Tamara Becerra Valdez

If you live in Austin, you probably know Tamara. She's the woman behind Botanicals Folklorica,an apothecary specializing in herbal-infused honeys, native Texas medicinals, salves and more. But Folklorica is much more than just those things, Tamara explains to me in her studio on an unusually chilly afternoon. She thinks of Folklorica as a 'she'. I begin to understand what she means as she pulls out her various projects. A field guide to the Chihuahua desert, a pile of leaves and bark used for a sound installation..a big drawing..the impression of a dead rattle snake on thin silky fabric. I see Folklorica as a she, too; and she looks like Tamara.

Photos and interview after the jump:

Rich Cali

A black shape..vaguely resembling a skull, but also maybe a chewed piece of bubblegum..caught my eye. It spoke my language, yet held me at a distance. It felt direct, yet mysterious. "That's a powerful thing," I thought.

Much of Rich Cali's work makes me feel like that, which doesn't happen everyday. As I pulled up to Common House, the gallery/studio space he shares with his wife and two other artists, I was excited to learn more about his process.

Interview + photos after the jump:

BRIAN PHILLIPS

Back when I met with Grace Borengasser  for a studio visit, she told me to check out her friend Brian's work. "This is his. He is awesome," she told me, pointing at a piece on the wall. ( By the way, Grace, Brian says THANK YOU! )

I got home and remembered her saying something about a shipping container....my curiosity was peaked. I looked through my notes, found his name and "Googled" the guy. I'm glad I did! 

Check out the photos and interview from my studio visit after the jump:

JESSICA MATHEWS

It was a pleasantly cool and rainy afternoon when I went to see Jessica at her East Austin studio. We both sipped our tea and talked about...cell phones. What do I mean?! Continue on for photos and interview after the jump, and you'll find out...

GRACE BORENGASSER

It's been a while.

 I contacted Grace once the dust from our move had settled, and she kindly agreed to have me in her home studio. I'm thrilled to be back at it with this blog in a new city...as a new Austinite! Without further ado, photos and interview after the jump:

DYLAN RABE

I had plans to meet Dylan in his studio on a day I had packed way too many activities and errands into. It was rainy, I was hungry, and my brain was foggy.. but talking to Dylan got me feeling a little more relaxed and human again ( his way of speaking is pretty slow, steady, calm and spaced out, which I appreciate ). Interview and photos after the jump:

LISA CLINE

I met Lisa almost five years ago in a painting class. We decided, shortly after becoming friends, to take a trip across the ocean. We spent time in Germany and Spain, and ended up in France taking a three-week drawing class through school. We stayed in a very old stone house at the edge of a cliff and had many adventures. Over the course of those months I got to know Lisa and her work...and I'm so grateful that I did. She continues to be an inspiration to me, and of course a dear friend. Photos and interview after the jump: