Interviews

Contemporary Art Online: Artsia

November 2, 2012

Hey you guys! Today I have a little surprise for you. Today we are going to explore the world of Artsia – a contemporary art site dedicated to promote independent artists from around the world. As you know, I am a absolute lover of online marketplaces and affordable art, so when Lindsey – one of the editors – contacted me, I couldn’t resist to ask for an interview!

So, here it is. An intimate talk with Lindsey and a peek into the creative world of Artsia:

TAD: What does a typical day at Artsia look like?

We are based in so many locations all around the world so most of what we do is done online, via email and skype. Our founder Colin is now in Vancouver, from where we coordinate our marketing, PR and web development.

The curatorial process is managed online with Catherine in London and Emily in Vancouver, plus various friends and curators around the world who find new artists and help us to grow the network.

I work as editor in New York, writing articles for the site, as well as coordinating new articles from artists and writers around the world. I get to interview a new artist in our community every month and send out newsletters full of featured works. We just published an article about the Melbourne art scene, and recent articles have focused on a range of international art topics, including the language of art, the Asian art market and the life of art critic Robert Hughes.

TAD: Who are some of your favorite artists from the site?

All of the members of the Artsia team have their favorites, and we really try to find artists who have something special, with a unique and distinct style.

Our favourites also keep changing, a new piece will be uploaded to the site and suddenly we have new ones! Some of the artists we can all agree on who come to mind are (though there are many!):Margaret Zox Brown, Jesus Leguizamo, Karina Knight, Aixa Oliveras, David L. Smith, Henrik Aarrestad Uldalen and Jonathan Alibone.

TAD: What’s your advice for first time art buyers?

Our advice is really simple – buy what you love! Too often buying art is often confused with an ‘investment’ and that is not what art is about. Yes contemporary art can increase in value, but much more than, buying a piece of art is something you will enjoy every day. So it is all about the connection that you feel with a piece, which is a deeply personal thing and so it should be driven by your feeling you get from the piece, and don’t let a gallery owner tell you otherwise!

Some crucial steps are to look around – there are literally thousands of artists who’s art is investible at the moment, and so you should find one who’s work you feel you could look at every day, and still feel that warmth and that special something whenever you look at it. It’s a bit like finding your life partner, you need to think “is this the piece of art I could wake up to every morning?”

And who wouldn’t like to wake up to this cute cow every morning!?

Thanks so much Lindsey and team for sharing your answers here on the blog and thanks desperados for tagging along. Hope you have a great weekend filled of creativity!

IMAGES: Artsia.com

Please note this is NOT a sponsored post of any kind. If you would like to see your work featured on the blog, just drop me a line and let’s talk :)

artful fridays – Rachael Ashe

May 18, 2012

Hello you!

It’s that time of the week. You know what I’m talking about, right? It’s time to feature awesome people!

Today we’re going to have a chat with Rachael Ashe – an emerging artist that uses recycled materials and found objects to create altered books and collages. Did I mention she also loves photography? Yeah, total rad-o-rama over here!

By the way the long weekend is upon us, which means a possible road trip AND lots of delicious pics. Stay tuned for next week’s “The Week in Images”

Let’s get the chat with Rachael started:

Who is Rachael?

I am an emerging multi-disciplinary artist, working in a number of media such as altered books, mixed media collage, paper cutting, and photography. I love working with recycled materials and found objects as much as possible. I live in East Vancouver with an entrepreneurial technologist and a small yellow bird, both of whom constantly inspire and keep me laughing.

When did you start making art?

I was drawn to art-making from childhood. First it was drawing and painting, and then photography. Up until about four years ago I was focused only on photography, mainly creative portraiture. As I transitioned from film to digital, I felt drawn to more tactile work in the form of collage, and this eventually led to working with books. At the moment I am entirely focused on paper-based work in the form of collage and paper cutting, as well as altered books.

What are altered books?

The term altered books covers any art form that uses old books as a material. I use existing hardcover books I either find or buy second-hand to create sculptural assemblage collage.

What’s your favorite medium to work on?

I love trying different things and experimenting, which is why I end up working in many different mediums. At the moment paper is definitely my favourite, and I’m contemplating ways I can create larger pieces than I have to date.

What are some basic tools we would need if we wanted to create some altered books?

All someone really needs is a book and creative thinking, because there are many things one can do that don’t require any additional tools. Scissors, glue, gel medium, an xacto knife, and a bone folder knife are the basic tools I work with most often.

How do you recharge your creative batteries?

I recharge my creative batteries by getting out of the city for a change of scene, spending time in nature, and visiting the studios of artists I admire. I also get a recharge by experimenting with new materials or process because it can inspire ideas and lead to new work.

What would be your advice for people that want to pursue a career in art but don’t know where to start?

An important part of being an artist is to reach out to other artists and engage your community. I’ve learned a lot about being a professional artist by participating in events that have brought me into contact with more experienced artists. Most people are willing to share knowledge and experience, and it’s important to any career type to create strong connections with the people in your field. Don’t expect anyone to just hand you all the answers though.

Holy laser-cut precision, Batman! (all by hand though)

Her work is a beautiful mix of patterns, textures and nature. Visit Rachael’s Etsy shop to get your hands in some of her collages or follow her on Instagram and watch the magic of mixed media unfold before your eyes (you’ll also get a few sneak peeks of her AWESOME little bird)

Happy weekend!

artful fridays – interview with Ben, Co-creator of Picfx

May 11, 2012

You may know by now that I am a bit obsessed with Instagram – so for today’s Artful Friday I picked one of my favorite photo apps as the spotlight of the feature. You know which app I’m talking about?

Picfx!

This powerful little app has the awesome ability of mixing effects and letting you choose how much you want to apply for each of them – so smart!

I went down to the root of Picfx and, guess what? I got an interview for you with one of the Co-creators, yah! Say hello to Ben Bradley – a.k.a Ben Curious – one of the guys behind this marvellous mobile editing tool.

Who is Ben Bradley?

I’m a web/graphic designer and photographer from Wellington, New Zealand. I recently made the move to leave my job and go full freelance and to really focus on Picfx, exciting times!

What motivated you to create Picfx?

Most of my work a year ago was very heavy texture based. I wanted textures that where not available at the time. Co-creator David Boyes of Active Development and I sat down and discussed making an app to fill this niche.

What was your biggest challenge and how did you overcome it?

Creating awesome filters that people love. Still trying to do it!

Did you have any previous experience with photography?

I have always loved taking photos, it’s only been in the past few years that I have started taking it more seriously. I’m snapping photos every time I leave my house. I carry my iPhone everywhere, + my SLR most places.

What’s your secret behind building a strong community online?

Talk and interact as much as possible. I’m always looking around Instagram to find picfx users, to get their thoughts and comments about the app. We have always had a great response and being active on Instagram has helped us get the users what they want. We have also started putting together a few brief tutorials which people have responded well to, so more of those to come!

Do you have any new developments coming for Picfx?

We are currently working on an update for Picfx right now. It will include a whole range of new filters that I personally think are the best we have released. Really interested to see how people respond and use them.

What are some of your favorite creative apps?

Picfx, Picframe, PicBoost, Filterstorm, Cross Process, Blender, Decim8, Slow Shutter

Your favorite blogs?

iso50, 13thwitness, Trashhand, Hallwood, Booooooom.

Thanks a lot for the fantastic app Ben and for sharing your words with the peeps of the Artful Desperado.

Folks, you go get that app because trust me, you’re in for a real good photo treat. Have a great weekend! And please, if you have any other cool apps you’d like to share, leave them on the comments below :)

all images: Ben Bradley

artful fridays Elisa von Brockdorff

May 4, 2012

Guys!

Oh ma gawd. Friday has arrived, how did that happen? Don’t you feel time is just flying by lately?

Today I have a little interview for you with Malta-born artist Elisa von Brockdorff (she’s the funky gal in the image above!). Elisa totally caught my eye with her photographs; she loves to find beauty and colour in the ordinary. She can also transform doll houses into bright little fairy-like lighthouses, pretty cool, yah?

Before we jump to the interview, I just wanted to quickly share with you that I am the featured blogger of the month over at Blog Brunch! YAY! Thanks so much guys, so honored :)

Alright, interview time! Enjoy

Who is Elisa?
Elisa is a freelance photographer who currently lives in Malta. Three years ago, she completed an MA in Fine Art in the UK. Her work, be it photography or installation art is created by staging mundane, often colourful objects within spaces. These interventions display a contrast between materials and challenge the scale of the objects, whilst projecting irony or humour. She is also keen on fashion photography.

When did you start making art?
Ever since I was very little I can always remember being fascinated by the process of ‘putting materials together’ to create something else. Hence I liked craft books and would make my own little constructions out of objects I found at home. That was the start of my fascination for the ‘staged world’.

Who / what influences your art?
In general, I make it appoint to look at others’ creative work, be it art, photography, fashion and design on a daily basis. However I also get influenced by colour, repetition and light, as well as mundane objects and occurrences – for instance plastic goods in a shop might inspire me to create an installation.

Which tools do you use to keep track of your inspiration?
I have a large folder on my pc which is further subdivided into art, fashion photography, fashion design, interiors and graphic design. Whenever I come across an image that draws my attention, I make sure to save them and often make reference to them later. I’ve recently also started using Pinterest to keep track of images I enjoy. When it comes to documenting ideas for installations or photography work, I like to make a quick pencil drawing in my sketch book – sometimes the work evolves into an artwork, other times it remains a sketch.

Who are some of your favorite artists?
There are a lot of artists I admire though here are a few. David Batchelor for his colourful installations. Liz Wolfe for her playful, staged photographs. I really love Tim Walker’s photographs – in his work I see the two worlds of fashion and art merge together so strongly and beautifully. There are also many other photographers I find extremely inspiring, such as Miles Aldridge, Sophie Delaporte, Steven Klein and Lara Jade to name a few.

What would be your advice for people wanting to pursue a creative career but don’t know where to start?
As cliché as it might sound, first you have to believe and be convinced you can make it since there might the tendency for people around you to discourage you initially – claiming it’s not an easy career move since there is a lot of competition bla bla – and that’s not something helpful! Get to know what you are good at and do a lot of that. Don’t expect money to roll in instantly. It’s ok to do some unrelated work on the side whilst you work on personal projects to enhance your skills and portfolio. Market yourself – upload your work on social networks, exhibit your work and create a professional website. Then target potential clients in your niche – contact them and show them your work. Not all will reply but don’t get discouraged. Continue developing your skills within the field you chose and look at your contemporaries’ work… and keep in mind that good things will come to those who work hard!

Excellent advice Elisa! You gotta trust yourself and work hard, the rest will follow.

Thanks so much for your time Elisa and thanks guys for joining us for this interview. Don’t forget to drop by Elisa’s site and give her some love!

artful fridays – Jenny Brown

April 6, 2012

Happy Friday amigos!

Wow, this week went flying didn’t it? Monday came and first thing you know, boom! You’re already making Easter eggs.

Today I have a little interview for you with collage artist Jenny Brown. I found Jenny’s art while browsing through Mammoth and Company – a mega cool site where you can buy beautiful, affordable art. The colour, details and jellyfish-like shapes in Jenny’s work made my heart skip a beat – hence, she’s an Artful Friday-ee.

Sit down, get comfy and enjoy the interview!

T.A.D. Who is Jenny Brown?

Jenny: I am an artist living and working in Providence, Rhode Island. My primary mediums are drawing and collage, and I have a special interest in working with found materials.

T.A.D. When did you start making art?

Jenny: I began making art as a child. I loved drawing houses and creating my own blueprints and city maps. I got serious about my work when I was about 19 and a student at Bennington, and at the time was very focused on painting.

T.A.D. What or who influences your art?

Jenny: I am influenced by nature in the sense that I feel like I am always trying to “understand” the natural world in my work. My lifelong hobby of collecting antiques brought me to my interest in found papers, photographs and books.

I felt as I began to mature as an artist, I needed to find a way to bring these found materials into my work. As for artists, one of my earliest influences was the work of Philip Guston. Right now, I love looking at the work of Mary Delaney, a British artist who created an amazing series of botanical drawings in the 1700s.

T.A.D. What’s on your current playlist?

Jenny: the past weeks I’ve been listening to The Black Keys, Radiohead’s “The Bends,” Kate Bush and jazz works by Wes Montgomery. An odd collection, I know, but it keeps me going!

T.A.D. What do you do to recharge your creative batteries?

Jenny: When I get frustrated with my work, I like to step away and do something completely different…errands, clean, buckle down at my day job. And always, after a few hours away, I feel calmer. I remember how lucky I am to be able to make art, and that I need to remember it isn’t something to stress about, but rather, something to have fun with and enjoy!

Great advice Jenny! I think sometimes all us get trapped in the stress ball of “I HAVE to do [insert occupation/hobby here]” and we forget about the fun part. Whether you’re creating art as hobby or as a full-time job, you should always remember to enjoy it! If you don’t, then creativity will say laters dude! Gonna get a new mind to inspire, and you don’t want that right?

Lucky for you it’s the long weekend! So take some time for yourself – pamper your soul. Promise?

Jenny! Thanks so much for your time and sharing a little glimpse into your creative life.

Happy weekend everyone :)

Don’t forget to give Jenny some LOVE by sending her a tweet or visiting her site. Even better, get some of her beautiful art over at Mammoth and Company.

artful fridays – Kristian Ingers

March 30, 2012

Desperados!

Prepare yourselves for a good dose of colour and digital collage. Seriously, go get a drink cuz this post is going to be intense – who cares if it’s early in the day – just go get some, it’s the weekend anyways.

Last week while I was away on vaca south of the border and in between siestas I became really addicted to Instagram (more than before! Oh and if we aren’t Insta friends yet, we should be – add me up yo @ArtfulDesperado). I didn’t know there was such a HUGE creative community in there! That’s how I found the art of Kristian Ingers. From tortilla experiences (yah! you gotta read the interview) to collaborations, Kristian enjoys every step of the creative process.

So, without further ado I give you Mr. Ingers!

T.A.D. – Who is Kristian Ingers?

Kristian: I am a 32-year old Arts and Crafts teacher from Malmö, Sweden. I also work with exploring digital craftsmanship.

T.A.D. – When did you start making art?

Kristian: After school I started working in a tortilla factory, sorting tortillas. Bad burnt ones in one pile and white pale ones in another pile. The minute I was done for the day I would rush home and paint all night.

The painting kept me sane despite staring at the round tortilla shapes in front of me all day. A year later, I went to university and was involved in some film projects. I got more and more interested in the possibilities within digital media.

My illustrations I sometimes see as sketches for paintings. I now have small kids running around at home and it´s hard to bring out paint and start working so it’s much easier to do it with a laptop and a Wacom board.

T.A.D. – What online tools do you use to connect with other creative minds?

Kristian: I post a lot of my work in the Instagram community. I like all the creativity from other users and the feedback.

I have done collaborations with other Instagram users, the process is fantastic – different media like drawing, painting, collage and digital editing in a non-profit enviroment, just for the fun of it – is very inspiring.

T.A.D. – What do you do to boost your creativity?

Kristian: I read books and magazines about architecture and art. I get a lot of inspiration from architecture. I also try to see a lot of art shows. There are some great institutions and galleries in Malmö. Across the bridge is Copenhagen, with an even greater scene. I have a lot of creative friends and I also get a lot of input from my wife, Sara.

T.A.D. What are some of your favorite Swedish artists?

Kristian: For colors Jens Fänge, for lo-fi Jockum Nordström, for geometric lo-fi Torsten Andersson and for scenery and landscape Karin Mamma Andersson. These are just a few, there are so many.

Art by Jens Fänge

Art by Torsten Andersson

T.A.D. – What’s your favorite meal?

Kristian: It’s called ”Flying Jacob”. Chicken, nuts and bananas, served with rice. Classic 80’s dish!

That sounds pretty good, doesn’t it? Guys, if you are around Kristian’s area (which would be freakin’ fantastic!) you can check out a show he’s having with other friends for Easter. For more info you can email him: kristian (at) artyartwork.com

Thanks so much for your time and awesome inspiration Kristian!

So what you say guys? Did this post make you feel all energized and inspired? Of course it did, right? Always remember when you’re feeling a bit under the weather (from either sorting tortillas or doing other daily duties you don’t necessarily like), there’s a creative community out there waiting for you!

Happy weekend everyone :)

Kristian’s instagram: @kristianingers

Site: ArtyArtWork

Ian Carpenter

January 16, 2012

Ian Carpenter is a Brooklyn based artist whose paintings are filled with wonderful vibrant colors. Check out his work and interview with The Artful Desperado (that’s me!).

Hey Ian, where are you from?

Brooklyn by now – but before that many places going back to Thailand.

What do you think will happen in 2012? A: Doomsday, B:Mental/Spiritual change in mankind, C: Nothing

I would think B since mankind is always evolving. So yes hopefully not doomsday or nothing. Mankind is the ongoing high wire between those two.

If right now you could steal a piece of art from someone, who would it be?

Right now I like Petra Cortright’s work. I saw it on the site here. So yes I could steal me one of those.

Yep, I’d steal one of those too. Thanks for visiting the site, Ian.

see also: Ian’s art on Lost At E Minor

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