{"id":86,"date":"2008-03-26T23:02:45","date_gmt":"2008-03-26T23:02:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hip97.com\/wp\/?p=86"},"modified":"2012-10-31T23:08:43","modified_gmt":"2012-10-31T15:08:43","slug":"interview-iris-schwarz","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pikaland.com\/staging\/2008\/03\/26\/interview-iris-schwarz\/","title":{"rendered":"Interview: Iris Schwarz"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

I’m really happy to announce a section dedicated for interviews with fellow artists and illustrators, inspired by Patricia’s Crafty Synergy interviews<\/a>. I’ve made many friends here and I’ve always wanted to hear their stories about their work, and thought of sharing it with everyone here for inspiration. Enjoy! <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Name:<\/strong> Iris Schwarz<\/p>\n

Location:<\/strong> Zurich, Switzerland<\/p>\n

Website\/Shop:<\/strong> irisschwarz.etsy.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Illustration media:<\/strong> Mixed media<\/p>\n

Tell us a little more about yourself.<\/em><\/strong>
\nI am an illustrator and graphic designer, living and working in Zurich. After my graduation in graphic design\/illustration I\u2019m now self-employed for about ten years. For me graphic design always was more of a job, but illustration\/drawing\/painting is my real passion. My studio of almost two years is situated in the old city, next to the conservatory. It\u2019s an everyday pleasure to come here and work. Sometimes the sound of a violin passes my window while I\u2019m working\u2026. But more real is my good old radio. It\u2019s on all day long and plays \u2013 most of the time \u2013 classic music. I love this atmosphere, it\u2019s calm and concentrated. I can work like this for hours \u2013 mostly alone. I\u2019m not a big talker and I\u2019m not a team worker. I tried it before, but I found out I get things together best on my own. But I love to listen and to watch\u2026 people. <\/p>\n

Lately my husband and me moved to a very old house, a bit outside of town, close to the lake. It\u2019s beautiful to just to step out the door and take a long walk.<\/p>\n

How did you get your start in illustration?<\/em><\/strong>
\nUp until now, in my professional life I was twice employed as a graphic designer. I was really lucky because they supported my love for drawing and painting and didn\u2019t push me into advertising or too much into design. They even encouraged me to work freelance for several magazines and newspapers. So I slipped more and more in to the illustration world, especially editorial illustration. Today I work more as a freelancer, selling my art and illustrations online or direct to my audience.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Silence print; Thought print<\/h5>\n

What’s your favourite tool?<\/em><\/strong>
\nA pencil, a brush and paper. But, I must admit my iMac (Photoshop) and me became really good friends too!<\/p>\n

Are you a full-time artist?<\/em><\/strong>
\nYes.<\/p>\n

What or who inspires you?<\/em><\/strong>
\nArt \u2013 contemporary, but even more the old schools (Italian renaissance, the Dutch school \u2013 I adore this accurate work), fairy tales, craft \u2013 I\u2019m impressed by certain skills people have, Victorian illustration. Almost everything old\u2026 illustrated books, textiles, furniture (antique shops or flea markets are my obsession, specially in Paris!), nature is very important to me, sometimes a conversation, beauty.<\/p>\n

What keeps you motivated?<\/em><\/strong>
\nI couldn\u2019t be without drawing. So there is no need for a special motivation. But I know there are days when nothing comes. I can feel it the moment I put the pencil on the paper sheet. Completing other things, like cooking, long walks, restoring furniture, cleaning up my studio (!), swimming always brings me back to my pencil and paper…<\/p>\n

At this point I want to mention too, how important and motivating it is for me to be surrounded by supporting people like my husband, my family and friends.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Jai oublie print<\/h5>\n

What advice would you like to give people who would like to sell their works online?<\/em><\/strong>
\nI discovered Etsy \u2013 the place where I run my online shop – last year by surfing the web. I have never heard of it before. And I was hooked to it instantly! Of course I wanted to start listing items right away. But then I sat down and started to build myself a concept. I really took my time and started \u2013 more or less \u2013 well prepared. This helped me a lot. I think it\u2019s important to have a certain line and then to develop it constantly.<\/p>\n

Selling online can be just recommended! It opens so many doors, you get in touch with new, interesting people. It\u2019s very inspiring.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Prince print; There Is, an accordion book<\/h5>\n

Where do you see yourself within the next few years?<\/em><\/strong>
\nI wish there won\u2019t be to many changes… I really love my life now as it is. I hope I\u2019ll stay curious and restless! And of course I hope to be still into art!<\/p>\n

What message do you want to send out to people about your work?<\/em><\/strong>
\nI do not believe so much in a message through art. Or let me put it in another way, there are so many messages like people are looking at it. It makes me very happy when people are touched by my work\u2026 but why this happens I don\u2019t know \u2013 it might be the secret of the beholder…<\/p>\n

Thanks so much Iris! <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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