Carlsbad Art and Culture

How long have you lived in the ARTpartment with Bryan? Is the current ARTpartment the first or was there another?
This August was our 4th year in the ARTpartment. Before that we lived together in a room for rent near Cal State East Bay, where Bryan went to school. The house had 9 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and
2 kitchens, so it was kind of like an apartment. Originally, just Bryan lived there and the place was always cluttered with art projects. Like the candle installation that started on a wine bottle and eventually attached itself to a skateboard deck and then to the wall and floor. After I moved in, things didn’t really change (except that there was groceries in the fridge). We made projects together that added to the rooms decor. There is a painting that hangs framed in our ARTpartment that we painted there. We got paint and oil pastels everywhere… needless to say Bryan never got his deposit back, nor did he ask for it.

Describe the walls and some of your favorite things on them?
The ARTpartment has lots of color and light, that’s probably my favorite thing about our place. There is art everywhere and select vintage knick knacks. We have a big stencil of mushrooms in the bathroom and right by my dresser, a stenciled portrait resembling my face.

Being a fashionista and artist yourself, how do you two share ideas? Do you ask for advice from each other?.
Both of us ask each other for advice all the time. It really comes in handy because we both share similar tastes and aesthetics. We are both perfectionists too. The first person I want advice from is Bryan. We come up with lots of ideas together as well and re talk them out until they are sound. We both have idea books!

What is your role in Bryan’s art and his creative process?
I like to think of myself as his helping hand and second opinion. I have done a fair share of behind the scenes work too, and I’m his biggest supporter.

Has there been a time when you witnessed Bryan break down from a project failure or from being overworked?
Not from failure, but definitely from being overworked. You can’t stop Bryan from working, he has an amazing drive. All you can do is try to make life around him easier, easier for both of us. Sometimes when he works late at the studio, I will drive down there to bring him dinner. I’m also very busy too, which makes things easy for both of us, neither of us are holding each other back.

How has the opening of the Snyder Art and Design studio changed things around the ARTpartment?
There is a lot less clutter at the ARTpartment now that Bryan has a studio. Over the years, his art supplies multiplied. He made paintings, t-shirts, stickers, sculptures…everything from home. Now Bryan does all of his internet/computer based work and a few side projects at home. We also hold Carlsbad art events at home too.

Describe the weeks leading up to Bryan’s annual solo show? How much time is invested into preparation. How long does Bryan work on the total show? Describe your influence and participation.
Bryan wakes up at 7:30am and works as late as 11pm or 12am. He invests all his time to the show. He does everything himself, there are no interns or employees. He does all the planning/organizing, advertising/marketing, budgeting, creating, cleaning… the list could go on. I try to give him good feedback and support, I think that is the influence he receives. I try to help out where ever I can also. This year I’ll be in charge of the merchandise among other responsibilities, like cleaning, running errands, promoting the show and being his arm candy on opening night 🙂

How is it living with an overly passionate artist? Describe the awards and perils?
Being with a passionate artist means I get to see a side of him no one else gets to see, but I don’t really see an award system in our relationship. He makes me happy, we understand each other, we are best friends and we allow each other independence as well. I don’t think that has to do with him being an artist, I think that is just his personality. I will say that there are perils though. Sometimes I have to come second to his work and that is something you learn to understand and work with.

Other than art, what do you two do together for fun?
That is an easy question. We like to wander cities and travel, watch movies, go to art shows and hang out at the beach with friends. We love Halloween and dress up every year. We go on bike rides and secret missions too.

What are your projects and interests? What do you currently have going on?
I am a freelance makeup artist and aspiring wardrobe stylist. I specialize in commercial, lifestyle, fashion and beauty for film and photography. I also go to school for fashion merchandising and design. I write a style blog called streetfancy.com. The blog is a creative outlet for me and it keeps me up to date in the fashion world. Streetfancy.com is all about personal style (street style) and the connection between lifestyle, art, reality and fashion. I have a section called OUTandABOUT and it is just that. when I’m out and about and see someone exuding impeccable personal style, I stop them for a snapshot. I also have a section called Icon Etiquette, for praising, educating and hopefully inspiring the readers about icons who’ve made fashion movements (like Annie Hall or Stevie Nicks). Eventually, I would like to start my own vintage store and continue to do my freelance work. I’m planning to open the store online through streetfancy.com in the future.

I’m also an artist but haven’t taken any plunge like Bryan has. I love illustration work like Andy Warhol’s shoes or Erte (a.k.a. Romain de Tirtoff) of Harper’s Bazaar, Swoons street art and William Kentridges’s charcoal drawings. Collage art, thick impasto colors and textures thrill me too.

Thanks for reading! and don’t forget to dress to impress because streetfancy.com will see you at the show!

www.streetfancy.com