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Daisy Sheff’s Pinks, Greens, Witches, Wells, & Bells

@ RVCA Haight Street


EmJ: Can you tell us a bit about the creative process of that window display? It’s so magical. How did you know where to start and fill such a big, prominent space?


Daisy: Thank you so much!


I started by going through my hoarder piles of work---pulling it out. I could see themes and patterns appearing very clearly—lots of pinks, greens, witches, wells, bells, etc. Many of the surfaces I use for paintings have sculptural elements to them--- stretched burlap, found wood, wire mesh drying racks from the tile studio I work at (@blueslidearttile), along with additions of collected treasures--chains, nails, ceramics, paper, etc.


I wanted to have the space feel like inside a painting, [like] a world sharing the arbitrary laws of fairytales with a logic all its own.



Pink wood tile the floor, and additions of the objects I’ve made over the years—ceramic vases, paper mache, plaster, and wood sculptures help fill the space. Matthew Bajda @matthewbajda was super helpful with expanding three-dimensionally. I liked the element of chance and collaboration that setting this exhibit up involved--- sometimes moments feel haphazard and humorous.


EmJ: Any entertaining stories of installing at RVCA on Haight-Ashbury? Such a lively corner…


Daisy: The only comment I heard about the window while installing was a little girl who asked her Mom, “would you buy that?” looking at some of the pink paintings in the window. I couldn’t tell if she meant she wanted it or, like why would someone ever buy such a garbagey thing—but I was happy that at least it attracted her attention.


EmJ: What’s an art (or surf, or life) dream fulfilled and a dream yet to come true?



Daisy: A life dream fulfilled was getting Blinky Palermo, the puppy---

Also, getting to do this window display!! Thank you, RVCA and Matthew.

I want to make a movie—with a script and a plot and costumes etc… and I also want to get better at making clothes.






EmJ: What advice would you give to younger female artists struggling to find inspiration during covid, distanced learning, and busy schedules?


Daisy: I would say, keep making work. Sometimes it feels like you’re in a vacuum, but that can be freeing and give you space to make mistakes.


For me, it’s important to keep reading and looking at art.


EmJ: Do you have any routines that keep you motivated to create art continually? Do you need to schedule it in your calendar? Or can you drop in and start making?


Daisy: I try to have at least a little studio time every day – but I work full time so often that doesn’t happen. The more time I spend consistently in the studio, the easier and more fun it is. I like working in the morning, that’s the best time before I get lazy and distracted and want to go surfing!!


Sometimes you have to be pretty ruthless in defending your painting/work time. Reading novels feels like a big part of keeping me motivated to paint, weirdly, so that is something that I can commit to every day.


EmJ: Who or what is inspiring you during this momentous year?


Daisy: Jutta Koether, Rafael De La Cruz, Wiley Guillot, Bendix Harms, Vivian Suter, Ida Eckblad, Marisa Merz, Auste, Jon Serl, Karen Barbour, Clare Rojas, JG Farrell, Barbara Comyns, Flann O’Brian, Ruby Neri, Rose Wylie, Susan Cianciolo, Katharina Wulff, Leslie Robert’s, Robert Guillot, Jasper Sheff

EmJ: What’s one tool in your studio that you can’t create without?


Daisy: Lots of different surfaces so I can move from one project to the next.




 


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