Artist Name: Lisa Solomon
Shop Name and Url: Underdog Ink http://www.underdogink.net + there’s a shop page on my website that leads to things http://www.lisasolomon.com/shop.html
Website: http://www.lisasolomon.com
City: Oakland, CA

Where in your home/apartment is your studio located?

My studio is actually located 5 minutes from my house in a warehouse building. I share it with three other incredibly talented artists/makers and so just being there is inspiring. Oddly enough all of us are rarely there at the same time. Christina who runs Article Pract- a great local yarn store, Christopher Faiss who designs amazing furniture and installs art for folks and Mel Adamson - a painter.

What equipment/tools do you use?

Where to start? These days I’m doing drawings/paintings on Duralar with acrylic, watercolor, gouache, colored pencil and thread [gutterman is my favorite]. I’d say all my work has an element that is rooted in the domestic i.e. sewing, embroidery, crochet, pinning….

I have a thing for tools - if I can think of a reason to buy/use a tool I will. I also
have a thing for sewing machines [I own 6], vintage sewing supplies and patterns, colorful knitting needles….

Do you have an inspiration board, and can you tell us what is inspiring you now? (please include picture)

I don’t have an official inspiration board - I pin things up on my walls as I find them - or need them.

What’s inspiring me now? The change of light as the seasons shift, this amazing japanese book on color that my friend aida gamez gave me [http://www.aidagamez.com], being able to wear sandals, I’m researching pigments right now so I’m really into this book Color by Victoria Finlay, I also just finished reading An Accidental Masterpiece - on the art of living life and visa versa by Michael Kimmelman that has really impacted me….

How do you create best (e.g. do you listen to music while you create and if so what?)

I regularly listen to NPR [http://www.npr.org]- especially if I just want background filler noise. I also have a thing for listening to This American Life [http://www.thislife.org]. Often I try to wait until I have 3-4 episodes to listen to back to back.

Music is also big and varies with what I’m working on. You can see a recent playlist of mine on flickr here.

List (3) of your favorite artists (with links)

This is really hard for me because there are so many for so many reasons. I’ll stick to 3 artists whose first names begin with A.

Amy Cutler
http://www.tonkonow.com/cutler.html
Anne Hamilton
http://www.pbs.org/art21/artists/hamilton/index.html
Anne Wilson
http://www.annewilsonartist.com/index.html

Are you working on anything new and if so, can we have a sneak peek? (even if it’s just a corner of something if you don’t wish to reveal the entire project yet)

I’m working on a new felt tank installation for an upcoming show at Walter Maciel Gallery with Jil Weinstock and Freddy Chandra.

I’m trying to change the configuration - so something a bit smaller - and something that will directly engage with the doily drawings of mine that will also be on display.

(editors note: Lisa has done tank installations of felt tanks creating patterns.)

If yours isn’t, what would be your perfect studio?

I am hoping that I can move my studio into my backyard sometime in the near future. What I dream about is a big open space w/ a bank of warehouse windows and some big fluffy chairs - but I can’t have that in my yard, so…. I’d be really happy with something that has plenty of wall space and some HIDDEN storage.

I can’t wait to be able to peek out at my garden while I’m working. That will be so nice!

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Artist Name: Helen Dardik
Website: http://www.oneluckyhelen.com/
Blog: http://orangeyoulucky.blogspot.com/
City: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Where in your home/apartment/city is your studio located?

My studio is located on the very top level of my townhouse. It’s the only room on that level and the most private space in the house.

What equipment/tools do you use?

My trusty imac and my favorite Adobe Illustrator are the tools I use to illustrate. When I paint I mostly use oil on canvas.

Do you have an inspiration board, and can you tell us what is inspiring you now?

I have a few. I like to cut out interesting objects and color combinations out of magazines and and pin them on my boards. At the moment I am very inspired by Retro Modern Design, Rex Ray, Alexander Girard , Wes Anderson’s latest “Darjeeling LTD” and my children.

How do you create best (e.g. do you listen to music while you create and if so what?)

I create best at night when the kids are sleeping and everything is quiet (I’m like an owl). I listen to music often while I work. It really helps me focus my energy.

Are you working on anything new and if so, can we have a sneak peek? (even if it’s just a corner of something if you don’t wish to reveal the entire project yet)

I’m always working on new fresh patterns which I post regularly on my blog. Also, right now I’m writing and illustrating a book on embroidery for girls. It will be published by Walter Fosters. Can’t show you anything until the date of release, but I can promise you it’s going to be fun!

List (3) of your favorite artists (with links)

Sarajo Frieden
http://www.sarajofrieden.com/

Matte Stephens
http://www.matteart.net/home.html

Gary Baseman
http://www.garybaseman.com/

If yours isn’t, what would be your perfect studio?

In all honesty, all I really need is a mac with big monitor (the bigger the better), internet connection and a flat surface. However, that doesn’t stop me from wanting a bigger studio with soundproof walls, glass ceiling, infinite shelf space and oh, as long as I’m dreaming…let’s move it to San Francisco.