Carmine Magazine

Carmine Magazine: What drives you to create? Also, what inspires you and your work?
Zoetica Ebb: I tend to answer the same to this question, so I hope this isn’t too redundant: it’s just who I am. Drawing is something I’ve always done, it’s never been an option so much as part of me. In recent busy times it’s more vital that ever to continue with it. That aside, my biggest motivator is the understanding of life’s brevity. With such a small amount of time allotted to each of us I fell compelled to produce as much as I can. Tick tock.

CM: Were you formally trained in art or self taught? Do you think it has helped you or hindered you?
ZE: I graduated from the LA County High School for the Arts and spent a short amount of time at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Being in such an environment - the environment of an Art Institution - is incredibly inspiring and simultaneously disheartening. Being surrounded by creativity is fantastic, while understanding how much artistic success is governed by one’s ability to sell themselves is a kick to the aspiring artist’s groin. It’s a double edged sword, but I will say I loved and miss having unlimited access to the museum while at SAIC.

CM: What mediums do you work in the most? Do you have a particular brand that you love working with?
ZE: For my drawings I use Micron pens and I paint with Windsor & Newton oils. I stopped using mediums for the most part, save for thinner.

CM:At what point did you realize that creating was going to be a large part of your life?
ZE: There wasn’t ever a moment of artistic awakening - it’s just always been this way.

CM: If there was one style of art that you could take up, what would it be?
ZE: I’d like to perfect what I do already, actually. I have a habit of spreading myself too thin as is. Between art, traveling, writing, Coilhouse, photography and modeling I’ve got my hands full.


CM: How do you deal with creator’s (or writer’s) block?
ZE: In times of dire need I turn to museums, literature, film, music, fashion. There is so much out there! For me that’s most important to remember; it seems ridiculous to mope and lament with all the rampant information waiting to be harvested.

CM: How do you prepare for art shows where your work will be shown?
ZE: It really depends on the show. Sadly, I rarely have as much time to prepare as I’d like but the process does tend to involve at the very least an elaborate outfit for the reception.

CM: How do you define you style? Does it represent an inner you or something completely different?
ZE: I’ve come to think that “Rococo phantasmagoria wrapped in synthetic flesh” sums things up nicely. There are exceptions to this, of course. Regarding self-representation, I think that’s a given, no?


CM: What kind of environment do you need to create in?
ZE: I can draw just about anywhere with pens and surfaces, but painting demands a much more controlled environment. While painting I tend to shut myself in, consume excessive quantities of caffeine and become an unbearable venom-spewing menace to anyone or thing that dares interfere. These are my most treasured hours, spent in hospital scrubs or old flight suits, with music and movies to accompany the sacred Process.

CM: What does your workspace look like? (Pictures or a description work for this one)
ZE:


CM: What was your worst experience with art? And the best?
ZE: I’ll have to reserve my answer to this question, I’m afraid. It is simply too horrible and simultaneously too amazing to be shared with your readers.



CM: What movies, books, music, etc get your creative juices flowing the most?
ZE: Lately I’ve been reading Vurt and planning a trip to Shangahi, so much of my consumption involves cyberpunk or China. In general, all manner of art and photography books, film, music and adventures provide potential art fuel. Beauty is where you find it, or, in my case, pandrogenous cosmo-nomads and spacebeasts are where I find them.

CM: Do you think the internet, technology, media, etcetera are helping or destroying the art world?
ZE: How could media destroy the art world when the art world depends on the media? Without technology it’s possible that you wouldn’t know my work just as I would have no idea of your art blog. The internet, for all its memes, cups, furries and LOLcats, has brought exposure to so much wonderful art that I forgive it’s hideous shortcomings and refuse.

CM: Aside from art what do you do with your time? Is there anything else that drives you or that you’re passionate about?
ZE: Most of my time is spent on Coilhouse magazine, whether it’s blogging or working on editorial for print issues. This collaborative project between myself, Nadya Lev and Meredith Yayanos has become a paragon of all that inspires and drives me and, I suspect, my partners.

CM: Do you have any upcoming shows, events, releases, etc. you would like our readers to know about?
ZE: Yes! I hereby announce Off-world Cloud Hunters, Mutants and the Rest - a solo exhibit at the Plastik Wrap gallery in Toronto, Canada. The opening reception will be held on July 31 - my birthday, and will feature prints and original new work alongside older pieces. I’m particularly excited about this show because it inspired me to delve further into drawing than I’d done in a long time. And! A small product line. Limited edition high quality tees printed with my artwork will be sold at the shop for the first time during the reception. I’ve been dying to get my work on textile, so I’m thrilled.

Also, look for Coilhouse Magazine’s very first issue in stores everywhere, this summer!

The show will run July 31-August 30th
Opening reception July 31st between 7.00 pm - 11.00 pm
Gallery: Plastik Wrap 2235 Dundas st, West, Toronto, ON M6r 1X6, tel 416 778 4967
Plastik Wrap

CM: And where can we find you work online (Flickr, myspace, livejournal, official website, blog, deviantart, etc.)?<
ZE: Ah, a list! Pencils ready?
Personal website: biorequiem.com
Flickr: Zoetica
My and my comrades’ web and print magazine dedicated to alternative art and culture: Coilhouse.net