Interview: Arpana Rayamajhi

Patience, a steady hand and a magical world of psychedelic wonderment are just a few thoughts that come to mind when viewing Arpana Rayamajhi‘s intricate illustrations. Rayamajhi is originally from Kathmandu, Nepal and is currently living between New York and Philadelphia as she builds her portfolio and determines her next creative moves. Not long ago, Bill Gentle shot a striking series of Rayamajhi for his infamous photography blog, Backyard Bill. It’s nothing new for an artist to be an inspirational force in every capacity, but at only 22, we can’t wait to see what the future holds for this rising star. Check out our Q+A for a glimpse into Rayamajhi’s daily routine!

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PP: What websites and news sources do you generally start your day with-do you have a daily routine for news/blog/information consumption?

AR: I check my emails. I check my stats at Behance. There’s a lot of cool stuff to look at and it’s for everyone that likes to create so its a good way for me to share my work and also see what others are up to. I also keep a blog called Refill. It’s a collage of things that interest me. I like to collect images so I can refer to them anytime I want.

PP: How did you discover your talent and how has it evolved over your creative career?

AR: I’ve been drawing since I was a kid. The first work I saw was my father’s and I was inspired to draw and paint like him. Growing up, I experimented with different mediums, like music, photography, video…I also taught myself how to sew. When I met Bruno, he had his sketchbook with him all the time. This made me want to keep my own sketchbook and as a result I started drawing again.

In Nepal, traditional art is amazing and well taught, but I wanted to do other things. I wanted to experience another culture and a different way of learning so I enrolled as an art student at Temple University last year. During this period, I’ve had a chance to explore my ideas within different mediums. While my drawings consist primarily of pen and ink, I have started working with collage and paint. I’m also sewing on canvas now and excited to see how that turns out. Being immersed in a culture that is progressive and competitive has affected my work as well as my purpose of creating.

Right now, I’m taking a term off to build my portfolio and study in a different environment. I am constantly seeking change and transformation and this has become a part of my creative process. I could go on and on.

PP: Please explain your design process.

AR: I put on some music, and I start to draw. Most times, I have to be in the state of mind where I want to draw. That usually happens when I have a clear idea of what’s next. The patterns and designs are intuitive. Sometimes I plan the layout, though most times I just draw. I usually struggle when a vision that’s not mine is put in front of me so I refer to magazines and other peoples’ work merely for inspiration. If I think about it too much, it’s not enjoyable and I get very critical of my work so I try not to think too much, rather, concentrate on how I feel at the moment and enjoy that.

PP: What is your preferred method of design and how is it incorporated in your final product? (ie. collage, computer, handwork, etc.)

AR: Primarily my work consists of ink on paper. I like handwork. I’m stupid when it comes to technology so I don’t fiddle around with it that much. Like I mentioned before, I’m using different mediums and currently trying out collages and sewing on different textiles.

PP: Do you incorporate commercial trends into your work and if so, is this a factor that drives your design?

AR: I am still learning and not a working artist so I do not know much about commercial things. That being said, I’m always interested in what’s new and what people are doing. My surrounding environment plays a huge role in my work and I’m quite concerned about the loss of bio-diversity. While my drawings don’t portray the obvious plight, they do reveal my desire of survival. Though I may exaggerate the idea a bit, I believe it’s something magical. I’m also influenced by psychedelic art with bright colors and intricate designs and patterns and my work is quite similar as a result.

I draw to embrace the existence of others and this is fulfilled when the art has positive impact on things that I care about. This what I’m striving for.

March 2, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik

Retail: All Strung Up in London

While shopping in London last week, I couldn’t help but notice all of the string installations that kept popping up throughout the big department stores. From elaborate window displays to intricate floor designs, immense and artistic webs seemed to be woven throughout the merchandise in an effort to spice things up.

Selfridges, one of London’s main department stores, always dedicates a portion of it’s windows to art and is currently displaying a truly complex and over sized replica of a twisted loom. The design is very abstract with a constructivist style. Not only is it impressive, but wholly inspirational; I love it when I see good modern art that can inspire my own work.

Over at Liberty, there’s a beautiful geometric crystal chandelier installation that spans at least 4 floors in the Women’s section. It’s gorgeous and truly an art-meets-glam piece. Definitely worth the visit to the store to see it up-close.

In the Women’s areas at Harvey Nichols, the string trend continues with a crazy and abstract chandelier near the Women’s cash wrap. When you venture down to the Men’s section, you can’t help but notice a totally cheeky display of miniature mountain climbers scaling Goliath mannequins- such a surreal and humorous display! Luckily the sales people turned a blind eye as I sneaked pictures, pretending to be a Japanese tourist. In all, some very inspirational displays, though beware, you’ll likely need to unravel your tired legs after a day of London shopping.

Coverage by: Angela Chen

March 1, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik

Follow-up: Carrying Patterned Protection

Celebrity collaborations are nothing new. When a product gets a nod from a famous face, we all know that sales will likely soar. A year ago, I featured Proper Attire, Planned Parenthood’s latest campaign, addressing the issue of unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases among 18-25 year olds. The program has been a success and a phenomenal example of how decorative rebranding can reinvent the message of an everyday product. Most recently, Jeremy Scott and Brian Reyes have joined the cause to share their creative visions. Scott’s Flintstone-esque brights are electric, graphic and Gaga-approved, while Reyes’ designs tap an ethereal nature-inspired look and feel. Two designs for two different girls, all for betterment and health of society, it doesn’t get much better than this.

March 1, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik

Friday Quick Links

1.Melissa McClain’s photography looks like abstract paintings, via Art-Milk
2. Excited about Liberty of London’s collaboration with Target, via Refinery29
3. Gorgeous new print by Swoon for Paper Monster, via My Love For You is a Stampede of Horses
4. Lovely new graphic pillow designs from Kenzo Home, via Design Milk
5. Amanada Hughen’s beautiful science inspired art, via The Best Part
6. Envelopes and Shakespeare get folded, via Design*Sponge
7. Cozy new rugs by Patricia Urquiola for Gans, via Yellowtrance
8. Eco-friendly customizable pocket-sized notebooks by Scout, via Modish
9. Mark Langan makes art out of corrugated cardboard, via Design Year Book
10. Sigrid Sandstrom sees his paintings as a form of landscape via Little Paper Planes
11. Lovely intricately cut steel tea light holders by Polli via Poppytalk
12. A monument to creative failure via It’s Nice That

Coverage by: Emily Gup

February 26, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik

Follow-up: Spin It, Web Cam Style

Oh, the proverbial question: Which came first, the chicken or the egg? The debate can go around and around. Much like the debates of who inspired whom, what inspired what, and where on earth do ideas come from. And of course, how do they become adopted by society and wind up as trends.

Because, we think we called it via our Interior Design Takes a Spin feature: people, they like change. They also like pixels. And in this case, web cams. We recently spotted Pepsi’s Refresh Project, One People tv spot, where a variety of people on their web cams interact with one another. Each paper conveys a pixelated vibe, and as objects are “magically” passed between squares, the concept is unified as global sharing. Naturally, we delighted at the synchronicity to our fun interior finds. Of course, in that ad’s comment section, we were then led to the Japanese band, Sour’s music video, Hibi no neiro” which has a very, very similar idea and was posted in July before Pepsi’s ad was released.

It’s speculated that Pepsi was heavily inspired by Sour’s music video which involves using the band’s fans in a fun series of web cam adventures. It’s not impossible to find other videos using a similar concept, though not necessarily as well executed as these two. In fact, watching these videos sparked the thought of another web sensation, Chat Roulette, where anyone can log online and through their web cam talk to people from around the world. They can switch to someone else quickly just by pressing a button. It’s Spinning It: People Style. Maybe they’re all inspired by our increasing hunger for the new and the next, the impatience it inspires, and our desire for change. Now.

Coverage by: Emily Gup

February 25, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik

Summer Swim Preview

It just so happens that I’m off to Mexico today for a little break! After multiple snow-induced flight cancellations, my fingers are crossed that my AA flight will actually take off this afternoon. As I started preparing last weekend, I realized that I hadn’t bought a new suit in well over three years. In a rampant scouring of the city, I hit twelve stores before settled on this j.crew number. I also did some serious online research. Check out these beauties for a preview of what’s to come this summer season. Everything from asymmetrical cut-outs to textured stripes to Tory Burch inspired repeats are rampant- a refreshing departure from floral heavy patterns. See below for brands and pricing:

1. Laser Cut One Piece, Free People, $248
2. Jean Paul Gaultier One Piece, Bergdorf Goodman, $395
3. Alexandra Cassaniti for Creatures of Comfort, $80
4. Stacked Odds Bikini, Anthropologie, $136
5. Aqua Ring Bikini, Bloomingdales, $116
6. Geometric One Piece, Rittenhouse, $100
7. Zipper One Piece, Loeffler Randall, $225
8. Printed High Waisted Bikini, Free People, $198
9. Moody Palm Spice One Shoulder, Zimmerman
10. Jean Paul Gaultier One Shoulder, Bergdorf Goodman, $395

February 24, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik