I'm the one behind Wackography - a little side project I started in 2019, originally to share my (pretty bad) photography. It then became a space to share my other artistic projects, all trash-based. I studied computer graphics and I attempt to combine it with my art.
How do you make your creations more eco-friendly? I first sourced materials from recycling bins for budget reasons, then for the whole eco-friendly side of things. It pushes me to be more creative and to think twice before throwing something out. Reusing all these materials resulted in me throwing out nearly nothing. Even the little paper scraps from sticker-making go into homemade paper! All packaging materials are repurposed or bought from @stocketteshop, who sells secondhand craft and office supplies. Being a little more sustainable is better for the wallet and the Earth.
What inspires you? Right now, I'm a little low on inspiration. But as an artist, it's important to take a break, rather than create meaningless art for the sake of Instagram algorithms and a few likes. The combination of winter and a pandemic is hard on my creativity. Spring will come, the snow will slowly melt and I will go for a walk - dried leaves, plastic bags, dog turds, shattered glass. I'll pick up or photograph anything that strikes inspiration or that I can give a second life to. I'll let you guess what I won't bring home. And here are some creators I love: @mayce_ecoarts @liquidcow.jpg @artrat.studio
What are your interests other than art? I enjoy trying out different foods, caring for plants (doesn't mean I have a green thumb!), biking in the summer, watching documentaries.
What does being a Maker mean to you? Being a maker (and a sustainable one!) allows me to keep my prices low, making art more accessible. I've made so many new mutuals, friends, penpals. Making art has been a way to connect with people timezones away and to collaborate with those two blocks away.
What motivates you to create? Finding more trash and brainstorming ideas on how to reuse it always brings a splash of motivation. I do think the best way of getting out of an art block is to wait it out, though.
How do you apply your creativity to other aspects of your life? I am creative in living a less wasteful life - repurposing old clothes, finding ways to use my food scraps, making my own gifts, fixing items instead of buying new ones, etc. Doing so also helps me learn a bunch of useful skills.
What themes do you pursue in your work? Unintentionally, I found liminal spaces to be a recurring theme, especially in my photographic work. There is a certain comfort in these uncomfortable sights and places that I love to capture in an interesting composition. As for art, I focus on various themes such as nature or mail, even combining the two. I work on commission so I'll make almost anything in that case!
Tell us about your first sale A follower who is today one of my dear penpals, Kennedi, wanted a print of a painting. I couldn't get it done for reasons I don't remember so I ended up selling the original. I believe it is today in her tattoo studio! It warms my heart to know my work is somewhere up on someone's wall. This one sale motivated me to set up a website. I realized I could share my love for creating with more people. Kennedi and I have since then been sharing, trading, making art for each other.
Do you accept commissions? Always! They're my favorite thing to do because I then know the customer will for sure be happy and have exactly what they want. I currently offer custom stamps as well as pins, pendants and keychains. I can also help out with the design. Sometimes, my degree comes in handy! Sometimes.
What type of art do you like to consume? Art is everywhere! I love rock music, CLEOPATRICK being my absolute favourite band. I love the tons of people I follow on Instagram and their art, whether it be film photography, lino prints, embroidery, poetry, collage, etc. I am always amazed at what others can create. How some people's minds work. How we interpret things.
How do your interests shift from one project to the next? I very easily lose interest in my bigger projects, so I start them all, and everything is continuous work! I also am somewhat forced to pause a project when I can no longer dig up the materials I need, as I refrain from buying. One of my projects requires dried wildflowers (which are hard to find in the middle of winter!) so it'll wait until next summer. But there's no problem, that just means I won't be bored from working on the same project for too long.
Describe your latest project
This month, I'm creating one stamp a day, based on the theme "snail mail". So far, (it's January 4th) I made a swan holding an envelope, the word "fragile", a snail, and a paper plane. I have far too many ideas for the number of days there are in January!