Today we’d like to introduce you to Paige Russell.
Paige, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I received a BFA in graphic design from the Savannah College of Art and Design, during which I felt really burnt out looking at a computer screen day after day. I missed working with my hands, so I started playing with paper cutouts. I thought applying my patterns to textiles would be a great way to use them commercially, which was when I started ELOI. It has ended up being a pretty perfect mix of freelance design (doing custom work for businesses and hotels) and being able to play and create away from the computer.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I create textile designs for my own line of bandanas (ELOI) and for businesses and hotels using construction paper cutouts. This medium has felt so right for me, visually and process-wise. The immediacy of making shapes and playing around with bold color schemes and compositions, the imperfect lines, the meditative quality of the method.
I just want to make people smile. I think that keeping things light and colorful and a little wonky can add levity and happiness to a person’s day.
What do you think it takes to be successful as an artist?
Keep your head down, don’t stop to think about what you’re doing or you’ll start to doubt it. Stay in the studio, even if you’re procrastinating. The more time you spend in your workspace, the more likely you are to make something really wonderful. Take lots of walks. Cook for yourself. Do anything that involves creating something or breeding thought as much as possible.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
My website, www.eloi.us, at Forth and Nomad in Houston, in Austin at Austin Motel and Olive. I also sell my bandanas at about 20 other boutiques outside of Texas. People can support my work by the obvious, buying it! Otherwise, I’m always excited about an encouraging email telling me to keep doing what I’m doing, so lay ’em on me.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.eloi.us
- Email: paige@eloi.us
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/eloistudio
Image Credit:
Paige Russell
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