One of the things I LOVE
most about Bird Meets Worm is my monthly interview feature and the opportunity
it provides to dish with so many amazing, crazy-talented, fabulous artists,
illustrators and designers. One of my favorites that I recently had the
pleasure of chatting it up is the lovely Illustrator, Teagan White, and I’m
thrilled to share that I have the scoop on her upcoming solo art exhibition!
You will absolutely not want
to miss the chance to see her gorgeous original illustrations from her new
children’s picture book, Bunny Roo, I Love You, at Gallery Nucleus in Alhambra, California. It opens Saturday,
April 25, 2015 with a reception from 7-9pm and runs thru Sunday, May 10, 2015. Here
on Bird Meets Worm, I’m please to share a preview of Teagan’s artwork that will
be on display as well as an interview with the owner of Gallery Nucleus, Ben
Zhu. I hope to see you at the opening! Enjoy!
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| Baby Sleeping • © Teagan White |
Q: Being a big fan of Teagan White’s artwork (and
children’s books!), I’m thrilled that she is having a solo exhibit at the
fabulous Socal Gallery Nucleus. Dish with us about how you first discovered Teagan’s
artwork and what about her artwork sparked your interest.
A: I
believe we first discovered her work through a guest curated group exhibition
at our gallery called Press Paws. It was a charity exhibition for dogs that was
video game themed. We started seeing some of the range of her other work, from
realistic to typographic and it really caught our eye that this is an artist
with a rich sensibility.
 |
| Lizard Family (detail) • © Teagan White |
Q: Teagan’s modern artwork for both children and adults
is abundant with woodland critters and feels vintage in styling and palette.
Her subject matter and vintage feel are both considered “on trend” in the commercial
art world. How do trends in the commercial art world influence what the gallery
chooses to exhibit, given its niche working with illustrators and designers?
A: I think with Teagan's work it didn't feel like
it was her trying to be on trend, as if her work had always focused on these
themes and looked this way. Although we don't try to follow trends too much, I
am sure there is some commercial influence in the artists we chose to exhibit.
Our gallery focuses on illustration art and gravitates a lot towards artists
who can execute, are confident and in control of their medium. Good design and
technical prowess seems to always be on trend. With that said, there are a lot
of artists that fit this bill so we look at artists who we think are in it and
can stick with it for the long haul, have a clear sense of who they are, who
are professional and easy to work with.
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| Mom in Garden • © Teagan White |
Q: Do you have an absolute favorite illustration from
Teagan’s solo exhibit? Tell us every
little thing you love about it!
A: It
is difficult to pick, but I think Mom & Baby Wolf would be my favorite. I
like the sensitivity of the piece. I like the color palette. It seems like a
simple piece, but there are a lot of overlapping elements and prep work that
went into it to make it look effortless. I like her solution for illustrating a
hole as a home.
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| Mom & Baby Wolf (detail) • © Teagan White |
Q: What advice would you give to illustrators looking
to show with Gallery Nucleus?
A: Don't
be afraid of criticism, don't stop learning and perfecting your craft, and
do good work that you are proud of and we will eventually find you.
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| Wolf • © Teagan White |
Q: What other upcoming exhibits can we look forward
to enjoying at Gallery Nucleus in the future?
A: There
are so many fun and interesting shows coming up—some larger and more themed and
some that are focused solo exhibitions of more personal work. Teagan has another show with us September 5th. But the work is very different from the
Bunny Roo work and really showcases her personal work. We are excited to see
what she will create for that show.
We are also very excited for this small group show
and about having the work of classic Russian animator, Yuri
Norstein, in the gallery as well in September 26.
Thank
you so much for chatting with us here at Bird Meets Worm, Ben! We love Gallery
Nucleus!