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Current mood:  artistic Category: Art and Photography
Featured Diva of the Week:
(please do not copy or paste this feature. link directly to it so we get the proper credit for the work we've done! Thanks.
MC7C / k@t and -Gabe-)
How long have you been designing? How did you start your business?
Art and design have always been a part of my life. I've always been designing something. At first it was interiors, then I became fascinated with logo design. While studying Fashion design at VCU I was looking for a way to reduce my stash of scraps without actually throwing them in the trash. I made a few bags, my roomate would wear them and I would get orders. I really didn't realize that I had something there so I let it fizzle and didnt get serious again untill a few years later.
How would you describe your creations?
My creations are expressive, someimes whimsical, and highly useable. Often they reflect things that are fascinating to me at the moment.
What are you motivations for designing? What inspires you?
At the moment I am inspired by so many things that it's hard to grab a good creative focus. I'm of course influenced by fashion trends (new and dated) as well as different cultures and sub-cultures.
What other artists or movements inform your work/aesthetics/sensibilities?
I absolutely love the curvy forms and flow of the Art Nouveau movement. It isn't always reflected in my pieces, but I'm drawn to it.
What is the greatest compliment anyone has ever paid to you regarding your art work?
I suppose one of the greatest compliments (and complaints) is that I don't charge enough for my pieces!
Where does the name MASHULU studio come from? What is your motto? How to continue to focus on your goal / motto?
MASHULU in the Swahili language means "stitches" or "seam". My motto is "Functional Stylistic Stitchery". I keep that in mind when I'm designing. I want my pieces to be stylish enough for my customers to want to wear them every day. I also strive to make my pieces practical so that they CAN use them every day.
Where do you hope to be in two years? What do you hope to have achieved?
I am happy to keep things on an indie-level. I want to sell at the coolest indie-craft shows and perhaps have my work sold in some funky shops or something like that. I may do clothing soon and I wouldn't mind having that mass produced. But my bags are like babies to me. I want to keep a closer tie between my work and those who appreciate it so I don't mind making each one by hand.
What is your definition of success? How do you know when you have "made it" as a creative person / designer?
Success to me is a mix of financial and creative satisfaction. In my eyes you have "made it" when you can actually LIVE off of being creative on your own terms.
What causes artistic blocks? What do you do to solve them?
Too much visual stimulation causes artistic blocks, in my opinion. I am so all over the place creatively sometimes...I get so much inspiration that I am overwhelmed and it's hard to produce. The best thing to do then is to just stop thinking so much, grab a concept, and then just work it. If a particular vision runs dry, stash it and grab another.
The business side of being an artist: How do you market/promote yourself, and does it work? How do you cope?
I have great support from friends, family, and satisfied customers that drop a little verbal promo whenever possible. I use MySpace and Etsy also. I think the word of mouth works best though. I have yet to tap into that one thing that will get me "out there" like I want.
Why do you make art? And whom do you make it for?
I make art because I absolutely HAVE to. It's such a part of my life that I cannot imagine what I would do if I didn't create. I think I design for myself...but there is so much to "me" that I'm still able to cater to several types of customers.
Shameless plug time. Tell the readers why they can't live without a piece of MASHULU studio in their wardrobe and what makes MASHULU studio unique.
MASHULU pieces are carefully handcrafted, EXCLUSIVE pieces of functonal art. The designs are such that one can wear one everyday, wether or not it matches whatever they are wearing. If you are fussy about seeing someone with the same handbag as the one you have, MASHULU studio is a perfect match as no two are EVER the exact same and you are GUARANTEED to get all the attention you deserve!
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By Kylie Minogue
Release date: 11 December, 2007 |
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8:46 PM
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