CORINNE
What activities/art-form did you pick up as a kid that shaped you into the artist you are today ? In what way do YOU think it shaped you ?
“I always used to make paintings for my sister, sometimes she’d paint with me - I remenber wanting to make her happy and proud and having so much fun in the process. I always spelt her name wrong on the paper, but she loved it regardless. It felt like a way to connect with people and possibly put smiles on my families faces. I loved the feeling of people enjoying my art since the stick figure days. Last Christmas, I made childhood portraits for all my family members and the reactions were priceless to me. There is nothing better than seeing eyes widen at works you’ve made with attention and love. Having a physical creation that’s purely from you, and it being well received is something I cherish.”
Were you picked on as a child ? If so how? How do you think that affected your life today as an artist?
“My two siblings were a lot closer in age than I was to either of them and I felt excluded often growing up. I never felt that I would be cool, smart, or grown enough to hang out with them or share their inside jokes. I let go of some of my imagination earlier than I would’ve liked to in hindsight, trying to grow up faster for them. I think this has really affected my life as an artist in that I worry more about what others may think of my art than how I feel about it. Some days it feels like I need to throw away my tattoo gun or paintbrushes, thinking of all the ways I will never be as cool or great as other artists I’ve seen. There is a habitual need to compare myself, and a great fear of never being good enough. That’s something I have actively been trying to work on, as some days my brain kills my art before my hands can even start.
My mother and I have always had a pretty difficult relationship as well, she loves to critique and maybe not so much in constructive ways. It took me a long time to realize I’ve bent my whole will to cater to my mother, then my family, and then anyone that came into my life. I believe that affects my life as an artist daily in that I struggle to ever quiet my inner critic enough to feel good about my art without an outward opinion. I struggle to make art for myself, that I like, I’m always more focused on what would look good or what others might like, what’s too much for them and what’s not enough. It’s an over complication of a mode of life that I really need, and I’m working to overcome that.”
What daily activity makes you feel most connected to your hands within your Art-form?
“Playing with my dog and experiencing peace with him, I can look at the lines in the sky and the trees as something more than just another part of life. It’s all beautiful and it’s all lines.”
What do you appreciate most about how YOUR art makes you feel ?
“I appreciate not having to have words for things. Being able to use colors and lines in paintings to define feelings makes me feel so much less trapped. Being able to focus on the perfection of a single line takes away the stress of the big picture, not only in terms of a tattoo but also the big picture of life. I also enjoy being able to add things to my body forever, I am an incredibly sentimental person and I find myself easier to love with a bit of a roadmap of the places and people I have been, seen, and loved.”
What pushes you to be a better artist today?
“An extreme drive to never let anyone down with a piece, and to continue to grow. Also, seeing other’s art and acknowledging that it doesn’t need to be perfect, you just need to create and put some feeling into it.”
BONUS QUESTIONS
Do you have any tattoos? If so, which is your favorite and why?“My favorite tattoo is a tattoo that I did of my first childhood dog. His name was Chomper, I named him after the Land Before Time. He was a French mastiff and the most gentle giant I’ve ever known. I wouldn’t have the dog I do now without having that love to begin with. And without the dog I have now, I wouldn’t know love, patience, and responsibility the way I do.”
Who is your favorite family member and why?
“My dad has always been my favorite family member throughout my life. I’ve struggled with suicidal impulses, anxiety, and self harm since childhood and he was always there for me at my lowest, telling me that we would figure it all out in the morning. That it will all be okay. I tattooed ‘in the morning,’ on my right leg facing me so that any time I find myself in the fetal position I can remember, we will figure it all out in the morning. He’s always been my beacon of hope and my most loyal unconditional supporter.
I told him in elementary school I wanted to be a tattoo artist and I remember his face. Crinkled nose, saying he didn’t want me to be covered in tattoos. By 20 I was covered anyways, mostly in my own work. I have 9 professionally done tattoos, 5 from other ‘scratchers’ and the rest are by me. My father leaned into it, buying me a wireless thermal printer I had wanted for so long on my 21st birthday. His support means everything to me, and I know he loves me enough to support me in anything.”
What’s your favorite part of your body/what’s your least?
“My favorite part of my body is probably my legs, when I’m healthy and active. They get me everywhere and without them I wouldn’t have had the experiences I’ve had. That could be said about a lot of our body, but aesthetically I am pleased by the story my legs tell -tattoos and scars and calf muscles from volleyball all day every day. Running around and jumping is a big part of my life too, from the sport I used to love and give all my time to, then running around at a dog kennel, to now having a big dog to keep up with at home. I struggle with a lot of body image issues and have for a long time, I find respite in my legs. My favorite dress is a potato sack that entire clouds my body in a white linen blob. I love the fact I can hide in it and have the attention cast more towards my legs. My least favorite part of my body is probably my smile. I lost my retainer when I was a kid and was never brave enough to tell my mom.”
Do you have any scars ? What is the story on them
“I have so many scars it’s hard to pick a specific story. For the majority of my worst ones, they were all self made. Moments where I felt desperation to get the feelings that seem too big for my body, out. Many moments I felt I needed to feel pain in repentance for my shame over past mistakes. Tattoos became one of my biggest outlets, a way to feel a bit of discomfort but instead make something beautiful, as opposed to creating more scars that repeat a cycle.”
How do you wish others describe you?
“I wish others described me as a kind intelligent person. I want others to see me as a safe space and someone who doesn’t judge, but asks questions and provides support. I want others to see me as someone who has something to offer and the strength to care for myself and the people I love. I really enjoy making people laugh too, that’s usually the best I’ll feel when interacting socially. I just want to give more light than I absorb.”
What are your favorite pair of shoes/boots, and why?
“I have a favorite pair of white docs. I have bought two of them, they’re were so bright white when I first got them that I really thought they had lilac hues. They were super cool, but somehow the dirtier they get the more I love them. Then I drew 2s all over the side of one of them when I decided they were already demolished, that was my number growing up playing volleyball, at least when I started to lead as team captain and was playing competitively. My favorite number to be, there’s a symbolism to that for me of being someone who has my teammates back’s, uplifting and providing moments for them to shine (I was a setter). The harder my team tried in the hard moments, the more I’d break my back for them. I have 3’s on the other shoe for my brother and my favorite brand Half Evil; his number was always 13 - which I also have tattooed.”
