Interview: RJ of Bailey Doesn’t Bark

I’m very pleased to kick off our interview series again with RJ of Bailey Doesn’t Bark — I’m in love with her beautiful black and white lines that she paints on home wares — the lines oftentimes look like ink dispersed in water and frozen in time. Magical.

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Suffocation I and II, a black and white print

Name: Re Jin Lee (RJ)
Location: New York
Website/Shop: www.baileydoesntbark.com, Etsy shop
Blog: www.baileydoesntbark.blogspot.com
Media: brushes, pens, ink

Tell us a little more about yourself.
I was born and raised in Brazil. Moved to L.A. for a bit after college and finally planted a few tiny roots here in New York City – which I love. I studied fashion design – designed denim for a few years in L.A. and I realized I was unhappy because I was doing something that wasn’t in me. So I switched to fashion styling, which I adored. I packed my bags and moved to NYC. Styled for a couple of more years and soon realized that was not me either! Finally, I decided it was time to do what I really have the passion for and that I knew was in me: draw. So here I am.

How did you get your start in illustration?
I’ve been drawing all my life… I believe it’s in my genes – My mother is an artist, my father can doodle and my brother as well. I still have sketch books from when I was about 7 or 8. They are quite wild and scary, as in: how can a child think of such things and draw them! Probably just trying to express my emotions – rebel child 🙂 Anyway, I’ve taken tons of art classes, played with watercolor, oil painting, mosaics, etc. It was only just a few years ago that I discovered my favorite technique: lines. I started drawing lines to interpret my dreams…

Look Up Sometimes, a set of 5 Wall Plates

…And how did it progress into painting on homewares such as cups and plates?
I wanted my drawings to be in things that are useful… I’m still experimenting. Home wares are my favorite canvases as of now 🙂

What do you think about when you put pen to paper? Is there a thought process behind your art?
The ideas come out of the blue. Once I have it I need to write it down or start drawing immediately, otherwise, I forget. Just like dreams. If you want to remember your dream, you need to write it down as soon as you wake up…
Sometimes, I can just start drawing on a piece of paper without having anything in mind. Most times it turns out terrible and I tear it apart.

The Four Seasons Wall Plates

What or who inspires you?
What: Life
Who: Harry Clarke, Kay Nielsen

What keeps you motivated?
Love for creating.

What’s your favourite tool?
A really good pen and/or brush.

Are you a full-time artist?
Yes and loving every minute of it! (this was a recent change, hence the excitement)

Original Series Tea Bag String Cup

What advice would you like to give people who would like to sell their works online?
Just do it, now. I really mean it. If you’ve already had the thought of selling online, then your product must be great, so why wait? There are a few great places to set up your online shop. There are amazing + helpful communities in these websites.

Shhh Series It’s Crowded Bowl and Tea Cup Set

Where do you see yourself within the next few years?
Doing the same thing I’m doing now, drawing, but in a much bigger space with much bigger projects 🙂

What message do you want to send out to people about your work?
I’m not much of a writer, nor a speaker, so I draw to share with you my thoughts and my dreams.
I hope you enjoy them, I really do!

{ Thanks RJ! }

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If you missed our earlier interviews, see here for other wonderful artists that we have profiled so far!