ANNA BOOTHE 81 GL

Anna Boothe

Based in Zieglerville, PA

Tell us about some of your main sources of inspiration.

For the body of work I’ve been building for a number of years, I’ve been inspired by the general notion of compassion,….how to achieve and practice it, as well as how to create icons that both capture my perception of it plus to design “tools” that provoke it. Fodder for this investigation also comes from my research into Buddhist iconography and objects different cultures use to promote reverence, protection and “luck.”

How have you dealt with the challenge of maintaining a creative practice that feeds your soul but also helps pay the bills?

I’ve spent several decades as both a PT and FT educator and then as a curator, all the while doggedly maintaining my studio practice. About 4 years ago, I took the leap into being a full-time freelancer and now support myself from the sales of my work (galleries and trade shows), commissions and some private and workshop instruction. What’s different is that when I had a regular paycheck, I had more freedom to explore making the sculpture I feel most passionate about. Now, because I solely rely on my work for income, I’ve modified my focus to create work that’s more “accessible” conceptually and more affordable, while relegating the more conceptual stuff to lesser time slot. It’s ALWAYS a shot in the dark what will happen financially, but so so wonderful and heartening to be practicing what I preach.

Any recent press, exhibitions, achievements or relevent news you’d like to share with us?

My most recent news is the receipt of the “Best in Glass” award at the Smithsonian Craft Show in April. It was my first time participating in this show. And, I have an exhibition coming up in 2021 at the Racine Art Museum (WI) – a large glass and mixed media installation created with my collaborative partner, NYC area sculptor Nancy Cohen.

To see more of Anna’s work, visit www.annaboothe.com

SARAH LEE 16 IL

GOYANGII

Based in Long Island City, NY

How does your current creative practice tie into your time spent at RISD?

During the final lap of my undergrad experience at RISD, I focused on illustration for children–whether it be through story books or novel pattern and textile designs. Through my professional career, I have continued to pursue children’s product design from stationery to baby apparel. In my personal creative practice, I’ve merged the whimsy of my illustrations with humor that I more closely identify with.

How have you dealt with the challenge of maintaining a creative practice that feeds your soul but also helps pay the bills?

Like many of my peers, I lead a dual creative life. First and foremost, I am a designer breathing life into a brand’s vision and voice for the company I work for. I take care of the majority of my needs through this position. My need for routine, mentorship, fulfillment and paying bills. Once all is done with the day job, I find solace in coming home and finding joy in creating just for myself and my loved ones. Living in New York is tough, but it’s great to be able to have some leftover money at the end of the month to put towards producing my own tangible products. All that I’ve garnered from school and my work place, knowledge or finances, I’ve funneled into my personal creative practice. They are dual lives, but I live with both symbiotically.

Tell us about some of your main sources of inspiration.

Animals, animals, animals! With the increasing sharing culture online, I’ve never been more inspired by all the silly photos that people share of their pets or animals seen in nature. And what can I say, I love meme culture and how new age dada it is. A lot of what I create are reactionary to the things I come across in my day to day browsing.

To see more of Sarah’s work, visit www.goyangii.com

TIMOTHY EATON-KOCH 09 IL

Timothy Eaton-Koch Illustration

Based in Riverside, CT

How does your current creative practice tie into your time spent at RISD?

I have always enjoyed painting buildings and architecture in my work. I was very fortunate to spend a full academic year studying and working in Rome at the RISD European Honors Program at the Piazza Cenci. I truly did live in a museum for nine months. I learned about the architects, designers, and monarchs who built, rebuilt, and repurposed Rome since its founding. Today, part of my work is painting watercolor renderings of proposed buildings to real estate development interests, branding agencies, and architects. My time spent in Rome sketching and observing the rich architecture and built environment helped me along the way.

What are some of the most important practices for your creative process?

I really enjoy being able to create imagery or artwork that someone can relate to and even smile.  When I deliver a commission or finished piece of artwork to a client, and they’re face lights up with excitement, which makes me feel great.   I take pride in being able to create a unique work of art or design that the client cannot find by just doing a photo search on the web.  The same can be said for my architectural renderings – I enjoy helping a client imagine what a finished building or landscape will look like when completed.

How have you dealt with the challenge of maintaining a creative practice that feeds your soul but also helps pay the bills?

I’m fortunate to be able to teach art as well as work professionally in my studio. I’m a part time Visual Art teacher at Stamford High School in Stamford, CT. My typical day starts with two or three high school art classes in the morning and then I work in the studio on a painting or commissioned piece in the afternoon. Although this requires a lot of planning, I appreciate being able to get out and interact with students on a daily basis. Leaving the work while I teach forces me to step back and reevaluate on my return. Add to that, my students can add some comic relief on days when I’m not fully engaged in painting.

Any recent press, exhibitions, achievements or awards you’d like to share with us?

The Louisa Gould Gallery on Martha’s Vineyard is representing my Vineyard inspired fine art landscapes for exhibition and sale for the 2019 season. In addition, The Ocean House Resort in Watch Hill, RI is featuring my Plein Air artwork during the weekend of July 13-14 where I will be painting on the resort grounds. I will also return to Ocean House September 21-22 to illustrate in Plein Air the RI & CT Unified Sports Special Olympics Croquet Tournament.

To see more of Timothy’s work, visit www.teekartworks.com

JESSE BOULEY 09 AP

Jesse Bouley

Based in Lowell, MA

How does your current creative practice tie into your time spent at RISD?

My current creative practice is driven almost entirely from my time spent at RISD. After graduating, I missed situations where you were prompted with a problem or challenge and then given total freedom to address the issue at hand in your own way. I was unable to find anything like this in the corporate working world. Trying to find the creative environment that I was missing led me to my current situation. I have taken a low-stress full time job outside of the design industry and opened a studio where I am able to work through any creative idea that I have with the same freedom that the RISD environment offered. This has allowed me to keep passion and motivation in my work because I only focus on projects that are exciting to me. It has also pushed me to experiment with many new skills and media that I don’t think I ever would have encountered in a traditional working environment.

What are some of the most important practices for your creative process?

I am currently using my studio to work solely on projects of my choosing and then offering what I make for sale in the shop at the front of my space. This is a very different experience from punching in and getting paid to bring someone else’s idea to life. It feels great to work as a designer and be given a client’s design problem and then work with them to come to a solution that they love. Working this way is rewarding but it usually comes with restrictions and compromise due to the client’s opinion, budgets or bottom lines. The final product isn’t usually exactly what you would’ve chosen or what you wanted to do as the designer. The most rewarding aspect of my current creative work is when anyone at all is interested in what I’m doing. I am making things that I want and that I like and just presenting them to other people. There is nothing more satisfying that connecting with a customer or even just a viewer who is excited about something that you made that is 100% you without compromise or direction. As an artist/designer this is really motivating to me.

Is there a work/body of work that you are particularly excited about sharing with us at RISD Craft this year?

My line of leather and textile items have been my current passion for the passed couple years. It started with a project to create my version of a waxed canvas and leather backpack and it has developed into a small line of leather and waxed canvas products. I have been working through the products in this line slowly and refining them over time. I have an idea for something I want, I teach myself how to make it, I live with it, then I remake it based on my own critique of the original. I have not taken any of these items outside my studio to offer them to the public so I am excited to receive feedback at RISD Craft.

How have you dealt with the challenge of maintaining a creative practice that feeds your soul but also helps pay the bills?

I removed the challenge all-together. I have specifically chosen to work full time outside of the creative industry to pay the bills. When I worked creatively full time, I found that much of the joy I derived from creating was missing and I also found that I was too drained and unmotivated to work on inspiring projects after work. So I made a choice. My current secular position has taught me extensively about business and business management but it leaves me creatively hungry. There are many days where I’m counting down the time until I get to punch out and go work another 6-8 hours in my studio on something that I’m passionate about. I am also personally not always creatively motivated. Since my studio doesn’t carry the burden of paying my bills, I can give it a break when I need to and use my free time to do other things until I feel inspired to work again. Working this way has ensured that all of my projects are done with passion and nothing is forced or rushed through just to meet a deadline or get paid.wer

To see more of Jesse’s work, visit his Instagram

TRACYE CHIN MUELLER 80 GD

TCMfeltDesigns

Based in Providence, RI

How does your current creative practice tie into your time spent at RISD?

RISD taught me to always think outside the box and I rarely turn down a commission even if it something I have never made or have no idea how I might actually put it together. I always have faith that I can figure it out in a creative way!

What are some of the most important practices for your creative process?

My most rewarding aspects of my work is when a customer requests a very special item or items for me to make, whether it be for a special occasion like a wedding, or a piece that will remind them of a beloved pet. The response when they receive the items makes all that hard work so worthwhile!

Tell us about some of your main sources of inspiration.

My inspiration comes from the natural world around us and my love for all living creatures.

Is there a work/body of work that you are particularly excited about sharing with us at RISD Craft this year?

I am always excited to share my needle felting kits because I know how excited I was when I made my first sculpture. Many people do not think they can make anything like this, but my kits are designed for this person in mind, and I have never had a customer who said they did not enjoy the process or the final product. I often get a photo from my customers of their final product and each one is lovely!

How have you dealt with the challenge of maintaining a creative practice that feeds your soul but also helps pay the bills?

I tend to be a perfectionist, okay I am a perfectionist, and especially with needle felting, you can spend more time than you should on each sculpture. I have to remind myself constantly that the piece is done and to put down my needles.

Anything else you’d like to share?

I do want to share that this is the first year my daughter and I will both be in the RISD Craft and I am very excited! My daughter is a 2014 illustration graduate and she helped me when I was in the show a few years back and last year I helped her when she was in the show. We also have a business together called Minnow & Moss, which will again be featured at her display. We are asking to be placed next to each other because we still want to share this experience together. Nothing makes this mother happier than creating beautiful art with her best girl!

To see more of Tracye’s work, visit his Etsy page

GARY HEISE 83 PT

Gary Heise Watercolors

Based in West Milford, NJ

How does your current creative practice tie into your time spent at RISD?

As a graduate of RISD’s Painting Department, I bring my skills and experience as a 21st Century painter to my approach as a landscape watercolorist.

Tell us about some of your main sources of inspiration.

My main theme in painting has been my personal experience of the American landscape. My main inspiration of subject matter is the area where live – the highlands of Northern New Jersey, a semi-rural watershed of hills and streams along the western edge of the Hudson River Valley. I feel an affinity with the 19th century painters that drew inspiration from the same landscape, including Jasper Cropsey and George Inness. My inspiration also comes from traditional Chinese landscape painting, from the monumental ink paintings of the Northern Song Dynasty (10th-12th centuries) to the works of Zhang Daqian and Huang Binhong of the 20th century.

What are some of the most important practices for your creative process?

For over twenty years I’ve been working on merging my love of Chinese ink and brush painting with my focus as a contemporary American landscape watercolorist. I feel that every year my work has matured creatively in this pursuit. It is especially rewarding to see my work appreciated and cherished by friends and collectors.

Is there a work/body of work that you are particularly excited about sharing with us at RISD Craft this year?

Frankly, I’m always most excited about my most recent work. An artist’s life is a life of journey and discovery. As of this writing, I have recently completed a set of the Four Seasons. Each painting measure 27 x 18 inches and incorporates an imagined arial view of the landscape in each of the seasons.

How have you dealt with the challenge of maintaining a creative practice that feeds your soul but also helps pay the bills?

I am lucky to work in an environment that is very supportive of me and my work. I work with considerate, creative friends at the Westwood Gallery in Westwood, NJ, where I’m able to use my skills as a creative designer. Finding the time and energy for my own painting has always been a challenge, but now that my children are grown, my wife and I have more time for our own personal pursuits, such as painting, music and hiking.

To see more of Gary’s work, visit www.ggarrettgallery.com

SUSAN FREDA 96 SC

Susan Freda Studios

Based in Riverside, RI

How does your current creative practice tie into your time spent at RISD?

The seeds of the work that I am making now were planted during my time at RISD. I first developed my weaving technique and my interest in light, line, and transparency while still a student, and it was also at RISD that I had the first sale of my artwork at my senior show. My time there gave me the room to explore my inner drives and put me in touch with that vast world of inspiration that is within.

How have you dealt with the challenge of maintaining a creative practice that feeds your soul but also helps pay the bills?

I have learned to become a business owner and have taken business classes so that I can make my work full time and also pay the bills from my work. The time in the studio is cherishes and what I really love to do but I need to devote 40% of my time to running the business, marketing and accounting in order to do this full time. Its a balancing act but it’s working for me.

Any recent press, exhibitions, achievements or awards you’d like to share with us?

My two person show “Alchemical Reactions” at the Chazan Gallery with Allison Paschke was recently reviewed by Art New England in the March/April edition. I’m also currently juggling a series of sculpture commissions, some of which are for outdoor display.

To see more of Susan’s work, visit www.susanfredastudios.com

SUZANNE WATZMAN 76 AP

Tamaryn Design

Based in Cambridge, MA

How does your current creative practice tie into your time spent at RISD?

My creative practice is fueled by persistent and constant exploration, along with my serious commitment to make the world a better place. This “out-of-the-box” approach, ongoing questioning and looking at the world from 360 degree was encouraged at RISD, especially in my program and in particular by my professors.

What are some of the most important practices for your creative process?

“There are a number of aspects that are rewarding in my current practice, but primarily, my research, speaking and working toward a sustainable, respectful economy keeps me moving forward. This has led me to live and travel Asia, India and beyond, with an unrelenting curiosity about different cultures and traditions, particularly as articulated in their arts and hand work. I have fallen in love, literally, with the textiles and those who create them, most of whom are women. My experiences and relationships keep me focussed on a practice that is a positive force in the world.
To be honest, what changed my entire practice was the research I did for a presentation at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts Fashion Symposium in October, 2018. My presentation “”Recycling, Sustainability and Reclaimed Materials in the Fashion Industry””, led me to the statistic that the fashion industry is the 2nd most polluting industry in the world. This has never left my mind. As I traveled in India, Vietnam and Thailand this winter, I could see that is has really changed the way I work, with whom I work, and what I design and make.
This is exciting, energizing and very rewarding, to see people who also get this and are making changes in how they do business as well.”

Tell us about some of your main sources of inspiration.

I find visiting other cultures, in particular in developing countries- inspiring, seeing and learning from artisans and their traditions, and how this is reflected in artifacts, textiles, observances, etc.
Color and decoration seen and used in wildly different ways, places and combinations.”

Any recent press, exhibitions, achievements or awards you’d like to share with us?

I spoke at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts’ Symposium on Fashion- “Recycling, Sustainability and Reclaimed Materials in the Fashion Industry”. My research for that presentation changed the direction of my textile design practice.

Is there a work/body of work that you are particularly excited about sharing with us at RISD Craft this year?

I am particularly excited about my new work- using reclaimed materials, new dyeing techniques and whatever happens between now and October 12!

To see more of Suzanne’s work, visit tamaryndesign.com

ELYSE ALLEN 00 TX

Elyse Allen Textiles

Based in Santa Fe, NM

How does your current creative practice tie into your time spent at RISD?

Certainly, my studio practice and work ethic have something do with my (long) time at RISD! I work very hard, which I learned to do during Freshman Foundation, and in the Weaving studio.

What are some of the most important practices for your creative process?

My Tibetan Tiger Rugs- they are based on woven Tibetan Tiger Rugs, but they are latched and collaged with merino wool and felted cashmere and embellished with Swarovski Crystals.

How have you dealt with the challenge of maintaining a creative practice that feeds your soul but also helps pay the bills?

If you think about business as an integral part of the creative process, they will not compromise one another. Harmony between these seemingly opposite worlds is key, as one strongly influences the other. Bills will get paid and your creative practice will be maintained if you have

To see more of  Elyse’s work, visit www.elyseallentextiles.com