Creative Humans - Alice Gao

September 05, 2014 by lean timms in Creative Humans

Meeting Alice Gao in New York City was something of a dream. To me, she is a bit of a superhero. Her photography and blog has always been on my very high admiration list and I have often thought that I would like to be like her when I grow up. Gush I might, but I have to say that meeting her in person only heightened my keenness towards her. We met on 10th and 2nd, at Third Rail Coffee. The hour that was to follow went all too fast - probably because I was far too excited. There was green tea, talk of Alice's Chinese history (quite the inspiring immigration story), snap chatting and the very cute, featured fox umbrella. She was oh so kind and incredibly generous with her time. It's a lovely feeling to meet your super hero. Especially when they are even nicer than you had imagined them to be. I honestly believe one day we will be best friends...

I still can't quite believe that it happened. Alice Gao. New York. Goodness gracious me!!

What projects are you currently working on?

I've definitely been keeping myself busy with the new site I launched with my friend Kristy -- A Standard of Living. I'm also wrapping up a female chefs cookbook that should be out in Spring 2015. Besides that, I'm working with some new clients on fun shoots.

Where do you draw your creative inspiration from?

This city, traveling, slants of light and shadow, and my favorite books.

Why a photographer?
I'm not sure I'd be happy doing anything else.

Do you listen to music while you work? If so, would you be so kind to share some of your favourite artists?

I could really go either way, which is shocking to some people who definitely need music while they work. I'm terrible when it comes to music -- in that I'm not super picky about what I listen to. When I need to get through tedious work, I often listen to Bon Iver because it soothes me.

Do you have a morning ritual?

Yes! I am a total disaster if I don't make my daily pourover coffee. It's not so much the caffeine that I need as it is the routine and ritual of it all. Even if I have an early morning coffee meeting, I still need to make the first cup at home. Other than that, I don't care for what else happens in the morning.

What's your idea of a perfect Friday night?

Ooh that depends, but I think having a small handful of friends over for wine or cocktails and catching up all night sounds pretty nice to me.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

The Bolivia salt flats is always high on my list.

Best piece of advice you've ever given or been given?

I think I'm too cynical to take most advice seriously hah. There was once a fortune cookie I kept that said, "The harder you work, the luckier you get." I like that.

What's for dinner?

Probably something super simple -- this summer, I've lived off rice and green market vegetables (tons of squash, fairytale eggplants, tomatoes, etc.).

The best part about being a creative?

All of the freedom it allows. And there's no real "limit" to what you can do and accomplish.

The worst part?

I can't say there really is a worst part. Maybe it's that I can never really shut off and my work takes over my life often. It's hard to remember to recharge and not overcrowd my plate.

Day or night? Night
Old or new? Old
City or Country? City
Coffee or Tea? Coffee (but I'm an equal opportunity drinker)

What do you enjoy most about living in NYC?

Well, everything. You can't slack off here. The city pushes you and it can destroy you if you let it. Or it can be the best challenge of your life.

Thoughts for the future:
Right now I'm taking it a day at a time, though I do hope there are greater travels in my future and an all-glass lake house somewhere...

Creative Humans - Grace Taylor | Provencial Magazine

August 29, 2014 by lean timms in Creative Humans

I caught a cab to Bushwick, Brooklyn. A place I had never, ever been to before. It was Sunday afternoon. There was street graffiti on the surrounding brick walls and an outdoor bar across the road that had music blasting from its boom box. I walked to the address that I had been given and very soon I found myself in 'The Lighthouse'. The affectionate name given to a light, air filled two story apartment, fitted with a spiral staircase and a black board with the words 'PVNCL the process' written on it. Standing at the door was Grace Taylor, curator and editor of Provencial Magazine. There was an immediate contrast to the street outside. Grace warmly invited me into her home and poured me a cup of tea. We sat and chatted about all things Provencial, France and New York and our shared love of Nashville and beautiful magazines.

Grace is unfathomably lovely. She is the epitome of a driven, passionate, 22 year old creative entrepreneur. Her creative talent is the driving force behind Provencial, a magazine inspired by a trip Grace took to France last summer. The magazine aims to capture simplicity, creativity and a balanced lifestyle along with process and the beauty of slowing down - exactly the way Grace found life to be among the lavender and sunflower fields of Provence.

After our afternoon tea together we took a walk to the subway. There, among the graffiti covered walls and background noise of the surrounding Bushwick streets, something a bit surreal happened. Grace invited me to become a contributor to Provencial Magazine. My little heart was racing. How would you be? How could this be? I was going to become a part of the beautiful direction and inspired filled pages of Provencial Magazine. Eeek. Grace has oodles of vision. The magazine does too. So you can imagine how I felt knowing that I would play a small part towards its incredibly inspiring story... I was thrilled.

Currently Provencial is an online platform, however the magazine has plans to go to print and have Volume One out by November with the help of their current kickstarter campaign. Read on and enjoy the interview, and at the end, if you like everything that you have been introduced to, I urge you to jump on over to the kickstarter site and pre-order yourself a copy of Volume One. It is going to be something wonderful. Grace, her passion, talent and sweet, sweet self, is a testament to that.

What Projects are you currently working on?

Right now I'm working on printing Volume One of Provencial Magazine. It's a big job. As editor I have to be in contact with all my wonderful writers and photographers, organizing everything and making sure it all fits together. I'm also working with designers to design the magazine's layout, which is so much fun, but takes time! We've launched a kickstarter to fund the print, and I'm keeping close watch and updating our wonderful readers.

Where do you draw your creative inspiration from?

My creative inspiration comes from both big and small places. As big as the southern region of France and as small as a cup of black coffee. It comes from the things and people that calm me down. It comes from family and friends and seeing them come alive. It comes from my curious nature, my need to discover and discuss things. It mostly comes from the world's mere beauty, its vastness and the fact that I can never run out of stories to tell.

Why an Editor?

Editing allows me to use my eye for excellence to curate on all levels, content that I connect with and believe my readers will connect with as well. I'm passionate about writing and photography, but my desire for creativity goes beyond what I can do alone. That's why I became an editor, to pull others in and create a larger forum to inspire our readers together. It's important to be able to organize everything and keep in contact with everyone. Someone has to be the glue.

Do you listen to music while you work? If so, would you be so kind to share some of your favourite artists?

I do listen to music while I work! Some of my favorites at the moment are Johnnyswim, James Vincent McMorrow, City and Colour and The Oh Hello's. However, I have a soft spot in my heart for Taylor Swift and John Mayer (separately of course).

Do you have a morning ritual?

I love mornings. They are quiet, cool and calm, which is ideal for me most of the time. I wake up and head straight the kitchen where I turn on my electric kettle, grind some beans and get ready to press some coffee. That's number one. I'll check my planner, see what today looks like, sometimes read for 15 minutes, whether it's the novel I'm into right now or my Bible. Then when my coffee is done, I really like to just sit quietly in my big blue velvet chair and drink a cup in silence (the car honks and construction sometimes want to be a part of it too).

What's your idea of a perfect Friday night?

My perfect Friday night is making a lovely dinner at home with my friends, talking and laughing until about 11 (which is late for me), then going to sleep content and awaiting a lovely two days off. I sometimes wonder if I'm missing anything by being a complete homebody and having the body clock of an 80 year old at 22. But then I realize that I still feel quite young, wild and free just the way I am, so I stopped worrying.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

At the moment, if I could travel anywhere in the world, it would be Iceland. I want to dive into the Blue Lagoon and see the fog roll over the green hills. It seems like such an inspiring place, and I'm hoping to include it in a future travel issue of Provencial :)

Best piece of advice you've ever given or been given?

The best advice I've ever been given is that when you have an idea, when you come up with something great, just DO. Do something, and deal with things as they come. It's that simple. That's how people do it.

What's for dinner?

Dinner is my lightest meal of the day, believe it or not. I'll usually have some grilled asparagus wrapped in prosciutto, a salad with goat cheese, dried cranberries and almonds with Balsamic glaze, or cereal. Just depends on the day.

The best part about being a creative?

The best part about being a creative is that you can truly feel like you can do anything you set your mind to. You think you can do anything, which isn't always true, of course, but it's the internal mindset of a creative that propels us forward.

The worst part?

The worst part is we can get so immersed in our visions and our worlds, that sometimes we can forget the little responsibilities. It's all a balancing act, life, and creatives especially need to make sure they're paying attention and stay grounded.

Day or night?

Evening

Old or new?

Most new (with a little nostalgia thrown in)

City or Country?

I could never choose. I grew up near the country, rode horses, love nature, but have lived in NYC for years now. They are so different and incomparable and I love them both.

Coffee or Tea?

Coffee, absolutely. Coffee always and forever.

What do you enjoy most about living in Brooklyn, NY?

What I enjoy most about this city is knowing that anything I could ever want, think or imagine, exists in this city. And if it doesn't, there's someone here to help me make it reality. The food, coffee and endless exploring possibilities aren't bad either.

Thoughts for the future?

The future is always unknown, and a lot bigger than anything we could imagine. Let's keep it that way.

Creative Humans - Mariele Williams | Young in the Mountains

August 15, 2014 by lean timms in Creative Humans

In my opinion, Mariele Williams just so happens to have the cutest studio in the cutest little cottage house with the cutest Golden Doodle (Harold) in the whole of the breathtaking mountain foothills of Boulder, Colorado. Mariele is a jeweler and ceramist who designs and makes strikingly beautiful pieces under the the marque, Young In the Mountains. Spending a little time with sweet Mariele in her home and studio made me quickly realise just how driven she is to create work that is truly inspired and unique. Mariele loves what she does - and her work reflects that. It is geometrically organic, simply detailed and all heartily handmade. And then there is Harold the dog. Clearly a very important part of Mariele's studio life and mountain nestled days. Harold instantly stole my heart as he trotted around the house posing for photos and showing off his workshop skills... I could have easily taken him home, along with one of each of Mariele's pieces. I did manage to leave with two small mountain vortex ceramic dishes which I will be treasuring forever and happily parading in my home. The best reminder of that cute, inspired, fluffy and mountainous filled day.

What projects are you currently working on?

Currently I am working on my ceramic wholesale collection. I have been developing a collection of work that I feel comfortable reproducing and that will look well together because I want people to collect these dishes over the next few years. I have been working on my line sheets and just recently partnered with a show room in NYC. I am looking forward to how that will affect my business. I also just returned from a lapidary retreat in New Mexico last month. I am so excited to start cutting stones and to be able to offer my jewelry designs in stones like turquoise and labradorite!

Where do you draw your creative inspiration from?

My creative inspiration is almost like a well that is always there. Maybe I’m lucky. I have never had any issues with being blocked creatively. Having a healthy lifestyle supports making beautiful art. I am very sensitive to my surroundings, so I make sure I have a clean house and a beautiful studio to work in. With a few hikes a week to exercise my body and my mind, everything flows pretty smoothly when I finally sit down in my studio to create. I spend a lot of time thinking about what I want to make before I sit down.

Do you have a favourite ceramicist and or jeweler?

My favorite jeweler is Digby & Iona and my favorite ceramicist is a much harder question to answer... sorry.

Do you listen to music while you work? If so, would you be so kind to share some of your favourite artists?

I listen to lots of Podcasts in my studio. I listen to Democracy Now every morning along with NPR. I really enjoy the podcasts Freakenomics and the Moth. When I listen to music I like to use Pandora to to create playlists. Some of my favorite Pandora stations are Wendy Rene for soul, The Growlers, Devendra Banhart

Do you have a morning ritual?

When it’s cooler like in Fall and Winter I start every day with a big mug of Earl Grey tea. I like to enjoy my tea and look at Pintrest. I have lots of inspiration boards and I find that starting my day being visually overloaded makes for an inspired and productive day.

What's your idea of a perfect Friday night?

A perfect Friday night would be a hike up in the mountains after the weather cools down. Maybe come home and open a bottle of wine and make dinner at home.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

I really want to go to Greece! Something about the light in all the photos looks so beautiful and soothing. All the blue and white just looks amazing. I am also planning my next big camping trip from San Francisco up the coast all the way to the Olympic Peninsula.

Best piece of advice you've ever given or been given?

My dad always told me to be my own boss. I always knew I would be and i am so happy that its working!

What's for dinner?

Dinner tonight is going to be in downtown Boulder somewhere. Date night with my BF! I am hoping for Italian.

The best part about being a creative?

That’s a big question. I am so grateful that I am creative person. I have spent a lot of time nurturing that part of me. I love being able to make myself anything I would possibly need or imagine. The worst part?

That stress when the bills are due. Sometimes you’re up, sometimes you’re down. There is no quitting when you are truly a visionary artist. I am happy I never gave up, though there have been times, certainly around the 1st of the month that I would question this path.

Day or night? Day Old or new? Old City or Country? Country Coffee or Tea? Tea

Thoughts for the future:

I am moving back to San Francisco at the end of the month and I am very excited to reconnect with all my friends. I am planning on creating a big new studio!

Creative Humans - Elizabeth Amento

August 08, 2014 by lean timms in Creative Humans

Lately, people have started asking me where I find the creative humans to feature on my journal. Mostly, it is via friends, networking and through social media. This time however, I was drawn to an interview that I read from one of my favourite Australian magazines, Frankie. I saw pictures of the most vibrant and alluring pieces of mixed media art. They were so full of colour, so bright and splashy and fun. I was instantly hooked. I became even more so when I realised that the artist, Elizabeth Amento, lived in the Mission District of San Francisco. That was that. I had to meet her. Thankfully, Elizabeth said yes. I was a little late (I got side tracked by the endless delicious Mission food options) but eventually made my way to Elizabeth's apartment. The afternoon was chilly and dull - apparently quite normal for a San Francisco summer afternoon. As soon as I met Elizabeth, she welcomed me into her studio/home, gave me a tour of her brilliant paintings and the gouache paint she uses to create them, introduced me to her loves - her plants, and pointed out the view of Bernal Heights Park from her back porch. Her hallway, with it's twinkling lights and her bedroom with it's splashes of vintage orange made me quickly forget the much duller day outside. It turns out that Elizabeth is just as colourful and fun as her paintings. My day instantly became brighter - and I was so glad that I stumbled across the Frankie article and the streets of the Mission to find Elizabeth and her beautiful work.

What projects are you currently working on?

Right now, I have a few small collages I am working on. I have been away from them for a bit, but I have plans for them, so I am excited to get back to work on them. I also have a couple big pieces that I have been slowly adding to for awhile, so I really need to tackle those. After that I am excited to dig through my magazines for new material again. I like to work in a series. It helps me not put too much pressure on one piece. I can let the paint dry, step away and think about the overall composition.

Where do you draw your creative inspiration from?

Color combinations I observe in daily life. As well as my current emotional state and how the personal relationships I am in are affecting it. Through seeing potential in possible failures, I am inspired to try new things in my work, new shapes, layers and compositions.

Why a visual artist?

It’s hard not to be at this point. Solving problems creatively is the way my mind works. With my paintings, in my studio, I can entertain myself tackling the next project. I also hope I am adding some color to the world.

Do you listen to music while you work? If so, would you be so kind to share some of your favourite artists?

I always listen to music while I work. I use Spotify to explore new artists, but I often return to my classics, Fleetwood Mac, Van Morrison, The Rolling Stones.

Do you have a morning ritual?

Lately, I wake up by checking on my plants to see how the new succulents I started are taking off. Then get coffee on the way to work, which is close, a 20 min walk so that’s great. I like taking different routes to work, but really enjoy certain ones. Shotwell Street for example, has some very pretty houses.

What's your idea of a perfect Friday night?

For me, a great time is a balance of having plans while being open to surprises.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

I love the act of traveling, moving, of watching the world pass by the car or train window. I could list off some beautiful places, but really I could go anywhere when I have great company and can make it an adventure.

Best piece of advice you've ever given or been given?

That a lot people will give you advice, remember you don’t have to always take it.