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

ASYA PALATOVA MFA 04 CR

GLEENA

Based in Cleveland Heights, OH

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

All my tableware pieces are porcelain and are hand poured and crafted in a small studio/shop in Cleveland, Oh. This process I learned while earning an MFA at RISD. Slip-casting was part of my thesis, and the pieces I created for an installation launched my current line. I mix my own porcelain slip and glazes using food-safe clays and minerals, all recipes that I developed at RISD.

What are some of the most productive and rewarding aspects of your practice or business?

The most productive and rewarding aspect of my business is building relationships with clients and retailers who collect and carry my work. I have been seeing my pieces to stores across the country for over ten years, and have met so many fantastic shop owners, and private collectors. Our conversations and exchange of ideas have inspired and evolved my work.

What are some of the most productive and rewarding aspects of your practice or business?

The most productive and rewarding aspect of my business is building relationships with clients and retailers who collect and carry my work. I have been seeing my pieces to stores across the country for over ten years, and have met so many fantastic shop owners, and private collectors. Our conversations and exchange of ideas have inspired and evolved my work.

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

It is challenging to stay inspired and creative while producing the same pieces. I introduce at least one new shape every year, and a new glaze. I also experiment a lot. Even if the piece never makes it to production, it is important for me to just play around. I also have started teaching workshops, and student excitement and work re-ignites my passion for the material and process.

To see more of Asya’s work, visit www.gleena.com

EVIAN ZUKAS-OGUZ 98 TX

EvianZO Designs

Based in Greenville, PA

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

At RISD I learned to embrace “mistakes” and work with them instead of restarting everything from scratch. I learned to work intuitively and really push the boundaries. I also got a strong work ethic from all of the hours spent in the studio, and I still spend many hours each day designing and creating.

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

One of the most productive and rewarding aspects of my business is being able to fulfill my creative ideas from the start to the finish of a project. I like the transformation from concept to finished piece and all of the steps in between.

Tell us about some of your main sources of inspiration.

I take inspiration from everything around me, particularly from nature and the breadth of natural beauty that can be found anywhere you look.

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

I am looking forward to showing my knit pieces of art that are derived from my photography. They are all knit only using two colors of yarn. The stitches create the shading and definition. I really enjoy taking photographs and translating them and transforming them into pieces of fiber art.

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

I have shown in numerous juried exhibitions throughout this past year. The most notable being Focus: Fiber 2019, a national juried biennial, which was held at Kent State University Museum, from March – July, 2019.

To see more of Evian’s work, visit www.evianzo.com

JULIE CLENDENEN SIMPSON, 91 TX

JULIE SIMPSON ART

Based in Olympia, WA

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

The discipline and consistency of LOTS of studio time, just like being a student…. is so important in developing a creative practice. I learned to sit and weave for hours and hours- still doing that 30 years later!

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

I practice 2 art forms – and love them! I divide my studio time and art practice around designing and weaving one of kind Textiles and mixed media painting. Both seem to inspire the other, as color and texture are prevalent in both mediums. Traveling and selling work nationally at juried art shows and developing relationships with new clients, collectors and fellow artists is really rewarding.

Tell us about some of your main sources of inspiration.

NATURE. WATER. COLOR.
My work as a textile designer and mixed media painter fuses my fascination and love for repeated patterns and natural textures.

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

I will be at Art Providence for the third year this November 8-10 2019 at the RI Convention Center

To see more of Julie’s work, visit www.juliesimpsonart.com

NICOLE HAVEKOST 94 PR

nikimade

Based in Rochester, MN

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

I make work because I want to see what it looks like. Learning to trust that curiosity and investigate is a lesson learned from RISD that I still practice. Twenty five years later, I have much less fear about failing in that process; failure is where the learning happens. I wish I could share that experience with my younger student self, but in my time since RISD, I feel like I have grown into the possibility of artist that the school first recognized.

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

I recently found the best estate sale ever in my neighborhood. The homeowner was a doll collector, and I brought all sorts of dolls, parts and accessories home with me. I am already taking the dolls apart, reconfiguring the body parts and sculpting brand new parts for them. These dolls will be cousins to my Frankenstuffies, but allow me to tell a different kind of story.

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

I recently had a solo exhibition in the Anderson Gallery at the Morris Graves Museum of Art in Eureka, California. A lovely review written by Gabrielle Gopinath can be viewed here.

I will be exhibiting 5 large scale works at the Southbend Museum of Art Biennial 30 in Southbend, Indiana in July 27 – September 29, 2019.

I will be teaching the workshop “Doll as Storyteller” at Arrowmont School of Art and Craft, November 3 – 9, 2019.

To see more of Nicole’s work, visit www.nikimade.com

AKEEM GLAZE 12 ID

Glaze

Based in New York, NY

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

The most rewarding part about running our business is the intangible; the concept of creating something that will someday become a larger part of our future.

Tell us about some of your main sources of inspiration.

Our studio draws on influences from both of our backgrounds. Steph grew up just outside of Boston, Akeem hails from Palm Beach County, and we currently reside in New York City, so we strive to combine the Northeast with Palm Beach. We take the experiences we’ve had, and infuse the two lifestyles into our products through color, material, form, and imagery.

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 a business model that reflects your value proposition.

To see more of Akeem’s work, visit www.glaze.studio

CHARLOTTE HOLDEN 18 IL

Little Bird Studio Co.

Based in Brooklyn, NY

Tell us about some of your main sources of inspiration.

I am consistently inspired by lack of knowledge . Drawing is a medium for understanding. I seek to investigate through my artwork and analyze the forms which inspire me to create and share my findings with the viewer, allowing them to learn with me about the small details of life we often take for granted. I want to understand how creatures and objects alike are put together, why they work that way and the purpose behind their beauty. To me, drawing is truly a study. I cannot accurately translate the anatomy of my subjects in a two-dimensional space without first understanding how they are put together and without understanding the anatomy I cannot portray their grandeur and significance. Therefore each brush or pencil stroke represents a functional, active component of the structure of my subjects. In todays world, it is particularly important to consider everything around us and take the time to understand its importance and the impact every living thing has on our world.

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 to share my new line of cards and prints made from a series of Gerbera Daisy paintings. These paintings are part of a larger body of work I am hoping to continue of botanical drawings and paintings. I love being able to share my work directly with the RISD community as it has always been my greatest inspiration and motivation. I would liken the feeling to bringing work to the RISD community to bringing work home for those closest to you, with the opinions that matter most to you, to see and experience.

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

I have found that the best way to maintain a creative practice that “feeds my soul” and still pays the bills is to take on multiple projects. For me, the answer was to find a job that was not art related, but didn’t take up all of my time so I could still pursue my creative endeavors. It was also incredibly helpful to have a reason to leave my studio and see other faces throughout the week. Sometimes it’s lonely and sometimes it’s frustrating. It has been beneficial to my art practice to have time away from art and be able to come back with fresh eyes and a renewed sense of purpose. Not having 24 hours a day seven days a week to dedicate to art actually keeps me wanting to continue. Scheduling was another important factor in the success of my creative process. After school you don’t have classes to dictate how and when your time on your own work is spent. It is important to build a routine that works for you and do your best to stick to it.

Anything else you’d like to share?

I was recently part of the Washington Square Park Outdoor Art Exhibit in New York, NY where one of my paintings received the second place prize in its category. I also will be starting a project with a researcher at the New York Botanical Garden Summer 2019.

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