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Q1 What made you decide to be an artist?
I don't think it was something I decided, it's just always been a part of me since I can remember. I've always done creative things. But, a couple years ago I decided to really go for it and fully embrace my creative side. Marianne and I liked the idea of starting a business together since we both wanted to try and make a go of selling our cards for real, which is when we launched fisk and fern. |
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Q2 Can you talk about the various creative aspects of your job?
L: I'm a printmaker, and what I love about printmaking that there are so many different types to learn about and try. So, one day I might be carving a linoleum block, or another day I might be silkscreening onto the notebooks I print on. Also for printmaking I really enjoy the process, it takes a while to get things set up and you have to plan in advance, some people can find it tedious but it's all part of creating a print, and that's exciting.
M: I love searching for patterns, it's what inspires me and guides me to my next project. When I flip through a magazine I'm constantly thinking, how can I use this pattern to make something completely different? Like making a cupcake from a dress print, or a tree from a sweater knit. I don't always know what I'm making when I'm in the middle of making it, but knowing that I'm creating something unique is super cool to me. |
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Q6 Tell us about a project that you are working on right now
L: I'm working on a drypoint series of animal skulls right now. A little morbid sounding, but they're so beautiful and almost a little comical all at the same time.
M: I'm experimenting with some paper jewelry pieces, and figuring out how to incorporate paper in unexpected ways. |
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Q7 Is there a dream project that you'd like to do?
L: I have a few ideas rolling around, but right now a dream project involves a lot of time, so I think for me my dream would be to have the time to spend hours in the printshop, and what I could accomplish from that.
M: I would love to write and illustrate a children's book one day.
Q8 What's coming up in 2008? Any plans?
L: Our goal is to have our line in more stores. We are currently in a few wonderful places, but would like to be in more – so that's definitely a business goal. Creatively, I finally want to complete my second coloring book, which I've been putting off for far too long.
M: I agree, more stores would be a plus, and I'm focusing my efforts more on the collage art print and jewelry pieces. |
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Started by two friends Laura and Marianne, Fisk and Fern is a small card and household goods company based in Brooklyn and Philadelphia. We've made cards every since we could remember and we felt our styles complimented each other and thought it'd be fun to take what gave us so much enjoyment personally could become something more. Laura (the Fisk side) is all about printmaking – and incorporating different techniques especially screenprinting and linoleum block printing. Marianne (the Fern side) works in collage, building intricate and whimsical designs by finding inspiration in everyday magazines. Our designs are range from the cute and silly to the surreal, and that's what keeps it interesting for us. Microscopic organisms, robots, and cupcakes make us happy. We love that every one of our items has been held in our hands and made our own.
(L: Laura Fisk, M: Marianne Fernsler) |
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Q3 What inspires you to design?
L: So many things – Walking around the city (NY) and seeing random strangeness, nature, looking through old books and science encyclopedias, design from the 40's and 50's especially.
M: Definitely seeing what other people create. It's amazing to see how others' minds work, and once you see what they do, it automatically gives me ideas on what I could possibly do.
Q4 Who is your favorite designer (or an artist)?
L: There's too many talented people out there that it's too hard for me to pick one! I've love the work of Shag, and the work from the guys and gals at Pixar. Recently I just saw the work of Walton Ford that is incredible. A lot of the German and Russian graphic work from the 1900’s – 1930's just blows me away.
M: I love a lot of children's book illustrators, Eric Carle is my favorite. And I'm a huge fan of impressionists like Georges Seurat because of how they can take tiny bits of color and make up such a huge, awesome work of art. |
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Q5 What's a highlight of your recent design career?
Right now there are so many amazing "indie" craft shows, and taking part in as many as we can has been really amazing – just being acknowledged to participate, and meeting other crafters and artists is really inspiring
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Q9 What do you see about Japan?
I feel there's more and more in America that incorporates Japanese style and designs – and that's so great and so much is inspiring. One of my goals is to visit Japan (hopefully sooner rather than later!)
Q10 If you could rewrite your history a bit and take on a totally different career or lifestyle, what would it be and why?
L: I would take more chances and take more risks! It's something I'm trying to do more. Great things don't come from being safe, so if I could go back in time I would probably do things a little differently. But, the future is wide open so no regrets just yet!
M: I really like what I do already, I can't even think of another option. I'm not sure if that's good or bad, but I dig it. |
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