Creative Q&A: Clare Elsaesser
Name, Location, Occupation
Clare Elsaesser
Jenner, CA
Painter
Please describe your workspace:
My workspace is a tiny guest cottage across the wooden driveway from my house which I share with my artist husband, Kai Samuels-Davis (his studio is downstairs). There's not much to describe because the space I work in is pretty miniscule, but it contains the essentials: my easel, lots of stacked up wooden panels to paint on and paints, and the printer and supplies I use to make fine art prints to sell on Etsy. Oh, but it does have an amazing view of cypress trees and the Russian River.
What are you working on right now?
I am currently working on a few paintings of groups of women with interlocking arms and colorful skirts.
What has been your most rewarding project to date?
I am really excited about my newest project. It is a group of paintings I hope to have finished by May, and all together they tell more of a story than my paintings have in the past. I suppose it won't be rewarding if they don't turn out as I imagine, but right now I have my fingers crossed.
Who are you inspired by?
There is a really long list of artists and other people (a couple at the top right now are Mamma Andersson, Wangechi Mutu, Cecily Brown, Helen Frankenthaler and the writer Shirley Jackson), and a ton of my inspiration comes from talking about art with Kai, and daydreaming while I stare out the window.
Has there been a defining moment or turning point when you realized what you wanted to do for a living?
The first year I was able to financially support myself with my art was a great turning point. And as I continue to work, and figure out more and more what I want my art to be, I am growing to understand this is what I want to do for a living, for as long as I possibly can.
What do you think is the most difficult aspect of your work?
Having confidence in my work is hard for me. I think confidence is integral to, and maybe even the most important aspect of being a successful artist, but so much of the artistic process involves self critique, and questioning. It is hard for me to be confident, when I am constantly finding faults with my paintings. Often, I end up with a finished painting I just hate, because I see all its flaws I couldn't figure out how to fix, and sometimes that makes it really hard to move onto the next one because I am filled with doubt.
What are you reading at the moment?
I just finished 'Agorafabulous' by Sara Benincasa. I really liked it, and would definitely recommend it! It's a really honest and entertaining book about dealing with, and overcoming the obstacles created by mental illness.
What websites do you visit for inspiration?
I have kind of been on an unintentional internet diet the past year because I've been crazy busy (I'm not complaining) though I still love checking in on Pinterest a couple times a week for inspiring images.
What are your simplest daily pleasures?
The basics! I love eating and drinking, and sleeping is probably my favorite daily pleasure! We just got a really cozy wool blanket, making it even harder to get out of bed in the morning.
Where do you see yourself in ten years?
I hope to be making my income solely from painting in ten years, right now it comes predominately from print sales. And I envision painting in a studio about fifty times the size of the one I am in now...that might be too much to ask for, maybe four times the size would be more realistic!
One Year Older
Photograph by Jessica Comingore
When you're young the anticipation of growing one year older is so exciting, at least I can remember the years when I just couldn't wait to be older. Old enough to have a sleepover, to ride my bicycle around the block alone, old enough to drive, old enough to move to the city and get my very own apartment. What can I say, I was was always eager to earn my independence.
As I enter the last year of my twenties I can honestly say that I'm as excited as I was the year before I turned sixteen or nineteen or even twenty-five. This past year has been amazing; filled with travel, great friends and so many rich experiences. I dove into my work and really pushed myself and I'm starting to believe wholeheartedly that it's possible for me to be creative for a living. I feel like I'm really developing a unique style as a designer and I finally feel authentically confident in my work and ideas. I suppose all of these things come with age and experience.
As I spend today responding to well wishes from the amazing people in my life and celebrating with my family, I feel very fortunate.
Another year gone, a new year to look forward to.
Creative Q&A: Rebekka Seale
Name, Location, Occupation
Rebekka Seale
Nashville, TN
Owner of Camellia Fiber Company, a shop specializing in hand-spun yarns and sewn goods made from locally sourced fibers.
Please describe your workspace:
Well, it's brand new! I just moved into this space at the beginning of January. It's very small, but it has great big windows and a lot of natural light, and it's in a warehouse building with other artists, musicians, woodworkers, etc. My friend James, (whose wood shop is also in the building) custom built my desk/sewing table from reclaimed tobacco barn wood that was leftover from a house renovation project. My husband installed the pipe and flange racks that I hang yarn and tools on. There is just enough room for my spinning wheel, an ironing board and some shelves. But it's quiet, and lovely. And, most importantly, my cats can't get to my yarn here!
What are you working on right now?
Currently, I'm focusing on building a collection of hand-spun yarns using fibers sourced from farms around the southeast. I have been able to establish relationships with some wonderful alpaca farmers in the middle Tennessee area, and I love spinning alpaca. I'm also working on some merino wool and mohair yarn from a farm in Virginia, and I have an order of North Carolina-grown cotton coming in next week. I'm also sewing some indigo-dyed denim cross-back aprons for the shop, and I'd like to do a lot more sewing in the coming months. I'm also working with a local designer to create several knitting patterns that work well with hand-spun yarn, and those will be available in my shop soon too.
What has been your most rewarding project to date?
This past fall, I did a series of natural dye workshops with the Middle Tennessee Alpaca Association. Oh, my word, were they fun! All the farmers brought great piles of fleece and yarn from their animals, and we went crazy with big turkey-fryer dye pots. We did indigo, copper crystals, madder root, log wood chips and more. But the best part was just getting to know all the farmers and learning how they take care of their animals. All of the alpaca yarn in my shop comes from their herds.
Which designers and artists inspire you?
I am so inspired by my local Nashville creative community! Just to name a few…clothing designer Elizabeth Suzann, woodworker Emily Brock, woodworker Matt Alexander, and jewelry designer/fiber artist Lisa Garcia to name a few. Not only are these people talented and hardworking, but all of them are so kind and dear.
Has there been a defining moment or turning point when you realized what you wanted to do for a living?
For the past several years I had been working from home as an illustrator. I loved my work, but sitting at my desk all day became difficult for me due to some painful back issues. I'm an avid knitter, and last summer I started ordering yarn in bulk and getting really into natural dyes. Being able to get up, walk around, you know…just be mobile…was such a welcome break from being hunched over my desk, and soon I was accumulating so much hand-dyed yarn that I couldn't afford not to sell it! I opened up an online shop in August, and was really surprised by the positive feedback I started getting from customers. But there was definitely a corner of my heart that wished I could figure out how to source my fibers locally, even though it's a lot more difficult and a lot more pricey. So I made a commitment starting this year to do just that. It is the proverbial labor of love. But the love part runs deep.
What do you think is the most difficult aspect of working in design?
For me, it's difficult to work alone in a creative pursuit, because you have all these ideas and don't know if they're good or totally off-base, or what. And your work becomes so personal to you…such a part of you…that the fear of it being criticized can be debilitating. But then you have to remember why your doing what it is you're doing, and remember to reach out to your creative community for feedback and support. You really do need each other!
What are you reading at the moment?
I'm a devoted fan of Flannery O'Connor, and am currently reading the recently released "Prayer Journal", which is a collection of meditations on faith and art that O'Conner wrote while she was a young student at the Iowa writer's workshop. Essentially, it was her personal journal. Honestly, it feels a little strange - a little voyeuristic - to read, but it is illuminating and beautiful and incredibly moving. She was one sturdy-hearted lady.
What websites do you visit for inspiration?
As far as websites go, nothing inspires me more than my dear friend Beth's blog, Local Milk. She truly understands the South I know and love and curse and scorn, but mostly love. Sometimes when I'm reading her words I want to scream into the computer "Preach it, SISTER!!!", and sometimes I probably do. I also love Fringe Association, Little Upside Down Cake, Manger (life in France! Un reve!), Posie Gets Cozy, Nothing But Delicious and the Purl Bee.
What are your simplest daily pleasures?
Waking up early, for one. I like to wake up well before the sun rises, and I know that sounds dreadful to most people, but those quiet hours with hot coffee are my most clear-headed ones of the day.
Where do you see yourself in ten years?
Well, now, I'm not sure. Ten years ago, when I was twenty-two, I couldn't possibly have dreamed that this is what I'd be doing now. Maybe I will have a clothing line by then! Really, all I can hope for is that life will be rich and full and my friends and family will be happy and healthy. And, also, I would really like to own a sailboat. That wouldn't be a disaster :)
