Monday, April 19, 2010

Behind the Design - Painted White

Good morning everyone. I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. We were able to get some thrifting in and found tons of cool stuff, all being posted to the shop in the next week or so.

This week's Behind the Design features the incredibly talented Alice from Painted White.  I don't think there is anything Alice doesn't do well, from jewelry design to sewing to photography!  I had a great time finding out more about this incredibly talented artist.

Where does your inspiration come from?
Anywhere and everywhere...nature...a walk through town...vintage, antique, flea market finds...


Do you have a spot you like to go that helps you feel creative?
I can feel creative almost anywhere...but in my studio is where I get the most accomplished...


Where do you do most of your work?
I try to contain it to my studio...but when that gets too chaotic and messy I do move to the living room and dining room. I hate to do that...but life happens ;) and I have a really understanding husband (who does the same thing in fact).


How did you come up with the name for your business?
For my wesbite, Painted White, it fit because all of my furniture is usually white and I used to spend a lot of time painting anything I could touch white. I do that a lot less these days, preferring original finishes to patinas...


For my jewelry, Paradox, it describes the mix of my offerings...contemporary vintage...


Your favorite thing to make?
Whatever I am in the mood for...at times jewelry, other times home decor...other times paper and collage art...whatever mood strikes me is my favorite at that time.


What is your all time favorite design from past or current collections?
A toss up between my burlap pillows and ornaments and my asymmetrical romantic necklaces...


You couldn't run your business without _____________?
My husband...he is the main supporter in helping me create a stay at home business and believes in me even when I don't believe in myself. He always offers encouragement and advice and even takes most of my packages to the post office for me...

What advice do you wish someone had given you when you first started your business?
Don't get caught up in what others are doing...stay true to who you are and what you love. I try to do that now, but often I feel bombarded with so much inspiration from fellow business owners and bloggers. It is sometimes hard to separate that from myself and know that what I do is "good enough", even if it isn't what they do or how they do it...

Coffee or tea?
Both...I go through phases with these two...

Favorite magazine/blog/daily read?
No daily reads for me, but I do enjoy Jeanne d'Arc Living magazine. Blogs I love include Belle Blanc, My Petite Maison, and Laughing with Angels. I also love a good Anthropologie catalog...

If you could follow one person around for a day, who would it be?
Grace Kelly...were she alive...

Do you have any hobbies or creative outlets other than your work?
Hmm...that is tricky since I feel most times like I am always "working" but I really enjoy photography as a leisure activity, as well as getting out with my husband and dog to go on nature walks, visit cemeteries, and community gardens.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, money and time being no object, where would you go and why?
Provence (France). No question. I have always longed to go there and know that I would fall in love with the countryside and lifestyle.

If you had to spend a year on a deserted island, what 5 things would you bring with you?
My husband and dog if I could :); a Bible; lip gloss; and mascara (perhaps shallow but I'd still want to look semi descent).

Thank you Alice for participating in this week's Behind the Design.

Photos courtesy of Alice, Painted White.

Alica can be found at:
Painted White
Paradox Etsy shop
Alice W Photography
Alice's Looking Glass
Blog

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Thanks so much for interviewing and featuring me! It is truly an honor!

The Design Boards said...

Of course! Thank you for participating.