susaneastman.etsy.com
2. What draws you to using trashion materials?
I've been using found materials in my paintings for quite a while, so when I began making clothing & accessories it seemed natural to continue my interest in reclaiming used elements. there's such an energy to some things, as though they are asking you to participate in a conversation. I can't resist.
3. What trashion materials do you use?
I find all sorts of fabrics and used, high-quality clothing of mostly natural or highly interesting material that I 'continue'...cut-up, restructure, piece, pucker, embellish, paint...whatever seems to be needed. Sometimes I'll start with new fabric, but always add found materials or vintage buttons to give the new piece 'warmth'.
4. Do you remember the first thing you made using the trashion concept?
My first 'trashion' piece was a very complicated pullover sweater that took me three full days to complete. I still have it. I even discharged some of the fabric using hand cut shapes from old mouse pads.
5. Where do you find your inspiration?
I find my inspiration in peeling billboards, rust, wrinkles, mold, the deteriorating, the ignored, the overgrown. My favorite visual Artists are antoni tapies, sigmar polke, julian schnabel, magdalena abakanowicz, arnulf rainer, joseph beuys, lee bontecou, lee krasner, pollock, raushenberg, etc. favorite designers are comme des garcons, vivienne westwood, yamomoto, & rodarte.
6. What kind of impression do you intend for your work to leave with the viewer/wearer?
Saturation.
7. What are your current projects and what is on the horizon?
I go back and forth between making Art and making Art wear. Currently, I'm busy filling orders for boutiques, scheduling shows, and posting new photos on my etsy shop. I'm working on a collection of spring summer designs now, also thinking about adding some mixed media collages to my etsy shop, starting a blog, and approaching galleries.
Images © Susan Eastman
http://www.susaneastman.etsy.com/
