It is with great excitement that GANXXET introduces this new section in this amazing space to connect makers and see a little bit more of the behind the scenes of creatives around the world! Studio Tour is a segment that provides stories and personal questions regarding the creative process of a maker while going through their amazing studios and homes! So welcome and GANXXET hopes that with this new outlet, we can stay more connected to one another!
Artist: Luiza
Handle : @ATELIEMENTHA
My name is Luiza, I'm 31 and I live in Brazil. At 17 I left my city to study in Sao Paulo, a big capital very different from where I was born. I graduated in Photography and I worked with fashion and conceptual photography for 8 years. As everyone knows, the fashion market can be tricky and heavy sometimes. I didnt agree with so many values and things that happened in front of me and I was dealing with professional devaluation everyday.
I had to create throught some different media for my mental health's sake and the first thing that came to mind was to bring back my teenager hobbies and doing macrame bracelets. Just for fun.
But then it wasn't! It was a one way ticket hahaha
WHERE ARE YOU ORIGINALLY FROM AND HAS YOUR UPBRINGING AND BACKGROUND SERVED AS INSPIRATION FOR YOUR WORK?
I'm from Botucatu, a smaller, countryside city in Brazil with a lot of beautiful horizons, mountains and hidden waterfalls. I'm pretty sure that growing up that made a lot of difference to my work as a photographer and now as a fiber artist.
WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR INSPIRATION FROM?
Nature has always been a huge source of inspiration for everything in my life. To photograph, to crafts, to live by, to make life decisions. There's a wild lady inside my mind and I just follow her.
WHAT IS YOUR COLOR PALETTE OF CHOICE?
Other than Natural, I definitely live by mustard, pinks, earthy tones and greens.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STUDIO / HOME SPACE AND DOES IT REFLECT YOUR PERSONALITY?
My home right now has been our safe space. We’ve been living in a huge city for the last 12 years and it’s always been a dream to come back to live in the countryside. The pandemic came and we didn’t have any other reason why we should stay in São Paulo since we’re both working from home at the time, so we moved to my husband's home town and we found this beautiful wood house that fits so perfect for us.
DO YOU HAVE ANY OBJECT / TOOL OF SENTIMENTAL VALUE THAT IS LINKED TO YOUR WORK OR BUSINESS?
Not an object exactly, but I think my whole business right now has a sentimental value for me. I believe arts and crafts can bring so many cherished memories to everyone. Grandmas, Mons, Aunts, wise women that came before us and "weaved" the path for us. In my case, I've seen my family have craft hobbies. My grandmother was a great seamstress and made beautiful dresses to her granddaughters. My mom always made huge Arraiolo rugs. Thinking about it now, it's not so weird... People say that the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree. It's not something I've always dreamt of doing, but life showed me this calling and I just accepted. It was the best decision I've made.
For me, in such modern times, it's a great honor to work and live by creating through ancient and milenar habits like weaving, macrame, embroidery and all needle crafts in general.
WHAT IS YOUR PROCESS OF CREATION AND OR MAKING, DO YOU HAVE ANY RITUALS?
I do love to create rituals for everything, but as a fiber artist and running this brand as my only and full time job, I can’t always expect to find time for the “perfect” day of blissfully creation.
If I have time I’d love to play my favorite playlist, to be outdoors in a sunny cold day.. to have no scheduled tasks for the rest of the day and to let my hands weave whatever they want. Often that’s my favorite creative results.
But sometimes I’ll have to settle with a scented candle, seeing the daily news and doing some batching home tasks in breaks, when I have to rest my arms from weaving. It's real life and hard work, but it's not, at all, less beautiful.
HOW DO YOU THINK YOUR WORK DESCRIBES YOU AS A FIBER ARTIST?
Well, certainly I have never been good at describing myself. I consider myself an introvert, a little shy and often insecure. But at the same time I’m a strong Aries, feminist, with so many feelings bursting out. These two people inside me manage to find “a half way” to meet and express my voice through colors and textures.
WHAT STYLE OF DECOR ARE YOU MOST DRAWN TO?
Ever since I was a child I’ve always been fascinated by old farm houses, with its rustic details, wood furniture, wild nature, coffee smells, coziness and warmth. I think my style as an adult is a reflect of that childhood memories + Brazilian culture + with a hint of Nordic minimalistic (ish) influences (laughs).
DO YOU THINK MENTAL HEALTH CAN BE IMPROVED WITH THIS TECHNIQUE?
For sure. Like I said, years ago I reconnected with craft work for my mental health. It’s a sacred moment that we can all benefit from. I still use crafts as “tool” for dealing with anxious times and it often works.
GIVE ME THREE WORDS YOU LIVE BY
Nature, Fiber, Colors.
WHAT HAS MADE YOU HAPPY LATELY
We live a difficult time to be happy with this pandemic, but knowing that my family and loved ones are safe it's been the best thing I can ask for. Also, my dogs and my plants make me very happy everyday (laughs).
ZODIAC SIGN.
Aries
