Category Archives: 1xRUN News

Diana Georgie on Refining Her Style and Taking No Bullshit

To celebrate 1xRUN’s International Women’s Day, muralist and model Diana Georgie introduces Stay Golden, a collection of limited edition prints and original artwork paying tribute to the “Golden Girls”.

Diana Georgie blends influences in Dutch still life mastery and text-based pop artists like Ed Ruscha and Wayne White, creating neon phrases over floral backdrops. For Georgie, her art is a portrait of a word. “Colors and shapes work with it, and bring it more to life.”

1xRUN: Tell us a little bit about this series, anything immediate you would like us to highlight about this imagery?
Diana Georgie: This work is actually one of a kind, or you can say the first of a future series. I have always had a penchant for neon lights and wanted to see how I could incorporate that aesthetic to my usual style.

On the smaller pieces, I was looking up quotes for this project and there were so many hyper feminist type quotes like ‘anything a man can do I can do better…’ and I don’t really vibe with that. But then I watched The Golden Girls and voilá! Some of these quotes are really sassy to be honest. ‘Eat dirt and die, trash.”

1x: Tell us about your execution of this imagery. What materials were used, how much time did it take, etc?
Georgie: This was created on a 24” x 24” wooden panel using acrylic paint. Something of this size usually takes me anywhere from 10 to 14 days on average, give or take a few, depending on the level of detail.

1x: What were your earliest interactions with art growing up?
Georgie: When I was four or five years old, my mom put on classical music for me and told me to draw how it would make me feel. I remember I always loved doing that, and my enthusiasm definitely showed. She started introducing me to the world of art through books ,and later took me to museums.

1x: Who was a prominent figure that played a role in your formation as an artist?
Georgie: You can definitely credit my mom for that one. She planted that seed when I was so young and watered it over the years until I became old enough to avidly pursue art myself. I’m very thankful for that.

1x: What are some of the biggest challenges to being a working artist?
Georgie: Finding stability I would think, at least at this stage early in my career. You have your brushes, your paints, and all your hopes and dreams. You do your part, but there are so many elements that play a key role into where your next work will go, and what will come next.

1x: In what ways is the art industry becoming more (or less) accepting and equitable for women?
Georgie: When I first started pursuing art more seriously years ago, I honestly had some horrible interactions. Certain prominent male figures within the industry proposed indecent offers and made inappropriate comments to me. It saddened me and almost deterred me from wanting to pursue my dreams. But I also met others who encouraged and motivated me to rise above that fear and to take no bullshit from anyone, and that’s exactly what I did. I stuck by my own principals and took the longer route, and I’m damn thankful I did. I do think these sorts of experiences tend to be all too common for women, being objectified, and sex being used as a path to reach the next opportunity.

1x: What are changes that you would like to see?
Georgie: Balance. I’m not saying for it to become dogmatic or religious, but definitely more balance on the scales.

1x: What does a balanced art industry look like to you?
Diana Georgie: The same opportunities to be given to people of any gender, ethnicity, or walk of life. The works are the stories and the artists are the storytellers, and those stories deserve to be heard.

1x: What artists inspired you in the past? Who are some woman-identifying artists that inspire you today?
Georgie: I remember being very young and seeing Artemisia Gentileschi’s Judith Beheading Holofernes and being taken back by it. I adore Dutch still lifes also, and seeing Rachel Ruysch’s works have always inspired me. One of my favorite current artists is Camille Rose Garcia. Huge fan of her work; it’s absolutely magical. I got to meet her a couple years ago and she’s a very lovely person in real life.

1x: What advice would you give to an aspiring artist?
Georgie: Do your best work of what comes naturally. That will always be received best, I think, and more ideas will continue to come organically. Once you refine your own style, it will only grow from there.

1xRUN: Whese else can people find out more about you?
Diana Georgie: Website – Instagram @dianageorgie – Twitter – @TheCarmenLips

-1xRUN

Dina Saadi Paints Powerful Angela Davis Edition for IWD Collection

Dina Saadi is a contemporary artist, muralist, and designer living and working in Dubai. Her latest print edition is a vibrant portrait of American political activist Angela Davis. Each print portrays Davis as a beacon of wisdom, her hair beaming with color and resplendence, ahead of a hand-painted backdrop of her best-known quotes.

In our exclusive interview, Dina Saadi breaks down her decision to highlight Davis, her early artistic influences, and the challenges to navigating an imbalanced industry.

1xRUN: Tell us a little bit about these two pieces, anything immediate you would like us to highlight about this imagery?
Dina Saadi: When it comes to human rights activism, feminism, and the real fight for equality, I think Angela Davis is a champion. When 1xRUN approached me to participate in the 2020 International Women’s Day print suite, I thought I had to create something specially for that, and what could be more inspiring than Angela’s fight to give voice to those who are powerless to speak?

1x: Tell us about your execution of this imagery.
Saadi: This piece is a digital artwork that was hand embellished with acrylic paint, so each print is 100% unique and special. On the white background of each print, I painted inspirational quotes by Angela Davis that are close to my heart.

1x: What were some of your earliest interactions with art growing up?
Saadi: My story with art goes way back. I was a very hyperactive kid, and since I was only three years old, nothing could make me stick to the chair like a pencil and a plain piece of paper. I still have that wild child imagination and energy in me. I think it reflects a lot in my work and style. I grew up surrounded by art lovers like my mom, and I guess that’s how my love for art evolved.

When I grew up to design and begin art school, and later when I moved from Syria, I had the courage to pursue art as a full time career. I also think my hometown in Syria was a little gray for me. I never liked it that much and I barely had any access to art there. We also didn’t have any art curriculum in our school (as is the case in many schools around the world). So drawing and painting was my escape from reality and from my boring classes in school.

1x: Who was a prominent figure that played a role in your formation as an artist?
Saadi: My mother has always been my biggest supporter and fan. She used to take me to museums and galleries during summer vacations in Moscow. So on all school holidays, my schedule was always filled with different art courses and classes because of her. And to be honest, I’m very lucky to be surrounded by support and encouragement from my whole family on both my Syrian & Russian sides.

1x: What are some of the biggest challenges to being a working artist?
Saadi: Working as a full-time artist can be frustrating and challenging at times, especially working on commissioned projects for brands or companies, as we have to maintain a healthy balance between the artistic value to the work and the client’s expectations. Some clients commission artists and give them more creative freedom than others, which is great, but it’s not always the case.

On another point, maintaining a financial stability is not always easy, especially at the beginning of any art career. Finding gallery representation, and good art platforms to sell, is hard in general.

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“I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept” Angela Davis. This international women’s day, let’s keep this powerful quote in mind. Cheers to all of the beautiful women out there who accepted me just the way I am, who gave me inspiration, strength, support and love 💜 Let’s make this world more equal together, and make sure in the process, we accept and support all what the word ‘woman’ means, beyond physical bodies, labels & sexuality. ——————————————————————— Work in progress on my hand embellished print release with @1xrun for international women’s day, dropping on the 27th of March.

A post shared by Dina Saadi دينا السعدي Саади (@dinasaadi) on

1x: In what ways is the art industry becoming more (or less) accepting and equitable for women?
Saadi: I think it’s been getting so much better in the last few years because of all the awareness and activism around this subject, but the industry is still not where it should be, as many collectors and galleries still believe that the value of work by women won’t grow as much compared to work made by men.

1x: What are some changes that you would like to see?
Saadi: I want to see real change, equal rights, and equal pay. I would love to see more female artists winning big projects, selling more work in galleries, and being considered as headliners for international festivals. I would also love to see behavior change on the collector’s side to balance the equation.

1x: What does a balanced art industry look like to you?
Saadi: An equal art industry is a balanced art industry. For me, the root of this problem is beyond the art industry. If we had equal work rights, equal pay, equal parenting rights, and duties. If we had no predetermined gender roles & societal expectations for women, and if women had the power to make all the decisions with respect to their own bodies, then we could talk about real equality.

All these obstacles are mainly imposed on women, so they have to do double the work to get to the same place professionally as men. It starts at our upbringing. We should make sure that little girls have the same mental support, encouragement, and chances to participate in all the same fields as boys do.

Follow Dina Saadi on Instagram – @dinasaadi.

Exploring Bunnie Reiss’ Cosmic Vacation For International Women’s Day

California-based artist Bunnie Reiss joins us for 1xRUN’s 2020 International Women’s Day Print Suite, featuring her first ever letterpress edition Nature’s Cosmic Force. A lifelong rebel, Reiss first joined us back in 2015’s wildly diverse Alchemy, curated by Monica Canilao. For these unique prints Reiss created this design specifically for International Women’s Day to pay homage to “strong, smart, beautiful women who have worked hard for us and given us the power to continue building.” These vibrant hand-stamped letterpress editions also mark 1xRUN’s first split fountain letterpress editions, available in two ombré color variants. Read on as Reiss tells us more about the story behind her debut RUN, her earliest influences and advice for aspiring artists.

1xRUN: Tell us a little bit about this piece, anything immediate you would like us to highlight about this image?
Bunnie Reiss: I created this piece specifically for International Women’s Day to honor not only myself, but all of the strong, smart, beautiful women who have worked hard for us and given us the power to continue building. This image falls within my larger body of work, where I continuously explore the cosmic world, nature, historical representation of women, symbology, animals, and mythology.

1x: Can you tell us more about that body of work?
Reiss: My current series is titled Cosmic Vacation, and discusses other dimensions and what they will look like, how we will exist, how nature will play a role, etc. It’s an exploration of the inner workings of my brain and the cosmos, but also of my imagination. The character I drew for my print release lives in this other world, and represents a type of femme mythological creature that communes with nature and the elements. I often rely on my imagination. I feel that it’s the key component to building not only things you want, but things you hope for. Without hope, you have nothing, so I often try to express that type of hopefulness across all of my work.

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Hellllllooooo 2020! #bunniereiss #bunniereisslastudio

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1x: Tell us about your execution of this image. What materials were used and how long did it take to create?
Reiss: This was a large ink drawing (24″ x 36″) on archival paper. I was really interested in doing a letterpress and figuring out a way to add color. I loved the idea of an ombré affect behind a simple line drawing.

1x: What were your earliest interactions with art growing up?
Reiss: I was a super wild child, so art was an outlet to keep me occupied ;)

1x: Who or what was a prominent figure that played a role in your formation as an artist?
Reiss: I grew up in a family without other artists. I often felt like I lived on an island surrounded by lots of people. My imagination was my inspiration, and it wasn’t until I was old enough to remember the things I saw in museums for that to have any kind of influence. When I say I grew up as an artist under a rock, I’m not kidding. I still feel slightly blind to contemporary art, and I don’t always know what people are talking about. I just paint what I see in my funny brain.

1x: What are some of the biggest challenges to being a working artist?
Reiss: I’d like to say that my life is hard, but it’s honestly not. I do what I love, and that’s all I can really ask for. But I do think you have to really fight against the fear that you might starve. I work constantly, for the pure love of creating, but also because I have to pay my bills. I work with the deep gratitude that I get enough support to do what I love.

And despite what our current internet world tells you, none of this came overnight. I have been working for 20 years on my career, and to be honest, I feel like it only just started 5 – 7 years ago. You must fight for what you want in this world, even if you’re tired. And the fighting needs to be with every ounce of your compassion and understanding. You have to work the hardest you’ve ever worked, and then work even harder. But that’s the fun it all, right?!!

1x: In what ways is the art industry becoming more (or less) accepting and equitable for women?
Reiss: Is this a trick question?

1x: What are changes that you would like to see?
Reiss: I would like to see free healthcare and education for everyone. Imagine a world where you could be healthy and smart for FREE!!!!!

1x: What does a balanced art industry look like to you?
Reiss: Until we abolish the 1%, we will never have a ‘balanced’ art industry.

1x: What artists inspired you in the past? Who are some artists that inspire you today?
Reiss: Louise Bourgeois, Remedios Varo, Margaret Atwood.

I love and am constantly inspired by my friends Swoon, Lauren YS, Soey Milk, Faith 47, Finley, Lauren Napolitano, Nicholas Estates, Elena Stonaker, Angela Fox and so many more!!!

1x: What advice would you give to an aspiring artist?
Reiss: Work hard, slow down, be nice.

Follow Bunnie Reiss on Instagram – @bunnieluvrocks

Melissa Villaseñor Embraces Her Inner Child with Debut Print Editions

1xRUN is thrilled to welcome Melissa Villaseñor for her first limited print editions as part of our International Women’s Day collection! Best known as the first-ever Latina cast member of Saturday Night Live, the multitalented Villaseñor is also a stand-up comedian, voice actress, musician, and fine artist.

Her simplistic, spirited drawing style is an embrace of “the little Melissa”, nodding to Mexican folk art and Shel Silverstein. For Villaseñor, envisioning herself as a warm sun is to capture her desires and feelings of the moment, saving them for a rainy day. Read our exclusive interview below.

1xRUN: Tell us a little bit about these two pieces, anything immediate you would like us to highlight about this imagery?
Melissa Villaseñor: These two drawings are created from my childlike side, the little Melissa. I drew the little girl with the sun in her mirror reflection on New Year’s morning while I was spending the night at my parents’ house. I felt positive thoughts swarm my head and heart as I drew this little girl seeing herself in the mirror as a sunny sun. I feel that when I am light, silly, filled with gratitude and joy, that I am a yellow warm sun. I visualize it as my body and it makes days lighter. Of course, I always want that feeling to stay.

The little doll is inspired by the one I got from my Grandma as a little girl. There is a funny story behind this doll. When I was very little, my Grandma got me the doll, but I said that she can keep it. So for many, many years, my grandma had it on top of her fridge. I can’t recall why the doll popped into my mind, but over the holiday break I went to visit my grandparents and I gave my grandma a print of this drawing, and she exchanged it for the doll. Now I have the doll at my house. I am so drawn to Mexican artists and the craftsmanship of these sweet dolls, and the figurines are so beautiful. I love vibrant colors, so I encourage folks to color her in bright colors if you’d like to!

1x: Were these images part of an ongoing series, or were they created for this International Women’s Day collection?
Villaseñor: It was created for this particular collection, I knew that my art would be featured and I wanted some pieces that defined me in my light self and show my two different styles of drawing. The very simple one that reminds me of Shel Silverstein’s work, and the doll is how some of my work is very detailed with lines and dimensions.

1x: Tell us about your execution of this imagery.
Villaseñor: I think the little girl with sun took probably only an hour. The doll however may have taken two. As I’ve been drawing more over the past years, I can finish a piece in a few hours. I have a thing where, if I feel the emotion in that moment, I must complete it then and there. I’ve tried to finish pieces the next day or whenever I have time but the feeling has to be there. So I wait for another wave of emotion and motivation to draw it. Especially if I have no deadline. I just used Bristol Paper and pencil first to make the outline then I draw on top of the pencil with different size Faber Castell pens.

1x: What were some of your earliest interactions with art growing up?
Villaseñor: The earliest interactions for me with art was Shel Silverstein as a kid. I just loved the simplicity and emotion his work has. I also understood it. I didn’t have to overthink. Falling Up was the book I had and The Missing Piece. Then in high school I began doodling more in notebooks and I noticed I loved drawing lines. My Mom also was a fan of impressionist artists like George Seurat, who did the little dots in paintings. I found that so cool and different, and that makes sense for some pieces I do today that use a lot of tiny dots to give dimension and shape.

1x: Who were the prominent figures that played a role in your formation as an artist?
Villaseñor: Shel Silverstein, Brandi Milne, Virginia Mori, Frida Khalo, Yoshitomo Nara.

“Everything On It” by Shel Silverstein

1x: What are some of the biggest challenges to being a working artist?
Villaseñor: When I don’t feel it or when it doesn’t come out how I envisioned it in my mind. When I judge myself before even drawing it. Sometimes if I share the piece too early online or just sharing in general and someone says one thing or makes a joke on it it hurts my feelings cause it was a vulnerable piece I shared. I am known as a comedian so if a fan that doesn’t know me too well they see comedy and think I am being funny. But there has been such an awesome growing fan base that get my pieces and connect with them, and tell me how much it helps them to know they aren’t alone in feelings and thoughts.

1x: In what ways is the art industry becoming more (or less) accepting and equitable for women?
Villaseñor: I’m still very much learning about the art world, but I think in general it’s all becoming more accepting for women identifying artists. I’ve always created whatever I felt my soul was desiring, and push to get my work out there whether in comedy, music, or art.

1x: What are some changes that you would like to see?
Villaseñor: Way more female artists featured in museums and galleries, and for women to receive equal pay.

1x: What artists have inspired you in the past? Who are some woman-identifying artists that inspire you today?
Villaseñor: Frida for sure. Today definitely Virginia Mori and Brandi Milne.

1x: What advice would you give to any aspiring artists?
Villaseñor: To listen to your feelings. They give birth to the ideas and creations so don’t block the feelings. Let them flow. Create and know that with practice your work Keeps on getting better.

Follow Melissa Villaseñor on Instagram – @melissavart and @melissavcomedy

Laura Berger on Working Long Hours and Learning from Yourself

Laura Berger is a contemporary artist based in Chicago whose alluring painting style takes a geometric approach to the human form. Employing hypnotic symmetry and a beguiling color palette, her art explores themes of power, strength, solidarity, femininity, and the environment.

Berger joins our International Women’s Day collection with an 11-color screen print based on a painting exhibited in her recent solo exhibition, Find Ourselves Here at Stephanie Chefas Projects in Portland, Oregon. In our exclusive interview, the artist tells us about relationships, working long hours, and the fight for equal treatment.

Laura Berger with Ace Hotel mural in Palm Springs, FL. Photo by Kate Naylor.

1xRUN: Tell us a little bit about this piece, anything immediate you would like us to highlight about this image?
Laura Berger: I had several ideas in mind when I was making this piece — our relationship to each other and to our environment, the embodiment of power and power structure in general, and the contrast and connection between the ideas of strength and grace.

1x: Is this piece a part of an ongoing series?
Berger: The painting that this print was derived from was exhibited in my last solo show, Find Ourselves Here.

1x: Can you tell us more about that show?
Berger: The show was on view last December through early January this year at Stephanie Chefas Projects in Portland, and was comprised of around 23 paintings on canvas and linen.

1x: Tell us about your execution of this image.
Berger: The original painting was acrylic on canvas, it was 24” x 24”. For these editions we’ve created two hand pulled 11-color screen prints.

1x: What were your earliest interactions with art growing up?
Berger: I’ve drawn and painted since I can remember. Creative projects were my favorite outlet growing up — I also sang, danced, played instruments, participated in theater.

1x: Who or what was a prominent figure that played a role in your formation as an artist?
Berger: I think that some difficult and traumatic experiences that I had actually ended up being the most formative for my path as both a person and an artist, and were ultimately the reason I turned to painting.

1x: What are some of the biggest challenges to being a working artist?
Berger: Most working artists work a LOT of hours each day / week, and I think there can be a lot of misconceptions around how much work it is to do [art] full time. It’s a hustle for sure, but the time does slip away so quickly when you’re doing things you enjoy, so those 12+ hour days can zip past super quickly. I struggle most with the isolation that comes with a solitary job like this — working by myself for many hours a day is not super suited for my personality, and I have to make sure I’m making time each week to see other humans so I don’t get depressed.

1x: In what ways is the art industry becoming more or less accepting and equitable for women?
Berger: I think it seems similar to how everything is feeling for women and other groups: like there is more awareness happening and everyone is at least trying to try harder right now, but we’re certainly not “there” yet. We have a long way to go for things to feel equitable. But I also do feel a lot of powerful and more vocal energy around our communal and continued fight. A couple of good things about internet culture is the inherent transparency around these issues, and the sense of global connectedness that’s opening up. There’s a much wider platform, which can hopefully inspire wider understanding and opportunities for more immediate dialogue to happen.

1x: What are changes that you would like to see?
Berger: Equal representation, equal pay, equal respect, equal treatment, equal rights. For all humans.

1x: What artists have inspired you in the past? Who are some artists that inspire you today?
Berger: Helen Frankenthaler, Hilma af Klint, Lygia Clark, Etel Adnan, Marina Abramovic, Clare Rojas, Carmen Herrera, Margaret Kilgalen, Georgia O’Keefe, Christina Ramberg…

1x: What advice would you give to an aspiring artist?
Berger: Just keep at it every day — you have to always try to make yourself make things even when you’re scared to try or don’t feel like trying. Persist, travel, and never stop learning from yourself and others. And be gentle to yourself (I am bad at this but I stand by the advice haha).

1xRUN: Where else can people find you?
Laura Berger: Website – @_lauraberger_

-1xRUN

Yumiko Kayukawa’s “Sister Series” Crosses Yakuza with Love for Wildlife

1xRUN welcomes Japanese illustrator Yumiko Kayukawa to the International Women’s Day collection with a print set and original artwork. Sister Sharkskin and Sister Leopardess are continuations of Kayukawa’s “Sister Series” of portraits depicting fierce vigilantes paired with animals, nodding to Japan’s Yakuza action films and the Manga artform. In our exclusive interview, the artist spoke to 1xRUN about her process, influences, and love for wildlife.

1xRUN: Tell us a little bit about this piece, anything immediate you would like us to highlight about this image?
Yumiko Kayukawa: These are drawn with Sumi Ink, which I love to work with. I like doing calligraphy and drawing Manga with Sumi. I always find it enjoyable. 

1x: Is this piece a part of an ongoing series?
Kayukawa: These two pieces are the 5th and 6th of my “Sister Series”. I usually draw women, and these two “strong woman” images were a good fit for 1xRUN’s International Woman Day collection.

1x: Can you tell us more about the Sister series? 
Kayukawa: These ladies are “Yakuza”, which is a genre of the movies I love. When I started discussing the creation of 1-2 color letterpress prints with 1xRUN, I immediately thought that the bold black line image would be perfect for the strong personalities of these women. 

Brutal Tales of Chivalry (1965), a Japanese Yakuza film

1x: Tell us about your execution of this image. What materials were used, how much time did it take?
Kayukawa: Sumi ink on paper board. The red parts are acrylic paints. I guess it was about 45 hours per image.

1x: What is unique about this piece compared to your other work? 
Kayukawa: The details were done with pen and Sumi ink. The technique of comes from Manga design, which I used to do.
 
1x: What were your earliest interactions with art growing up? 
Kayukawa: Animal picture books, wildlife and superhero TV shows. I started to draw all of these favorite things at age of three. 

1x: What was a prominent figure that played a major role in your formation as an artist?
Kayukawa: Wildlife and animal welfare. I care about animals a lot, and my “art brain” is directed by my feeling for them. That informs my art. 

1x: What are some your biggest challenges to being a working artist?
Kayukawa: Balancing work and life. While I’m working on a piece, I will focus on it so deeply that it’s easy to leave everything else behind. I still struggle to manage time even after 20 years of being an artist.  

1x: What are some changes that you would like to see in the art industry?
Kayukawa: More female gallery or business owners. More chances for undiscovered female artists to get their art shown. 

1x: What artists have inspired you in the past? Who are some artists that inspire you today?
Kayukawa: Past – Beatrix Potter. Today – Niagara. 

1x: What advice would you give to an aspiring artist?
Kayukawa: Work hard, meet your deadlines! 

Natalia Rak on The Pre-Raphaelite Period and Being Your Own Boss

1xRUN is thrilled to welcome Polish street artist Natalia Rak to our International Women’s Day collection! Ophelia is a limited print edition based on a massive mural she painted for No Limit Borås in Sweden, her largest to date. In our exclusive interview, Natalia details her biggest influences, namely Pre-Raphaelite painter Everett Millais, and the biggest challenges to being a full-time artist. Read the full conversation below.

1xRUN: Tell us a little bit about this piece, anything immediate you would like us to highlight about this image?
Natalia Rak: I painted Ophelia for No Limit Borås in Sweden in September 2014. It is the festival’s highest mural that stretches over a 7-story building and 27 meters – also the highest I’ve ever made.

1x: Tell us about your execution of this image.
Rak: I used a mix of spraypaint and acrylic paint. The whole painting took me around 7 days. You can see the whole process on a time lapse video. I chose vibrant and bold colors to create a more mysterious image.

1x: What were your earliest interactions with art growing up?
Rak: Since I was a child, I have always known that I wanted to paint and do things using my imagination, so I tried different artistic practices like drawing, silk screening, graphic design, painting, and sculpture. Watching life of my neighbor artist I was always wondering, what is the value of art in life. Observing and comparing his way of living and sacrifices he made for abstract ideas was something groundbreaking for a child.

1x: Who or what was a prominent figure that played a role in your formation as an artist?
Rak: My neighbor had a big impact on me, but I can’t name one as growing up watching albums with artists, old masters etc. There is so much influence in my work but I always did appreciate the groundbreaking times, in which you can feel emotions, the nostalgia and romanticism is something that you can see in my works too. Ophelia was inspired by an Everett Millais (1851-52) painting of the same name. Millais was an English painter and illustrator who was one of the founders of the Pre-Raphaelite period, which I love. I appreciate it for the abundant detail, intense colors and complex compositions.

1x: What are some of the biggest challenges to being a working artist?
Rak: The artist’s path is not easy. I want to be honest to my own convictions and at the same time meet the needs of my clients. The whole process of painting is a big challenge for me, as you have to remember, I’m a woman, I don’t have a body of an athlete. I have to work smart and effective as I have limited time to do a wall. The weather and other circumstances come with painting an outside wall too. Besides that, you have to learn to be your own boss and manager. That’s not an easy life but it gives a lot in return too.

Ophelia 1851-2 Sir John Everett Millais, Bt 1829-1896

1x: In what ways is the art industry becoming more or less accepting and equitable for women?
Rak: When I started my journey 7 years ago I was surrounded more with male artists. Last year I took part in Festivals where I met few really talented ladies. Those girls are hard working and committed to the idea and it just makes me proud. There is a change for sure and it’s a good path but I believe there is room for everybody, especially in art, and some changes just need more time.

1x: What are changes that you would like to see?
Rak: Hope to see our society rise above divisions and differences.I think elimination of wage disparities between men and women should be a priority.

1x: What artists inspired you in the past? Who are some woman-identifying artists that inspire you today?
Rak: I have to mention here a great polish painter Olga Boznańska still less recognizable outside Poland. She was stylistically associated with the French impressionism. I have to say I needed time to fully appreciate her work, her vibrating way of painting, atmosphere and psychological insight.

Today, female artists that I met during those years are a big inspiration for me too. I’m impressed by their imagination, artistic sensitivity and pursuit of self-improvement. These little beauties are fighters. Some of them even combine artist life and motherhood. I’m really impressed.

1x: What advice would you give to an aspiring artist?
Rak: Don’t be too scared to experiment with techniques and styles. There are so many directions where art is present or required. You will always find a place for you. Experiencing life on different levels will enrich your creativity.

Follow Natalia on Instagram at @nataliarakart.

1xRUN Welcomes Prolific Collector James Dozier to the 1xPodcast: Listen

James Dozier has been collecting artwork from Detroit artists for nearly 30 years. He has methodically built an extraordinary collection by going to hundreds of art shows and supporting artists at their earliest stages.

In the latest installation of the 1xPodcast, 1xRUN CEO Jesse Cory delves deep into the mind of a prolific collector.

“You have to go to where the art is at in order to expand your knowledge, and also to support these cultural venues. To me, I’m driven because I love art and culture. I want to see it.” -James Dozier

Stephanie Buer on The City That Made Her

1xRUN is excited to welcome landscape painter Stephanie Buer for a stunning print edition as part of our International Women’s Day collection! CN Rail is an ode to one of Detroit’s best-known landmarks: The Packard Plant, once an obelisk of Detroit’s vibrant auto industry, is now viewed as a symbol of the city’s economic decline.

Buer is drawn to derelict landscapes, uninhabited by humans but clearly marked by them. As part of International Women’s Day, the Portland-based artist spoke to us about Detroit’s significance to her growth as an artist, and her gripe with the industry. Read our exclusive interview below.

1xRUN: Tell us a little bit about this piece, anything immediate you would like us to highlight about this image?
Stephanie Buer: This piece is a drawing I made from images gathered while exploring the Packard Plant years ago. It was taken before the Packard Plant was purchased and renovated, back when I used to live in Detroit and wander the plant regularly. That place is very special to me and my early development as an artist.

1x: Is this piece a part of a larger collection?
Buer: This piece was a part of an ongoing series about the Packard Plant and that part of Detroit.

1x:Can you tell us more about that series?
Buer: I moved to Detroit to attend art school about 18 years ago. So long ago! Very shortly after I started classes, I befriended some artists at the Heidelberg Project and they took me to see the Packard Plant, and I fell in love. Ever since that day I’ve been exploring that old factory and other areas of the city, taking thousands of photos and making paintings and drawings of the places I visited.

1x: How did you execute this image?
Buer: I used charcoal for the original piece. I really enjoy charcoal; it’s much quicker than painting, and the process, for me, is more meditative. There’s no color mixing or layering or waiting for things to dry. You just pick up the pencil and go. It usually takes me about two weeks to finish a drawing like this.

1x: What were your earliest interactions with art growing up?
Buer: Drawing was something we did a lot as kids, from a very young age. We didn’t even think about it. It comes so naturally to children, to express oneself and communicate in that way. We weren’t concerned with how things looked, or if they were good or not, we just drew everything all the time. We’d make up elaborate stories and characters that would come alive as soon as we recorded them on paper.

1x: Who or what was a prominent figure that played a role in your formation as an artist?
Buer: I didn’t have a lot of encouragement in high school. Our art program was terrible. After high school though, I went to the community college in Grand Rapids and studied under this amazing professor Nick Antonokis. He changed the game for me. I was told by other teachers that I could never become an artist – that the idea was just crazy. I was too slow and detail-orientated that traditional painting was over. He was the opposite. He taught and encouraged me, helped me build my portfolio and pick a good transfer school. He really believed in me. It was life changing.

1x: What are some of the biggest challenges to being a working artist?
Buer: Comparing yourself to others is an ongoing challenge. There will always be artists who are better than you, who get into all the galleries and shows that you wish you could, or who find it easier to get grants and fellowships. It’s a dangerous road to go down and it can really hinder your growth and happiness.

Trying to use social media as a promotional tool, but also to not get bogged down in comparing yourself to others is difficult. There really are so many challenges to working as an artist, but learning to manage yourself, and to be happy with the work that you do, can lift that fog and help you handle all the other things so much easier.

1x: In what ways is the art industry becoming more or less accepting and equitable for women?
Buer: The industry is talking about it, taking notice, and making attempts at being more inclusive, and that helps. At least they’re finally saying, hey, this isn’t right. Hopefully, the momentum keeps rolling and real change starts to show up. In all areas of the art industry, too, not just the outward parts that make institutions look like they care.

1x: What are the changes that you would like to see?
Buer: You know, it’s always bothered me that even today, a lot of men still produce work about women, the “idealized” woman. You’d think once you leave mainstream culture and enter the art world, things might be different, people might have moved on and become more open minded, but no, it’s all the same. There are depictions of perfectly gorgeous, commercialized, idealized women everywhere. We know women’s bodies are beautiful – all the female-identifying bodies are rad as hell – but can we please celebrate everything else about them too? Everything they create, their minds, ideas, the way they see the world, the way they are strong and powerful and emotional, and how every other goddamn thing that they do is fantastic? Also, while we’re at it, how about men just stop making work about women. Celebrate them, listen to them, promote them, and lift them up in other ways. Please.

1x: What does a balanced art industry look like to you?
Buer: I think a balanced art industry would look way more diverse, not just by leveling the playing field for women, but all minorities: POC, LGBTQ, trans folks. They need to be represented and given a place. A big place, too. So just asking for 50/50 men and women is not enough in my opinion. Dismantle it all and start over.

1x: What artists inspired you in the past? Who are some woman-identifying artists that inspire you today?
Buer: There were some really great professors at The College for Creative Studies that I looked up to – Gilda Snowden and Susan Campbell are two of my favorites. I really loved reading about and studying Louise Bourgeois too. She was so tough and so rad. There really weren’t that many, though. It was mostly dudes.

Nowadays though, I have more women artists in my life that I look up to. Mary Iverson is one. She’s definitely someone I admire and ask a lot of advice from. Stella Im Hultberg, Cinta Vidal, Liz Brizzi and Lisa Ericson are all female-identifying, working artists who I look up to. They make beautiful work and make things happen. It’s inspiring. It’s tough, though. For about every ten fellow artists who are men, I can name like one female artist.

1x: What advice would you give to an aspiring artist?
Buer: Go out and network. Go to gallery openings, lectures, classes, meet real people and have real conversations. Those connections will be crucial in starting your career, and those relationships will make you happy.

Follow Stephanie on Instagram at @stephanie_Buer.

Lauren YS on Self Worth, Miyazaki, and Keeping a Healthy Schedule

Continuing our month-long celebration of International Women’s Day, Lauren YS joins us for a conversation surrounding her two gorgeous 12-color silkscreen editions. Available on reflective foil and fine art paper, Noodle Time is a celebration of femininity, strangeness, sex, and food. In our exclusive interview, YS details her early gigs, influences in comics, and advice on staying healthy.

1xRUN: Tell us a little bit about this piece, anything immediate you would like us to highlight about this image?
Lauren YS: A playful celebration of the femme, created particularly for this.

1x: Tell us about your execution of this image. What materials were used, how much time did it take, etc?
YS:  This image was created as a black and white ink drawing and then colored digitally, then converted to a layered silkscreen.

1x: What were your earliest interactions with art growing up? 
YS: I grew up watching animated films that really affected me –– Miyazaki, Disney films, anime –– I think that was the initial hook that pulled me into visuals. As a teenager I worked at the Denver Art Museum and read a lot of comics (Jhonen Vasquez, Junji Ito vibes), watched a lot of cartoons and got very into the Tokyo Pop Underground genre of art. I made money in high school by drawing/painting on people’s shoes and giving fake tattoos in sharpie. When I was 16 I wrote a graphic novel about a girl who sews an octopus onto a headless body for a boyfriend, which weirdly won an award from the Scholastics.

1x: Who or what was a prominent figure that played a role in your formation as an artist?
YS: I was very affected by artists like Moebius and Miyazaki – something about two dimensional dreamworlds that really intoxicated me and made me want to chip away at my own surreality. I think seeing Spirited Away for the first time was the turning point where I decided I wanted to be an artist. I felt like I needed to spend my life bringing to life things that don’t exist, and I knew I’d never be satisfied if I didn’t start now.  

1x: What are some of the biggest challenges to being a working artist?
YS: Trying to constantly stay honest with yourself about what direction you need to push towards, when to speak up, when to hold one’s tongue. Not being too hard on myself, yet never becoming complacent. Knowing one’s self-worth while staying humble. Keeping a healthy schedule. Finding space for other things. Creating a separation from work and life (could there be?!) Being a good art patron at the same time as a good artists. Trying to support causes I believe in without being didactic, and at the same time trying to protect myself from letting politics infect my work and mental health.

1x: In what ways is the art industry becoming more or less accepting and equitable for women? 
YS: It feels like progress is being made, albeit slowly, given the monumental disparities between male and female artists if you look at statistics. However it’s powerful to see strides being made-for example, traditionally the Venice Biennale has featured between 26-43% female artists, yet in 2019 it included 53% female artists. News like that is powerful and should incite change in other areas of the art world.

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“noodle time” ink on paper for @abvgallery “paper trails” show • • • Been a rough time for me lately, how strange that when you have something so precious ripped from inside you, it leaves space for the displacement of other things? Have you ever felt love or lust or joy as acutely as in the throes of grief? I am exhausted and so happy and so torn all at once. The good news is I think im barely back to thinking about the body and the mind and sex and strangeness, all the feral power it takes to be human and conscious and true to something , anything good, or bad even if it’s real….feels good to have things cut open, I am resisting the urge to go numb, keep me alive keep me pulsing and angry and raw ok? • • Ps I am in my hometown for @thecrushwalls this week and so happy to be painting where I grew up, please be gentle with me if you see me crying in the lift, I love you

A post shared by LAUREN YS (@squid.licker) on

1x: What are changes that you would like to see?
YS: I would like to see curators actively following, supporting and pushing the work of female artists as much as our male counterparts, which requires research and effort, as we are much fewer and further between–without necessarily needing the premise of “all-female” lineups. I would also like to see more trans and gender non-conforming artists’ work shown in prestigious art institutions.  

1x: What does a balanced art industry look like to you?
YS: When women earn the same amount as men (rather than 74¢ to their dollar). More work by women in museum’s permanent collections (I find the statistic that out of over 10,000 artists’ work in private collections, 87% are male, and 85% are white –– particularly horrifying.) Lineups that, as a rule, present gender parity. More femme-identifying people in positions of leadership. More coverage of femme-identifying artists in publications of note. 

1x: What artists have inspired you in the past? Who are some woman-identifying artists that inspire you today?
YS:  Yayoi Kusama. Jenny Saville. Louise Bourgeois. Noelle Longhaul. Jenny Holzer. Kara Walker. Marina Monteagudo. Kristen Liu-Wong. Grimes. Louise Zhang. Sarah Sitkin. Jillian Evelyn. Soey Milk. Helen Beard. Georgia Hill. Paola Delfin. Stickymonger. Swoon. Faith 47. Björk. Hellen Jo. 

1x: What advice would you give to an aspiring artists?
YS: Accept that you will fail, and fail again, and the power of that acceptance will give you freedom to grow further than you could’ve imagined. Understand that one woman’s success does not take away from your own, and never let jealousy or competition override the responsibilities of sisterhood. Be militantly honest with yourself and others – be kind, be angry, be forgiving, work hard.

Follow Lauren YS on Instagram at @squid.licker.