Artist Spotlight: Laurie Anne Gonzalez (Art + Design)

Meet artist Laurie Anne Gonzalez, a Southern artist with Alabama roots now living in Phoenix, Arizona with her husband Taylor. Laurie Anne's artwork showcases her exploration of fine art figure drawing as well as capturing her new Southwestern environment. Read on to learn more about Laurie Anne's artwork and to see her home tour!

'Lady with apple', gouache, Laurie Anne Gonzalez.

Jacquin: How would you describe your artwork? What are you currently working on?

Laurie Anne: If I had to put myself in a category for my style of art it would lean towards post-impressionism but my style can change drastically depending on what I am working on. Not only do I paint but I also design stationery which tends to be more meticulous and detailed artwork. Currently, I am working on exploring different mediums and sizes of artwork. I’m very excited to see what 2018 brings!

'Desert Outline', gouache, Laurie Anne Gonzalez. 

Jacquin: How has your artwork or your approach towards art evolved over the years?

Laurie Anne: My art has changed a lot over the years. Mainly in size. I used to paint very large oil paintings. I took about a 6 year break from painting and worked for Sweet Pea Designs stationery company and when I started my painting business back up, I starting working on smaller watercolor paintings.

'Lady with table', gouache, Laurie Anne Gonzalez.

Jacquin: How does your love of antiques & vintage come out in your style at home? Also, tell us about your vintage home decor shop, Laurel and Co.

Laurie Anne: Laurel and Co. was started by me and my friend Lauren out of a mutual love of Emily Henderson. My favorite part of our business is finding really good vintage art. When my husband and I go on trips, we try to find a piece of art from a thrift store or estate sale to remember our trip by.

'Dancing Ladies', gouaches, Laurie Anne Gonzalez.

Jacquin: What is your favorite hobby when you aren't creating artwork?

Laurie Anne: When I’m not working, you can find me hanging out with my husband and puppy or traveling! I love to travel and try to as much as possible. 

Jacquin: What artists are inspiring you right now?

Laurie Anne:  I’m currently digging Richard Claremont, Dylon Mierzwinski, and Kate Waddell.

Jacquin: What is on your creative bucket list? 

Laurie Anne: To teach online Art classes! That's one of the fun things I am going to explore this year!

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Artist Spotlight: Fine Art Jewelry & Metal Work by Kat Cole

One of the more exciting parts of my job at Interiors by Jacquin is having the opportunity to meet so many talented artists and designers. My recent studio visit at the home of artist Kat Cole has not only re-invigorated me, but also inspired me to bring you more behind the scenes artist interviews.

You will love the work of Kat Cole. She is a fine art jewelry designer and metalsmith creating work that uniquely mirrors the built environment. You will notice inspiration from industrial surroundings blended with Cole's colorful aesthetic. 

An enjoyable time chatting with contemporary jewelry artist Kat Cole in her plant filled home. 

'Boundary Lines Loop' necklace, steel, 2017. Kat Cole.

Kat Cole is currently a full-time studio artist based in Dallas, TX and is the co-founder of Jewelry Edition. She has been a presenter at Yuma Symposium and Craft Boston, she teaches workshops nationally and has exhibited internationally. You can watch our inspirational, on-camera interview at the end of this post. 

'Built #2' necklace, steel. 2016. Kat Cole.

(Left) 'Boundary Lines Shadow' necklace, steel, enamel. 2017. Kat Cole. 

(Right) 'Urban Color #2' necklace, steel, enamel. Kat Cole.

After admiring Kat Cole's jewelry design, we turned our attention to her amazing indoor garden!

Her one-of-a-kind work is sold online and in stores at Jewelry Edition as well as other retailers. You can find a full list of Kat Cole's jewelry retailers here. I look forward to adding Kat Cole's creations to my jewelry collection in the future! 

Kat Cole's stunning broaches were my favorite! I loved the originality, colors, and movement of the metal. (Above: 'Urban Color #1' broach, steel, enamel, 2017. Kat Cole.)

'Old Well' broach, steel, enamel, found object, rubber 2015, Kat Cole.

I had a lovely time chatting with contemporary metal artist Kat Cole in her plant filled home recently. It is always a bonus when you make a fabulous artist friend at the end of an interview! Follow Kat Cole on Instagram for further contemporary art inspiration.

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Interview with Global Weaving Artist Susana Negre

Tapestry weaving by Susana Negre shown in the home of Jacquin Headen. Artwork shown by Marcus Jolly.

Our Artist Spotlight today showcases weaving & textile artist Susana Negre who has sought creative inspiration across the globe, from her hometown of Barcelona, to London, Mexico, and all the way to Brazil. Susana’s goal is to blend old world techniques with new ideas to create something never seen before. She describes her work as non-traditional tapestry weaving.

Weaving artist Susana Negre of Barcelona. 

Jacquin: What attracted you to weaving as an artform?

Susana: Although I am now focused on my true passions of art and textiles, previously I worked internationally as an event/art producer. I discovered weaving in 2013, however, I think my attraction to the textiles medium began much earlier in my life. I went to Teraninya School in Barcelona where I was introduced the fascinating world of textiles. 

Through conducting weaving workshops, I decided to specialize in the artform full time. Negre textile art is inspired by art, fashion, design, architecture, interiors, culture, travel, photography, cinema and the great value of hand-making and crafting.

Jacquin: How has living in Rio de Janeiro inspired your work up to this point?

Susana: The creativity of the people, the colors of the sea, and the tropical rainforests of beautiful Rio de Janeiro have had a huge impact on me! Location and scenery have always affected my artwork. It is difficult to explain why I feel the need to travel for inspiration when my hometown of Barcelona is such a creative and beautiful city. Experiencing new cities allows me to gain fresh inspiration. I have recently relocated back to Barcelona where I am pursing my masters degree focusing on weaving & textiles. 

Susana Negre volunteers in Rio de Janeiro as she teaches a weaving workshop. 

Jacquin: Have you had the opportunity to introduce your local community to weaving in some way? What has been the best part about getting into the community with your weaving art form?

Susana: Yes! While I was living in Rio de Janeiro last year I had the opportunity to work as a volunteer for a NGO called PIPA SOCIAL run by Helena Rocha. It is a creative hub for talented people, mainly women who live in low-income communities in Rio de Janeiro, with a focus on establishing professional connections and promoting social inclusion.

Their mission is to invest in a Talent Bank of entrepreneurs working in the fields of art, crafts and fashion, helping them achieve professional qualifications, improving their ability to find work and generate income, and providing exclusive consultancy services.

My job as a volunteer was teaching tapestry weaving & creative knowledge to the beautiful and talented craftswomen, designers and artisans who were interested in learning tapestry techniques. We met once a week where we collectively created a small collection of different items such small handbags, scarves, and miniature tapestries for home decorating, We used the traditional tapestry techniques to develop their crafting and design skills, then allowing them to apply their own unique style. We had a goal to help them to generate new products and income for themselves through sales. It was truly a privilege for me to be able to share my time and knowledge with everyone.

“It's something about the colors and textures in textiles that inspires me. It is almost like I didn’t choose textiles, but instead I think it chose me.” -Susana Negre

Jacquin: Tell us about your process creating a tapestry weaving. 

Susana: My working process is very intuitive. In fact, I have never drawn my weaving designs in advance. I refrain from thinking, and allow my creativity to find its way. However, I do have a very clear idea of the materials, textures and colors I want to use before starting a weaving. My designs are heavily textured with vivid colors. Most notably, my textiles are always handwoven, combining traditional handcrafted techniques of knotting and weaving. 

The interpretation of my work I leave up to the viewer. There is a different quality of something that is hand crafted rather than machine made. My work is still emerging, and I want to keep pushing myself to create something unusual. In some senses, my work is growing with me. In terms of the process, it is difficult to say how long it takes. It can take me from just one day to up to 6 month to create a large piece; it always depends on the size of the work and the time I have to weave.

Jacquin: Are there any weaving projects that you are eager to try in the future?

Susana: I would love to get involved in an international project, working with local textile artists worldwide. I would also like to continue doing social projects worldwide. 

Learn more about Susana Negre and her artwork here. 

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Top 5 Artists to Watch from Society6

Society6 is an fantastic resource for finding unique artwork on a budget and they feature many up and coming artists that you likely wouldn't find otherwise. They offer custom framing services and even print these amazing works of art on other items like coffee mugs, wall tapestries, and computer cases. You will definitely want to pop over to their website! Here are the top artists from Society6 to keep your eye on this year. 

Samuji Spring/Summer 2017, Isabelle Feliu

1. Isabelle Feliu

Isabelle Feliu’s art is fun and playful, with fluid figures and bold colors. Many of her designs on Society6 are whimsical in the way they flatten space with beautiful patterns. Feliu describes herself as illustrating with a focus on fashion, and her art certainly is stylish. In the lush world she creates, figures interact with nature and wildlife in a haze of color and detail. Feliu’s illustrations are so engaging in their color and design.

Chica, Patricia Vargas

2. Patricia Vargas

Art and design lovers will appreciate Patricia Vargas’ vibrant abstract prints. Never one to shy away from color, Vargas’ work utilizes interesting color combinations that are pleasing to the eye and always dynamic. Her prints are joyful and full of life and would make a beautiful addition to any living space.

Rowing to you, Henn Kim

3. Henn Kim

Henn Kim’s surreal art is thoughtful and evocative in its simplicity. Metaphors and illusions are explored in Kim’s black and white dreamscapes. Kim’s designs are graphic and straightforward, yet still visually surprising due to their fantastical subject matter. It is easy to immediately be drawn into Kim’s work and enjoy a fanciful break from reality.

Marllboro Gold, Choerte

4. Choerte

Choerte's digital artwork is both surrealist and imaginative, but with photo-like quality. His "Gold" collection captures everyday items and creates 3-D visualizations of what those items would like like if made of solid gold. Choerte's artwork has a contemporary feel that would pop in creative and contemporary spaces.

Stella, Kid Rose

5. Kid Rose

Kid Rose wears many hats as an artist, DJ, and designer. Rose’s prints have a graphic feel that are eye-catching and bold. Portraits feature prominently in his designs, as well as references to pop-culture and celebrities. Kid Rose’s portraits convey the essence of their subjects while making a stylish statement.

So, which of these artist would you add to your personal art collection?

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Artist Spotlight: featuring Art by Ojo

Things have been incredibly busy with an exciting redecorating project at home (more on that later!), but I'm glad to be back with a new post for you. Today we head to Toronto, Canada where artist Ojo Agi creates gorgeous portrait artwork. I hope you enjoy her artwork as much as I do!

Art by Ojo

Art by Ojo

Art by Ojo

 Artist Ojo Agi in front of a wall of her artwork.

Stay abreast on the contemporary works of Ojo Agi by following along on Instagram or visiting her website Art by Ojo. You can also explore more artists from my Artist Spotlight series here. Until next time...Ciao!

P.S. I'm planning new blog content for Interiors by Jacquin! What is your favorite blog series or topic to read about here on the blog? I would love your feedback as I plan for 2017. Comment below and let me know what your favorite blog topics are. Thanks!

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A Chat with Que Duong: NYC Photographer and Creative Director

Que Duong Photography: "Sorbet" series

I have recently come across the creative work of NYC photographer Que Duong who has truly inspired me with his unique style and perspective. Que began in the fashion and beauty industry working in content creation and has since launched himself to the status of creative director, sharing compelling and sometimes edgy stories through his creative photography. Read on to catch my recent chat with this impressive, creative photographer.

Jacquin: Hi Que! You mention that your main source of inspiration is “the anticipation of life’s normally overlooked moments.” How do you manifest this in your work?

Que: We often look for the “big boom” in our day. In contrast, I look for the small moment such as drinking tea and creating “the big boom” around these thoughts and moments.

Que Duong Photography: "Colour Walls" series

Jacquin: Your photography has great energy and an exciting perspective. How do you begin to visualize and conceptualize your compositions in your photography?

Que: Majority of my concepts originate on my current mood at the time. I embrace all the spectrum of emotions whether it is sad or joy - it helps me create a story to tell. From that point, I researched the symbolism and metaphors. I translate those emotions and use it as starting point to create my compositions and content.

Que Duong Photography: "The New Band" series

Jacquin: What was your inspiration for "The New Band"? Is there a message behind these works? "The New Band" actually reminds me of a 1940s photo of historical Chicago by Russell Lee. I love this photo series, Que and really all of your works!

Que: Visually, my inspirations were from the vinyl covers of music groups. In term of the underlining message, I wanted to tell a story of the daily lives of the Brooklyn kids; to showcase the beauty of the simple moments such as sitting on the stoop with your friends, standing on the corner waiting for the bus, or going to church. Overall, the message I wanted to convey and bring to attention is "black is beautiful" – ‘til this today, it is still one of my favorite shoots!

Que Duong Photography: "The New Band" series

Que Duong Photography: "The New Band" series

Jacquin: How do you go about choosing the models for your shoots? (random, search for them, or you know them personally)

Que: Majority of the times I have casting calls. This allows me to use models that fit the concept.

Jacquin: How does your cultural background or surroundings influence your work?

Que: My cultural background and surroundings are extremely influential in my work. I am a Vietnamese kid raised New Orleans, a city that is surrounded by Jazz and magic! This colorful city often serves as a color palette for my work. I enjoy and draw energy from our laid-back attitudes and philosophies. It helps me conceptualize the simplest stories.

Que Duong Photography: "The Jazzman" series

Que Duong Photography: "The Jazzman" series

Jacquin: Are there any events or experiences in your life that have impacted your career as a photographer?

Que: Yes, social media! When I first started out, I was solely focused on fashion. Since then, I came to find my love for lifestyles and still life photography. This started out with my first job with Revlon – creating their social media content.

Que Duong Photography: "Madame of the Cloud" series

Que Duong Photography: "Madame of the Cloud" series

Jacquin: What type of projects are you most looking forward to as you move forward as a photographer and artist?

Que: Right now, I am working on cinematography and getting back into my painting (a passion of mine). I am looking to doing more creative direction.

Que Duong Photography: "Madame of the Cloud" series

Jacquin: You create uniquely artistic self-portraits. Do your self-portraits function as a means of self-representation, or do you regard yourself more as a character telling a story? (Check out one of Que's self-portraits below.)

Que: My self-portraits are mirror reflections of who I am. It is my way of writing my autobiography in a creative way, haha.

Jacquin: What would the perfect day be like for you?

Que: A perfect day for me would be waking up on a sunny Saturday’s morning, watering my plants while drinking Vietnamese coffee and jamming to 80’s pop (my go-to song is When in Rome – The Promise). Start with a trip down to Union Squares to buy more plants and have lunch in Chinatown. I would commute back to my cozy Harlem apartment and binge watch old shows on TV while I edit photos. Wrap up my day with a candle lit night and dancing to old school r&b tunes.

Self-portrait of NYC photographer Que Duong.

Follow Que Duong's photography and creative direction through his website or via his inspirational Instagram page. 

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