Late, last summer I sat down with San Francisco artist Sarah Applebaum. Below are pics I took and our podcast. Although the podcast is a bit late -- what we talk about is relevant and I think you'll enjoy what Sarah has to say about creating and connecting to the larger world around her. Enjoy!
You can listen below or download from iTunes (and subscribe ;)
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Oh, I love this. Jill Bliss had a show back in 2008 (which I covered - way back when the columns were much smaller!) and the ribbon garldands that decorated the show were lost in a warehouse. They were finally returned this past November, 3 years later! So Jill turned that frown upside down and now they're ready for you in her shop!
I remember seeing the pictures for the show (above with the beautiful Saelee Oh) and thinking ooooh, I like those...
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When I started thinking about taking the blog in a new direction last year, it was clear to me that I did not want to get away from the community I had created. If anything, I actually wanted to get closer and be more personal with you guys. Blogging everyday about art started to get kind of lonely and honestly exhausting. I also noticed that the sites I gravitated to most, all had a personal voice and that really appealed to me.
With the new direction, I decided going forward it was important for me to engage and invite the community of readers to be more involved with the posts as well. I wanted to give you guys a platform to ask some of your favorite artists things that you want to know. So today I'm starting a brand new (and experimental!) feature; twitterviews!
How it works is I tweet out on twitter that I'm planning on interviewing a specific artist and ask people to tweet back at me q's for them. Twitterviews are normally conducted on twitter, however my fulltime job makes that a beeeet difficult. I love twitter and it seemed like a perfect way to really engage you, readers. I hope you guys like it! Next week I'll be interviewing Jenny Hart of Sublime Stitching. Tweet at me!
SO enough of my yammering! For my very first twitterview I asked Lucky Jackson to take part.
Lucky is a crafty maven who's been making beautiful embroidered art, selling in her Etsy shop and attending many of the craft fairs we love. She's also working on a 365 day embroidery project, that is simply incredible considering each piece is made in one day. One day!
I love how her work is really centered around pop culture, friends and family.
I thought she was ideal to twitterview since she crafts, makes art, runs her own business and has a family too! Keep in mind for after your reading, Lucky has just opened a shop to sell her 365 day pieces.
Let's get started!
How did you transition from working a regular job to being a full time artist? What were the steps you took? question from: @AshleyMSheppard
When my first daughter was born my husband entered me in an art show. I had nothing to show at the time. He told me to get started and I did. I fell in love with making art. When I was on maternity leave and Ellie was little I painted all the time. I really want to show my kids that you can have a career that you love. I kept doing shows and opened an Etsy shop. I just kept going...
How do you "make time" to produce beautiful intricate personal pieces daily whilst still doing a real job (running your business side of things)? question from: @leecrutchley
This is the part I find really hard. Making art is easy, but juggling emails, orders and shows...I am working on a system but haven't quite figured that part out yet. I do find that people are pretty patient with me as they know that I am at a loss for time.
I also have two little girls 4 and 6. I try to only work when they are at school and at night. I really try to steal snippets of time whenever I can to just get a bit of work done. The business part is an ongoing "work in progress". I hope by the end of it I will have it down to a fine art.
What do you do when you get stuck? Do you keep a sketchbook? questions from: @czarcastic
I keep several sketchbooks! I am constantly sketching out new ideas. I can't say that I am ever at a loss for new ideas. Just the time to make them!
What non-art things influence your practice the most? question from: @czarcastic
My family influences me a lot. Having kids is a constant inspiration. My friends are all really creative and they always give me new ideas.
I also am a book nut. I am constantly scouring illustration periodicals and art and craft books. Music, Movies... you name it.
What continues to drive you to create? question from: @russty
I am in love with art. I really honestly like making something new every day. I look forward to coming up with new ideas, sketching them out, assembling the work. I will be sad when the project is over. It might sound trite but this is what I was meant to do. It took me a long time to realize it but I am glad others recognized it and are so supportive.
How did you get your work seen by larger audiences? question from: @auralaniK
It happened pretty suddenly. I guess Uppercase Magazine tweeted about it and that was then mentioned by Miss Modish who then passed it on to Bleubird Vintage. Miss James wrote a wonderful piece and that was really the start of people knowing about the project.
How do you handle the uncertainty of earning an income as an artist; especially in tough economies? question from: @Meyertron
The last few years I have just been making very affordable art. When I do shows I have small pieces that start at $15. You just have to think like a business and not overvalue your work. My father once told me "It's only worth what someone will pay", a bit harsh I know but I am finding that there is truth in that. I challenge myself to make art that is accessible to everyone.
I have been doing the craft show circuit for a couple of years now so I have a pretty good idea of what people are willing to pay and produce items in a wide range of price points.
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I have been thinking a lot about 365 day projects, because it's, well you know the beginning of the year. I'm hoping to launch a blog project around this concept for you all to take part with me. Stay tuned for that!
Lucky Jackson has put the 365 day challenge to the test: each day she embroiders something and posts it on her blog. Each piece is whimsical, colorful and so fun! Umm, hello Mug Shot Week? What I think is best though...is she started it late last year. She didn't need Jan 1st to whip herself into shape, she just up and did it.
All I have to say is I hope to God there is a Ron Swanson in Lucky's sewing future. Other than that I love this project!
found via Borrowed, Bought, Stolen.
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Faythe Levine (whom I can thank for pointing my attention over the years to a lot of very talented people) turned me on to Cassandra Smith a few years ago. Her use of taxidermy and sequins simply wowed me. Some how I missed that she had opened an etsy store back in March (you can find the sequined antler at Printshop). She's turned her creative spirit to antlers...and no doubt she's blown through a ton. Check them out.
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