear readers:

Have you always been an artist?
I was lucky to grow up in a house full of art with parents who encouraged creativity. I have been making art my whole life, but only a few months ago was able to take the leap and be creative full-time.

When you were a kid what kind of materials did you like?
I have always loved to draw with pencils and to cut paper. I made little books and signs for things. I loved dressing up and organizing things in my room and in our house.

What led you to printing?
I am also a musician and in high school made album art and posters using photocopiers. At Oberlin, where I went to college, there is an amazing screenprint studio, and I started printing there. I was inspired by the history of type and other printed materials, and really connected with the process.

Do you prefer your own projects or commercial projects?
I could fill all of each day with my own projects, but I do love to collaborate. Working with other artists and for arts organizations, record labels, musicians, and magazines has been wonderful. An ideal situation would be to have a balance of my own projects and commercial work. I am always compelled to challenge legibility, and I’m still searching for the right ways and places to do that.

What inspires you inside your home?
Reading books, listening to music, blank paper, sunlight on the walls, the sticks and stones I bring home, the newspaper.

What inspires you outside your home?
I love the swimming pool, astronomy, medieval tapestries, and the work of artists Roni Horn, Katharina Fritsch, Jockum Nordstrom, and so many others. I am lucky to live in San Francisco, where I can take bicycle rides to the ocean and the old-growth redwoods, which are always inspiring.

If you could design your dream studio where would it be and what would be in your space?
I am currently working and living with my boyfriend in a small triangular apartment which is lovely in many ways, but my dream studio would be larger and have at least one square corner. I would keep the walls pink, keep my printing table, and get a drying rack and exposure unit, a tabletop press, an industrial sink, and more flat files. I love having natural light, empty table space, and piles of art books to read and look at.

What new projects are you working on?
Right now I’m working on mapping a new set of constellations, some new drawings, flags, and a T-shirt line with my friend Julie Cloutier. I am going to start work on a new calendar in the new year, but I’m taking a short break from printing after a few weeks of nothing but!

I hope you enjoyed reading more about Claire and seeing her lovely work. Have a splendid weekend dear readers!