Claudia
20
San Francisco, Ca
Have you always lived in San Francisco?
No, No I grew up in Orange County, in Southern Ca. Then I moved up here for school, SF State. Go Gators, haha. I’ve been here for a few years now, maybe like 3 years? Yeah, and I like it.
How long have you been painting as well? You say, would it be parallel with what you’ve been doing in school?
Yeah, I’m actually really new to painting. I like, I feel like I’m really new to it. I started painting last February. So, it’s been like a year, just over a year. And I’ve been drawing pretty much always, but the first time I started using oil paint and really did any substantial painting was last February when I took my first painting class. We painted still-lifes, which was great because, I don’t know I just think it was a really great way to paint. Like I obviously have picked up a brush and some cheap craft paints before but last February was my first time doing any sort of realism or trying to paint from life and really hash out what I was seeing accurately. Um, yeah I think just kinda being shoved infant of a still life and being told, “Paint this” with very little direction was kind of a good way like, just figure it out. But yeah that was the first painting class I took and that’s when I started.
Ah, cool. That’s what I was gonna say, I’ve seen some of your self portraits as well. And I was really impressed because I’ve tried painting, like I used to draw it comes out pretty good, painting I have no real like… I was like I have no idea what I’m doin hahaha.
Ahaha See that’s how I feel!
It’s nice! It looked really good, I was impressed. I was like I must know I must know haha.
Thank you haha, but see that’s how I feel every time I paint too. Yeah, every time I paint I feel, kind of scared almost sometimes? Like, I don’t know what I’m doing and every mark I make is the mark that messes up whatever it is I’m doing. I don’t know. I don’t really feel confident while I’m painting.
Yeah, kind of a like, ‘this might work, we’ll see.”
Yeah I don’t know! I feel like I paint and i’m totally lost, and then I step back and look at it and I’m like “Okay! That’s not too bad, that looks like what I’m trying to make it look like.” I feel like I’m surprised every time. I feel like every time I make a painting and it turns out okay, I’m surprised every time. Sometimes people say, ”Ah, how do you do that, how do you do that,” and my answer is I don’t know.
Yeah, I don’t blame you true that true that. Also, do you have like a mantra or a ritual that you follow, like before you do things? Or do you kind of just, go at it. Is there anything where you’re like, “ah this needs to be this way, this needs to be here, etc,” outside of like your colors or canvas?
Well, that’s really what it is, but I think it’s important, I really like to set things up a certain way. Like my palette is very rarely this messy. Because I like to, I like to scrape my palette & like change over my um, what is that called… my solvent, my solvent that’s the word haha. I like to change over my solvent & like scrape my palette and make sure all of my colors are fresh. I think that is a very important part of it for me, actually. It really helps me get into the zone, like I couldn’t start a new painting with this palette, at all, at all. But yeah, I guess in terms of like, rituals, that’s a big thing for me, scraping the palette, cleaning it, make sure it’s clear and I’m starting fresh every time. But in terms of like a mantra, I don’t really have a mantra but I guess more of an idea that I think is very important & that I have to keep reminding myself when I paint, which is basically just to embrace failure. Right? I mean you’re an artist too, I feel like you understand. That is the core of all successful art is like, you have to embrace failure. Right? Like, you’re only gonna make great things if you make a hundred ugly things first, sometimes.
Yeah, I’ve def made some things where I was like, “mm well I don’t know why i really did that but it’s ok, hahah.” Yes, there are definitely those, that makes sense.
And I feel like that’s a really difficult thing for a lot of people, and I for myself too, it’s a tough thing to embrace failure. Because art’s a really vulnerable thing, right? Like we’re really vulnerable when we create something and put it out there. So to create something and put it out there and have it not look the way that you wanted it to, and it feels like it’s a misrepresentation of ourselves, what we’re trying to say, and so it can be difficult right? But we learn from it every single time!
It’s a tough like, it’s hard to get what’s in your brain to the actual canvas or to get it to be interpreted correctly, and whatnot, but it’s kind of the fun part?
Yeah! I think, the best work happens when we detach ourselves from the end goal, right? At least, that’s been my experience.
Yeah, that’s very true. Also I noticed, in a lot of artists as well, even in their main choice of like, creation, their medium of art, even through smaller ways there’s still another way of expressing what they really want to, not only through their fashion, but like, if they’re also photographers, the way their style is, things like that. Would you consider yourself one of those as well? Like, it just comes out naturally.
Like, do i express myself in other ways than art?
Yes haha.
Yeah! Yeah, I think um, style is a huge thing, I love dressing up. I don’t know, I just love dressing up. Like, putting on a fun outfit, and putting on a colorful thing and dramatic things, I love dressing up, so much. So, that’s definitely a big form of expression for me, is like what I wear. Which I guess is why, I was a little embarrassed to be in front of a camera when I’m so casual, because I feel like I, you know, like to present myself. But, this is how i work so.
Ah yes, that’s why i was asking because I see that you, dye your hair a lot, and have a lot of different styles etc.
A few of my self portraits, actually all of my self portraits have different hairstyles, those are all upstairs too, if you want to see the self portraits. Actually a lot of theses, all of these, are my eyes, as well (gesturing to the paintings around us). So these would also count as self portrait?
But yeah my hair, I feel like I just, get bored with my hair alot.
Ah I get bored to haha. Like i just did this, no I’m like i could go another color but I cannot decide, maybe a light blue or something hahah. It’s just sitting in my cabinet right now, its that or orange.
Orange is a fun color! Always been my favorite color.
Orange is good, orange grew on me a lot this past year. I bought an orange beanie and like, my life changed.
I think when i met you, you had that orange beanie on.
Yeah! yeah, I did haha. That was a good show as well, that show was really good.
Yeah, Justine throws really great ones, that was my first time meeting Justine as well, since she had joined the Buzz. Yeah, how’d you end up at that show? Like, who do we know mutually?
Um, I met Gabi, well,I knew Paris. I went to school with him at SF city, we took a photo class together. That’s where I met Michelle as well.
Ok, I don’t think I know Paris or Michelle.
Oh, ah well. I mean, Emilio’s girlfriend. Yeah, like I know her enough to say what’s up, I actually ran into her the other day. Do you know Unity Skateboards? There was an event in Rockridge, I was just passing by and she was there as well. It was pretty dope, to just see her after a while, Plus the vibe was pretty nice. Everyone was just skating and chilling, it was dope.
I’m friends with uh, you know Cain?
No, I don’t know of him.
Well, he’s a pal of mine, who i believe is sponsored by Unity. Anyway that’s all i know of Unity.
I met Jeff, he was there one time, but I’m not too involved like that. I was just like, “Oh, I live here.” he was just like “Yo, what’s up.” Cool even though, yeah. It was chill. But um, Paris is how I kinda got to know, all of them. Um, yeah, then I met Gabi and then from there. Met the Buzz. They worked with me, we did a photoshoot, that was cool. So, mainly, I’m there if its for Lofi, or the buzz.
Yeah yeah, and they’re always good shows. Always good shows. I think Lofi Legs just got, they were just interviewed for a zine that my friend Abril’s putting together, that I’m also in, so that’s what’s up.
That’s what’s up. Lotta zine stuff going on, this’ll be volume one.
What a volume one right there! Looking so good so far! That looks like a finished product.
Yeah! Thank you. I was like, It’s long enough to be. But that’s what I’m saying, how do you know when the process is done, it can go on for like, forever, you know?
Yeah what do you do? Do you have any plans for distributing it?
Um, right now, it’s just internet based, that’s my main source of like getting things out there. There are a few shops I’m looking at wondering if i can get in or not. So we’ll see. Plus I have some friends from down in Salinas that are really down to help me out. Get the scene out there so. They’re pretty dope people. I actually met them at a show at ATA a while ago, when YOY was there. If you know of them, they were with Lofi Legs Buzzed Lighter, and another band that was there. Just happened to link up. They put me in a zine of there’s as well, LOWPASS MAGAZINE. If you’ve heard of them. This was their first one as well. It’s pretty cool. But uh yeah, gonna use them and I don’t really know. I’m kind of hoping word of mouth will do something cool.
Yeah, yeah. I mean it sounds like you have a lot of cool people like, in there, and you’re interviewing people. So, I’m sure that it’ll spread. Right? I believe in this project, it looks great so far. Like if there are people deciding not to be apart of it, their loss.
I have a few more questions for you. So, more so, If this was something you wanted to progress in, as far as staying as a hobby, or would you try it career wise? Or not necessarily career wise, but you know like, progressively in that direction.
Yeah, I think I always, when I was younger, I always struggled with the question, what do i want to do with my life, How do I wanna make money, what do I want my career to be. But, then I started painting and it like, wasn’t a question anymore. Like, I’m going to do this, this is it for me hahaha. I mean, I also work at two tattoo shops right now. And um, that’s been really amazing. I’m just helping out, just like stuff here and there around the shop at both places. So, I don’t know, maybe tattooing is in my future. But no matter what, I’m going to keep painting.
Yeah yeah, nah you’re dope definitely I like it a lot.
Thank you! Yeah! I don’t know, the really exciting thing is I’m so new, I’m so new to painting. And I’m learning so much with every single painting. I’m learning so much, and I feel like if I just started painting, like I’ve been painting for a year. And this is what I’m putting out? Like if I stick to it, oh my god. Like what can I do? If I can put the time in, imagine, imagine.
Yeah so, I’m going to keep doing this. I also like, I struggle with selling things, um.
Is that more like a personal barrier type of thing? Like, you don’t want to sell it to sell it, but if they actually want it.
Well, no. I just want to keep everything hahaha. I get too attached to everything. Um, I think that is also my fault because of the volume of work, I’m not creating that much stuff. I think part of that i I’m still going to school full-time, I have two jobs, it’s hard to find the time. Even when I make it a priority. Like, I really want to at the end of the day, say like painting is my number one priority, but it’s really hard to do that when I have to make money, and like, get a degree. I feel like if I just make more work, I might not feel so attached to everything I make and maybe then I can, start selling things. But it’s not about money! It’s not about money, I just want to make things, yeah.
I feel that, that makes sense. I feel like, well I feel like for me it’s always a little different. Only because, I make shirts I can kind of mass produce, but when it comes to this, this is the one of one.
Well, I’m trying to look into getting prints. Um, Im going to be apart of, I actually just got confirmed to be part of, I think they’re called, Production group called, VERANDA DOOR, do you know them? have you heard of Scast? You should get in touch with Scast, they’re really cool. An Oakland based collective, that’s still pretty new. They’ve done like seven events, and they’re like really great. They’re partnering up with “” and doing an event, about two weeks from now. Gonna try and get up there and show work. But it’s also like a selling situation, have things to sell but like, I don’t have anything to sell, so I’m going to be busy next two weeks. Probably making prints. So, yeah.
Nice, that’s pretty nice. For a year of starting and to now, that’s a very good position to be in. I think it’s very promising and like a very good sign for you.
Thank you very much!
So, I’d say continue and fuckin… do whatever you want hahaha.
Hahah thanks, yeah! I’m going to continue no matter what. It’s just time. It’s just the time. Yeah, how do you feel about your creative process? Do you wish you had more time?
Uh, sometimes I definitely do. But I also feel like, me personally, when I’m doing it, I’ll have the idea and I’ll start it. Look at it for a bit, and I have to go an experience for a little bit, and think and come back. Like okay, so this and this, this and this, because I try to make it creatively based on experiences, that I’m going through, not only in real life, but in the online world as well. I try to summarize, maybe the craziest part that I noticed into like, a design, or inside the design to signify it. Kind of like, it’s like, also without trying to be disrespectful about it as well, cause you know. It’s like, talking about people, but it’s also like you’re not. Because it’s like, what I have is a design I did not too long ago, it was a summarization. You don’t know anything really, but here’s a way to kind of be like, here’s where my life’s been in recent times. So here’s the design, oh and Alex by the way. Kind of like that, I feel like, an alien watching all of this wild stuff go down, but it was like, you know. It’s cool, that’s where I get most of my stuff from. Where I’ve been, what I’ve seen, summarize that. That’s what the last three piece collection was about. So my new, I made a new twitter. I used to have an older one that was bigger but, like fuckin ridiculous. So I started over, and in like the past year or so, I’ve watched things progress. So now would be a good time to summarize what it’s been like. It’s like, another planet. None of them really from my life, just watching people live their lives. It’s cool, but it’s kind of weird. I’m not even gonna like, you know. It’s not a personal like, “ oh! i’m not talking to you but im watching blah blah” it’s just, we’re mutuals.
Yeah you guys just exist within each others spheres.
And then just seeing this person and this person that you know are just like, also, you wondering, like… that’s some snake shit right there. But I’m just gonna mind my own business. It’s interesting, so you kind of want to portray it correctly, but you also want to be respectful in the sense of just like a privacy. But I’m also like, it’s just there on my timeline. I thought about it, I thought about it a lot too, I gotta talk about it hahah. So, I made a design about it. Which is kind of where I let off a lot of, like, idea, expressions, whether it’s like annoyance or anger, happiness, or just complete disarray. I try to see how can I make it into a design that is nice and wearable?
Yeah! Like a feeling visually, that’s really great, and it sounds like there’s tons of concept behind what you’re doing. I think that tends to be the strongest, whether or not it’s immediately clear what the concept and thought behind it is, it always makes for more, compelling work.
Thank you haha, its fun! It’s definitely fun. And as a photographer it always gives me a reason to work with new people and constantly practice in different environments, lighting, all that. So, shot a lot of film to test myself, so I’m geeked. A lot of progression that ay, I’ve seen a lot of my old work, compared to now and I’m like, doing good hahaha.
Yeah! There you go, that’s what it’s about, staying on top of it, being aware. It’s a scary thing being stagnant.
Yeah being stagnant, is a scary thing. I used to work at Trader Joes, and it was chill it was nice, but I was like I’ve been here for too long hahaha. I gotta go, I gotta go. I was there for like two years or so, i had just graduated then I was taking classes, all of a sudden I was like damn I got really chill here. I was like well, let’s go do some other stuff.
Yeah! You need change sometimes. Put yourself in new environments.
Are there any other mediums of art that you choose as well?
Yeah, yeah. I do a lot of mixed media work. A lot of that is upstairs, I don’t really share that as much. When I show in shows, then I’ll normally always share my mixed media work & not my figurative paintings, because I think my mixed media work is a lot stronger than my figurative painting. It’s good for what it is, right? But like, well we were just talking about concept. I don’t have any concept yet… I’m still working toward it, but I’m not there yet. So, I’m kind of trying to bridge that gap right now, between my mixed media work and my more realistic oil paintings. Which I’m trying to do here [pointing at canvas] like my self portraits like, here’s a face. Like this, that’s a face. Which I am very happy with that for many other reasons. Like this for example, tossing on this other border, or that one, that little one with the blue border. That’s my favorite one I’ve made in a second. Yeah, it’s about getting in-between there, because yeah. My mixed media collages are, I really love them, but I think people aren’t receptive to them. Like, it’s harder to reach a larger audience and get feed back from a lot of them, a larger audience. A lot of junk art, which I say affectionately! Like, I show this to anyone and people will be into it you know? And so maybe that’s like a comfort thing for me? Because with my mixed media work like it’s not everybody’s cup of tea. I like to actually work with trash, a lot. Like this is all of my junk organized. Which is literally just junk. I just collect stuff, I always have, and I just like put it on canvases & boards so yeah. I guess that’s it for other mediums. I sometimes dabble in sculpture, not with clay or anything. But yeah, just mixed media stuff, I draw sometimes but not that much. I like to do charcoal studies, faces and stuff. I also really like doing just drawing, pen paper. I’ve been experimenting with goulash lately, it’s been fun. Pretty much just oil painting and mixed media junk.
That’s pretty g though. You say that’s not everybody’s cup of tea, why would you say it’s generally not? Or what about it do you think makes it people standoffish in a sense?
I think people, it’s just easier to respond to a portrait, right? I think people in general value realism and value portraiture. Like we naturally respond to a face right, to another human’s face. I don’t know I guess, I was doing mixed media work for a long time before I started painting and nobody took me seriously until I started oil painting, nobody. Even like, I’ve had people super close to me who, ah I had one friend who, he didn’t realize, he tried to give me a compliment but it was kind of an insulted. I had jus done one of my self portraits, I think it was the first big one where I was crying and blonde. I do love that portrait, but he looked at it and goes, “This is really good, this is great! Yeah you’ve always been making good stuff but, tis is the first time I saw something snd thought ‘You’re really gonna make it!’ like you’re a real artist.” And on the one hand, like thank you! That’s a sweet thing to say I understand that, not all my work has always been at that level but it’s also like…do you understand what I’m saying? hahah. Like he kid of just put down everything else I made.
Nah, I completely understand. It was like ‘psh psh’ and a hug at the same time.
Hahaha exactly, yeah. In my experience people just don’t take more abstract art seriously. Right, or as seriously as something like this. But, to me anybody can learn, anybody can do this. Like, In my mind.
Yeah, given the right information and tools, people can achieve. I also feel like you have to have, you have to want to as well. Cause you know, people. They can have everything in order to do it but it’s like, they don’t have the same focus or want. Like you do this because you want to and you want it to be up to and of quality. So you got yourself in a position to get there and you took it from there. It’s definitely a flex, it’s definitely, or I feel it has a lot to do with intent, pure want, and a love for the creation even in itself.
Yeah, I think so too.
I find that when I’m not all the way in it (creative process), I take a break and come back to. Sometimes it’s nothing you can go straight into it, do the whole and you’re like, “Nice.” I also like seeing how others go about their creative processes, or how they choose what they’re going to do or not. So it’s cool to know it’s similar in a sense. It’s not like, “Damn am i the one that has this weird thought mental process of creation,” it’s fun.
I also like to know about other people’s creative processes, because I think there is so much we can learn from one another. Right? So it’s so cool to see people approach things in completely different ways, right? I don’t know, and just like talking about the creative process I think is so important, and encouraging each other’s processes. Yeah, everyone does things a little differently. I like what you said about, like if you don’t feel fully into it, you step away. Like, I think I could totally take that note. That’s now in my brain, next time I’m not totally into something, just step away.
Yeah, think about it and come back. See what you can. That’s how I like to go about things.
That’s actually advice I got from a friend recently, when I posted on instagram. I put something in the comment t like, ‘how do you know when something’s done, when you’re making something?’ And one of my friends said, “If you’re wondering whether something’s finished, just step away. Give it time and come back to it. Then when you come back to it, after you’ve kind of like, let your attachment to it cool off, then you’ll know.”
I feel like that can apply to a lot of things as well, even just like, well, I also was going to mention was that I noticed when it comes to like, how people do things. Or especially myself, so in my job I have ti do a certain movement repetitively, all day. So, I noticed that when I go about things, maybe a creative process or interacting with others. I feel like what I do all day shows, what you do all day shows. You know what I mean? Like I’ll do a movement like this, and I’ll do it for many other things and it works, it’s interesting. I thought it was weird but it always works. I used to work at Trader Joes, and I had to break boxes. I used to do quick movements like this, and it was perfect for what I was doing but it had nothing to do with anything I was doing, at the time. I wonder if it’s just a subconscious thing that begins to show.
Ah well, a transferrable skill.
Yeah, it’s very applicable too many things. Not only physically doing things but, the way you mentally position yourself and the way you think can also be very transferrable. Like two worlds, that can go back and forth.
That’s a good point, that’s a good point. Yeah I think that’s totally true, I think especially in interactions with other people and in relationships too like, I think a lot of people could use that advice. Just sometimes step away, cool off, and comeback. You can apply that to everything hahaha.
Hhaha yeah, alot of things.
Okay, yeah wow. So, I just went from thinking from an art concept to a larger emotional life context. And so now I wonder about the same art concept, like the concept of relationships. Now I want to process that and then transfer it back to art. Yeah, it’s all connected.
Yeah, all connected aha. It’s a fun lil process. You can take so much and like, it’s not even really like taking, it’s there. It’s really like being presented to you. It gives you an opportunity to capture it, you know? I guess I say capture because as photographer, I take a photo and I’m kind like, you can create so much from a photo. But if you’re actually, you have a background you can do more than the photo leads on. There are so many avenues you can go in as far as finding where you get your base from.
Yeah, and I think that we need to explore those avenues. Right? Yeah, and it’s easy not to sometimes. Again, being stagnant, it’s easy to get stuck on one track you know? And I feel Like I’ve been doing it. Maybe I need to go explore the other avenues.
Gotta expand and take what you like, bring it back to. I try to, I’ve been doing a lot of portraiture. And getting into it, doing alot of portraits and ‘fashion,’ lookbook style. I’ve been trying to get into alot more show photography. I’m trying to find a way to do so and still fit the aesthetic of a fashion thing or a-
Wait, what photography?
Like, going to shows.
Oh, show photography.
Yeah, I want to do it in a way where it still fits everything I’ve been doing. How to capture it, you have to kind of find like the perfect snap second. Like, wow it’s perfect, it fits in there. That’s like the fun part for me, I feel like when it comes to photography, I can get kind of nerdy about it I guess. I’m very like, I’m like, I shoot all manual, manual focus, all of that. I want to have full control. Because I want to know, I want to be able to do everything I guess. So it’s like, yeah. You have to test yourself as well. In the beginning I was like, ‘I’m terrible at this.’
Hahaha, well everybody starts somewhere right?
That’s why it’s like, the want and the drive in someone to have it is very important. To learn anything you have to really want to learn it. It’s the only way you’ll obtain the actual information you need and it will stay with you. That’s why with school and stuff, I can’t necessarily waste it not doing things that I’m not even interested. You know? But it also makes the school journey slow.
I think there’s something to be said about time and commitment. Committing ourselves to learning a craft. Yeah, because I think what you said really resonated with me. Like, shooting manual, right, it was just more difficult and you had to learn how to do that, but now you know how too. There’s totally something to be said for not cutting corners, right? I think i’s really easy to cut corners in life sometimes, when we don’t want to do something. But when we love something, or passionate about something, we don’t want to cut corners. Like, you want to put the hard work in, yeah. There’s passion I guess. It made me think about how, I paint with a limited palette. Like, this I did with three colors and white. It’s the same thing! I could squeeze out like a green or orange on my palette and have colors, or I could mix them all myself. And I feel like I’ve learned so much from doing that. I just feel like that was a nice analog.
Yeah! It’s kinda like, driving manual, stick versus automatic. Like, it could do it for you, but when you’re driving stick, you now see this vehicle as a machine, not just a vehicle. I’m like, I’m pulling levers and gears so hahahah. I’m like, that’s literally a machine. It kind of makes you see it differently, you feel more connected to it I guess you could say. Yeah, its- Doing things in manual if you can, is very necessary, before you can get the luxury of having it done for you so that you can understand more. That’s just a personal, but I think it’s very important and it’s cool.
I agree, yeah. There’s so much more, there’s always so much more to learn, right? About anything and everything, so.
Definitely, definitely. So you were saying that you work at tattoo shops as well, how did you end up doing that?
Well, I worked at one shop, Temperance Tattoo for just about a year now. Coming up on a year, and they posted in Instagram that they needed an assistant, so I just went and like followed up and followed up. Got the job, and same with Tuesday Tattoo, which is like right around the corner from here which is so nice. When I go there, I can just walk there and walk home.
Ah, I was actually going to get a tattoo today, but he didn’t hit me back.
Whaa, who were you going to get tattooed by?
Joey Hill, do you know? Well, he used to be at Mission Ink, and now he’s in LA, somewhere out there. He was traveling back and forth. I caught him at the Midway but, he was doing like, you know, you pick a tattoo on a page and you get it.
Oh, some flash.
But that’s cool, I haven’t seen him in a long time. So I was geeked to see but I missed the little deadline for that night so he was like, oh when I get back, maybe that Sunday might work. I guess he’s back in LA already, like daamn aahah.
Ah, he’ll probably be back up. but anyway that’s how I found those spots. Posted online and then, one of my friends actually told me about both opportunities because they knew I was looking for a job both times. I think one of the things I had going for me when I applied to Tuesday, which I’ve only been there for a few months, but it’s been really great, it’s really nice. Everyone over there is so great. I think the fact that I had experience at the other shop, helped my case. Yeah, so I do, at Temperance, mainly doing emails. I do some stuff around the shop like, paperwork stuff, inventory, and stuff like that. I’ll sit at the front desk when I’m there sometimes. But mainly I work from home, like everyday. Just doing emails. I’m like a personal assistant to the artists there at the shop. So yeah, it keeps me really busy, just managing the calendar and at Tuesday Tattoo I’m more of an all around assistant. So, gosh when I feel like I’m at Tuesday, I’m only one day a week but I’m about to pick up some more weekdays. Which, I am excited for, but I feel like I’m just running around all day when I’m there. I’m like cleaning, sterilizing, scrubbing tubes, breaking down stations, setting up stations, picking up the phone, greeting customers, making appointments, and everything hahah. Getting coffee, everything.
Ah, i see. I was going to say, were you trying to eventually get into tattooing, or are you chilling for now?
I think for now, I still have two more semesters until I graduate school. I’ve thought about dropping out many times, but I’m so close, I’m so close and financial aid has been paying my way.
Yeah, you might as well. Like kill it, go go go.
Yeah! and I have this opportunity, like I, just- just do it. Even if I never use my degree, which I probably won’t, just do it.
What is it in? If you don’t mind.
Studio Art., I’m majoring in Studio Art and double minoring in Comparative World Literature and Persian Studies.
Okay, nice nice. That’s very interesting though, it’s alot of interesting knowledge I would say. Like, I don’t know anyone else who is in like, Persian Studies. Like, I’ve known, my teacher, my lighting teacher is actually Persian. So I’ve only met, knowingly, two Persian people. One is a good friend of mine.
Three!
You’re Persian?
Half Persian.
That’s pretty tight!
Hahahah, it actually, I feel like my background, it actually informs alot of my work too. Like, I’ve been making alot of work lately that’s, I don’t know, about my generation, childhood, experiences and memories. Alot of that has to do with my identity, and different cultural symbols that were a big part of my childhood. Growing up kind of like, mixed influences. But anyway yeah, half Persian, I make art about it too.
Nice, its pretty lit. I guess, I mean, not that any other culture is not cool but like, that’s one of the cool ones hahah.
Hahah, you think so?
Yeah it’s pretty cool, I’ve always been kind of impressed I don’t know why. I’m just like, I don’t know why.
It has such a rich history, you know? Especially when it comes to arts and wisdom, literature. There’s such a rich history, and that’s something I think I really like to touch into with my work sometimes. Like, my dad isn’t muslim. He never has been practicing, like his family, yes. But he never has really been into that. And so I was raised with alot of secular Persian traditions. I think these days, with the Islamic Republic you know, and the current politics. And the things that we hear, here, in the news about Iran, parts of Afghanistan too. Like, I feel like people have a really, they kind of put Iran in a box. And it really contributes to this like erasure of, this super old, ancient, and rich Persian culture and history. I don’t know, I think it’s important to shine a light on that.
No, definitely. There’s alot of stuff going on, on that side that you see that’s kind of like, you. I feel like I’ve seen so much about it but not enough to even, it doesn’t reach my screen. You know? Like, some people, they do it for so long that this and that will happen, and they’ll just, and then that’s it. I feel like, unfortunately. I wish I had a better outlet for like alot of, just other countries, issues as well. Kind of like, where? Where are they?
Yeah well, issues are one thing. We can learn about the issues in the world. But it’s like, underneath that, there’s arts and culture! There’s arts and culture everywhere! I actually have a magazine upstairs, do you want to come see it? It’s really cool, really cool.
Yeah, sure.
It’s this magazine that’s about arts in the Middle East. Street style in ME right now. Its about Lebanon, Kuwait, UAE. But yeah, it goes by countries, and talks. Iran isn’t really featured in here, but it’s about like street. I feel like you’d be interested in this.
It looks pretty cool, it’s nice.
Yeah! It’s like, when do you see this?
No, true. I don’t hear much about it. Or if it’s like, Tumblr. I see arts there, but the credits are missing sometimes. So it’s one of those, I could probably see something so dope and it’s like, “Damn no, no credit.” Yeah, this looks really good though. It’s very solid.
Yeah, yeah, oh my god. This is beautiful.
That’s wild.
Yeah, it’s really cool. AH, check that out.
They have really good layout as well. It’s good.
Yeah they have all this arts and culture that we have never seen.
Yeah, that’s what I was saying like, when you only see this side of it. I’ve never got to see the art side of it which is pretty dope. Like, where have you been? Ahaha.
I think it’s also important to take in account like, yeah maybe it’s our fault for not seeking this out but we’re also fed this image of these countries. By like, all of the mainstream media here, right. And even within the artsy scenes, you know, it’s not being passed around enough. So, I was really excited to find this magazine. My friend gave it to me. Makes me want to look into it more. Also, I love this book. I love it so much. It’s so good. It’s basically like an Art History textbook, but like about queer art history. So, it’s like really really cool. It just shows like, a bunch of stuff, a bunch of art. Images of art, talks about different artists and like the growth of the queer art scene. And here’s another thing that’s never, that’s not talked about enough. Queer art history is a very new field of study, especially in academia. There’s so much that’s so important. Especially, there are so many artists, that were queer, that like we don’t, hear about. Like, you know American Gothic? The painting?
Yeah.
Yeah, Grant Wood, totally gay. Did you know that before now?
No.
No, but everybody knows the paining. Even like, Andy Warhol. In his time, in Andy Warhol’s time, everybody thought, ”That guy’s straight, that guy’s straight.” His work would be like watching- Do you know Mario Banana too?
No, I don’t know of.
Okay, so it’s basically a video series he did of like, a man in drag eating a banana, really sexually. And like, critics would look at that and say yes, this is not homosexual at all. Like c’mon! What are you trying to prove hahaha. Anyway, yeah. That’s just another cool book. Oh, here’s more of my paintings too.
:)