Obviously, we were totally smitten when we viewed Brooke Reidt’s artwork–canvases covered in a melange of color and dreamlike visuals. The Los Angeles bus-rider/art-maker was recruited by the Element team to become an Advocate, collaborating with the brand to create graphics for shirts, and to be a role model for other young ladies. Wanna be impressed like us? Then read her interview!
Ok, first to start you off. Favorite geometric shape and why?
Hearts! For obvious reasons.
What everyday experiences or everyday things inspire you?
As a freelance artist everyday is different, the unpredictability in itself inspires me. Yesterday I had to trek around town on errands. I took the bus and had some time to kill so I just got off at a random stop and walked in the opposite direction of my destination. I ended up in the LA river watching trains go by and taking pictures of birds under a bridge, reflected shadows and peeling paint(for palette inspiration). When I got home my doorman traded me another stack of Guaracha c.d.’s and an old room mate surprised me with a spontaneous spring roll delivery by bicycle. Combined, these elements fueled enough inspiration to spend the whole night painting.
How does one identify an LA-based artist? Is he/she more tan or something?
Los Angeles is one of those international cities where everyone you meet is from another part of the universe. This creates a diverse community where anything goes.
What do you like about being a part of the Element family?
It was truly an honor. Succinctly? Element and I have twin ethics and ambitions. More specifically skateboarding was a part of my youth and Element became a brand I had grown to respect because it’s foundation lies on values that are identical to my own.
What are some of the responsibilities of an Advocate? How do you try to represent the Element brand and brand philosophy?
As an advocate I hold myself to the responsibility of being a role model for other young females by being candid when it comes to my work and denying the approval of others when it comes to affecting the way I work.
Your style seems to bounce play on layers of different colors and mixed media, how long does it take to wrap up a piece? What do you do while you’re waiting for paint to dry?
Yes my medium bounces around a lot but one thing that is consistent is the obsessive quality in my work. Paintings living right on top of one another. The duration from start to finish is a bit whimsical. They’re like relationships, occasionally the paint will tell me exactly where to put it and it becomes a one nighter or a three day binge and then you let go and never want to look back. Others become long obsessive labors of love that you don’t want to quit even know you should. Some are pieces I just let linger around indefinitely as distractions when I want to procrastinate working. Usually while paint is drying I’m multitasking, working on something else.
You’ve got quite an impressive assortment of tattoos. Tell us about your first one. Were your parents pissed when they found out?
My first tattoo is a heart with a fictitious map inside of it. The day after graduating high school I left home and hitch hiked across the country. I met a lot of interesting people and learned a lot. I drew the design and got it tattooed to remind myself how easy it is leave, how great it is to feel free and as an oath to never get stuck. I think the torment of leaving on a whim at seventeen and other things I did as a teenager softened the blow and my mom was probably just relieved when I finally committed to something permanent.
Any tattoo regrets?
Life is too short for regret
Was there a specific incident from your memory when you first realized you wanted to become an artist?
No, I guess there’s not a time in my life where I imagined being anything else, although I often daydream about becoming an astronaut or a mermaid.
What does it mean to be an “artist”?
Living the relentless test of honesty. I also think it means committing yourself to use whatever gifts you’ve been given as a means to survive even if most of the time you feel like you’re just barely surviving.
What are you working on now?
Artwork for the next Element Eden season, some animation for a short film, sketches for a mural in Hollywood, illustrations for a secret book project that I can’t say too much about yet and some large scale paintings.
Describe your art in three words or adjectives.
Obsessive, therapy, evolving
Describe yourself in three words or adjectives.
Small, insomniac, growing
Outside of your artistic pursuits, what other activities do you get into? Extreme sports? Knitting?
I try to take advantage of any free time to catch up with family, friends & sleep. I also walk & bike around a lot, go to the farmer’s market, do yoga, cook, read, explore, talk to strangers, fly kites, swim in the sea and travel.
How do you feel about fashion trends? Any that really bug you? Any that you’re really into?
Most fashion trends have the life span of about 6 months so the bad ones don’t bother me. Pomps and afros are timeless though!
Favorite snacks, the kind that are really bad for you.
I eat really healthy, however I don’t ever want to live without PIZZA
See more of her art at www.brookereidt.com
Interview: Diane Chang
Photography: Brooke Reidt
Tags: Advocate, Art, Brooke Reidt, Eden, Element, Illustration
i’ve never had a favorite artist. other than, brooke reidt, that is. even if she is a punk ass. i guess that means i really really love her art.
vivi – It’s much easier to have a favorite magazine than to have a favorite artist. Let us give you a hint – aStory.
This girl is bad ass! I hope I can find the courage to live with as much honesty and integrity and creativity. Brooke rocks!
vivi is right about brooke: she really is a punk ass, and she’s also punk rock (that’s why we’re friends hehe).
as i young lady, i can honestly say brooke is my role model. she’s the kind of role model a guy like vivi can still be into.