Friday, February 17, 2012

Artist Interview: Doubleparlour.

Here is an interview I think you'll enjoy.  Their art is very unique and I've been a fan for quite a while.  Please allow me to introduce you to the artists behind Doubleparlour:  Cassandra and Ernie.


1. Were you always an art kid, or did you stumble upon it later in life?

Cassandra began drawing at a young age...some of her early works involved a fair amount of unicorns and glitter. Ernie's art career began later in life, although he has always had a creative outlet. He started playing guitar as a teenager. He was a musician, pastry chef and then an artist.

2. What style of art is your favorite and why?

We appreciate many styles and genres ....however, we are mostly drawn to low brow art, vinyl art toy designs and graphic novel/comic book illustrations. Those genres suit our own style of work and inspire our creative process.


Florene & Talbert.


3. What do you use for inspiration, or how do you generate ideas?

Our ideas come from quite random ideas....that layer of nonsense or mystery just underneath the normality of everyday life activities.


Oh Deer.


4. Walk us through your creative process from idea to finished project.

We both start our projects with a concept in mind, then usually sketch the idea/form/composition, look for references if needed....then start the project and let it evolve. Usually we create our pieces individually, and rely on each other for suggestions and honest feedback. However, we do occasionally collaborate on illustrations and sculpture projects.

5. What is a typical day in your life?

Cassandra drags herself out of bed at an early hour to head to her full-time job. She works on art projects and the business aspects of doubleparlour on evenings and weekends. Ernie wakes up early as well and walks across our flat to the "studio". The "studio" is starting to take over the rest of the house!

Our days are filled with creating art for galleries, fairs/conventions, commissions, and our on-line shop. There is also the business aspects that has to be attended to....emails, updating the blog, website and social media sites, packing and shipping, ordering supplies, and taxes.


the lonesome accordionist.


6. What do you think draws you to other people's work?

The mood, emotional quality, inventiveness, composition, elements, and the skill involved to create the piece.


countryandwestern.


7. What are your interests/hobbies?

Collecting art, graphic novels, vinyl records and antiques. Also, we enjoy wondering around the city, sleeping in, dinner parties, road trips, hanging out with family and NPR.

8. Is this your full time job, or do you have a job out-of-studio?

Ernie is a full time artist, Cassandra works in the educational department at a hospital.


Open Season.


9. What is your favorite piece you've ever made and why?

The next piece! Some we get more attached to than other.....especially when the mood or figure's expression is captured perfectly.....or the piece was challenging to pull of based on the limitations of the materials.


the hunter.


10. What advice would you give to an artist just starting out in the business world?

Make art that feeds your passion to create. Take time to explore materials and constantly strive to improve your skills.


Murky Water 07.


11. Describe your work space.

Hmmm...messy most of the time. Our flat actually contains a double parlour (two living rooms separated by a wall with sliding pocket doors)....this is what inspired our name. We use the front living room as our main studio space. Inside that space are paintings and sculptures on the walls, a large calendar to keep us organized with deadlines.......pens, paints, pencils, magic sculpt, polymer clay, wood, paper, tools, screen printing equipment, flea market finds (for mixed media projects), taxidermy eyes, and a lizard named Otis.


Studio Workspace.



12. Did you face any setbacks on your path to being an artist?

Not setbacks....just the expected stress that comes from trying to make a living from art. It takes awhile to get your work out there and noticed. I would say though....it has been an exciting journey so far!

13. What milestones, goals, or achievements are you striving for right now?

Just to perfect our craft as much as possible.....to continue challenging ourselves to create better and constantly evolving work.

Also found...
Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Doubleparlour/118138051585586?v=wall
Flickr:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/doubleparlour/
Blog:  http://doubleparlour.com/cheapmeats/
Website:  http://www.doubleparlour.com/
Twitter:  http://twitter.com/doubleparlour

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Awesome. I too love DoubleParlour. Thanks interviewing them.