The Muse hearts Fidel

I first started reading Jessica's blog just because i found the name clever. I stuck around cause i found her quirky.Then I gave her acamera,for me that's a big deal.Just giving away one of my cameras.I guess it was because i once discovered we were at the Getty Garden on the same day and took a picture of the same plant,her photo turned out better then mine .So I liked her right away.
She gave me this answer when I asked her to answer some questions....

"I have to admit that I don't completely identify with the term "artist." I usually call myself a designer, even when the work I do isn't commercial but purely for myself. I guess it may have something to do with the fact that I don't often create art for art's sake. Most of my work, even if it isn't functional, is created for a specific purpose."




Do you have a collection?
I wouldn't call it a collection, but I'm attempting to organize my work into some sort of logical format, a portfolio perhaps is a more accurate term.

Where is your favorite place to create?
In my bedroom.

What is your favorite building?
I love the Eames house in Pacific Palisades. I find it endlessly inspiring.

What do you need to create art?
Cameras, lots of them. I always have at least one on hand. My favorites are my Holga and Polaroid, and right now I'm trying to master my new pinhole. Sadly, I also need my laptop. Even if my work starts out handmade, most everything winds up in digital format in the end.

What's your favorite piece of art hanging in your house right now?
I'm in the process of a move, so most of my art is in storage, but I had to hold onto a silkscreened Chihuahua print by Albert Reyes, and I just received a new print from Camilla Engman that I adore.

Do you collaborate with others?
I try to. Most of the time I feel like I'm working in a vacuum. But I also consider my clients to be collaborators.

Do you work on more then one piece at a time?
Totally. Usually three or four. It may be a product of my short attention span.

Do you share your work with others before it is finished?
It depends on the piece. If I'm stuck and need inspiration/feeback I'll share. But sometimes an idea hits and the piece just falls together on it's own.

Do you listen to music while you're working?
If so what? I try to listen to music to snap myself out of pure work mode. Kings of Convenience, His Name Is Alive, Jose Gonzalez and Mates of States are current favorites.

If you could be commissioned by anyone who would it be and what would you create for them?
The ultimate would be a textile design/fashion collaboration with Karl Lagerfeld or Marc Jacobs.

How do you know when something is finished?
When the deadline hits!

What or who influences your work?
For the what, definitely conceptual art, minimal art, photography, illustration, craft and the look of the handmade, mid-century architecture and furniture design, organizational systems. For the who, Robert Smithson, Sol Lewitt, On Kawara, Mel Bochner. Paul Rand is unforgettable. As far as contemporaries, Stefan Sagmeister is a constant inspiration and an icon, and I'm really excited by the work that Tamara Shopsin is doing. I'm really drawn to work with a very subtle sense of humor.

What is your favorite museum, gallery, place to see art and why?
I love JUNC gallery and Sixspace in Los Angeles. And the Museum of Contemporary Art. But the best is still MOMA in New York.

What has been the most unique thing you've used to create art with?
Right now I'm working on a project where I'm attempting to make the typography out of salt, which is proving to be challenging and interesting.

What do you wish your art tasted like?
Cotton candy.