Weaver Interview || Elise Vazelakis

Not only am I excited to be sharing another weaver interview with all of you, but I’m even more excited that the interview is with the extremely talented Elise Vazelakis!

Elise’s weavings are large, gorgeous, and so interesting. She creates a lot of movement in her weaves simply through spacing. I love that she plays around with weaving gaps in her work and uses the weft threads to pull some warps tighter while others are loose. It’s really visually interesting. Let’s dive in and get to know more about Elise and her art…

How did you first come across weaving?

My fiber art practice solidified when I was living and working in the Middle East. My husband was transferred to Dubai in 2009 and we lived there for 4 years with 3 of my 4 children. I began a social art practice consisting of weavings that I created in Dubai focusing on the immigrant labor force. The body of work featured tapestries I wove integrating their colorful headwear called gamchas and their portraits. “The Gamcha Project” was featured in a solo exhibition at Showcase Gallery in the Al Serkal District of Dubai along with other installations. For more information on the Gamcha Project please visit: http://elisevazelakis.com/#/gamcha/

What time of day do you feel most creative?

It really varies, but anytime I unplug from all electronics and go within. I seem to get a stream of creative ideas when I am meditating.

Do you have a creative ritual?

Yes, I do! Definitely coffee, then walk the dogs, meditate, do a page of free writing, then off to the studio until I have to walk the dogs again, household duties, or make dinner.

Are you a messy creative or an organized creative?

Organized Chaos!

What is your process for coming up with new ideas? Do you start with materials or an idea first?

It really depends. I get ideas from reading artist biographies, drawing in my sketch book, out in nature or meditating…. or just when I am weaving. It really varies.

Do you have a preferred material that you like to use?

Absolutely! I love copper wire. I love the feel and color of copper. I also believe that it has medicinal qualities to it.

How is making things important in your life? What does being a maker mean to you?

Making things drive my existence. It sound crazy but it gives meaning to my life and really gives my life purpose. Making things began with sewing my own clothing with my grandmother’s treadle sewing machine. I feel I have gone back to my roots working with a foot operated weaving loom. Although I have explored all types of art practices (painting, sculpting, stone carving) working with fiber brings me back to my childhood and it feels the most authentic. There is an unexplainable comfort I obtain when I weave and sew that I just cant obtain doing anything else in my life.

What does being a maker mean to you?

It drives my existence and gives me a reason to get out of bed everyday. I just love making things and always have. The repetitive movements of weaving keep me in the present moment and I love the peacefulness when I am making my art.

What is your most favorite creation and why?

I don’t have one. My favorite is the act of creation. Once it is created I just move on to the next project or artistic endeavor. My favorite is always the one I am working on at the present moment.

What advice do you have for those wanting to find their own style?

Just keep at it daily. Read books on all different artists. Go to as many museum shows and galleries as possible. All artists from the beginning of time were informed by other artists. As my knowledge of the art world increases so does my style. But by far the most important advise I can give regarding finding your own style is to go within and be authentic. Do what makes you happy, not what you think others may like or what you think might sell.

|| Five mini questions to get to know you a little better ||

Are you a eat in or take out person?

Definitely eat in! I love to cook. Don’t get me wrong though, I do love eating out, but for the most part I cook.

What is your favorite color and why?

I am so informed by what artist I am studying at the moment. Right now, I am studying Jasper Johns, because he has a retrospective at The Broad Museum in Los Angeles. I am on my second book about him and have been to the exhibition twice. His favorite color is Grey. So right now my favorite is color is Grey! I love that grey can be so many colors at once but still just grey …neutral. With that said I don’t use my favorite color in my weavings…..maybe i should!

Are you a book or movie person? And what is a good one you’d recommend?

BOTH, I CAN’T PICK ONE OVER THE OTHER! I love reading biographies on artists. my latest favorites are:

• Portrait of an Artist Georgia O’keeffe by Laurie Lisle
• Renoir, An Intimate Biography by Barbara Ehrlich White
• Infinity Net: The Autobiography of Yayoi Kusama
• Utopia Parkway: The Life and Work of Joseph Cornell by Deborah Solomon
• Van Gogh: The Life by Steven Naifeh and Gregory White Smith

But, I love film also. Every year I make it my goal to see EVERY Oscar nominated movie and documentary. “Heaven is a Traffic Jam on the 405” won an Oscar for short documentary at this year’s Academy Awards. Mindy Alper, who the documentary features, works in the studio under the guidance of Tom Wudl (where I also work weekly) and so it was amazing that a documentary about her life and art was recognized.

Do you prefer relaxing beach vacations or on the move sight-seeing vacations?

That’s easy, definitely sight seeing. My favorite trips are ones that are ethnically and culturally diverse. My all time favorite place to visit is India. I was lucky enough to travel there three times and would love to go back. I also love places with historical and archaeological environments such as the Athen’s Acropolis, Cairo’s pyramids and Jordan’s lost city of Petra. I could go on and on….I love to travel, see new places, meet new people and immerse myself into new environments.

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You can find Elise Vazelakis:

• Instagram: @theweavingqueen
• Website: www.elisevazelakis.com

Thanks for sharing Elise!

It really resonated with me that Elise got started on her creative journey using her Grandmother’s sewing machine, because my Grandmother’s love of creating with fibers also had a major influence on me.  I love to think about how this art form has been passed down through generations and is used across many cultures.  I’m also really excited about that book list that Elise shared, so many interesting artists to read about!

Happy Weaving!

Kate

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