An Interview with Chris Uphues

The world needs the vibrant heart(s) of Chris Uphues. The artist and designer (he co-founded the shop Beautiful Days with his wife, Jen Koehl) is not only a huge personal inspiration of mine but has become a cultural phenomenon over the past couple of years. Best known for his bright-eyed cartoon hearts, Uphues draws from an eclectic range of inspirations to create his iconography. He simply and beautifully distills his "spread love" philosophy into imagery that's attainable rather than elitist, welcoming rather than exclusive. This is especially true of his street art, which is not only accessible in terms of medium, but also possesses an almost aggressive luminosity, so energetic it's infectious, impossible to ignore. Inspired by Keith Haring, he is well on his way to entering the pop art cannon himself. And for good reason. In the current tumultuous political and cultural landscape, we need the vigorous cheerfulness of his work.

Image via

What work are you most proud of?

I don't think I have a piece I'm most proud of . I think my answer changes every time I make something new. Mostly I just really enjoy getting in the studio and continuing the work everyday. That's where the real action and fun really is.

Who do you think the most creative person alive is?

One of my favorite creative people is theoretical physicist Michio Kaku, most well known for his work on string theory.

What is your favorite color combination?

Anything that vibrates when you set them side by side -- like a fluorescent over a pastel.

Image via

What's the best advice you've ever received?

"Leap and the net will appear." - zen proverb

This is the one piece of advice I find to be completely true 100% of the time.

What's the strangest thing you've painted on?

I once painted on these giant bins in a farm in Montana to look like great big robot heads. Still one of my favorite projects.

What would you change about the art world?

Nothing. It's perfect just the way it is. Or actually every single thing but it's too much to list in a single interview.

Image via

What's the best reaction anyone has ever had to your art?

Hmmm I'm not really sure , but it's always nice when people appreciate something you've worked hard on. There has been a recent wave of art teachers teaching my work in class and I really love seeing those projects develop.

What was the first thing you painted?

That's a hard one... I think it was probably a water color of a bowl of fruit in my very first painting class. LOL

What do you hope you'll be remembered for?

I used to have big ideas about this but now I just hope I brought a little joy into the world and more specifically, to my wife and family, and I hope they know I love them.

Image via

Using an analogy, how would you describe your creative process?

My creative process is like a galactic cloud of gas. The molecules in the cloud gather and collide, and gather mass until they start forming planets, suns, and star systems of ideas and imagery.

Lastly, if your body of work were an animal, what kind of animal would it be and why?

I genuinely can't pick just one... so all of them.

Image via

An Interview with Suka Mo

Suka Mo's pencil drawings have an endearing simplicity to them (which also makes them easily translatable to the coterie of other memorabilia she makes, from pins to plush animals) that at once both supports and disguises the message of poignant optimism behind them.

At first glance, her childlike characters look like they could be coloring book drawings, with their uncomplicated expressions and their three-stroke figures. But upon closer inspection, Mo's drawings are more than just cute motifs. They depict the intimacies of friendship, embrace femininity, and promote body positivity with a subtlety that's rare amongst similar cartoonists. She conveys a multitude of commentary with just a few pencil lines. She was as succinct with her words in this interview.

What work are you most proud of?

I am most proud of my drawings. I gradually draw pictures. Besides drawing pictures, I also deeply appreciate crafting.

Who are your artistic inspirations?

I like Leiko Ikemura. I don't just get inspiration from artists, but also everyday life. From weather, seasons, smells, time, etc.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

Follow what you believe in, enjoy being crazy as much as you like. Treasure yourself without comparing yourself to others.

How did you develop your artistic style?

I just did what I wanted to do. I would like to live with good faith and in freedom from now on.

*Please note that these answers have been translated from Japanese.

Images via Suka Mo's Instagram

An Interview with @kyoyp.st

 I wish I could live inside the bubbly bright world of @kyoyp.st's instagram. Her dreamy, excessively girlish doodles are a unique kitsch, a rare delight in the sometimes dreary and black and white landscape of instagram. It's nearly impossible to not smile when you gaze into the twinkling bejeweled eyes of one of her creations, which is an incredible artistic achievement in itself. She kindly took time out of her day to answer a few of my questions.

What work are you most proud of?

I am most proud of being told that people were "healed" or "felt happy" because of my work.

Who are your artistic inspirations?

Katsuya Terada, Mucha, videos of domestic and foreign musicians.

What has been the hardest piece to finish?

It was a portrait. It was a very fun task though!

Did you go to art school or are you self taught?

I went to a vocational school of manga. When I was a high school student, I attended a preparatory school of art.

Do you remember the first thing you ever drew?

I remember. I drew a girl when I was three years old. I did not do it well. I practiced quite a bit.

What do you hope people feel when they look at your work?

I want people who see my pictures to feel happy, healed, or relaxed.




Images via kyoyp.st's Instagram

An Interview with @oceau

Bella's Instagram page is a bit like a siren's call. Judging by her follower count, I am not the only one that had the instinctual reaction to tap the follow button as soon as I caught a glance of her doe-eyed selfies, absolutely incredible makeup skills, and unconventional yet always charming ensembles. But I learned that there was more to her than just aesthetics. I also became captivated by her powerfully gory artwork, her strength and determination, her willingness to speak up about the traumas she's endured in order to help others. Although it's impossible to have a full picture of someone just through social media, Bella's compassion and heart shines through in the brief yet beautiful glimpses she gives her followers into her life. However, I jumped at the opportunity to learn more about the rosy-cheeked starlet that graced my feed every morning.

What work are you most proud of?

I have a series I created called "pretty girls do ugly things." Each drawing I've done in that series is very personal and sentimental to me. I use those drawings to express the emotions I have dealt with or am dealing with. It's therapeutic in a way, and it's a healthy way for me to deal with my anxiety. Sometimes it's hard to deal with your problems especially if its not something physical, and creating artwork allows me to make my emotions tangible and easier to understand.

 

The "pretty girls do ugly things" series.

What's your favorite photo you've posted on Instagram?

My favorite picture always ends up changing. I think all my pictures are my favorite, in a way, because there's always a story behind it or its taken by one of my friends. All my pictures have a special place in my heart.

What's your favorite makeup look you've done?

As of right now, my favorite has to be my prom makeup because it was heavily inspired by two of my makeup icons, Betty Boop and Violet Chachki! I am a huge fan of old Hollywood makeup and drag, so the two combined was probably one of the best makeup looks I've done.

Bella's prom makeup

Are there any non-fashion related sources you take inspiration for your outfits from (paintings, music, etc)?

I get inspiration from the most random places. My main inspirations are cartoon characters and cute anime girls. I love mixing elements and styles. Something as simple as a color pattern or simple detailing can inspire me to create a whole look and use whatever resources I have to create something unique and all my own.

Can you describe your favorite outfit?

My favorite things to wear are cute babydoll style dresses, especially mod mini dresses from the 60s, paired with white nylons, cute gogo boots, and for accessories, a pastel ascot tie and cherry earrings.

What's the weirdest part about being an Instagram personality?

I think the strangest part is people actually being interested in me and even being inspired by me. I never thought people would care or find me interesting, but I get so many messages every day from people that say I inspire them to be more confident or to create more art which truly means so much to me because I never realized I could impact someone's life so positively like that.

Do you think clothing can tell a story? Why or why not?

Clothing definitely can tell a story. From the thread to the pattern, clothing can allow you to express yourself in an entirely different artistic way. I think you can at least know a little about a person through the way they dress, not who they are, but small things. And I think that's why I appreciate fashion so much, because it's something you can use to express who you are and "tell your story."

What's your best story? Like the one you would tell as an icebreaker at parties.

I never go to parties or do crazy things, so I don't have any wild stories. But I love to go on adventures with my friends and we always run into the strangest people, especially with how I dress. I get harassed a lot in public, like crazy guys rolling down their windows and speeding towards me to scream at me or creepy older men trying to talk to me and following me. I think I just attract strange people so I have weird encounters. One story is that I was in Hollywood with some friends and it was around 2am. We were waiting for our ride to come. My friend and I needed to use the restroom but everywhere was closed. We were looking around for so long until we finally found one, but some older man was screaming "HEY." I knew he was trying to get my attention so I started walking faster but that didn't stop him. He ran out in front of me and said, "Hey what's your name?" I tried to be polite because it's scary what men can do when they get turned down and I didn't want him to hurt me. I said I had to go to the bathroom, and even after that he wouldn't let up. He kept pestering me with questions like "Are you from China?" and "Do you want to meet my friends?" I was so afraid that I just bolted and ran. He was screaming "HEY DA BATHROOM IS DIS WAY," but I kept running and said "No thank you, sir." It was upsetting in a way because there were so many people watching this happen and they could see I was clearly uncomfortable, but they didn't help. It's funny to look back on but it's sad to see women being harassed because men don't know how to be respectful.

Photos via

What's something you would say is unique about your style?

I try to add my own personal style to everything I wear. I think what I like is that I don't have a specific category of what my style is. I wear whatever I think feels cute and I always try to push myself to learn more about fashion and designers so that I can do something that maybe not a lot of people are doing.

An Interview with Hailey Wait

It's hard to find an angle on Hailey Wait that hasn't already been taken. The 18-year-old "pro pizza face" Instagram personality and artist has been the subject of numerous articles boasting clickbait headlines dissecting her Instagram feed and proclaiming her inspirational for breaking the boundaries of what carefully curated Instagram accounts are allowed to present. Her albatross, according to many of these stories, is her acne. They range in perspective and depth, from writers who offer a mere paragraph about her message of self confidence, to stories that challenge the conventions of beauty using Hailey as a catalyst. I'd be hard pressed to find a facet of her physical appearance that hasn't already been explored.

Of course, Hailey is more than an uplifting headline. Her triumphs and problems are beyond skin deep. She's an immensely talented artist, her surreal and otherworldly-yet-enchanting paintings are not posts that can just be scrolled through (they are worthy of analysis, examination but are nonetheless accessible and instantly appealing). She struggles with mental illness and with trauma, and acknowledges this aspect of her life with her public persona, helping to end the stigma that she and so many others have encountered. She has long-winded rants about the brilliance of Sufjan Stevens, and fawns over Timothee Chalamet.

But really, it's hard to find an angle on Hailey Wait because I cannot claim to know her based on what is public. I watch her stories avidly, and like every post, and I'm eagerly waiting for her album release, but it would be immoral of me to write a post speculating on her life and intentions. I don't want to be guilty of the kind of two-dimensional journalism that several of the other features on Hailey are. Instead, I will talk briefly about the impact Hailey and her work have had on me (the only thing I can truthfully speak to).

Although I have never struggled with acne and I don't have the patience to learn how to do makeup properly, when I first came across Hailey's account I saw something more deeply, more personally inspirational than the media hype had proclaimed. I saw someone incredibly strong, without ever sacrificing her softness, incredibly prolific without sacrificing quality and someone who persevered regardless of the hardships and hate she faced virtually and in reality. Hailey's pictures reminded me that it is possible to get up, to continue without being hardened to the world.

What's your favorite article that's been written about you?

Probably an article from Refinery 29, because it was the only article that ever really talked about my art!

Given that you're so creatively prolific and multi-talented, does it ever bother you that what you got attention for was embracing your acne? I think it's such a wonderful message and I'm so thankful you've gotten publicity for promoting self confidence, but I was just wondering if it ever got a little annoying that that is your claim to fame when you're talented in so many other areas. 

It's definitely off-putting for me that I'm getting way more attention for something as simple as my face than I am for the things I spend literal years planning and preparing and creating. I wish my work was more valued as a whole, but the media attention at the very least does offer more exposure for it!

What work are you most proud of?

The work that I'm most proud of is actually my debut album, which I'm still in the process of creating, because it has been over three years in the works and it's definitely my most involved project to date. But if I were to choose something that's finished, perhaps my St. Vincent painting.

The St. Vincent Painting

What artists inspire you?

I'm obsessed with a lot of artists, mainly pop surrealist master Mark Ryden and also Jamie Hewlett, Gustav Klimt, Berthe Morisot, Degas, basically every French Impressionist painter, and William Bouguereau (to name a few).

What's the best reaction anyone's ever had to your music?

The best reaction anyone has ever had to my music was when I showed a friend a few of my finished songs and they started crying in the middle of a coffee shop where we were sitting. It was honestly great.

Can you describe your favorite outfit?

I think I'd honestly have a lot of favorite outfits, because in the real world you'll catch me in a pair of white gogo boots and overall shorts, with a cream colored sweater underneath! But in my ideal world, I'd be wearing nothing but Victorian era getups every single day!

Aside from perhaps being more candid with your internet persona, has your general style changed at all over the years?

I definitely think my style has changed over the years. I think that's just a natural part of the process. I live my life in phases for the most part, and I'm always changing. But no matter what, I'm always inspired by the past in some way.

I know you probably get asked this a lot, but what Sufjan album has had the biggest influence on your life?

"Carrie and Lowell." It's my favorite album of all time and I can relate to it in more ways than I ever could have anticipated with the first listen. On the album, Sufjan reflects on his relationship with his mother after her death in 2012, and he sings about family, forgiveness, grief, mental illness, and basically a lot of things that I struggle with on a daily basis. If there was one way for someone to get to know me better, I would show them this album.

Is social media more helpful or harmful in terms of your mental health?

It comes in waves. There are times when I can't physically leave my bed and I'm so paranoid of the world around me, and it's nice to know that I have so many friends online that I can keep in touch with. But on the other hand, it does get exhausting sometimes having to hear the opinions of thousands of people daily. It's not always positive. I do have to take mental health breaks sometimes because it can be a lot to handle.

If you and Timothee Chalamet were to get married, what kind of house would you want to live in?

If Timothee and I were ever to get married, we would probably just have an apartment somewhere in New York, filled with lots and lots of weird expensive wines you couldn't pronounce and it would be a funny mix of music equipment, questionable paintings, and Cardi B merch!

Photos via

Who do you think is the most creative person alive? What is your definition of creativity?

Creativity is essentially the ability to use your imagination in any given circumstance, to create something original and innovative (Sorry for that super boring definition). With that, I'd say the most creative person on the planet would be Sufjan Stevens. I don't know of anyone else that would be able to successfully write a song titled "A Conjunction of Drones Simulating the Way in Which Sufjan Stevens Has and Existential Crisis in the Great Godfrey Maze," or the classic "They Are The Night Zombies!! They Are Neighbors!! They Have Come Back From The Dead!! Ahhhh!"

Mitsuna Vinilo

I first happened upon Mitsuna Vinilo's work on Twitter, and I was immediately enthralled. Her drawings of sultry women glancing at the viewer through flowering, spider-like eyelashes procures a feeling of intrigue. Her figures are elegant and sophisticated but never censored, unbothered by their suggestive poses. They appear entirely comfortable at peace, and although they are often exposed, their facial expressions are complex and mysterious. I've scrolled through photo after photo trying to figure out what they're hiding with no avail. It's the surreptitious nature of her art that makes it so addictive.

Who are your favorite artists?

Masakane Yonekura
Kuni Fukai
Yasuomi Umetsu

How would you define creativity?

Even if I suck at it, I'm going to do what I love.

Who do you think is the most creative person alive?

It's difficult.

What work are you most proud of?

I like to draw the sensual and erotic. I like to express the fascinations of women.

Do you think your artistic style will change in the future?

No. I will never change my work.

What's the best reaction anyone has ever had to your work?

Nothing.

Photos via

An Interview with Annya Marttinen

I've followed Annya Marttinen for years. From a distance, I've observed her artwork undergo nuanced changes, favoring earth tones as opposed to pastels, more digital work instead of strictly hand drawn, and uncomplicated structure prevails over extravagance in her later work. But none of these discrepancies have affected the way I view her work, because the ethos behind the illustrations have remained the same; if anything these alterations have made her work more closely match her ideology and have heightened the visceral response viewers have to it. Annya's drawings have always made me feel at home. They evoke in me a feeling of serenity but not in a paradigmatic way; she does not paint pastoral scenes or landscapes of equable lakes, still and unwavering ("natural" scenery that ironically in no way reflects the peaceful chaos of the real natural world). Rather, Annya's work reflects the tranquility of everyday life, which isn't flawless. The comfort her paintings offer is entirely because of their familiar elements. Whenever I look at her work, I feel an immediate sense of home. Her illustrations are, at once, both a form of escapism and a consoling depiction of reality. There's a magical component to them as well, but a magic that seems fitting, a fantasy that seems like it could be accomplished in actuality. Her work has a distinct hygge (a Danish concept of comfort and familiarity) ambiance and talking with her was a similar experience.


Where do you get your inspiration?

So many places. A lot of my vision comes from movie sound tracks and books (mostly of the fantasy genre). I'm obsessed with folklore and myths. I like to dream up ideas in the early morning just as I am falling asleep because I feel like I enter a more calm mind set where new images and ideas can flow through me instead of forcing them. Nature is a large inspiration to me as well of course. I love drawing new plants and animals and also inventing new ones that sort of fit within the rules of pre-existing ones.

Would you say that your personal style mirrors your artistic style?

I would like to think so! Personally, I feel like a considerable amount of making art compelling or appealing is just making style choices and a lot of those choices come from my every day life. Style choices are the biggest part of creating a piece of work so that an audience can see themselves in it.

What work are you most proud of?

For a while now, I have definitely been most proud of an illustration I did called "Floating Books." A lot of people have told me that they saw themselves in that illustration and it granted me a lot of new eyes on my work. I think I love it so much because it was the first piece I ever truly loved when I had just started working digitally. The mood and style of that painting guided me to other works that I loved just as much and towards works that I am still creating. I feel like that illustration also helped me launch my Etsy store and get serious about selling prints.

Who are your favorite artists?

Painting and illustration-wise I have a ton of love for Gary Bunt. His work captures little moments in ordinary life that I find comforting and familiar. I love when illustrators paint older characters and what it is to grow old because I am fascinated with time and how our bodies and minds react to it. Tove Marika Jansson is an absolute genius when it came to the Moomin characters so I absolutely adore her work as well. I also love the fantastical works of Amelie Flechais. Gyo Fujikawa is my biggest inspiration when it comes to children's books illustrations. Beatrix Potter is also endlessly fascinating to me and the first person I think of when I'm asked this question but I decided to mention her last to change things up.

I've noticed that your style has shifted a bit to be less pastel and pink and girly to be a little more earthy and cozy. I was just wondering if there was a reason for that slight change?

I was always going in between the two styles my entire life but I feel like I have grown up quite a lot after I turned 20 and living on my own has caused me to appreciate the coziness of home. Learning so much about health and the earth has happened since now I have to take care of myself as an adult and I feel like my work must reflect that. The short answer is I watch a lot less anime and spend most of my extra time going for walks, reading and homemaking so naturally my work reflects that shift in my life.

Some of Annya's earlier work

Your work feels very home-y and intimate. What are some things that make you feel at home?

I feel most at home when a familiar warm smell is in the air and my apartment is filled with my personal treasures. I'm very particular about everything being very clean and in-order so I feel very at home when everything is in its place. Baking is also something that makes the atmosphere of my space much more home-y. Of course my three rabbits make me feel the most at home that I can possibly be. They are all so sweet and loving I could not imagine a better feeling than knowing that they feel safe and happy with me at home!

What are your most prized possessions?

Right now I would say my most prized possessions are my vintage books, but more particularly my edition of Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier. My white Kitchen Aid mixer is also a baking miracle for me and I don't know what I would do without it. My biggest prized possession though is my wooden illustration desk where I spend most of my time. It just has the perfect drawers and compartments for my art supplies and I have never seen a desk more perfect for my career and lifestyle. My postcards and bookmark strangely fit perfectly in little compartments inside the drawers as well. Another item I am quite fond of is my Moomin mug that my dear friend gave me as a Christmas gift all the way from Norway.

Is your work mostly based on things you've seen/experienced or do you make up your own scenery?

I would say that a lot of what I illustrate comes from my everyday life but I will admit to having a big imagination and I use it as much as I can in my drawings. It's a messy mix of both of them because I'm always drawing what I am recently experiencing or dreaming about being.

Do you think that your artistic style will go through any major changes in the future?

I hope so! Right now I really want my work to be more simple. I'm always trying to make my work look simple but still catch someone's eye and resonate with them or make them feel a little bit of magic. It's an ongoing process of trying to accomplish this and I am hoping to make big changes towards this in the future.

When you were starting out, was there ever something you wanted to illustrate but couldn't?

When I first started out I was using watercolors and I desperately wanted to paint backgrounds. I think I was only able to pull off a few of them until I started using gouache and then I was all about full scenes and backgrounds. Gouache gave me the ability to layer which made scene making so much easier and more pleasant to look at. If anyone is out there that does watercolor backgrounds they are absolute wizards to me!

You can purchase Annya's work here.

An Interview with Molly Soda

Amalia Soto, better known by the pseudonym Molly Soda, calls the internet her hometown. It's an apt description and she's a devout resident. The internet personality she's crafted provides not always flattering but oddly endearing commentary about the internet through digital performance art pieces and miscellaneous web ephemera. Molly Soda understands the pain of watching people tune out of your Instagram live stream, of the likes on that one selfie being considerably less than what you were expecting, of a carefully-curated digital life not extending to the gritty realities of everyday existence. She understands this because Molly Soda is this; she's an online presence and is confined to the realm of cyberspace. Amalia and Molly are inextricably linked, though, more than the typical art and artist relationship, more than the typical online persona vs. real character relationship. Molly Soda is specific and universal; she's a projection of Amalia, but also a projection, almost a caricature of the internet and its own insecurities and attitudes. She does not amplify the web's flaw's, rather, she expresses them in a personable way. Amalia takes this very cold, calculated, and sterile world of the web and humanizes it, makes it an extension of herself, which is the hallmark of her artistic style and why her work resonates with me. From the book she co-authored, Pics or It Didn't Happen (which is centered around social media censorship), to her exhibitions, each of Molly/Amalia's pieces are a tribute to, and an effort to revitalize the distinct humanity of the web.

via

What work are you most proud of?

I guess the work that I'm most proud of is usually stuff that I do despite thinking that people are going to be interested in it. I think that there's a lot of pressure to make work that people will talk about and will get you attention or make work that's in the vein of things that people have responded to positively before. I guess, for me, I'm most proud of things I make because I want to make them as opposed to making things that I think people want to see from me. In some ways I'm proud of things that take me a really long time or things that are well articulated, but I'm also proud of things that were weird experiments that turned out nicely or made me learn more about what I was interested in. I get bored of everything I do really easily and quickly, so I'm always changing things up. I don't know if I'm more proud of something because it's difficult or because I'm excited about it.

What do you think is the worst instance of censorship on social media?

I mean I think we sort of go into it knowing that we're going to be censored or that there's rules we have to abide by. At least with me, I'm not as shocked by it anymore. I think we all know what we're getting into when we use Instagram or Twitter or Facebook and this idea of community guidelines. I think that censorship that we see online in terms of policing people's bodies or people's speech is something that is mimicked in real life if you want to make those distinctions. It's still something that's present. I don't know if I'm super shocked by that. I think the worst instance of censorship that I've seen is actually really recent and is not directly via social media but in terms of what's happening with FOSTA-SESTA and all of these websites and things people in the sex worker community use in order to get work and in order to screen clients have been removed. Craiglist personals got taken down and Backpage which is a big place that people advertise has also been taken down. It's only going to get worse in harder for people like that and for all sorts of people in marginalized communities to be safe and do what they need to do. The internet is becoming increasingly smaller and this is just the first step. I'm also interested in what's going to happen with Net Neutrality and how that's going to affect the ways in which we communicate with each other and how we're going to operate safely and have equal access to things.

Why did you choose the moniker Molly Soda?

My real name is Amalia Soto, so it was sort of a play on that and I thought Molly Soda was cute. Molly Soda was something that was only ever supposed to exist online, so I thought it was a cute avatar name or username the same way that on MySpace you would have a play on your real name when MySpace was big and MySpace culture was really big and scene queens were really big, like Tila Tequila. So Molly Soda was kind of a play on that as well.

Do you consider your internet persona a part of yourself or is it more of a vehicle for commentary on internet culture?

I think it's definitely a part of myself. I think it's really hard to separate yourself from your online self and maybe moreso now as it's become more embedded into out daily lives. I think everyone is constantly looking at their phone, or has it around or has the option to plug in. It's bled together a lot more in recent years where before when I started out, even though everything I was saying online was based on my personal reality, it was still a curated and exaggerated version of it. And it still is now. I think we want to take everything we see online at face value so it becomes more real to us. I think authenticity and reality and the search for reality within our screens is becoming more important to people so that's where it bleeds in.

via

Do you think the onset of the internet has shaped youth culture for the worse or has it just taken problems that were already present to a new medium?

I think it's both. I'm really thankful that I grew up as the internet grew. I didn't have a self phone until I was fourteen, and that was when cellphones were becoming a thing. There was more separation. I would go home and be online all the time, but it wasn't as easy to be online all the time as it is now and I think having that time and those separations and having those walls built into the structure of your life may have made it easier for people to get outside of it. I feel like the older I'm getting the more sucked in I get and I wonder how I would've handled that as a teenager. Hanging out with friends while being on my phone, like I couldn't imagine doing that when I was like fourteen. But now I think that's a really normal thing. Like when you go out to eat, everyone put their phone on the table as if they're waiting for someone to text them. It's a strange thing. I have problems with the internet and the way we communicate with each other, but all of those things were already present in people, we were just given the tools that allow us to highlight that or expand on that. I don't know. I think that things are going to get more out of hand. It's a weird space in time to be right now. I think the internet is going to become more corporate or branded. I mean, it already is, but branded under the guise of being authentic. I wonder if people are going to get sick of that or if we'll just continue to live in that world. I don't really see it getting better, just more streamlined and subtle.

A lot of your work is based on preservation. Do you think that the internet is ephemeral, and if so why do you think saving pieces of the internet is so important?

I think it's my need to control things. I do think that the internet is always changing. I'll even look at a screenshot I took of YouTube a month ago and a screenshot I took today and even just the way that the YouTube comments look is different. The internet is always changing but it's like right under our noses. It's supposed to be this fluid thing so we never really notice what's different. We're never like "Oh, my scroll looks different" or acknowledge whatever it is that's casually happening as apps are updating and websites are rolling out changes. For me, I really like collecting and I'm kind of nerdy about certain things like that so I really pour over the details of every screenshot. As a teenager, the internet was really important to me and I'm fortunate to have saved a bunch, but the one thing I didn't save was how the interface looked or how websites look. I have the contents and my creations but the world that they lived in visually is equally as important to me. So now I'm really interested in trying to archive that as much as I can and having that as a reference. It finds itself a lot in my work. But I also really like the idea of letting something naturally die online. I like how information changes the longer it lives on a website and how it deteriorates and rots over time. But for me, I really need to save things. I don't know if I'm going to want things later even if I don't want it now. Like, I've considered deleting my Facebook and I was like I need to archive my entire Facebook before I delete it. Maybe I don't want it now but I might in ten years.

Do you think that your online persona will change at all? Is it ever stifling to be Molly Soda?

It's already changed a lot as I've gotten older. Even taking a selfie doesn't feel good the way it used to. I don't know if it's because I'm seeing myself differently or if I don't want to present the Molly Soda that I thought I once was. I feel like Molly Soda has gone through 2 or 3 rebirths at this point. I started going by Molly Soda when I was 19/20 and I'm 29 now, so naturally most people change as they get older.

via

An Interview with Lily Watson

Lily Watson's art captures the rot beneath the glitter. Without ever sacrificing style for substance, her work is otherworldly, surreal, cute, and offers important sociopolitical commentary delivered in a completely original manner. Reminiscent of artists like Mark Ryden and Aya Takano, but not derivative of them, Lily brings a fresh perspective to her work despite her many influences. Her big-eyed, often alluringly gory girls in uncomfortable situations are captivating. Her waif like figures do not just earn coos of sympathy; they reach deeper than mere bathos and elicit an authentic emotional response from viewers because they are not just objects of pity, beautifully disfigured and without ambition; there is an inexplicable optimism to her work, a hope for --or perhaps an attempt at-- change. Lily's positive energy does not, at first glance, match the mood of her art, but that zeal is possibly at the very core of it.


What work are you most proud of?

This is a tough question! I don't feel like it's really finished, and there's a lot of things I'm not pleased with yet but I really like this piece I did years ago:

Do you ever see the characters you've created in your dreams or anything like that?

Hmm, well most of the girls I draw are a reflection of myself so, they're sort of always with me...?

Do you ever play music while you're working? And if so, does it influence your work?

Yes! I get a lot of inspiration from music. I have certain genres or songs for different drawings. I have playlists for different atmospheres I get from music and start playing it before I start drawing if I already have an idea of what I'm going to draw. Lately i've been drawing to video games a lot too; they're good because they're like stories but not that interesting you get distracted.

I know you're studying game art design, have you created/worked on a game yet?

Nothing that cool yet! But one of my first assignments was to make a mod for a game. I made a weird "rotting skeleton" mod covered in vines and stuff for Minecraft. It was kinda embarrassingly bad but it worked and I passed.

Your work mixes cutesy with gory. Is there a reason why you're drawn to this contrast?

I've been trying to understand what influences me to draw stuff like that for so many years now. I have always loved cute things. I collected plush toys as a kid, and when I was about 9, I started going through a bit of a phase. I tried really hard to be weird because I didn't fit in at school. I was obsessed with the scene in Spirited Away where Haku comes in in dragon form all covered in paper cuts and blood. I don't think I'd ever seen anything that gory and intense before that age, and I was fascinated by it, so I drew lots of bloodied dragons in primary school during class. I'm actually really squeamish now, but I'm still curious about anatomy and gore, so drawing is the best way I can explore that. Anyway, I think now I see the "creepy-cute" theme more as a statement. Pretty girls and cute colors are very safe and pleasant but I like using that image to bring up darker themes, going against the the sanitization of issues people don't want to talk about like mental illness and trauma.

Have you noticed any recurring symbols/motifs in your work? What are they and why do you think you're attracted to them?

I love drawing hearts! I don't think I've ever pinned them down anatomically but they're so fun to play around with; they're such versatile little organs! I think i feel a lot of strong emotions through my heart, like "that's the cutest animal I've ever seen I could explode!" heart palpitations and "I've never been so heartbroken in my life" feelings too. I also love eyes, I think so much character can be given to them. I like to turn them into flowers, swollen beehives, melting egg yolks, planets, rivers-- they're so interesting!

Who do you think is the most creative person alive?

Ahh, I don't know. Everyone is so creative and amazing these days; it's easy to find so many amazing artists just by browsing Instagram.

If you were to compare your work to a dessert, what would it be?

I'm actually drawing a dessert themed piece right now hehe. I think it'd be a decadent 3-tiered cake, pastel pink and covered in whipped cream, strawberries and blood, and when you cut it open it's full of black dirt, grime, and there's a giant sad eye looking vacantly into the distance inside.

What artists have influenced your work?

I don't think I can list the thousands of artists that I love and that have influenced me, but from a young age, I've always had a connection with Vincent Van Gogh and Frida Kahlo. Visually though, I'm influenced by LostFish, Nicole Absher, Tama, Risa Mehmet, Hikari Shimoda, Yukaman, and so many other incredible artists.

What piece has taken you the longest to finish?

Well... I have about 100 unfinished pieces that go back to about 2011 that I'm still kidding myself I'll finish one day. But the only piece I actually know how long I spent with was this piece I did for Loser Unit's Issue 4 zine launch. I spent a lot of late nights on it, from memory I think it took about 50ish hours.

What do you hope people take away from your art?

I suppose I just want people to feel understood when they see my work, like they're never alone. And if not understood, then they feel an understanding of certain issues people go through and the dark stuff inside them. That being said, it's a bit depressing, so I hope people take what they want or need from my drawings and that it's not always a sad thing!


You can follow Lily on Instagram, @milklaced.

An Interview with Camila (@etherealartiste)

You may better know Camila by her instagram handle @etherealartiste. It's easy to see why she's amassed so many followers. Camila's art really takes me back, and not in a cheesy, saccharin sort of way. It doesn't remind me of any rose-tinted, nostalgic era of human history. It doesn't even make me nostalgic for a certain period in my own life, at least in the traditional sense. There's no imagery that hearkens back to playground antics. No, Camila's art takes me back on a different, much deeper level. It reminds me of the days when I could explore the realms of my imagination without distinguishing it from the real world. Her paintings of fantastical women, angelic faeries, and magical beings reminds me of a time when I thought that these creatures could exist in this world. The inspiration she takes from the natural world is apparent, and it makes her extraordinary characters seem rooted in authenticity. Not only that, but Camila brings a fresh and futuristic perspective to somewhat familiar concepts that makes me still believe that these creatures do exist somewhere in our world, at least in spirit. Camila even resembles her charming creations, both in their beauty and their strength.

1. What work are you most proud of?

I think the piece I'm most proud of has to be my "Oh, Honey." piece. At the time of making her, I didn't expect or foresee the type of attention that she'd get. I made her about a year ago, and to this day she is still a favorite amongst the people who follow my art and myself as well. I remember when I was in the middle of creating her, everything came so naturally. I didn't have a plan for what I was going to create, but the concept just kind of rolled off my fingers.

Source

2. What do you consider to be your greatest artistic failure?

I think right now it's hard to say what my "greatest artistic failure" is, as I am still very early in my art career. What I can say is I wish in the earlier years of this art journey I didn't allow myself to be so easily doubtful towards myself and my ability/skill. There were times where I'd take months off from creating because I was so discouraged every time I would go on social media. I always compared my work to others who were at this way longer than I was. In time, I learned not to, to instead be inspired by them, or to let that "envy/self-doubt" fuel me to be better and practice more.

3. What artists inspire you? What are your other sources of inspiration?

The artists I am heavily inspired by right now are @tinayuartist, @wendyortiz and @relmxx - honestly the list can go on and on. My other sources of inspiration are simply from anything around me. I am most inspired by nature. From flowers to animals to natural color palettes, etc etc. For other sources I tend to go on Pinterest and scroll through to find images that have a motivational strike within me!

4. Who do you think is the most creative person on earth right now?

I think the most creative person right now would be Elon Musk. I'm sure that there are so many people who are extremely creative that I've never heard of or know about but that's the first person that came to mind.

5. What's the weirdest dream you've ever had?

I have a lot of weird dreams that are quite hard to understand/describe. Most of the time they are random jumbles of things. I can't give you an exact one because I usually forget them after I wake up.

6. Does your personal style reflect your artistic style?

Yes, most definitely. I really love things that are colorful, cute, and magical. My room is decorated with twinkly lights, butterflies, dried hung flowers, and figurines of my liking in every nook and cranny. I really love decorating and making things feel "enchanting," and I think with my art I try to do the same as well.

Source

7. Describe yourself in three words.

Kind, understanding, loving.

8. How has your artistic style evolved over the years? What about it remains constant?

Now and then I try to look back at my older works to see how much I've improved. I think overall my artistic skills/understanding has taken significant improvements. There is always room to improve but looking back is a good way to give yourself the pat on the back you deserve for how far you've come. What remains constant in my art is the passion, drive, and subject. I tend to draw/paint women, and I can't really say why but it's what I enjoy most.

You can buy Camila's work here.

"The stories, the myths, the misunderstandings are all part of life"

When I was in 8th grade my father gave me The Principles of Uncertainty by Maira Kalman for Christmas. Fashioned to look like a sort of encyclopedia, the fact that it was used (it was his) made it all the more intriguing. As soon as I flipped open the doodled cover, I knew that this book was different. Reading it at the tender and challenging age of thirteen, I thought it was one of the most intimately constructed memoirs I had ever read. I still hold that perspective, but I discovered its value has only deepened since that day.

Image via

The Principles of Uncertainty is like reading through someone's thoughts. The writing and the illustrations are used to their full potential as mediums, in that they pull the reader further into the psyche of the creator rather than increasing the distance between audience and work. Its an incredible achievement in terms of storytelling as well as art. When presented with Maira's distinct voice, readers regain a childlike, almost Proustian sense of whimsy as they glance over her pithy observations. Yet the universality of the themes present in the book allow us to reach the conclusion that we are all human, that there is a sameness present in people of every type, regardless of how exceptional. She shows the reader that there is comfort in being a part of the whole, even in being a passive observer of bustling humanity, rather than inundating us with daunting philosophies. Though the entire book is saturated with philosophical teachings (both self-crafted and already established), the personal angle prevents the subject from being intimidating. We are invited to ponder the concept of infinity and the futility of life in the same manner a young child would, not yet so attached to life that it becomes an extension of ourselves and therefore mundane and impossible to part with, instead it is our toy, our plaything, an object to muse over at and to mold.

I find this concept as attractive now as I did at thirteen, and it's truly a testament to Maira's skills not only as an illustrator, writer, creator but also as an empath. The rest of her work is equally as notable for this. In Girls Standing On Lawns, she offers a poignant narrative for photos that would otherwise be disconnected and foreign. In And the Pursuit of Happiness, she brings historical figures into the modern era with epigrammatic details and profound yet humorous speculation. She feels her way through her work, and the audience, in turn, feels it as well. Her musings are on paper but they feel as though they're whispered in your ear. Her observations are rhythmic and building a crescendo that appears to be just for you, but also for everyone else. They're a conversation, and leave plenty of space for the reader's own thoughts.

But even after being offered this graceful glimpse into her thoughts, I wasn't satisfied. Her work left me wanting to have a conversation with her that wasn't so one sided. In December, I reached out to Maira for an interview. I remained persistent over the weeks that followed, though I feared I was becoming a menace, to my surprise and utter delight, she replied and I was able to ask her a few questions that her book raised.

What other jobs did you have before you were able to make a living off of being an illustrator/writer?

Baby sitter. Bookstore clerk. Waitress. Secretary.

You said in an interview with The Great Discontent that New York was an optimistic place. How do you continue to hold this view even when the ugly sides of the city show themselves to you? What are your favorite places in New York?

You cannot dislike a city because there are ugly sides. That is a given anywhere on earth. But NYC is the center of amazing energy. A raucous messy mix of every kind of person. Every kind of fashion. My favorite places in NYC are Central Park, the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Fifth Avenue Bus. The Frick Museum. Museum of Modern Art. The garden of the Museum of Modern Art. My block (12th Street).

I know you like to dance. What's your favorite dance move?

A basic tango.

I know you said it's a terrible thing to give advice, but what's the best piece of advice anyone has ever given to you?

Ignore all advice, and just do what you feel is right. AND never stop working. Work solves most problems. And make your bed in the morning. And walk.

Who do you think the most creative person alive is?

No idea. Probably a two year old.

What is the best piece of storytelling (in any form; books movies, photos, paintings, etc) that you've ever encountered?

In books, Proust's In Search of Lost Time. Flaubert's Madame Bovary. In movies, so many. Including My Man Godfrey. Citizen Kane. Les Enfants du Paradis. In paintings, Matisse and Bonnard. In children's books, Ludwig Bemelmans, Lewis Carroll.

What work are you most proud of?

The first children's book, HEY WILLY, SEE THE PYRAMIDS. The Elements of Style. The Principles of Uncertainty. I was given the most freedom. I was trusted by my editors and was able to do what I love.

Image via

Describe your favorite outfit.

A white, very well starched and ironed cotton nightgown.

I know you collect broken things. What's your favorite object in your collection?

A torn, moth eaten green sweater.

I really like how, in your work, you sometimes focus on a seemingly insignificant detail about a historical figure, or scenery, or the world in general and explain how it relates to their character/the bigger picture. What's a seemingly insignificant detail about you that's actually emblematic of your character?

I love to get into a well starched and ironed bed at night. And I love to get out of bed in the morning. In the morning, I love to drink coffee and read the obituaries. I like to put the shelves in order in the supermarket. I love to fold things.

How can you be creatively prolific without becoming overwhelmed?

That is something you learn to do with time, perseverance and patience. Critical part of working. Sometimes you do get overwhelmed. Then you have to go for a walk, or eat a donut, or read a book or talk to someone who loves you. And then you find your way.

Do you think that when people dress up their dogs in clothes and shoes and all that it's cute or seems uncomfortable for the animal?

I don't think I like that but I must admit to putting hats on my dog.

Image via

I quite enjoy your illustrations of people in hats. Do you have a favorite kind of hat?

Anything fanciful and elegant. Or jaunty.

I've always wanted to be a writer. When I was younger, I felt kind of distanced from the world as a result of this. Your work helped me realize that being a writer and an observer/storyteller actually connects you to the world even more and in different ways. When was a time you felt connected to a stranger?

I feel connected to strangers all the time. Often more connected than to people who are part of my life. There is a general sense of dignity and courage to all of humanity going about their day, trying to do the best they can.

What's the happiest thing you've ever witnessed (without being a part of)?

Probably the love of parents and children. There is nothing like that love.

Have you ever doubted your career path?

Never doubted my career path.

If you could have a superpower, what would it be?

Don't want a superpower.

What do you think Proust meant in this quote: "Remembrance of things past is not necessarily the remembrance of things as they were"?

He is the smartest. There is no such thing as AS THEY WERE. Everything is subjective and changing and re remembered and mis remembered. The stories, the myths, the misunderstandings are all part of life. They ARE life.

Image via

You can bet Maira's latest endeavor, Cake, is first on my wish list.