Secret Still

You have no idea how hard it was for me to not publish this interview a month ago. I told myself I had to wait until the new site was up, and I stayed strong. I was art-crushing from the very first time I saw Kristina Collantes‘ drawings, and I knew immediately that I wanted her to be the first interview for Secret Still. She was gracious enough to answer my questions eloquently and interestingly, not something that everyone can manage. Get to know a little about this So Cal artist after the jump.

1. Age/Location/Art Education?

I just turned 21 last month, I currently reside in Chula Vista, California. I hope to attend RISD in the very near future.

2. What brought you to (or keeps you in) So Cal?

My family moved from the Phillippines to San Diego back in 1997. We really enjoy the weather here, so I guess its what’s keeping us from relocating. Most of my relatives live in the area as well.

3. Where do you get your inspiration?

I find textiles really inspirational, especially bi-directional Japanese prints. There’s a fabric store near my apartment that has a great collection of incredibly detailed Japanese silk fabrics that I enjoy browsing through when I’m uninspired. I think that Japanese art in general puts me in a creative mood.

4.What’s the origin of your style?

As a beginner I was producing more character oriented illustrations. I was really into drawing fuzzy and whimsical animals for a short phase, but then slowly grew out of it when I realized how badly I wanted my own textile/wallpaper line. The idea just sounded really exciting to me so I started to create more pattern oriented material. I studied Japanese woodblock prints and textiles for a while and thats how I ended up with my illustration style.

5. What goes on in a normal day for you?

I wake up at around 6 to take my shower. I feed my smaller cohabitants afterwards and then fix my breakfast, which usually includes potato products. I work on illustrations all throughout the afternoon and take plenty of eating breaks. I like working on commissioned pieces at night because I feel most inspired when there’s less light out.

6. It looks like you’ve got tattoos. Was it scary to get tattoos of your own work?

I actually haven’t decided on what I want to get tattooed on my body yet. I definitely want to use my own work, but I’m so incredibly picky. I’ve been drawing my own designs on myself for a while and its a tedious project trying to find a layout I’m 100% content with. What you see in my online portfolio are just semi permanent tattoo layouts that I’ve been obsessing over.

7. What occupies your mind aside from art?

Writing, mostly. I’ve been working on a movie script. Its my biggest and most ambitious project yet, but I plan on finishing all the writing by the end of this year.

8. What are you working on now? Any shows coming up?

Right now I’m finishing up my latest textile and wallpaper collection, designing a pair of women’s skis that I was just recently commissioned, developing a few t-shirt designs for Graniph, finishing a few concert posters, and I’m also working on my first custom ceramic tea cup and plate set. I don’t have any art shows booked at the moment, unfortunately.

9. This one is just because I like food. What are your top five foods and where do you get them?

1. Pork and prawn dumplings (from various Chinese restaurants)

2. Assorted sashimi (from Todai Sushi and Seafood Buffet)

3. Do Do brand fish and shrimp balls, fried and skewered and with black bean paste (from Seafood City)

4. Long Life brand canned Coconut juice (from Seafood City)

5. Mogu Mogu brand lychee juice drink with nata de coco (Seafood City)

10. Sketch something for us really quickly, whatever comes to mind first, then scan it or take a photo, so we can see your raw style.

here’s my quick sketch: an “Atonement”-inspired piece

You can see more of Kristina’s work at kristinacollantes.com