{"id":11014,"date":"2022-01-13T14:15:25","date_gmt":"2022-01-13T14:15:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/everpress.com\/blog\/?p=11014"},"modified":"2022-09-20T16:03:26","modified_gmt":"2022-09-20T15:03:26","slug":"introducing-our-artists-to-watch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/everpress.com\/blog\/introducing-our-artists-to-watch\/","title":{"rendered":"Introducing Our 2022 Artists To Watch"},"content":{"rendered":"

What questions do you ask yourself when?..<\/h2>\n

Ben Zerbo<\/span><\/h3>\n

Brooklyn-based graphic designer Ben Zerbo<\/a> first came to our attention when he won the open call for our Type In Focus collection last summer. Passionate about all things type, he currently works as a brand designer at New York’s Zero Studios. Check out his latest graphic tee<\/a> with us here.<\/em><\/p>\n

Refining your style?<\/b><\/p>\n

I\u2019ve always been the type of designer who wants to have several styles, so I don\u2019t worry too much about how much a new piece looks like something  I\u2019ve done before. I\u2019ve grown to realise that I (and every designer, really) will always inject my own point of view into everything I do, and sometimes that\u2019s equally as recognisable. <\/span>Does the work feel like me?<\/span><\/p>\n

Collaborating?<\/b><\/p>\n

Whenever I collaborate with others, I try to ask myself how our work, skills, and points of view can complement one another and create something greater than the sum of its parts. I love how collaboration makes me question my own processes and dig a little deeper in my personal work after.<\/span><\/p>\n\"\"\n

Pricing work?<\/b><\/p>\n

Coming out of school where they didn\u2019t teach us much about pricing our work, I still find myself questioning how much I should charge. I like to ask fellow designers and coworkers how they\u2019ve priced similar things before giving anyone a number.<\/span><\/p>\n

Firpal Jawanda<\/span><\/h3>\n

Centring<\/i> around South Asian chimeric folklore, language and mythology, London-based artist Firpal Jawanda<\/a>‘s practice seems to span almost every medium; from visuals for publications, to garments, to sculpture-esque objects. Their work is unpredictable and always original \u2013 probably what makes us so excited to see what they do next. And you don’t want to miss their limited-edition tee<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Finding your voice?<\/b><\/p>\n

Why am I drawing this? Who enjoys these drawings, besides me? Do I trust myself? Do I trust my work?<\/span><\/p>\n

Working on a piece?<\/b><\/p>\n

Can I draw something new? Can I draw things I haven\u2019t conceived prior? If I begin drawing and just let the pen decide, can I trust that process? Can I let go of any successes with past drawings so I don\u2019t replicate them in new ones? Instead can I experiment, always?<\/span><\/p>\n

Am I being sincere?<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Planning a show?<\/b><\/p>\n

How can this be larger? How can this be clearer? How can this drawing be moving? How can I convey some aspect of truth in this fantasy drawing? Am I being sincere?<\/span><\/p>\n

When you\u2019ve got creative block?<\/b><\/p>\n

Do I still love to draw? If so, just go for it, leave every notion of doubt behind.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Courtesy of Firpal Jawanda<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Grace Kao<\/span><\/h3>\n

Working out of her Brooklyn studio, Illustrator and designer Grace Kao<\/a> has already brought out a couple of hit tees with us, but her Year Of The Tiger T-shirt, specially designed for Artists To Watch, might be her best yet. <\/em><\/p>\n

Working on a piece?<\/b><\/p>\n

I tend to work intuitively, feeling my way through things. However, if I were to break it down, the first question I would ask myself would probably be, <\/span>What story or feeling am I trying to convey<\/span>?<\/span> I do a ton of research (visual references, thematic\/historical contexts, and symbolism). I sketch loose thumbnails and when I land on a composition I like, I keep refining it, making several iterations. In this process, I\u2019m also thinking about how to establish a connection with the viewer. <\/span>Why should people care? Is there a hook to help create that connection or elicit an emotion?<\/span><\/p>\n

How can I get out of my comfort zone?<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Trying something new?<\/b><\/p>\n

How can I get out of my comfort zone?<\/span> When something starts to feel too formulaic, I think about what changes I could make (even if it\u2019s something small) to break from a repeated pattern. I love to learn, so I find that classes\/workshops are a great way of trying something new. Even just from YouTube, I\u2019ve learned how to use Procreate, cook a French omelet, and embroider flowers onto fabric.<\/span><\/p>\n\"\"\n

Pricing work?<\/b><\/p>\n

Pricing is strategic. It\u2019s worth researching market rates in your area. Know your worth and ask: <\/span>How am I bringing value through this particular creative service\/good?<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking at other artists\u2019 work? <\/b><\/p>\n

Can I see their passion?<\/span> When I look at other artists\u2019 work, I feel vicariously happy. I\u2019m happy for their achievements. There’s so much diversity in creativity, and I think about how this artist had the conviction to make something special and share it. I met one of my favorite artists, Jeremyville, once on a studio visit, and I was really inspired. He was so prolific, but also so kind and humble. It made me want to work even harder!<\/span><\/p>\n

Enik\u0151 Katalin Eged<\/span><\/h3>\n

Illustrator and print designer Enik\u0151 Katalin Eged<\/a> studied at the Hungarian University of Fine Arts and Rome’s Academia di Belle Arti, and you can read these international influences in her pieces. Spanning paintings, riso prints, posters and more, the overarching theme of her work is its celebration of sapphic love (that’s love between women). And we can’t get enough of her Imaginary Memories<\/a> tee.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Refining your style?<\/b><\/p>\n

What does style mean to me? The cohesion of colors, textures and compositions? Or rather a metaphoric system with recurring topics and symbols? Can I find the balance between these?<\/span><\/p>\n

Collaborating?<\/b><\/p>\n

How can I be useful? Can we have a common base, or common resources to make something together?<\/span><\/p>\n

How can I be useful? <\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

When you\u2019ve got creative block?<\/b><\/p>\n

What do I need right now? Can I imagine myself in a comfortable situation? Can I name my emotions\/fears which may be causing the block?<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
Courtesy of Enik\u0151 Katalin Eged<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Trying to get to sleep?<\/b><\/p>\n

Am I good enough? (Good old impostor syndrome and self doubt usually comes at this time.) Am I recognising if I’m doing self exploitation? Am I independent enough from others’ expectations (including social media platforms\u2019)?  Can I hear my own voice?<\/span><\/p>\n

Claire Milbrath<\/span><\/h3>\n

Claire Milbrath<\/a> made a name for herself as the founder and editor-in-chief of <\/em>Montreal’s cult arts journal <\/em>Editorial Magazine, but it’s her newest pursuit<\/i>, painting, that caught our eye. Milbrath, who is self-taught, paints playful, vivid scenes \u2013 proof that it’s possible to be a master of all trades. <\/i><\/p>\n

Trying something new?<\/b><\/p>\n

Am I confident enough for this right now? Why do I resist change?<\/span><\/p>\n

When you\u2019ve got creative block?<\/b><\/p>\n

Have I been working too much on editorial? Have I been playing enough? <\/span><\/p>\n

Working on a piece?<\/b><\/p>\n

Am I experiencing delight?<\/span><\/p>\n\"\"\n

Inessa Dobbelaere<\/h3>\n

We’re always interested in artists who can work across mediums, those creatives who can unite two unlikely disciplines to create something that feels totally original – which is why we love Inessa Dobbelaere.<\/a> The Ghent-based artist’s work straddles graphic design and textiles, with work including eye-catching printed garments \u2013 like her Patch Me Up<\/a> t-shirt. We can’t wait to see where her practice takes her this year.<\/em><\/p>\n

When you\u2019ve got creative block \/ Looking at other artists\u2019 work?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I find it interesting to see what fellow students are doing these days. I also follow artists\/makers through Instagram. It\u2019s a handy and fast medium, you can save images, and when I am thinking or have a creative block I scroll through them. This stimulates me, as different mediums and artists appeal to me because of something in that work, and make me dream about how I would like to do things (even if the reality is often different).<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
Courtesy of Inessa Dobbelaere<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Romina Malta<\/span><\/h3>\n

Another creative who excites us because they’re working at the intersection of different fields, art director Romina Malta’s<\/a> work straddles illustration and sound design. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, but currently based in Uruguay, her weekly mixtapes<\/a> are a particular treat. As is her latest t-shirt, Am I Awake Or Am I Dreaming<\/a>?<\/em><\/p>\n

Pricing work?<\/strong><\/p>\n

How long will I be involved in this, and will I be free enough in terms of artistic direction?<\/span><\/p>\n

The status and mindset of the client is a determining factor. Like many creatives, I have had experiences with people who think you would give your life for their project, which you clearly don’t even care about, and, moreover, for very little payment. Those clients I immediately reject. <\/span><\/p>\n

You have to consider who you are standing in front of: their aesthetic appreciation, if they know what they want, if they have enough budget. Some things you learn over time. Years ago, I couldn’t tell if I was in front of a client who would drive me crazy. Today I can see it and I don’t waste my time. If the project interests me and the client, unfortunately, is complicated, I will do it, but charge a lot more. <\/span><\/p>\n

Some things you learn over time<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

There are other factors too. Sometimes people contact me who don’t have a consistent budget but I like the energy they transmit, so I accompany them in their project because they know what they want, because I like what they want and because many times they don’t have anxiety with deadlines. Over the years, anxiety is something you start to sense from the first contact. Stay away from that and take care of your creativity.<\/span><\/p>\n

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A post shared by si_romo_ (@si_romo_)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n