Today we introduce to an absolute wizard on the loom. @farronfeiner weavings absolutely transform ordinary spaces into living gallery's. She is fun, unique and inspiring.
Could you tell me a bit about your artwork? How did you start and where would you love to see it go? I love interpreting my surroundings through unexpected colors and texture. I use weaving as a tool to display the beauty of different fibers. Mother Nature is a big inspo too and always incorporated into work. The quiet freedom I feel at the loom echoes the experience I get when I'm in the outdoors, which is probably a reason why it influences my work so much. Weaving gives me that peaceful happiness. I started weaving by happenstance. I had transferred into the textile design program at CSULB and weaving on the loom was a prereq class. I fell in love with it and ended up taking it every semester until I graduated. I've been working on some larger scale weavings recently. Currently I have 4x4' and 3x6' looms. I would love to get a larger loom and work in an even larger scale.
Who are you inspired by? Mobb Deep and 50 Cent. They had Beef (I highly recommend this docu series if you haven't seen it) and were able to get past it and collab on the banger "Outta Control" RIP PRODIGY. Also Nick Cave and so many of my amazing HBIC girlfriends out there killing it.
What are some of the things you do when you're feeling discouraged or in a creative slump? If I'm feeling uninspired, I won't make anything. It's usually I'm just drained and need a day or two off, before the ideas start flooding in and I can't wait to get back on the loom again! If I'm mid project and I don't like where it's heading I step away from it and reexamine it with fresh eyes in the morning. A night's sleep does wonders for me.
What are your thoughts on art school? I didn't go to art school, so I can't speak first hand about it. Seems a little over priced to me, especially since a lot of them leave you with no job opportunities upon graduation. I can tell you none of the working artists I'm friends with went to art school, so it's definitely possible to be successful without it.
What is one of your guilty pleasures? I have no prob owning up to every aspect of myself and don't find anything I do a 'guilty pleasure' but in the spirit of answering the q: Reality TV all day long! I recently dropped down a Real Housewives hole.
What do you think is often the difference between people who are good at what they do and people who are great at what they do? Passion essentially. The 'greats' live and breath it.
What is one talent or strength of yours, which has been critical to your success? Taking risks with my work. I was always so scared to try circles and now I'm a queen at making them! I like pushing myself out of my comfort zone. It helps me grow as an artist and often yields great results. I've also worked with other artists on collabs. Those are so fun! The pillows I made with Lykke Wullf are some of my faves!
What do you believe are the characteristics, actions, habits and behaviours that you both have and use, that have helped you achieve what you have been able to achieve? Listening to your intuition. Whether it's with taking risks artistically or business decisions you're making. Also, believing in yourself. If you want to achieve something, get grinding and make it happen! My parents weren't encouraging of me going to school to be an "artist". They wanted me to get out of college and get a "real job" asap, (Now they are very supportive. I understand where they were coming from. When they were raised there wasn't the opportunities to make it as an artist the way there are now). I ended up in the fashion industry for a few years before I started weaving again.
What are the most important lessons you have learnt so far, in your career or life journey? This could be anything from very simple small lessons, too much larger bigger lessons. Don't let things bother you that you can't control. I'm a sensitive cancer crab and have a tendency to dwell or stress about things but in reality you can't sweat the small stuff! Also "You can never cross the ocean until you have the courage to lose sight of the shore" Christopher Columbus
What is the best advice you have received? My mom is a fantastic interior decorator and I learned a lot about the elements of design from her. Growing up with so much exposure to design, I always had a love for it. Not to toot my own horn, but I have great taste and a keen eye for color combos and playing with textures. There are so many weavers out there today, it's good to have a recognizable style that sets you apart. The elements of my upbringing and the person I am now play a roll in my personal weaving style. Love it or hate it, you know when you're looking at a Farron Feiner weaving.
Tell me one Farron fun fact.... I have an encyclopedic knowledge for reality tv. I also have an extensive comprehension of many different music genres. I was a music nerd in high school and college. I've gone to A LOT of shows in my day.