The Artist's Studio
It was a dark, stormy day…
I couldn’t help myself! Just look at that photo! Though, in fact, it was a dark stormy day when I met this angel of talent, April Vargas. I had no idea what I was in for on this rainy Tuesday in Savannah, GA. She graced me with her presence when she came in to House of Strut, a vintage clothing store that I manage as my day job, and the journey of my obsession with her and her work began. I’m hooked.
Her photographic process is so in-depth, meaningful, and intentional that I just had to have her on the Artist’s Studio to share her story. I hope you find her as inspiring as I do, which you will. You’re welcome. Let’s dive in!
Get ready to be inspired! I’ve been following Jessica on Instagram for a good hot minute. She’s both pulled on my heart strings and lit a fire under my ass with her posts, therefore making her one of my favorite artists to find inspiration. And, obviously, I’m not the only one. Vogue Japan is one of her clients, as well as Jimmy Choo and Louis Vuitton. She’s also collabed with Chanel, but no big deal. Her paintings are chic AF, my sweet friends. There’s a realness to her pieces. She’s not just painting clothing, she’s painting the woman who’s wearing the clothing. Let’s learn more…
José Ray is one of the coolest cats in Savannah, Georgia. Not only is he the grooviest DJ in town, but he’s also (dare I say) the grooviest artist. He paints bright multimedia pieces of psychedelic flowers. It’s pretty much guaranteed that you’ll be drawn to them like a moth to a flame. Get ready to be obsessed…
Kathy Dismus doesn’t just paint the figure, she paints the soul and what lies beneath the facade. Her watercolors not only display the depth of what being human feels like but also the desire we have within us to show who and what we truly are without fear. Her work makes you take in a breath of fresh air. Read this lovely interview and get ready to fall in love with Kathy.
To put simply, Lydia Hardwick is a pattern goddess. When I first found her on the ‘gram, I like bombed her feed in a frenzy. Her contrast in her color usage makes your eyes light up and the shapes of her ceramics make you want to decorate your entire home in them, which is a goal of mine, and most likely will be yours too after you read this interview and see her work. Let the mutual obsession begin!
When Emily Kirby agreed to be part of The Artist’s Studio, I did a serious happy wiggle. I’ve been following Emily’s work for quite some time and I have to say I’m obsessed. Born in Zambia in the early ‘80s, Emily uses striking colors and shapes that draw you in by telling a powerful story. The subjects she paints are inspired by struggle, whether it’s climate change, species extinction, or the civil rights movement. Her work is wild and out of this world. Sigh…Let’s get even more obsessed, shall we?
Nicole Neu is not only an artist, she is a genius. From the moment I found her work on Instagram, I knew it would adorn my wall (or walls) one day. I dare you to not be blown away by her and her work. Here’s her story…
When I first discovered Heather’s work on Instagram, I had to pull up my jaw from the floor. You may, like me, actually think her ceramics are made from bone and sinew, just as her new “Raw Like Bone” series wants you to think. Her work is that good. Inspired by bone surfaces she’s known from growing up on the east coast of Nova Scotia, her work is created from memories of her environment as a child and her connection to it today. I’m in love.
When I first saw Gillian King’s work, I got goosebumps. Her work is so beautifully intuitive and organic, it’s as if the materials she uses in her work are speaking to you from the canvas. Using natural colors from the Earth, even animal ashes and rust in her pieces, she creates work that speaks to your primal self with a tenderness that’s out of this world. I can go on and on, but let’s get her to do the talking…