Society6 Artist interview: Aurelie Grand
Posted by Amy on Tuesday March 2, 2010
Awhile back I posted about collaborating with Society6 to pick out an artist every month (it’s more like a bi-monthly thing though!), and our third pick this time goes to Aurelie Grand. There were tons of applicants, and while it was no easy decision to make, Aurelie stood out because of her sense of style, and the various media that she uses. Here’s definitely one lady to watch!
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Name: Aurelie Grand
Location: Montreal, Canada
Website: www.aureliegrand.com
Shop: socuute.etsy.com
Blog: lilyk.canalblog.com
Illustration media: ink, digital, photography, acrylics, fabrics
Tell us a little more about yourself!
I was born in Toulouse «Pink City», France. I grew up in a small village closer to the Pyrenees. My dad has always been an illustrator (though he was also a full time dentist for a while) and I used to spend hours in his studio either watching him or doodling. As far as I remember drawing’s always been my number one occupation. I honestly never stopped. How nerdy is that?
I currently live in Canada with my boyfriend Max who’s also an artist.
Where do you live? What stands out about living where you are, and what is your daily schedule like?
I spent 3 fun years in Vancouver, Canada and I recently moved to Montreal, Quebec because I wanted to experiment the North American East Coast for a while and we have long-time friends here. Montreal is culturally rich, there’s a lot of artists, parks and bikes (and snow), that’s enough to inspire me.
I like to wake up early and start my day by sketching ideas, new projects etc… Then I have to say I’m not very productive in the afternoon so I’m networking, reading, having a nap, or just hanging around . My favorite shift at the studio is 9pm-2am. I guess I get more focus at night. I also like to take the bus home from the studio with drunk people.
How did you get your start in illustration?
I wrote and illustrate a book when I was 9 or 10. It was an elementary school project, a sort of novel inspired by a school trip. It was about 2 detectives (a dog and a hamster) who were investigating on missing horses in a farm. We sold the books to parents and friends at the school annual show. Ha!
I didn’t go to art school right after high school, even if I really wanted to (I wanted to be a graphic designer actually) mainly because my family did not seem to agree with the idea but I know now that I wasn’t ready anyways. So I went to university to study cell biology and animal behavior for 4 years which was seriously interesting but I soon realized life’s too short and I was wasting my time there.
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Poketo Papercut wallets
Posted by Amy on Wednesday February 24, 2010
I’m a huge fan of Poketo, but I think their latest collection of papercut series wallets may just be my favorite yet.
Featuring the works of Jayme McGowan, Thereza Rowe, Jared Andrew Schorr and Joe Rogers of Colourbox, these wallets would be awesome when put together! If I had these lovelies they would most likely be framed – they won’t be seeing the inside of my pockets that’s for sure.
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Treats and Treasures
Posted by Amy on Wednesday January 27, 2010
Two years ago I stumbled on the journal of Dutch lawyer-turned-designer/artist, Marieke Berghuis Leewens, which many of you might know from her famous website treats & treasures. I recently stumbled on it again after a long time, and I’m still blown away by her work, losing myself as I scan through entries; hoping that I’m able to get a glimpse of what she sees in everyday life.
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Tine Wiggens
Posted by Amy on Thursday October 29, 2009
Children have it good these days. There’s always beautiful art to hang on the walls (courtesy of their parent’s good tastes, of course). This original mixed media piece from Tine Wiggens grabbed my eye with its tactile quality, and I just love how simple it is.
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Giveaway #22: Flora Douville's prints + collage set
Posted by Amy on Wednesday October 21, 2009
Oh, this is a whopper of a giveaway.
The lovely Flora Douville has graciously set up not one, but TWO packs containing (are you ready for this?) seven, YES, SEVEN prints and one original collage for each set.
I’ve been a big fan of hers (love her watercolor animal alphabet prints that she sent in for the PikaPackage Project last year), so trust me when I tell you this is a true treat.
Comment below before the 27th of October 29th October and we’ll pick out TWO lucky commentors! {the giveaway is EXTENDED for an additional two days due to the server move!}
UPDATE: Commenting has now closed, thanks for participating!
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Gemma Latimer
Posted by Amy on Sunday August 30, 2009
Loving the works of Gemma Latimer who is based in Nottingham. Central to her works is an assortment of strange creatures and characters; images of which were collected at flea markets and charity shops lovingly put together and revealed with the aid of a photocopier.
Read up on her blog for her latest news & works, and also take a peek into her online portfolio while waiting for her website to be ready.
{Thanks for the intro, Amy!}
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Kate Slater
Posted by Amy on Wednesday June 24, 2009
What? You didn’t know that bears love cakes? Well Kate Slater knows so. See more of her beautiful work (love her collaged elements!) at her website.
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Andrea D’Aquino
Posted by Amy on Tuesday June 23, 2009
Happy Monday! I thought I’d start the week with an interview with Andrea D’Aquino, an artist based in New York. Her work is a mix of collages and illustrations; and you can also find her work in Velocity, a gallery and showroom based in Seattle.
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Name: Andrea T. D’Aquino
Location: New York, NY
Website/Shop: www.andreadaquino.com / andreadaquino.bigcartel.com
Blog: www.andreadaquino.com/news/page.news.html
llustration media: Multi-media (drawing, painting, collage, digital)
Tell us a little more about yourself!
Well, I have lived several lives as an art director, already. I’ve designed ads for Giorgio Armani, done shoots with Kate Moss, been on film sets with great cinematographers for tv spots that I’ve written, and collaborated with some of the best illustrators and photographers around. But somehow, as wonderful as all that is, I still found myself somewhat creatively unsatisfied. So I slowed down. I spent several summers in Italy (France and Spain, too), learned to speak Italian. Got a schnauzer. Somewhere along the way, I rediscovered my own creative nature, and how to express it not for a client, but for myself.
Where do you live currently? What is the best thing about living in your place, and what is your daily schedule like?
I live and work in an NYC apartment. Not a bad size, by most standards, but it’s important to keep my space well-organized. I start each day with a long dog walk, Occasionally, I can be found hand-coloring paper with tea, coffee, and even beets, among other things, for use in my work. Other days, I have deadlines and a graphic problem to solve, and I generally enjoy the process. It mostly feels like play, which is the only way to do it well and not even feel like working at all! This is the truth, and I feel endlessly lucky.
How did you get your start in illustration?
I’ve been drawing all my life. Since childhood I have been extra receptive to images of all kinds, from Saturday morning tv shows, to great Art. I can still picture a Captain Fantastic Elton John album cover, from when I was maybe 8 years old. As well as painting in the Metropolitan Museum of Art of St. John the Baptist’s severed head on a plate. I drew photo-realistic pictures of the Beatles incessantly that my friends hung on their bedroom walls. A bit later, I learned about typography and classic design, and found myself working in the most creative ad agencies, where I met and worked with some spectacularly talented people. Now, I’ve returned to my original inspiration – drawing pictures, and here I am.
Could you tell us more about your thought process when you start a piece?
If anything, I try to empty my mind of any and all thoughts, as much as possible, anyway! I often find myself looking at Medieval Art and botanical/scientific/historic engravings. Psychedelic 70s graphics. Great typography. Listen to music. I try to stay open to free association so that any and every thought is welcome, unjudged… and mysteriously, things happen. Its like tuning in to a radio station that sometimes comes in loud and clear, other times, is a little static-y. I am just here to receive it and describe it.
Do you keep a journal/sketchbook, and would you mind if we had a sneak peek?
Yes. I draw. Though often, my version of “sketching” is cutting up paper and collaging/painting/gluing with abandon. I try not to worry about doing anything “good”. I am spontaneous, and let accident happen. Often, its utterly horrific. But sometimes, bits and pieces find their way into more finished work.
What or who inspires you?
Other artists, of all kinds. In no particular order: Guy Bourdin, Marc Bolan, Milton Glaser and Pushpin Studios. I am enamored anything 70s from graphics to film, Peter Max. Medieval Art, Jan Van Eyck, Eric Rohmer, Woody Allen, Joni Mitchell, Alan Watts, Lewis Carroll, Tadanori Yokoo, the short films of Kenneth Anger, Hipgnosis. The Wizard of Oz. The Virgin Suicides (the book), 9 Short Stories by JD Salinger. Fancy french pastries. Great perfume. Google one and all, worth the effort.
What keeps you motivated?
Looking at my work and thinking, “I can do better than that”, or somehow that I haven’t quite crystallized the images in my mind to paper quite yet. I enjoy looking at other artist’s work….though I find that in the end, it works out best to do my own thing, without thinking TOO much about what anyone else is doing.
What’s your favourite tool?
An eraser? I only said that because everyone says “ a pencil”. But, its true. A pencil. While I try to keep obvious digital effects to a minimum in my work, I admit, I am addicted to my computer. For researching random images, to being able to find a Kate Bush or David Bowie video circa 1977, I love it.
Are you a full-time artist?
Yes. I can handle offices for short bursts, need be. But for longer stretches, my spirit literally suffocates. Many people ask me if I feel isolated or bored being freelance…..well, occasionally. But the fact is, it suits me to spend long stretches by myself. Plenty of voices inside my own head. If I get tired of them, I go have a coffee somewhere in the neighborhood to clear my mind.
What advice would you like to give people who are interested in being an artist full-time?
We all get discouraged sometimes, but follow your own vision. Don’t gravitate towards trends just because they are popular. Most creative people struggle with balancing art and commerce. And its easy to get sucked into thinking that everyone else is doing great. Some are fortunate to hit on something, that for whatever reason, is in vogue. But do what YOU do, but be open to the reactions of others. I think you need a certain amount of backbone to hear it, take it in, but not be discouraged by it. Or ignore it, if need be. But continue and trust your own rhythms. Try not to freak out. Everyone’s are different. Hey, Bach Remedy Stress Relief Spray, why not. ;-)
Where do you see yourself within the next few years? I’d like to see my work in various mediums, from print to motion, and exposed to new people. Beyond that, I have a vision of myself painting like Jackson Pollock in a huge barn, with the luxury to be as spontaneous and messy as possible. Minus the part about drinking and driving into a tree.
What message do you want to send out to people about your work?
I suppose that its all about the exuberance and humor of childhood, along with a certain melancholy about the fact that it is gone forever. Both colorful and decayed.
Glittery but faded. I am trying to be true to myself.
Tell us something random about yourself!
I have a kind of obsession with making my studio smell nice, convinced that it enhances creativity. I have wide array of ambient room sprays. May I suggest lavender, amber, citrus, or any of the Diptyque scents? As long as its natural, nothing artificial or perfumey.
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Aitch
Posted by Amy on Saturday June 20, 2009
Loving the items in Aitch’s shop who is on the front page of Dawanda at the moment. Not much information about her though, except that she’s in Berlin, Germany and there’s lots of things in the shop that I would want for myself, like her bags, prints, buttons, t-shirts and oh, just about EVERYTHING. But have you seen those adorable brooches of hers? I wish I could snap them all up and hang them on the wall instead of pinning them onto something — they look like exotic masks from a modern, foreign land.
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The House of Mouse
Posted by Amy on Wednesday January 7, 2009
I never remembered Hannibal Lecter being this cute.
See more lovely little iconic micemen (and micewomen) over at The House of Mouse, all handmade by Anna who is now based in the Netherlands.
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