How would you describe your style? Are there any artists / designers that you particularly look up to?
My style has this duality to it-- there's the finished pieces that are polished and elegant, but there's this whole messy behind-the-scenes that goes into the making process that I absolutely love. I like my work to feel natural and fresh and inviting. I'm a Taurus, and very home-centered, so I want my viewers to feel comfortable in my space and for my art to be something calming that they would enjoy living in or adorning their space and self with.
I love the work of both Egon Schiele and Ana Mendieta, as well as the writings of Italo Calvino and Gabriel García Márquez. I think each of them has something unbelievable and magical about them that carries over into their work, and I strive for each of my pieces to have a little bit of magic in them as well.
What do you feel makes your work unique and truly your own?
The handmade quality-- there's a repetition of process and a part of myself that goes into every piece. I'll spend hours crafting by hand, whether it's embroidering or woodworking, until I get every last detail right where I want it. There's a meditation in the stitching and the sanding-- and I want my viewer to experience it. So much of our everyday is now digital or exists in this intangible universe and I think there's something truly unique about owning something handmade and special.
What sort of things inspire you? Where do you look for inspiration?
My ultimate muse, of course, is mama nature. I'm outside-- whether it's hiking or camping, in the woods or at the ocean, every chance I get. And this translates into my work-- I source local and organic materials and I'm always looking to the landscapes and the animals I surround myself with for new ideas. The animal world has been a huge catalyst for my artwork. Oh, and my dog-- he's kind of like my cheerleader and just being around his energy is always inspiring and motivating me to work and be better.
When do you feel the most creative?
All the time. I'm not sure it is something that ever turns off for me. I especially feel it being outdoors, but I can justbe going about my day-to-day, and I'll see something or find inspiration wherever I am. Hands down, my favorite is to wake up early and just work in studio all day. There's this sort of "creative high" I get from just being in my space and working with my hands-- like I'll get so lost in what I'm doing that I have no concept of time. It's the best feeling.
What is your creative process like?
Messy, experimental, a lot of trial and error and then going back and refining. I get so into making new things that I'll have four or five different projects going at the same time. I love being busy and I'm always reading or taking classes to learn new skills or processes.
What's the coolest artistic tip you've ever received?
A had a teacher once tell me to keep making art until it's all you do. And especially when you're sad, or feeling self-conscious about your work-- that's when you have to force yourself to look at it and work on it the most. Art is easy when you're happy and feeling inspired, but life isn't always that way. And some of my best work, truthfully, has come out of my darkest times-- all of that emotion it comes out in your work and if you embrace it, and power through it, I've found you can make some really beautiful stuff from it.
Where can we learn more about you?
www.peyote-coyote.com
And if you have social media you can follow me @la.peyote.coyote on instagram.
