Carmine Magazine

Carmine Magazine: What drives you to create? Also, what inspires you and your work?
Kayo Designs: My drive to create is driven by this inner fire. I get this idea in my head and I can’t sleep until I do it. It’s like an energy I need to get out! It almost becomes obsessive! I am very inspired by natural textures…trees, plants, animal skin, fur, rocks, you name it. I’m a touchy feely person so things aren’t real to me unless I can touch them. I’m also inspired by people, their stories in success and hardships and what they have to share.

CM: Were you formally trained in art or self taught? Do you think it has helped you or hindered you?
KD: I wouldn’t say I was formally trained in art per se. I’ve been working with my hands and creating since I was a child. I took some drawing, crafts and ceramic classes here and there in junior high, high school and college. The most formal training I guess I’ve received is attended 5 months Revere Academy for Jewelry Arts in San Francisco. Attending Revere Academy for training was an amazing experience. Unfortunately, most of the classes there are between 1 – 3 days so you can learn a technique. Classes are really short so it’s up to you to bring yourself and your art to the next level. I wish I could have stayed longer since it was such a great experience. Afterwards, I was fortunate enough to work with one of the most amazing Crafts Persons and Master Jewelers, Vasken Tanielian now of CAD Works. If you ever get to meet him, you are a lucky person.
I think what has hindered me is not majoring in a particular art or attending an Art College. I think if you choose either, they prepare you more in business for art, design, getting your work in to galleries, starting a business, etc. I also think I could have met so many more artists so I would have a stronger network of people to work with and share inspiration with. I think as an artist it is important to be a part of a community because you are constantly giving, receiving, and sharing common interests.

CM: Do you have a ritual, quirk or superstition that influences you and the way you create? (example: I must where the green underwear when I paint hair or it will look horrid, etc.)
KD: Ha ha ha. I’m all about quirk. When I’m pounding metal, it’s all about the music getting me in the mood of the piece. Sometimes its rock and roll, other times Buddha Bar, 80’s music or some funky foreign music no on in the studio knows the words too – ha ha ha. Theirs lots of that and a lot of dancing. And funny enough, we make up words to the songs which keep every one laughing because usually they are really dirty!! I’m sure the neighbors think we are crazy but we don’t care!
When I’m getting ready to create some new pieces with the OctopusME Jewelry line and I’m all fired up about it, I get up in the morning, throw on my octopus shirt and have a little ritual I do to “Bring It”…to bring the good creative energy in to my life. Ha ha ha. It’s a little dance thingy. Usually I eat a lot of sushi!! And then of course, I play with my food a lot because it helps me work out the concepts. I guess it’s funny to say, but I also think about Sex a lot since the line is a bit sensual. It helps me create with positive energy. baby! .hee hee hee. But in the end the ritual is kind of like, wear it, eat it, be it, do it, think about it and bring it in to your life. I have many other rituals but you guys will have to stay tuned for those later. Or send your kids to bed. Ha ha ha!

CM: What mediums do you work in the most? Do you have a particular brand that you love working with? Why do you use them?
KD: I work mainly in precious metals (sterling silver and gold). As for gemstones, I love Diamonds, Rubies and Sapphires. I also love minerals, odd shaped stones or sparkly things, natural textured things, plants, found objects, toys, stickers, dead things, you name it. In Fur I prefer vintage Mink. I guess it’s pretty much any thing that feels good, has nice texture or is funky.
As for tools, I love working with the 3m Radial Bristle Brush pack for metal. I think they are the most phenomenal things and a great secret to producing at a higher volume. You can move from course to a micro fine polish just moving up the color chart. Oh, and the Rio Grande Sunshine Polishing Cloths rock too! You can never have enough of either.

CM: As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? And now?
KD: When I was a child I wanted to save animals so I wanted to be a Veterinarian. I’ve always Loved animals so I would find the wounded one’s, take them home and nurse them back to health. There was a time when I practically had a whole petting zoo of like 20 animals at once. But, when one of them would die, I would cry my eyes out. Then one day my Mom asked me what I was going to do if I couldn’t save them and they died? That ended my dream of becoming a Vet.
And now, I love what I am doing. I’ve always dreamed of creating my own business and I have. The journey has been pretty amazing. In the end, I just want to make shit!!

CM: If there was one style of art that you could take up, what would it be?
KD: Hmm… This isn’t really a style, but I’ve always wanted to do some large scale metal sculptures. You know, like some big funky obnoxious thing on the lawn or something like that. I also would like to learn Glass Blowing. That looks like fun too.

CM: Do you think the internet, technology, media, etcetera are helping or destroying the art world?
KD: Oh, good question! I think it is a bit of both. It just depends on where you are. There are Designers who design stuff and have other’s make it. Then there are people who create with their hands or in other ways. I think technology is just another tool for people to use in art and design. People who use the CAD program have other endless opportunities with design which didn’t exist before with hand carving. Don’t get me wrong, I love the hand carving and more primitive styles or work but technology can offer you another dimension.
The internet, media, etc. are also tools in my opinion. I see so many new ideas, techniques and information which enhance my own work. Most of my OctopusME.etsy.com business has been from the internet. If I didn’t have that, I wouldn’t be sharing in this interview today. So I see it as just another avenue or opportunity for people to use if they choose to do so.

CM: How do you deal with creator’s (or writer’s) block?
KD: I’m still working on that one! When I get stressed out, it’s hard for me to create so I try to take a step back. I tend to be a work-a-holic so it’s important for me to give myself permission to not work. Usually a day off to hang out in the sun, go to the beach, hike or walk with my dogs helps. Their energy and ability to be so playful and in the moment both calms and inspires me. And many of my design ideas come from nature and observing plants as we walk so that helps too! Then other times running away from work on a spontaneous trip will do the trick.

CM: How do you prepare for art shows where your work will be shown?
KD: Oh, pretty funny. I’m a total stress case. I want to do too much in too little time, create these big over the top pieces and such so I find choosing 5 similar styles to show helps. I have to have a “no more casting rule” after Tuesday because then I end up with way too many projects I can’t finish. I try to add in an extra “fluff” day for unseen events or mishaps. That day is actually key. I have some great friends who help me out at the shows and calm my neurotic nerves too! Then, I just have to remind myself what is meant to be is meant to be so let it ride and be open to opportunity. Oh, and the cocktails definitely help!!! Ha ha ha!

CM: At what point did you realize that creating was going to be a large part of your life?
KD: Wow! I’ve just started coming to terms with this recently. I’ve realized, I’m happy when I am creating but when I’m not, I’m depressed or even self destructive. Creating is a part of who I am. When I create, I can feel myself. Now that I am aware of this insight I choose to never stop creating my life.

CM: What was your worst experience with art?
KD: My worst experience with art was when I stopped believing in art and myself. I went through tough period at the end of High School and in the beginning of college when I gave up. Originally in High School all I wanted to do was create art. I only went to regular classes to take the tests and cut to stay in art class. (I would get suspended or calls to the folks but I would do it anyway.) My father was worried so he would tell me every day that I was going to be a starving artist and beg him for rent money. We fought constantly, I was conflicted internally and the energy carried over to other aspects of my life.
Back then I was more superstitious so I thought every thing was “A Sign.” I remember preparing for the big School Art Competition and my project exploded in the kiln all over all of the other student’s work. I made due with the piece are received what I considered a pity award. Then later when I lived in Hawaii my photography camera was stolen when our house was burglarized. I gave up photography right then because I thought it wasn’t meant to be. After Hawaii I went to college and took a Ceramics course. The instructor chose my unfired piece to be in the college art show which was all cool. Then the piece cracked when fired in the kiln and was considered not of show quality anymore. That’s when I took all of these series of events as a sign it was time to quit. So I stopped believing in Art and myself.

CM: What was you best experience with art?
KD: My best experience with art is coming to terms with myself and choosing it as my life. It wasn’t until I took action, dropped every thing I was doing and sent myself to Jewelry School. That was a big turning point for me. Since then, I have seen nothing but signs telling me I’m on the right path. There have been so many serendipitous moments which would blow your mind. So this journey is my best experience with art.
I want to create. I want to work with my hands. I’ve created a business, I have chosen to make what inspires me, I have chosen to share and inspire others. This journey has been amazing and every day something new is to come. The feedback, the support of others, the stories, sharing my work as a part of other people’s celebrations…It’s all been so good and beyond my imagination of what could be. I feel very fortunate to be where I am.

CM: How would you define your style? Is it an extension of yourself, or something else entirely?
KD: I define myself as a swirl. I think my style is the same. I’m not quite sure how to explain it. Sort of like some people are straight lines. Maybe they call them square. Ha ha ha. I’m still trying to find a common element with all of my different styles I make. If anything it’s heavy, chunky and all sorts of textures. But the OctopusME line is different because I have a much deeper connection with it. I think it is me accepting myself and not giving a shit about what others say or consider being creepy, sexual, gross, weird and even a bit dangerous. The octopus is cunning, sexy, mysterious and playful. It has the power to transform itself and regenerate itself just like I believe people do. It’s a celebration of life and nature. I believe it is an inspiration. I guess I hope to be one too. I think my style is also playful and not serious. I guess all of my other lines are quirky too! Just like me.

CM: What does your workspace look like? (Pictures or a description work for this one)
KD: Oh, man! I call my workspace an organized mess. I have all of these little projects lined up on my bench to be finished. My projects are created with a basic idea and the rest happening on the spot. Sometimes the answer to completion is not ready to come yet so I put them down and wait for it to come. It’s a mini journey. Some projects have stones in front of them or pieces of odd shaped minerals I’m trying to fit together in them. I think there are about 6 projects on my bench right now. But, all of my tools have a home and are in order. And my best tool would be my post it pad where I write down what I need to do each day. I have so many ideas flowing through my head so I work with the “Out of sight out of Mind” Rule. Ha ha ha!

CM: Aside from art what do you do with your time? Is there anything else that drives you or that you’re passionate about?
KD: I really get off on Being in the Moment and finding my flow. It’s like an intense rush when you are just flowing like magic…kind of like when you play sports or run and you feel like you don’t have arms and legs. It’s like a feeling when your body is just there… you are flowing and floating almost. I’m also passionate about seeing it in others. Kind of like when you see a musician singing or playing an instrument and all you can see is that they are one, they love what they are doing and they are in that Moment. Maybe even like there is so much noise around you too and you don’t even notice because you are in the flow. I often see it in people dancing. So I guess to sum it up I’m passionate about finding that high moment when life is just happening. I think that rocks!

Find Kayo Designs at these places on the web:
OctopusME on Etsy
Fashion Bliss Profile

Some examples from Kayo Designs’ OctopusME: