@marieryyoung

Instagram: @marieryyoung, @mezclaostudio Twitter: @marieryyoung Facebook: www.facebook.com/marieryyoungart Tumblr: marieryyoung.tumblr.com Behance: www.behance.net/marieryyoung

1. What's your story? Where are you from?

I´m from Panama. I have a strong Chinese ancestry. My background is in Architecture and Cultural Management. I’m a self-taught illustrator and I can only use Photoshop for two task cropping and image and how to export the file to Illustrator.

2. Tell us about your aesthetic.

My aesthetic has definitely change over the years. I’m obsessed with patterns and love playing with colours that don’t seem to go together. Playful compositions inspired by background in architecture always trying to create an intriguing asymmetric balance between my elements.

3. What is your favourite medium and why?

My favourite medium is infinite rolls of paper, Chinese ink and non-traditional brushes.

4. What is your artistic process like?

I like to think that my process a bit industrial influenced by my architecture background. I start sketching with Chinese ink, then proceed to scan the images. Once the images are digitalized I trace every single stroke with my Wacom tablet. Create vectors for every single element before adding the final colours. Once every element is vector ready and coloured. I start creating individual patterns for each one of them. Once the individual patterns are ready I start playing with composition and start creating each option.

5. Who and/or what inspires your work?

I´m inspired by the Memphis movement, Iris Apfel obsession with patterns and beautiful objects, Bauhaus and 80s animated series. Love browsing through Instagram stories to keep inspired. I’m always intrigued to see other artist sketchbooks and process. Try to keep myself inspired by other artist who practices other mediums. Love reading deep research articles about industrial process. I try to make a conscious effort to always keep gathering inspiration from architecture, film, and television for a rainy day.

6. What role does art play in your life? How does it change the way you view the world?

My goal is to focus my whole life around my art. My art isn’t a source of comfort. It’s the things that pushes me forward. Art has always been a part of my worlds, it takes over 80% of my life. Art has made me appreciate process and the beauty in somebody that can dedicate decades to its craft. I love looking at an artist whose aesthetic is totally opposite to mine. And even though we are talking about the same subject we have a complete different approach.

7. Where did you study?

I started my architecture degree in Nicaragua and completed in Panama. In regards of my artistic skills I have to thank my mother who as a single mom who didn’t believe in the concept of nanny kept me enrol since I’m three in every art class no matter the discipline after school until she was able to pick me up.

8. Where do you see yourself in five years? Working in an agency?

The only certain thing I have about the future is me and Mezclao Studio moving forward. Probably it will change learning from new mistakes buts that’s ok. I would love to do more collaborations that I have never done before just because they get me out of my comfort zone. Would love to be signed in into an agency and do more commercial jobs.

9. What about in ten?

I can barely plan or control what is going to happen ahead 3 months at a time. Hopefully I have a found a place I can call home. It will be probably an odd commercial building turn into cultural project space. Or a building on a cliff looking at the angry feisty ocean with cold weather to wake me up every day and have an excuse to be wrapped like a taco meanwhile I work on projects.

10. What do you hope to achieve with your art?

I'm excited for the unknown and projects that will push me out of my comfort zone. This might sound cheesy but the most gratifying things I have ever had has been seeing people connect with my art in less than 10 seconds and just get it or see them connect in a personal level with them that reward is priceless.

11. Now, tell us a little more about you as a person: what is your favourite food?

I have an unhealthy addiction to the television to the point I have schedule my work habits and timeframes to the point that it makes it work. I use binge watching meanwhile I work to avoid procrastinating. I know this sounds impossible but I made it work in my favour and its keeps on track with my deadlines. I can even start saying how much I L O V E food. I love trying new local places, cooking a recipe I have never tried before. All my travel and getaways are planned around food. I’m constantly craving food especially at 3am I want to bake a pumpkin pie or roast a leg of lamb. Which if the ingredients are near me will be done. I love tiny restaurants that have a small menu of 3 and street food vendor who only does one dish. Love wandering through food markets especially fresh sea food. I believe food is something so vital to understand human nature, traditions and connections.

12. Favourite book?

I got three ultimate favourite ones, now that I see them together the combination of the three can pretty much sum up my aesthetic. My favourite books are The Little Prince, Dracula from Bram Stoker and Black Beauty

13. Favourite genre of music?

Born and raised in rock n roll thanks to my uncle. Obsessed with the 70s and late 80s nostalgia of being on the road and playing hearing a band live even though I wasn’t even born at that time. Grew up watching MTV at the age of 5 strongly remember those MTV animated shorts between music videos or flipping through rock n roll cover art. Love listening a great unplugged set especially live. My favourite artist is Marilyn Manson. If I could afford his watercolour works I would a have a complete gallery dedicated to it.

14. What are your hobbies?

I’m trying to make running a thing. It’s really hard to be consistent but at the same time I need something that isn’t creative related to decompress from my anxiety and stress. I love knitting, reupholstering furniture, spending the day browsing through vintage shops. Cooking dishes I have never tried before. I get really excited trying out new local recipes that I got no clue how to make. Have I mention enough how much I love food.

15. If you weren't an artist, what would you be?

I would be a chef. I love to travel and taste local food. I´m always in for hosting a home cooked dinner and try a new recipe. If i couldn’t make art nor be a Chef. If that didn’t work out I would probably be a civil engineer, I love numbers and study how structures function and how to take from the sketch something completely practical and functional. Sometimes I wander with the idea of also being and architecture historian collecting records and books about humanity and how architecture plays such an important role in history.