I first discovered Andrea Shear through her designs at Blood is the New Black and realized what an amazing artist she is. Andrea Shear is a multi-talented Los Angeles based artist who does paintings, visual effects, creates characters and short stories, and designs t-shirts. I had the luck and the honor to get in contact with her and she was kind enough to answer a few questions for me.
- What artists have influenced you, and how?
This question is really difficult because I have an amazingly long list of artists that inspire me so here are just a few current influences from my ever-growing list:
Sara Brum is a brilliant printmaker/painter/mixed media artist who I collaborate with on a regular basis and whose work inspires me to push myself further.
Julie Morstad is an artist and illustrator whose charming illustrations speak directly to my soul.
Although not a visual artist I feel that I have to credit Nick Cave because his music has always been visually inspirational to me.
- You work as a 3D artist doing visual effects, you paint, you draw, you write your blog. Is there time for t-shirts?
I’m in a constant battle to balance all these elements and more. It’s no easy task but ultimately I like to keep busy.
- How did the collaboration with Blood is the New Black come up?
Mitra Khayyam is the brilliant mastermind behind Blood is the New Black and we’ve known each other forever. I knew she wanted to start up a t-shirt line based on the idea of a t-shirt as a canvas and she knew that I liked to make art so when I moved back to LA I did a few designs for the line. That was about 4 years ago and I’ve been really lucky to be involved with the project and thankful for all of Mitra’s support.
- Children are a main theme in your work. They usually look melancholic and lonely. Sometimes they’re found in empty, scary places or even holding human internal organs. Why and how did you come up with this concept?
Without making this explanation too complicated, I’ll just say my work is about creating little stories with my images by providing visual clues for the viewer to ponder and put together in their own way.
- What projects are you working on now?
Too many projects to mention all of them but here are a few things: I have a few new designs for the fall season of Blood is the new Black that I’m really excited about and I’m going to have some pieces in a show Sept. 11 at the
DAC gallery in downtown LA. Also I currently have some limited edition prints for sale at Little Paper Planes (
link).
Please visit my
blog for up-to-date news about my various projects.
- Describe a perfect day.
It must start with a cup of coffee and good breakfast. Then either to my studio or to Sticky Lift’s studio for a day of painting, art-making and shit-talking and preferably some NPR in the background. Maybe some yoga in the afternoon and light dinner and a movie in the evening. I usually doodle in my sketchbook in the evening as well.
- Where do you see yourself in ten years from now?
Makin stuff! There are so many projects I have up my sleeve and new things
I want to learn. I don’t see how it’s all going to get done in my
lifetime.
-Thank you so much Andrea for taking the time to talk to me.
Thank you so much for letting me do this interview it was a lot of fun for me.
Find Andrea online:
Webiste:
AndreaShear.comEtsy shop:
andreashear.etsy.comBlog:
Little drawingsT-shirts:
Blood Is the new Blood
Filed under: Andrea Shear> blood is the new black Date 8 August, 2008
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