GR2 Interview: Merging Views – Stasia Burrington

1) Explain about your work area / studio. What about it makes you enjoy working there? 

I work in my home studio in Seattle, WA. I’ve claimed the corner with the largest windows, so I have great natural light! I also have a coffee/tea station right behind my work area, to keep me fueled. I have a computer/printer/scanner station, as well as a large fold-out table for when I need more surface area. I most love working at home because I can take lots of breaks and continue to work late at night, with the company of our two little kitties. I’m surrounded by things that inspire me and make me happy.

2) How does it differ from your last working area?

Our last apartment was smaller, darker and further from town. Now it’s so much nicer!

3) You have other endeavors along with your fine art. Can you talk about what you do there, and how that intertwines with your work?

I’m a full-time freelance illustrator/artist, which is amazing. I’m currently working on illustrating a how-to bondage guide-book, and recent projects have included tattoo designs, wedding invitations, and an original-art deck of cards. Each project has different challenges and are especially great when they require lots of research.

4) In your art journey, are there any physical objects that have inspired you?

I idolize and am most inspired by the work of other artists, mostly painters: I’ve had lasting infatuations with many classic artists: Mucha, Klimt, Rodin, Schiele, Hokusai – and contemporary: Kiki Smith, Sam Weber, Jillian Tamaki, Yuko Shimizu and James Jean.

5) What have been the biggest obstacles in your art career development and how did you get through them? 

Periods of depression and dips in self-confidence, which I think most artists face. It’s hard to get back into the habit of creating after falling out of it. It’s also been really easy for me to fall into the trap of overthinking the “why” of creating art, and having anxiety over feeling the need to justify or explain myself. It’ll likely always be there, a little, but by simply focusing on the work and on where I want to go, instead of dwelling on where I don’t want to, things have been going in a great direction.