Today we’d like to introduce you to Josie Brown.
Josie, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I grew up in a family of makers; my father was a carpenter by trade and my mum always had some kind of knitting or patchwork project near her side. I didn’t think at the time that either of these things played any role in finding my way to an art form that combines both, but in this life, nothing is really a coincidence.
For a lot of my life growing up in New Zealand and the years following I suppressed my art. Perhaps it was a lack of confidence or a kind of ‘imposter syndrome’ but it wasn’t until I moved from London to Los Angeles six years ago that I set the intention to live a more creative and expressive life.
So far, I’ve found LA to be an inspiring place to create within; it has an openness and unstressful pace that allows ideas to find space and grow.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I am a Fiber Artist first and foremost. I create large-scale tapestries and wall-hangings from a handmade loom.
I find the practice of touching in every sense of the word; if my art hasn’t tempted your hand to reach out and touch it, then I haven’t done my best work. Fiber art uses materials that demand you experience it with your hands, eyes, nose. It is a rare thing to have art within your space that affects its environment as much as it is affected by it.
The yarn in my work has its own originating smell, if you close your eyes and put your nose to it, it smells like a barn, it feels warm, and you almost expect it to nuzzle you back. Then once hung in its place – a coffee shop, by a fireplace or near a kitchen it takes on the aromas around it. By a window, it will shift in the breeze, and during the changing light of the day, silk and linens will absorb or reflect light. It’s much more dynamic than one may initially think.
How do you think about success, as an artist, and what do quality do you feel is most helpful?
Art has taught me a lot in regard to reinvention and trial; I bring that into everything I undertake, it’s helped me problem solve, ideate and importantly detach my insecurities and my work from one another. The validation is not in the art’s appeal but in the creation of a unique idea, the manifestation of a thought or experimentation. People will try to fuck with you and pick holes in what you do, and as long as you have the self-belief in your idea, then success is around the corner in whatever format it is most needed.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
I’ve just recently started working with a cafe and gallery space on Centinela Ave, Del Rey – Sachi LA. I’m thrilled that they’re currently showing a few of my pieces as we share similar values and background and the venue (and coffee) is tasteful, intentional and beautiful.
In the past year I started a social media presence, and though it is small, that shift has transformed my customer base and community, not everything I create is for sale my art was never intended as a commercial endeavor. That said, I do create specific pieces that I sell online through my online gallery; however, all my projects and a lot of my process is shared via Instagram and Facebook which is probably the best way to come along for the ride and see my work.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.greyskies.co
- Phone: 7604494461
- Email: josie@explorethegreyskies.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greyskies.co/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegreyskies/
Image Credit:
All images are owned by Josie Brown
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
