Las Vegas Artist Profiles

James Henninger Interview

2012-04-13T12:05:00.002-07:00

You know stay true to yourself, this is not really a gimmick but you have to set yourself apart from everyone else.

-James Henniger

Here’s the thing about James Henninger’s paintings, they are done in an ultra-real style but with a medium that is so fantastically visionary and historical at the same time. James does encaustic paintings. Encaustic painting is a 4,000 year old practice that uses hot bees wax with added pigments to create art.

Through James use of wax a ghostly and an ethereal facet is layered onto his photorealistic portraiture like a thin gauze of fabric. Painting with this rare medium his portraits create a sense of the fluidity of the human face. The dripping strokes that created his portraits are all minuscule because he operates with such fine precision and detail even on a very large scale.

James is in the process of tackling color but I see no hurry for that because I love how the monochrome black and white highlights the texture in his painting. James paintings remind all artist to experiment with different mediums that could yield a truly aspect perspective to your work and subject matter. For us art viewers we look at his large wax paintings and are reminded that there is not one way to be real and create realism in our lives.

Click Read more for his interview!

Where are you from? Were you a creative child?

Southern California and I've drawn since I can remember.

Can you give me a few words to describe your art?

Unique, encaustic (wax) pieces that are photo-realistic and 100% hand made. From the pigment to the brushes.

What artist inspires you, I know that you are doing something really different then a lot of other artist but can you think of any that you emulate?

When I first started doing the encaustics actually before that, about a year ago, I was looking online because I was really tired of doing pen and inks. It was really important to me to get as photo realistic as possible and I had never done anything other than pen and ink. So I went online to see who is doing it and what kind of photo realism is being done out there. Now, one thing that came up was an artist named Alyssa Monks. She is an amazing artist. She does huge pieces all in oil. I said to myself, if she can do it I can do it. So, I gave myself a month to learn because I wanted to do something completely different like she did. I wanted to be just as good as she was.

What kind of brushes do you use? I believe you said that you make your own brushes?

Correct. Um it’s expensive to buy them, I was looking at the style and how they are made. The hog’s hair brushes are great for larger pieces and I can get really great detail with them but the smaller the brush, the sooner the encaustics cool off. You can only do a quarter of an inch at a time which is a little crazy, you can’t do a 4 foot by 4 foot a quarter inch at a time. I got myself some copper tubing and some copper wire and a soldering station and I created my own brushes. I can go down to 6 inches by 6 inches with my brushes and get it really photo realistic, even getting eyelashes.

So, let me get this straight. The brushes you paint with are wires and you make your own brushes?

Correct. Um it’s expensive to buy these. I was looking at the style and how they are made. The hog’s hair brushes are great for larger pieces and I can get really great detail with them but the smaller the brush, the sooner the encaustics cool off. You can only do a quarter of an inch at a time which is a little crazy; you can’t do a 4 foot by 4 foot a quarter inch at a time. I got myself some copper tubing and some copper wire and a soldering station and I created my own brushes. I can go down to 6 inches by 6 inches with my brushes and get it really photo realistic, even getting eyelashes.

That makes a lot of sense because the wax you use would ruin regular brushes, the hair and all the fibers.

Right. The soldering machine that I have actually regulates the heat. So, what it does is you can get it barely warm enough so that you can push the wax while barely melting it.

When is your next art show?

April’s first Friday is my last show for the next 5 months. I need a break. I need time to build up a stock and get 200 pieces finished for future shows. I’m actually here working on a piece right now, a series of pieces, that’s going to be really different. It’s going to be really unique. Let’s see, I have the Smithsonian show, I have the royal portraits society of London. I have the American Portrait Society November next, not next November but November next.

Wow, you’re busy. So, you mentioned that it’s hard to sell art right now in Vegas. Why do you think that is?

Well, you know that Vegas is a great city. The thing is that it is really transient, you get a lot of artist come in and they start and they grow where they pretty much saturate the entire valley. Everyone knows who they are. Everyone wants a piece, then sometimes their pieces get too expensive or they don’t make it at all and they go somewhere else where there is a larger art community. It’s hit or miss really. Some of the artist that I know here, I mean they have done phenomenally well but sometimes the money is just not there.

You know everything I do is all handmade, from the pigments, to the resin and to the wax it’s all handmade. Everything is 100% handmade, which keeps the cost down, but still it is incredibly expensive. Someone can make a $5,000.00 piece and sell it for $15,000.00 and I can’t do that. A lot of people don’t understand what it takes for me to do my work. 99% of the people that come through my gallery have never even heard of it. From my research end, please correct me if I’m wrong, I haven’t been online all that much about it but I am probably one of a very, very small handful of artist in the world who are doing photo realistic encaustic pieces.

When were you inspired to start making art?

I started when I was five.

Are you a trained artist or self-taught?

Everything I have ever done so far has been 100% self taught.

Wow. No kidding and did you learn more inside or outside of the classroom?

I am pretty much 100% self-taught. I failed every art class I ever took. I knew what my skill was long ago but I was just really, really lazy, I was rushing through it. When I came back to Vegas the 2^nd time, I sat down and realized that what I wanted to do is get as photo realistic as possible and got into the encaustics and the acrylics. I didn’t have the money for art school so I gave myself a month to learn and this is the results.

My nemesis in the art world is color. Color scared the crap out of me, so I just haven’t gotten into it yet. I probably have at least $5,000.00 worth of oil paints and I haven’t even touched them for the past 4 years.

That is surprising! Although Albert Einstein did completely flunk out of high school. In terms of using colors, what are you waiting for?

I don’t know, I am waiting for something to click. It’s like when you are taught that 1 and 1 is 2 and you say Oh I get it. I am waiting for that.With the encaustics and the oils in monochromatic it’s kind of like driving a car, you don’t think about it, you just do it. But if you think about everything you do, then you are going to get yourself into an accident. It’s pretty much just like that with muscle memory rather than learning the anatomy book and skin tones.

There is a book that I always wanted to get it was at Barnes and Nobles called The Da Vinci Notebook and if anyone wants to know anatomy and how to paint then that is the bible. It’s just about doing it over and over again.

I know that color is a whole other beast and you’ll get there eventually because you have all the tools waiting. Would you ever introduce a bit of color at a time into your pieces?

Well, you are going to see a little bit of color at this show, it’s more of a sepia tone monochromatic, a little bit of blue and reds. The girl in the CAC window, she is untitled and she is my favorite portrait that I have ever done. She is in sepia and one of my first pieces I ever did with the wire brushes and when I realized that this works and I can do this and it’s going to be good.

But working with color, there is so much more to it. The way I work I would need 7-8 hot plates going at a time and that is not easy to do.

Do you ever hurt yourself working with wire brushes and hot plates?

No, but tip #1, I have never done it but never do it naked. When I first started working with hot plates it was at the gallery and I was worried that some kid was going to put his hand up and get burned and I would get sued. I was like, I better not. I know that the soldering iron is 300-400 degrees, but I am not going to burn myself with the wax.

What cultural or musical markers inform your artwork? Do you listen to music while you make art?

I’m the strangest one you will ever meet because I can’t stand music.

When you make art you mean?

At all, I have never owned a radio or a CD player. I don’t get it all.

Really?

Yeah, I never listen to the radio.

Do you have a favorite musician?

No, I don’t even pay attention. Normally I listen to my books on tape when I’m painting for 40- 80 hour stretches non-stop. I get a little tired but times goes by so fast.

I’m sure it’s nice to just have background noise there sometimes?

Yeah, I have all five seasons of Dexter that I listen to all the way through when I paint.

What artist inspire you, I know that you are doing something really different then a lot of other artist but can you think of any that you emulate?

What in your life inspires your work?

Everything, I have no statement to make in my work. I paint what I want and what I love, no more no less.

How has your art evolved? What triggered the change?

Last year there was a post on my blog that brought up encaustics. I had never heard of the encaustics technique before so I Googled it. Instantly I fell in love with it and realized what potential there was in it and what I can do with this amazing technique. Within 5 seconds I looked it up, and researched as much as as I could. In the mean time I saved what I could to get what supplies I needed. In doing the research I realized that I was able to create everything from scratch. I gave myself 30 days to learn encaustics and in that time period I created my own unique technique. In the past 12 months I've gained a wealth of knowledge. To be honest I have always known that I have had this ability but never had the patience. Now retired I have all the time in the world to create the best pieces I can.

When is your next art show?

April’s first Friday is my last show for the next 5 months. I need a break. I need time to build

up a stock and get 200 pieces finished for future shows. I’m actually here working on a piece

right now, a series of pieces, that’s going to be really different. It’s going to be really unique.

Let’s see, I have the Smithsonian show, I have the royal portraits society of London. I have the

American Portrait Society November next, not next November but November next.

Wow, you’re busy. So, you mentioned that it’s hard to sell art right now in Vegas. Why do

you think that is?

Well, you know that Vegas is a great city. The thing is that it is really transient, you get a lot of

artist come in and they start and they grow where they pretty much saturate the entire valley.

Everyone knows who they are. Everyone wants a piece, then sometimes their pieces get too

expensive or they don’t make it at all and they go somewhere else where there is a larger art

community. It’s hit or miss really. Some of the artist that I know here, I mean they have done

phenomenally well but sometimes the money is just not there.

Definitely I know what you mean by Vegas being a transient community.

Yeah, this is my second time here in Vegas I moved here in 1995 then moved back in 2005. You

know stay true to yourself it’s not really a gimmick but you have to set yourself apart from

everyone else.

Yeah, it’s like that with everything, you have to make waves to get noticed. When you left

what brought you back?

I lived in Northern California, it’s so rural and all orchards. My girlfriend at the time didn’t care

about the art. I was in the arts community there and everybody loved me, everybody loved my

work and then I was just like I got to come back thinking if I don’t make it this time then I am not

going to do it professionally but at the beginning of this year I quit my job and now I am doing

this full time.

That’s the dream.

I got really lucky.

For more info on James Henninger, visit his sites:
http://303north.blogspot.com/http://303north.blogspot.com/
http://www.facebook.com/james.henninger

Mark Mellon Interview

2012-03-13T12:04:00.001-07:00

" I really enjoy that you can create thousands of stories and the perception is different from person to person with abstraction... It keeps the work exciting and it is also a challenge to create."

-Mark Mellon

Mellon at work.

‘An Allegory of Things Unknown (The Beasts 3)’
Charcoal and Conte Crayon on India Handmade Paper
30” x 22” - unmounted

His works speaks to the mystery inherent in the world around us and within other people through his technical skills mixed with abstraction. Like his collection of drawings titled An allegory of things unknown all of his works have a hidden meaning veiled behind abstraction. At first I was taken aback by the mystery, dare I say even confused. Then, I began to see things in the paint splatter and scratchy pen marks that were about me and the world around me. The intriguing aspect of Mellon's work is not only what he paints but how he paints it.

By painting everyday things and people in a way that challenges as viewers we begin to recognize the truth in something even when it so mysterious that it becomes ironic. This is art for the thinker and philosopher as well as the everyday man and the downtrodden. Mellon's art beckons us to see whatever it is that we want to see.

Brian Eno ( Portraits for Airports)
7.5”x11”
Watercolor, Pen and Ink on Arches 140# CP

Like Picasso and most abstract artist, Mark Mellon can render realistic pictures, but he is not interested in doing that. Comparable to the artist Ralph Steadman who illustrated the novel Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Mellon’s art is raw and in his own words, savage.
Mellon’s work has a primal brilliance to it, drawn with a sort of mad hand that translates into pure energy. His art is about mystery and how people and things cannot be defined. In his most recent work he is able to catch the minimal and thereby express the essential elements of his subjects. With an abstract eye Mellon transforms his subjects into so much more than they were to begin with.

Mellon has an upcoming show doing a window installation in May 2012 at the Contemporary Arts Center, Las Vegas, NV. were Su Limbert last had her All is Full of Love installation.

Click Read more below to peep the entire interview!

1. Where are you from? Were you a creative child growing up?

01102012
4” x 6”
Pen, Watercolor on Hemp Paper

Pittsburgh, PA. Although, I have lived here for over 16 years, so I mostly feel like I am from here.... Like most artists responses to that question, i have been drawing all my life, but I dont really feel I crossed over into the ‘creative’ side of it until I was older. I knew I had wanted to be an artist from the time I was 5 or 6... It was all I ever wanted to do or be.

2. Can you give me a few words to describe your art?

Primitive Surrealistic Abstraction.

3. When were you inspired to start making art?

I’ve always made it...Always have had projects I would begin... often never finish. When I was done with school I worked on paintings, book making and even experimental music. There were times I was done with art, and wanted nothing to do with it again. Experiencing life and finding my own way through it have been the biggest inspiration, especially that of finding myself or at least, my perception of that. Finding my own voice as an artist was essential for me. It was struggle to find it.

4. Are you a trained artist or self-taught?

01092012
4” x 6”
Pen, Watercolor on Hemp Paper

I am trained. But I am Self Taught... I’ve learned from other artists that I respected over the years here in Vegas, and other places, friends, books, and research. I have invested a lot of time on my own to learn and discover all I can...still learning. I was accepted to art school in NY a while back, but I chose not to go.. I feel if you have the motivation and the drive you can teach yourself anything. I believe not going to a university and doing things on my own give me a unique perspective. Being self taught doesn't always mean you are not trained.

5. Did you learn more inside or outside of the classroom?

I will always say outside. You can be taught technique. You cannot be taught the voice or the soul that can make a piece exceptional. A classroom can never teach you that. Even technique can be taught outside of that.... school is really just a waste of money.

6. Why do you do what you do?

It is what I have to do. There is no other reason than that.

7. What popular or underground cultural or musical markers inform your artwork?

I have really spent a major part of my life on my own... I have never really followed trends, underground cultures or anything like that. I desire to be my own person, my own thing. I would hope my work dictates that and does not fall under any moniker.

8. What in your life inspires your work?

Life itself inspires it, from history and mythology to quantum theories and astronomy. The condition of mankind and philosophy play a big role in my work. It is mostly trying to visualize an awareness to ideas that I’m trying to figure out myself, perhaps others can find answers in my questions.

9. What’s different about this series compared to the art that you have done in the past?

I constantly want to be evolving in my work. Staying the same in art is like a death sentence. We should all be hoping to evolve in whatever it is that we do. I have been going a more abstract direction... more minimal. I really enjoy that you can create thousands of stories and the perception is different from person to person with abstraction... It keeps the work exciting and it is also a challenge to create.

10. How has your art evolved? What triggered the change?

Life and learning trigger change... answer to this is really the same as question.

11.What are you working on now?

I am working on my continuing series “An Allegory of Things Unknown”, a series of abstract work... also several other projects that I hope will materialize into something exciting. Also I have been working with PUAH Gallery, in more of a graphic design / assistant sort of way.

12.What’s on your horizon? What’s coming next?

I will be doing an installation/mural in the CAC Window Display at the Arts Factory in April with my friend Trevor Shaw, and other projects that are classified as of now... ;)

13.What has been the hardest part about being a working artist living in Las Vegas?

An Allegory of Things Unknown (4)
Acrylic, Charcoal and Oil Stick on Canvas
43” x 28”

The lack of museums of contemporary art I feel is a huge downfall ... sure you can go to LA or where ever, but I honestly hate road trips. I’m a hermit. I like to stay where I am. The city has changed in its attitude towards art in the recent years, I have seen it change so much since when I started this whole art thing in 1999... hopefully it becomes more economical to be an artist here. I have focused my work to be accessible from the internet and have been able to reach collectors and clients that way... It would be nice to have more in town options to that regard. And the other thing is the heat.... I really really don’t like the heat. But I guess that won’t change...

14.What do you do for fun when you are not making stunning artwork?

Between working on the computer, marketing myself and actually creating work, I hardly have time

for anything else.... I’ll play video games when I can… That’s something.

15.What’s your favorite band for the moment?

I’ve been listening to a lot of classical music… and Sigur Ros... Mum...Explosions in the Sky.... but... that’s it lately... I usually listen to the same thing over and over till im sick of it.

16. Any Hollywood crushes?

ehhhh no

For more information on Mark Mellon visit:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mark-m-mellon/160575194006119
https://twitter.com/mellonart
http://mellonart.tumblr.com/
http://www.mellonfineart.com/The_Uncanny_Art_of_Mark_M._Mellon.html

The Face of the Book

2012-03-07T14:37:00.000-08:00

Like us on Facebook!

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Upcoming First Friday: Today

2012-03-02T17:25:00.000-08:00

Complete with new and seasoned artist, funnel cake and fried pickles this upcoming first friday promises to be a hit. Finally we are coming out of the cold weather that dissuaded some folks from leaving the house for last first friday. Hopefully there is a great big turn out and plenty of dancing, merrymaking and art. For more info about this upcoming first friday on March, 2, 2012 in the arts district. Checkout the website:

http://www.firstfridaylasvegas.com/

Su Limbert Interview

2012-02-23T19:44:00.002-08:00

"My work is sweet, nostalgic, sentimental, and feminist. Not exactly characteristics associated with Las Vegas."
-SU LIMBERT

Photo Credit: Peter Mengert.
Su in front of her artwork.

Being an adult can be scary and Su Limbert gets that. The wolf, the lost girl and an adventure into an unknown world are the characters in her newest work, “All is Full of Love”. Her art is in touch with how scary it is to be in the adult world amongst threatening and unknown places and people. In the end we are all either the wolf or the lost girl. Su puts the natural, the fairytale and the real world in dialogue through her iconic imagery and storybook archetypes. Su’s art is in the tradition of modernism because it uses found objects and transforms them during her artistic practice.

Click Read more for the full interview!

While being very modern in practice, there is a traditional aspect to Su’s work in the subject matter that addresses pastoral life and simpler times. In her Etsy shop, “Prettyville” Su cuts ceramic plates into a variety of silhouettes with a common theme of floral and clean lines. In her ceramic work Su addresses a femininity that is graceful and simple. Her artwork is feminine without being sexy or dainty even while working with such a fragile medium as ceramic plates. The attention to detail in Su’s work is part of the whimsical feeling that her work has as it beckons you to look closer and recognize each element and each figure and shape as an individual element.

The layering of mediums in her work draw out the deeper and layered subtle messages in her work: beyond beauty and into the natural order of things. Nature as a recurring theme in Su’s work is something that interacts and mixes with humanity. She personifies nature while bringing it into the space of human interaction and civilization. The old time classical style of her drawings harken back to the days when nature was revered as opposed to today when it is feared and desecrated. The strength of her characters as they fearlessly adventure down the rabbit hole and into the natural world adds a sense of fearless defiance to her feminine artwork.

Su’s installation art in the storefront CAC Eastside Project window, “All is full of Love” will be up for the first Friday of March until mid march. In “All is full of Love” the composition in the storefront window as her heroine is being led on a path in an uncertain world beckons the question: what is leading us on our path: promises of riches? Fame? Curiosity? Whatever it is that drives us, Su’s art reminds us that even in our most vulnerable and uncertain state, life is an adventure and that there is beauty all around us.

Where are you from?

I was born and raised in Northern Indiana and moved to Vegas in High School. Then spent 10 years in Portland, OR. Moved back to Vegas to teach MS art 10 years ago.

Were you a creative child?

I spent a lot of time occupying myself with notions of having a deep connection with animals and the weather and entertained myself with all sorts of unusual diversions. My grandmother was constantly working on some craft project and my grandfather taught me woodworking at an early age.

Can you give me a few words to describe your art?

My work is a mix of all of the influences of my life experiences and all that I find beautiful in the world. It is nostalgic and mysterious. I love mixing unexpected but familiar imagery, styles, and materials to create new dialogues.

When were you inspired to start making art?

I always loved the challenge of drawing from observation from an early age and would do scientific studies of plants and other things I’d pick up on walks through the woods behind our house. I copied from botany and anatomy textbooks. I also loved drawing a few themes again and again including dripping ice cream cones and newborn babies.

Are you a trained artist or self-taught?

I studied Drawing/Painting/Printmaking at Portland State University and earned a Masters in Secondary Art Education.

Did you learn more inside or outside of the classroom?

I learned different skills in school vs. outside. I am thankful for having the opportunity to learn from my amazing professors and friends in college.

Why do you do what you do?

Because something in me pushes me to make art until an idea or feeling is fully communicated.

What popular or underground cultural or musical markers inform your artwork?

I dream of finding a way to integrate aspects of all of my favorite visual artists into my own style including Jean-François Millet, Mark Ryden, Camille Rose Garcia, Seonna Hong, Margaret Kilgallen, and Walton Ford.

What in your life inspires your work?

The beauty all around and my drive to share that beauty with others. There is a drive in me to recreate the magical wonder of my childhood in my adult life while trying to solve the riddles of the misadventures and misconceptions I experienced while growing up. I am an inherent storyteller. But, I’m better with pictures than with words.

What’s different about this series compared to the art that you have done in the past?

I am finding ways to combine aspects of many of the different themes and styles I have explored over the years into one cohesive body of work. The work I am doing now tends to tell a story and have recurring characters.

How has your art evolved? What triggered the change?

My work took a huge leap forward when I was given a deadline for my first solo show (thank you, Gia Ray, Gina Quaranto and Jesse Smigel of Blackbird Studios)! Until then, I would revisit work and completely change it while rarely coming to a conclusion. I was experimenting and enjoying the process more than I was concerned with an end product which was a great learning experience!

What are you working on now?

photo credit

I have a proposal for the CAC juried group show coming up in March which I hope gets accepted and a mosaic mural installation in April that I am doing in collaboration with local artist, Sierra Slentz, for the Winchester Cultural Center.

What’s on your horizon? What’s coming next?

I have a solo show in the main gallery at Blackbird Studios in October 2012! I’m planning on doing a great big installation and continuing the story I’ve started in the CAC Eastside Project window this February.

What has been the hardest part about being a working artist living in Las Vegas?

Accepting my style of art as viable in this city and producing art despite lack of sales. My work is sweet, nostalgic, sentimental, and feminist. Not exactly characteristics associated with Las Vegas. There is an amazing support system here in Las Vegas of artists and art lovers that I am so fortunate to belong to now!

What do you do for fun when you are not making stunningly beautiful artwork?

Find patches of green grass to frolic in with my two wee ones and husband, shop for unusual vintage china and children’s books, and listen to live music!

What’s your favorite band for the moment?

Always Bjork.

Su Limbert's

Twitter

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Etsy Shop

"Thank you for this opportunity to share my art and experiences!"

—Su Limbert

Thank You Su!!!!

Jenna Doughton Interview

2012-02-19T20:54:00.000-08:00

Jenna Doughton Interview

Personal Stylist

“There is a reason why they say you have skeletons in your closet.”

Jenna is a Las Vegas artist and the medium she works with are accessories, clothes and shoes. Her mode of creativity involves shopping and talking with people and often helping them become who they want to be. Our meeting was pure luck, I happened to be looking into a job in fashion styling and Jenna’s website, being a prominent personal stylist, came up on Google. I had my own vision of the glamorous life of a personal shopper, which Jenna did not dispel but she did elaborate on how the job is as personal as any job you can find.

After a friendly introduction Jenna and I discussed the life of a personal shopper. I found that clothes and fashion are tied to so many emotions for so many people and that is something we all share. Jenna’s perspective on fashion is holistic, she understands how our appearance affects our life choices and who we see ourselves as. Like any good artist she knows what her art means and what to do with it.

To find out more information about Jenna visit her website at http://jennadoughton.com/ and follow her on twitter @JennaDoughton.

Has it been a busy day?

It’s always a busy day.

Is there a lot of planning that goes into styling before you see your client?

Yes, usually I like to meet with my clients before I ever start working with them and discuss what their needs are. What kind of services I provide and then we try and figure out which services are going to fit with their lifestyle needs. Then I will shop the entire city for about a week before the appointment.

Oh wow “shopping the entire city,” that sounds like a lot of fun, but what does that entail?

Usually we would talk about budget and where they want to go in their style and then they look to me to guide them on their personal journey of defining their style. I look at their lifestyles and budgets to lay the foundation of their style. Then I look to stores to help them branch that our outside their comfort zone to expand their horizons.

Do people ever come to you with no style and bad taste? So you think to yourself this is going to be a toughie?

Everybody comes to me with their own set of challenges. Usually there is a catalyst or some kind of personal transition and that is why they have contacted me. So, my job as a personal stylist is to decipher why they came to me and what they need and make that come to life.

I would say that most of my clients have a lot of fashion sense but have lost their way along their life path and they need to reignite who they are as an individual. There is usually an emotional or psychological aspect that comes with a style transformation.

That makes a lot of sense. Do you ever find yourself acting as their therapist as well as their stylist?

Oh, definitely. I think there is so much psychology that goes into being a stylist.

What is a difficult day in the life of a stylist look like?

A difficult day in the life of a stylist…Well, I think that my job is to overcome obstacles because as we age we come up with excuses or road blocks or reasons why we cannot be x, y or z. So, I think my job is to remove those road blocks so you can be the best you that you want to be.

As far as a challenging experience there really isn’t any. I mean different personalities click with different personalities. There have been situations where I have met with people and their expectations are not really in line with the services that I provide and that can feel like an obstacle.

But, I also feel that it’s just like working with a hairdresser or an interior designer, you need to make sure that you both have a mutual understanding or taste level otherwise that person is never going to be able to help you grow and develop because there is no similar connection or continuity.

Yeah, that makes a lot of sense. If you both don’t understand where it’s going then they may end up disappointed.

Right, it’s like going to a hairdresser and telling them to just do whatever they want. But in your head you know that you really want something and you are hoping that they can read your mind. It’s the same thing, if you don’t have clear expectations. You have to be on the same path to have a successful end result.

Where is your favorite place to shop?

[chuckles] I don’t really have a favorite place because I shop so many places and get to live vicariously through my clients. Sometimes I’m buying 4,000 dollar runway pieces and other times I am bargain hunting at Marshalls or Kohls. Then there is the occasional Target purchase. There is not a favorite place that I love to shop because I help so many different people with different personalities and taste. I get to go into a lot of special stores that I would maybe not get to shop for myself.

What gets you through your day? For me it’s caffeine. Do you have an assistant?

I have somebody that helps me out, when I have special events. Sometimes I have clients that come in and there is a short amount of time. A good example would be that I had a client that flew in and we had worked with each other two years before. She spent $25,000 and I had only two hours to help her. So I did have an assistant help me that day so we could be organized and make sure that everything was sorted out because she was under a time crunch.

$25,000 dollars on clothes and shoes and bags?

It was serious power shopping. But the situation was that she used to live here and we worked together on a regular basis. She trusted my sense of style. I hadn’t seen her in two years. In those two years she probably would have spent that amount of money on clothes anyway. She had gone from a size 8 to a size 4, so everything that we had previously purchased was not working for her anymore. That shopping spree should tide her over for the next couple of years.

More on budgets. How much do you typically charge? Does it vary for clients?

I do charge an hourly rate. Usually I will discuss their budget and what they need and after I walk their closet I give them a better understanding of how much it will cost to accomplish what they want to achieve.

I also shop their closet with them and repurpose clothes that are already sitting there. That is a great introduction to working with a stylist because you have an extra set of eyes looking at your wardrobe and giving you two or three times more options than what you can see yourself.

What is a typical day in the life of a stylist?

There really isn’t a typical day, some days I’m shopping, some days I’m meeting with clients. I try not to work with more than one client a day because you really have to get into their energy and their style so I try to just focus on them. I used to try and help 2 or 3 people in one day and that’s just too much. Especially when I’m cleaning out closets and there is a lot of moving of energy, you are going through a lot of baggage, talking about memories because everybody really holds a lot of sentimental items in their closet. There is a reason why they say you have skeletons in your closet. It can be a very emotional process. You discuss why you make the mistakes that you make or what are the limitations that have been set and what happened in your life that made you feel that you are not good enough for feel in the blank. We are all like that. This is an exhausting process for all parties involved.

So a typical day can be anything. I’ve traveled to other cities and shopped for and with my clients. Sometimes I go around the country doing charity events for various non-profit organizations.

How did you first get into Personal shopping? You do have 15 years of experience at Nordstrom.

Well, I’m not your typical fashionsista who has dreamt about going to fashion school her whole life. I grew up with a shopaholic mother and I wore new outfits on a regular basis. I shopped every single weekend but it was never one of those things that I dreamt I wanted to do.

I think I was busy dreaming of being famous or a movie star or something like that. It all kind of happened randomly. I was working at Nordstrom and I would always get in trouble because I was never in my department. I was busy helping people with their shoes and their accessories to go with their outfits. So, they said to me we have the perfect job for you and made me a personal shopper. I quickly got promoted to manager at Nordstrom and while I was doing that I did a lot of fashion shows. I learned how to call, pull, commentate, produce and execute all types of fashion events. I was in the process becoming a regional personal shopping trainer when September 11^th happened, and it didn’t ever happen. That’s when I decided to move to Las Vegas to open Nordstrom at Fashion Show Mall. I have had the experience working with Vogue and Shape magazine. Over my 15 years of working with Nordstrom was where my love affair love with luxury and designer merchandise began.

I really got into the whole idea that less is more. My philosophy is that I would rather have my clients have 1 pair of fabulous pants that cost $300 versus 10 pairs of pants that are mediocre that cost $30 or$ 40 dollars. I believe that if you buy things that fit and are well made they last a little longer.

I have gone through my own evolution after kind of being a little bit of a shopaholic.

So, you left Nordstrom. Why?

I had gone through my own personal transformation and wanted to show individuals how to craft a killer wardrobe that really showcased their own individuality and I needed to go out on my own to be able to give such personalized individual attention. I have been a freelance stylist for 6 years now.

Congratulations!

Thanks. I just wanted to teach people to do more with less and to be smarter about buying better products and that are figure flattering and that will pass the test of time. I believe that everything happens for a reason. I’m always excited to see who I’m going to help next. I feel like the people that I get to deal with are really beautiful inside and out. I’ve helped a princess before and a presidential candidate.

What presidential candidate?

I can’t say but I think if you read my bio and you see where I am from then you can figure it out.

Is there anything you would say to an aspiring personal stylist, like myself and anyone else?

I think what you should do is figure out what you love. I love what I do and can work a 14 hour day and not feel like I worked. If you are happy at what you do then you will do great.

All pictures are from Jenna's twitter.

Video Blog entry #1: Interview with the interviewer

2012-01-12T23:49:00.000-08:00

OK. The thumbnail picture is not too pretty. Youtube picked it and I can't change it for 36 hours. Until then I guess I will just look mad for no reason. The video came out good though, ay?

Enjoy!

The way it goes...

2012-01-08T20:16:00.000-08:00

So, I haven't posted in a while. I could make a lot of excuses but the truth is that I have not had the motivation to go into the world and meet artist, write them about interviewing, wait for a correspondence, interview and then put it all together. Really it's not hard but it just seems like a task sometimes. While anyways I'm going to jump back on the train as of... now! Please email me if you would like an interview and it doesn't matter where your reside. Happy (late) New Years!

DreXel Interview

2011-12-03T12:03:00.001-08:00

"As long as I’m putting beauty into the world, I feel happy. Corny, but true."

-DreXel

This was not the first time that DreXel and I had met but she had so many faces and talked to so many people in the gallery that I could not expect her to remember my face. I waited my turn to talk to the artist and overheard a man asking her about her layers. How did she create such interesting backgrounds that did not take away from the figure in the foreground? She is not have a clear answer but told him that she liked to layer with mixed.

The background of her painting are like nothing I have never seen before. What made me want to talk to her about her art was the way that her figures posed so docilely and shy yet painted in vibrant colors. Her theme of Japanese courtesans are like something from the film/novel Tales of a Geisha, rendered with the same passion and sense of self-control.
There is humor in some of the titles and by no means does the collection seem heavy or solemn. In the collection the background blurs in a mixture of colors and shapes which lend our complete focus to the figure with her red lips and adorned hair. DreXel’s use of mixed media layers in her composition make the focus of our eyes that much more clear. She is known to usually mix media but she does not always paint Geisha.

She has expanded her artwork to jewelry, t-shirts and stickers. The first time I met her she handed me a glossy sticker with a geisha playing a flute. The second time she agreed to interview. I am a fan of DreXel. Hopefully her next collection is bound to be just as vibrant, layered and delicate as this one.

Melancholy (Portrait of a Geisha). Mixed Media on Canvas. 20x20.

Where are you from?

Hagerstown, Maryland.

Were you a creative child?

My favorite possessions as a kid were my 64 box of crayons. My mom always made sure that I had art supplies, paper, glue, paint, whatever, from as far back as I can remember. That’s mostly the only thing I ever wanted. Anytime someone gave me dolls, all I ever did with them was rip their head, arms and legs off. Done.

Can you give me a few words to describe your art?

My art reflects whatever is inspiring me at the time. Sometimes that is famous junkies throughout history. Sometimes it’s Japanese culture, sometimes pinups, sometimes London. The one thing my pieces always have in common is many layers of all different mediums. I very rarely do a painting in just acrylics, or just spray paint. Nothing against that, I just feel like my life is full of layers, so my art should be too.

When were you inspired to start making art?


A Welcome Distraction (Geisha in Procession). Mixed Media on canvas. 20x20.

I always drew and painted. But I made a decision, after many jobs I didn’t care about, that I wanted to pursue art professionally, despite people’s warnings against it, starving artist blah blah blah. It’s the only thing that makes me happy. So I moved to NYC and started painting on buildings, doing sticker art, showing my paintings in galleries, etc. And it feels much better to do what makes me happy. I’ll never stop.

Are you a trained artist or self-taught?

My mom taught me a few things, I taught myself some things, and I learned things from classes in junior high, high school and summer school. I also got a BFA from Syracuse University.

Did you learn more inside or outside of the classroom?

Sublime. Mixed Media on canvas. 20x20.

November. Mixed Media. 20x20.

I learned a lot of technique in school: how to use gouache, how to do silkscreens, surface pattern design skills, etc. And I learned a lot of “rules” about art that turned out to be total crap, like “You should never use this color this way.” Or “You can’t use acrylics like watercolors.” etc. So you kind of have to watch out for that. Eventually I figured out that there is no right or wrong art, and anyone who says otherwise has some sort of evil agenda. So I have mixed feelings about my art education. I had one or two wonderful teachers. The rest...meh. The things I needed to know to be a professional artist, the business side of art, I NEVER learned in school, sadly. I’ve had to figure that out on my own, studying marketing, buying software to organize things, asking people who were successful, asking questions on the internet, etc. The better art schools do teach those classes now, and I definitely recommend learning as much about the business aspect of art as possible, if you want to be a professional artist. And ASK QUESTIONS. Ask the galleries what they need and want, ask successful artists what they do, how they market themselves, etc. I’m still learning that stuff. Probably always will be.

Why do you do what you do?

The one thing that never lets me down, always makes me feel happy and complete is art. It’s how I express myself. And honestly, it doesn’t even matter what kind of creativity I’m doing, print graphics, jewelry displays or paintings. As long as I’m putting beauty into the world, I feel happy. Corny, but true.

Entertained. Mixed Media. 20x20.

What in your life inspires your work?

My environment inspires me, labels inspire me, other people’s art work inspires me, cooking shows, House hunter shows, Dwell magazine, anime. It’s kind of endless what inspires me.

What’s different about this series compared to the art that you have done in the past?

The main difference is the content. This series is all Geisha, because I’ve been inspired by that. I went to England and took photos and used those in an earlier series. The way I did the paintings and the media I used were basically the same, but the content was English: buildings in London, people I met there, etc. In NYC I did a series of NYC landmark-inspired paintings. Just depends where I am and what inspires me.

How has your art evolved? What triggered the change?

Somewhere Else. Mixed Media on Canvas. 20x20.

At some point in elementary school I was told that I was too old to be using crayons. That was devastating, and as I later found out, a complete lie. But I switched to markers and paint. I always have a 64 box of crayons though. I want Miss Bell to know, for the record, she did NOT stop me.

What are you working on now?

I’m experimenting with handmade papers for prints for my current series. I found this handmade paper from Thailand that has the most awesome texture, and the geisha look so pretty on it. So I’m playing around with that. Figuring out how to get a massive roll of something similar to put in my big printer. Also, I’m spending a lot of time on some logos for a client right now.

What’s on your horizon? What’s coming next?

I’m getting ready to start my next series of Vegas-inspired, 50s, elvis, pinup paintings. I took a gangload of photos of vintage Vegas signs that I’ll probably use.

What has been the hardest part about being a working artist living in Las Vegas?

Cooler Than You. 20x20. Mixed Media.

For me the hardest part is the other work I have to do. It keeps me from having the time I want to have to meet all the other local artists, collaborate on projects, go to art shows, etc. Ideally I would just have representation and they would say “I need 5 paintings by February.” And all I have to do is paint them and have all my bills get paid.

What do you do for fun when you are not making stunning artwork?

Art IS fun. But sometimes I get out for sushi, and I NEVER miss an episode of Dexter or Sons of Anarchy.

What’s your favorite band for the moment?

Musical crush of the moment is deadmau5.

Any Hollywood crushes?

Joss Whedon, Jhonen Vasquez, and Jarvis Cocker.
See more, read more about DreXel here:

iamdrexel .com - website

drexel .etsy .com - online store (also available from SHOP page on website)

facebook .com /drexxel - my regular facebook profile

https ://www .facebook .com /pages /DreXeL /133360606742511 - my fan page

Gia Ray Interview

2011-11-03T12:19:00.000-07:00

"Because not everyone can afford to buy a $200.00 painting I try to make some affordable originals for my audience"

-Gia Ray

Gia Ray's is the co-owner of Blackbird Studios, which is an art gallery and workspace for local Las Vegas artist. The story of how she and a group of other artist came to start there own galler y, is action packed. Basically, there was an explosion in the gallery that they all worked at which blew out the store front window. Luckily, no one was present for the explosion but the owner of the galler, then called Place, decided to throw in the towel.

October marks the one year anniversary of Blackbird studios. Gia's newest show "Voluptuous" will be opening today at Sin City Gallery. This series is a lot more simple then here past works of art. She did a series of her favorite paintings in her own style. Gia is known as the “artist of patience”, but she says that her drawings “don’t take forever”.

Hands full of Fun. 16x20.

Her artwork is intricate, playful, mesmerizing and meticulous. The interesting thing about Gia is that she makes drawings that are all sizes so that some of her originals, not just prints can be more affordable. She explained that not everyone has the money to buy a 200 dollar painting and have that not affect their bank account. So she takes that into account when making artwork, trying to make it as accessible to people's minds, hearts and wallets.
"Voluptuous" - By Gia RaySin City Gallery
107 E Charestopn Blvd. #100
Las Vegas, NV 89104
Opening November 3rd till November 29th.
Local artist and gallery owner Gia Ray's new body of work "Voluptuous" opening at Laura Henkel's Sin City Gallery inside of the Arts Factory November First Friday.
Where are you from?

Born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada on 08/26/1988.

Were you always creative?

I first started drawing at the age of 4 years old. My grandmother would color coloring books with me and we would sit down together and draw different rooms though out the house.

Can you give me a few words to describe your artwork?

My artwork is very detailed pen and ink. I like to take simple outlines of people /animals / items and fill them in with different patters using only black ink. By using different patterns it creates shading throughout my pieces.

When were you inspired to start making art?

I really got into artwork when I was about 8, I went to my aunts new house for a family dinner one night and I saw framed prints of Patrick Nagle and Erte’s work. Both artists have influenced me and my artwork over the years.

Are you a trained artist or self-taught?

I am a self-taught artist. I am not currently in collage for art classes or art history.

Did you learn more inside or outside of the classroom?

I do learn well in and out of classes. I like to figure out things on my own first, then if I can’t figure sometime out I will ask for help.

What in your life inspires your work?

I get inspired to make art by watching and helping other artists work on paintings and sculptures. Being a co-owner of the art gallery Blackbird Studios, I see art everyday and meet artists all the time. Being close to art inspires me to want to draw and paint.

Untitled. 19x20.

What’s different about this series compared to the art that you have done in the past?

My subject matter in most of my pieces is people and animals in different poses. I often draw woman in a perfect hourglass shape. This new body of work shows the female form in all shapes and sizes, showing that all women have a sexy side no matter if they are a size 0 or size 20.

How has your art evolved? What triggered the change?

My artwork is ever evolving from piece to piece. As time goes on I get different ideas on subject matters and patterns. This new body of work I am currently working on is different because I have added red. My traditional palette has always been black ink on white paper. I wanted to try and use red to see what my response would be from the art viewer.

What are you working on now?

I am currently still finishing up the last few pieces for art show Voluptuous at Sin City Gallery opening Nov. 3rd.

What’s on your horizon? What’s coming next?

Red Lips. 19x20.

As of right now I do not have any other projects lined up. I do want to work more at my gallery and help do art classes with kids. I’m going to be assisting curators for upcoming group art shows till the end of the year and mid spring. I will be working on a new body of work this summer, that I am sure of.

What has been the hardest part about being a working artist living in Las Vegas?

The hardest part about being an artist in Las Vegas is that our art community is small and not everyone knows there is an arts district here. I think this city is very focused on casinos and entertainment that other aspects don’t get recognized. I have watched the art scene grow over the last 5 years. It is changing and more and more people are starting to come more now than ever. I hope to see more galleries and venues pop up in the next few years to come.

What do you do for fun when you are not making stunningly beautiful artwork?

I like to watch or go to the movies, go to art show openings and spend time with my boyfriend and family… of course shopping too is a favorite past time!

What is your favorite band for the moment?

My favorite band has always been a battle between Depeche Mode, The Goo Goo Dolls and The Used... but I could never pick.

Any Hollywood crushes?

I love me some hot older men... not going to lie. My top five are Harrison Ford, Gary Oldman, Sean Connery, Willem Defoe and Nicolas Cage. People say I’m crazy. Whatever! I just like older guys. My boyfriend is artist James Henninger and he is 20 years older than me.

For more information about Gia Ray's Artwork visit:

MOVE YOUR MONEY

2011-11-01T11:59:00.000-07:00

Go to Moveyourmoney.info for more information about how you can change
the way that the powers that be abuse your money.

Occupy Wallstreet: When Cops Attack

2011-10-27T00:17:00.000-07:00

        There is a socio-economic movement starting in this country. The movement Occupy Wallstreet is a chorus of all our complaints. People, like my mother who work for years without a raise while her bosses get bonuses.

         People--- ok Fox news and their phony "reporters"--- are calling The Occupy Wallstreet protesters anarchists. But what could be more american then fighting for the 99% of people in America who are not their own bosses, and who cannot afford to live the American dream while still working full time.
         Cnn, The Colbert Show and Jon Stewart has let all of us down who were their biggest fans. We liberal college students who looked to them for news found them poking insults at the Occupy Wallstreet protestors, calling them dirty hippies. The truth is that they are veterans, doctors and college graduates. They are being beaten and gassed by police officers.
       A sociologist student at UC Davis studying social movements and marxism said that this movement is aiming at the right people. Like myself, she too has seen the footage of young people, peacefully demonstrating while cops attack them. She says,"This is sad, but it is necessary that people get hurt in occupy wallstreet, for it to gain attention and for people to care."
     How right was she? If no one cares about the money that is kept out of our hands by the 1%. If no one cares about goverment corruption in washington. If no one cares where they get their news or who gives them their news. They should at least care about people being hurt,for you and your future.
        The marine veteran Scott Olsen who was beaten earlier this week in Oakland, was demonstarting peacefully. The police are trying to stop this protest because it is important nd relevant and happening for a reason.
        It can get bigger and better. If only people care.
A recent poll by CBS News reported that:

Educate yourself and others. And for once people the news is getting interesting but do be careful where you get your information, always question your sources and their information. Here are some links, (bookmark 'em!) with evidence and credentials:

Keith Olbermann

Keith Olbermann, unlike Colbert and Stewart is asking the right question and reporting the whole story. Plus like them he has a sense of humour too.

Occupy Wallstreet

Official website

Ad Busters

Inspiration for Occupy wallstreet and an amazing publication. They have a list of campaigns. A must see!

Wikipedia

For a basic, mediocre overview of the groups motives and slogan, "We are the 99 percent"

Heather "Calliopie" Hermann Interview

2011-10-17T00:40:00.000-07:00

“I think there are lot of things in
this world that are unexplained."

-Heather Hermann

Photo Credit Ryan Reason

The Execution of Princess Von Hildus.
30x48

On the first Friday in October the Las Vegas Arts District had a host of dubstep booths and many kids running around in halloween costumes a few weeks early. Amongst the madness, sort of commenting on the modern spectacle were pop art and collage artist who were showing art at the galleries . Then there was Calliopie, like an anachronism from the 1920s standing there with her coiled red hair. That night Hermann debuted her newest series of oil paintings called “Luminous Body” at the Sin City Gallery in Las Vegas.

Calliopie’s work meshes science fiction and history to create futuristic yet timeless art pieces and designs. For instance The Execution of Princess Von Hildus and Her Hero (2011) is reminiscent of a Hollywood movie poster circa 1940, but this time around there is a galaxy in the background and the hero is wearing a space helmet. Calliopie's artwork reimagines history and by doing so it comments on what it means to truly be modern.

Historian, trained dancer, costume designer and native Las Vegas artist Heather Hermann is the only artist in her family. Hermann’s aesthetic is influenced by history specifically science fiction, folkloric mythology and costumes from the 16th century up until the 1940s.

Captivated Captain. 9x12.

The old world charm that fascinates Calliopie comes through not only in the themes of the artworks but in the way her subjects pose and their facial expressions. The women she paints have a classic glamourous apathy and the men are all enthralled with them. Her fascination with historical relics and the people from times past are influenced partly by her Steampunk lifestyle.

Steam Captain Calliopie Cirque'. 9x12

She informs me that the punk part of "steampunk" is not literal but another way to say outsider. Steampunk is characterized primarily by theadaptation of advanced technology into a steam age context, producing a Victorian looks like world but which enjoys an even greater level of complexity.The allusion to steampunk is evident in her artwork which imagines where science fiction and glamour compliment one another intellectually and aesthetically. She has created a personally crafted vision for herself with in an independent branch of Steampunk which is labeled as Deco tech.

Farewell Cosmos. 36x36.

Can you give me a few words to describe your art?
A few words to describe my artwork I think would be emotional, whimsical, dark, sensual, fantastical, quirky, organic, industrial and romantic.

When were you inspired to start making art?

I started drawing honestly when I was around 3 years old and would mimic cartoons off Sesame Street and draw them down. However I decided to take my art seriously as a career when I was about 18 years old. Art has always been an inspiration in my life and has served as a guideline to how I view the world.

Are you a trained artist or self-taught?

I am a self-taught artist although I did receive some bits of formal training. I more or less learned to draw like masters of Art Nouveau and Deco when I was around ten years old by my own doing all the way up until now. I attended the Las Vegas Academy of High School for Visual Arts and attained a better understanding in thinking process and technique from the wonderful Carol Treat and Kelly Mabel. I was accepted to Cooper Union but decided to stay behind and receive formal training as a costume illustrator with Hollywood costume designer Diana Eden. Without her I really wouldn't be where I am now and I cannot thank her enough.

Did you learn more inside or outside of the classroom?

I learn more outside of the classroom. I tend to be an introverted personality and find my center of thinking to be clearer when I am nose deep in ten books at once rather than one. Throughout my life I have attained knowledge through my own personal endeavors involving research, reading and musical influence. I enjoy classrooms but I prefer to work in solitude.

Metropolis: Maria's Transformation
32.5 X 80

What popular or underground cultural or musical markers inform your artwork?

Popular musical markers....it's so hard to say because I have so many. I would say that a majority of classical music and progressive rock pushed me when I was a child. I've always been a huge fan of The Beatles, Genesis and Electric Light Orchestra. I would say those I clearly my top three. I do enjoy Steve Hackett and Anthony Philips solo albums and a large part of my artistic inspiration takes heed from musical scores composed around the nineteen twenties through the forties’. As for modern day influences, I have a random assortment, but I am fond of Department of Eagles, Dr. Dog, Fleet Foxes, Andrew Bird, Danny Elfman, Caravan Palace, Man Man and Dschengis Khan. I'm not going to lie and I'm not ashamed to admit it, I'm a disco loving nutball.

What in your life inspires your work?

There are many things that inspire my work on so many levels. From plain old objects, to music, to an invoked feeling, dreams I've had along with the loving inspiration of my long term boyfriend Lawrence Olejar. To be honest he really has pushed some great feats out of me from my usual comfort zones and has helped with the analytical approach to the critical thinking with my work. We bounce off of each other extremely well in a mental process. I have a fascination with the "old world" as well. I feel like a poor shumck who got tossed out of the time machine in the wrong era. I honestly believe my soul is trapped somewhere in the late 1920's. I'm enthralled by fashion movements along with scientific innovation of the era itself along with the overall philosophy of life. The lifestyle was so drastically different, romantic and innovative. People took such great care in day to day life with craftsmanship such as finger waving you hair every single day to making sure the coffee was fresh and full for the morning rush at an old diner. I'm just very emotionally attached to those eras. It's hard to say what really inspires me though because it occurs to randomly and metaphysically I don't even realize it until I draw it half the time!

What’s different about this series compared to the art that you have done in the past?

Jukebox Heroine Of Xanadu

The difference in this particular art series from "Luminous Body" compared to my other work is that fact I have broken out of my usual boundaries experimenting with vibrant colors. I was really inspired off the themes of disco, 80's cartoons, 20's decorative themes and old lithographs. My works tends to be really dark, moody and foreboding but this series was a nice change for once. I don't think I've used so much phthalo blue in my life!" She laughs.

How has your art evolved and what trigged that change?

My art has evolved and returned to its original roots full swing actually. I was drawing like famous 20's and 30's designers when I was about 7 to 12 years old and enjoyed designing costumes based off Erté and Mucha. When I got into high school however I was under strict guidelines so my usual style got put on the back burner for a while. I was fond of drawing anime based concepts back when I was an early teenager as well. I cringe to think back on it now. The Japanese invasion in late weekday cartoons such as Pokémon and the newest releases of Final Fantasy games really became an influential habit in my artwork. I retired with anime when I entered high school, went through a very dark period in which I subconsciously developed my own steampunk like style and then used these elements in my more mature work to branch off into realms of romantic "Deco Tech" as I call it. I always had a fascination with Edwardian Themes along with period films. My parents always have Turner Classic movies on and given all my years as a professional dancer, preforming musicals and ballets....I really think that has been a huge influence in the evolution of my work.

Costume Design: Parfume

As a costume designer what has it been like to design something that has to be doable in real life and not just a fantasy creation?

As a costume designer it's quite thrilling to see one of my sketches come to life on a person. It really fills you with an unexplainable satisfaction too see that outfit living and breathing. Costume design is really problem solving mixed with creation. Something may look amazing on paper but incredibly hard to recreate on a 3 dimensional level. Some things work and some don't. It's a fun process though and the final product is always a fulfilling feeling.

Costume Design: Cephalopoda

What do you do for fun when you are not making stunningly beautiful artwork?

Usually when I'm not creating I'm watching a heavy amount of films, reading and or getting my video game fix or playing with my pet lion head rabbit Kaiser Stab Fizziwhigz! I will admit I am addicted to the food network, Ghost Adventures and the Ancient Alien series. I also love to hit up the arcade scene out here in Vegas and enjoy the pinball museum quite frequently along with Insert Coins next to where I work at Emergency Arts. I goof off on the internet a lot though and enjoy spending time with my boyfriend online since he lives across the US. I also keep up on my dancing and participate in burlesque events with Lou Lou Roxy and am getting more into professional tribal belly dancing. My life has been spent 95% on stage so I'm starting to get back into it again now after 5 years of a break. I also enjoy going out to eat and having my fill of sushi and other fine foods. I think there's a lot of joy in that. I love sitting down to a great meal and people watching. It's amazing what you see when you choose to look at what's around you.

What are you working on now?

Currently I am working on a series for Black Bird Studios in January called "Decaying Deco’dence and Sweet Curiosities". I will be commenting visually on the loss of tradition that was held dear to the turn of the century through the 30's and displaying a world of fantastical fairy tale creatures in which are wonderfully sweet, with dark intentions. Let's just say those common dust bunnies won't be so nice anymore.

What’s on your horizon? What’s coming next?

My horizon? I'm not really sure. I just go day by day seeing what new things cross my path. Personally I would love to see myself working professionally full time with my art in a large studio and having a steady clientele. I've thought about going back overseas for a little bit but it's up in the air currently. I just prefer to go with the flow and see what happens. I like surprises! I have been to London and France, I interned for ballet and dance. Visiting Europe had to do with my other career as a dancer. I am still very inspired by French poster making and old world techniques such as lithographs.

Costume Design: Angler

What has been the hardest part about being a working artist living in Las Vegas?

The hardest part about working in Las Vegas as an artist is the same problems people face in other states. Competition, showing space, having studio space and having a steady clientele to keep your artwork moving continually. You must approach things with good calculation and always have a backup plan. I'm a persistent worker though; I've had my highs and lows and am always prepared for the unexpected.

What’s your favorite band for the moment?

Favorite band currently on repeat has been Caravan Palace. It's inspiring my newest art collection and dancing. Gottah love that electro-swing!

Any Hollywood crushes?

Hollywood crushes? Hmmmm. To be honest...I think Michael Caine is quite the looker and I have always fancied Gregory Peck, Gene Kelly, Michael Palin, John Cleese, Jeremy Irons and Christopher Walken. They are all so talented and act like true gentlemen. As for current day, I think Michael Fassbender is a wonderful man and I am beyond excited to see his latest film "A Dangerous Method." I wouldn't say they are crushes though, but more female perspective appreciation for what they are as people and their amazing talents. The biggest crush I have isn't in Hollywood, my boyfriend Lawrence is the bee's knees in my opinion.

What would you say to hopeful artist and your fans? Any advice?

To my fans I am very humbled and flattered for people’s reactions towards my work and being able to put my ideas out there and while giving people a sense of happiness, even if it's for a moment. To aspiring artists don’t give up; perseverance is important despite everyday occurrences. There's plenty of road blocks, you just have to invent a way to jump over them.

Heather "Calliopie" Hermann is currently working on her upcoming show for the first Thursday and Friday of January called "Decaying Deco’dence and Sweet Curiosities." The show will be at Black Bird Studios in Las Vegas, Nevada 89102 at 1551 S. Commerce Street Ste. A

To view more of Calliopie's art and learn more about her visit her websites:
http://heatherhermann.artworkfolio.com/gallery/93920

http://www.sincitygallery.com/Artists/Pages/Heather_Hermann.html
www.sincitygallery.com

Introducing...

2011-10-11T00:37:00.000-07:00

Hello! I am your friendly, curious, Las Vegas Interviewer

Bye now! Have a nice day!