Artist Feature: Trish Andersen
Meet, Trish Anderson! A native of Dalton, Georgia (aka the carpet capital of the world), Trish was initially attracted to the process of tufting as a means to reconnect with and explore her roots. Now, as a fine artist who paints with yarn, she’s developed a signature style that embraces color and texture in bold strokes.
Read more about Trish Andersen and her fiber art in our Q&A below:
-
Hello! Tell us a little about yourself:
My name is Trish Andersen and I am a fibers/textile artist focused on tufting and immersive installations.
I have been living in Brooklyn for the past 13.5 years but recently moved to Savannah, Ga. for a change of pace and to focus more on my personal practice. I grew up in Dalton, Ga "Carpet Capital of the World!" .... fun thing to mention since I think it is a bit wild my work has come so full circle.
I am 36 years old and the oldest of 4 kids. I live with my boyfriend Michael Porten (also an artist) in Savannah with our 3 cats and a million plants. Much of my career has been focused on creating large scale installations for commercial events and interiors. I started tufting a couple of years ago as a way to explore my personal art practice and have been hooked ever since!
What is your preferred medium?
So hard! I love working with all kinds of materials but it is usually fibers based-- rope, string, yarn...
I haven't gotten to work with your materials yet but I do lust over the beautiful color range! I'm constantly exploring and playing with new materials but I always find myself coming back to rope and yarn. My studio is literally piled high with both.
Does the place you come from affect your work?
I think so for sure. My tufting work is the best example of that being I am from "the carpet capital". Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be so inspired by the process but the full circle has really connected me to my roots.
What was your process in becoming an Artist/Designer?
My story is a winding one! I have done many different things to get where I am today. I went to school at Savannah College of Art for Fibers. After school, I did displays and windows for Anthropolgie in New York. My friend and I then started a business called Domestic Construction where we did everything from styling/set design, event design/build, large scale installations, interiors, and several product lines. When we decided to go our separate ways, I continued in the commercial event/installation world. I discovered tufting when I was searching for a new process to inspire my personal work...I fell in love and have been riding that wave ever since!
What is your design inspiration?
Maybe a lame answer, but I am inspired by EVERYTHING! I am the girl that stops and takes a picture of a little piece of trash because I think it is beautiful. I am like a sponge-- constantly observing and absorbing.....Color combinations, textures, etc.
Describe your personal style.
Casual, comfortable, eclectic. I lean towards primary colors and patterns.
What is the most inspiring piece of advice you ever received?
"Create what you want to see in the world"
What is your favorite knot or technique?
I more of a freestyle girl. I do a lot of wrapping of rope and creating structures out of it. Such as my rope " bories" I did for SCAD in France: https://www.trishandersenstudio.com/xw081t4fo69yc19n2l20efa2iwmoc8
Who is a design icon that you look up to?
I have always been obsessed with Vernor Panton. His work showed me there is an out of the box way to think about space and how we live.
If you could make a piece for anyone in the world, who would it be and what would it look like?
Hard! I would like to start creating more public art. I think art should be accessible to everyone and I love the idea of someone stumbling upon an crazy installation where they would never expect it....create wonder and joy.
What is the last great book/podcast that you read/listened to?
I'm obsessed with all true crime. haha. Until I get scared in my studio. I also really enjoy "Your Creative Edge" and " Art for Your Ear" - artists real talking their journey and experience. I find it inspiring to hear we ALL go through the same things.
Any advice for up and coming artists?
Keep on keeping on! Don't care what other people think. If it brings you joy forget them!
What has been the biggest obstacle for you creatively?
I'd say to learn how to trust my gut fully.
What advice to you have for young artists?
- There is no right and wrong way to do things. I think I let that slow me down early on.
- Don’t care what other people think — and, don’t compare yourself to other people (especially on insta etc. I remind myself to use those things for connection not comparison).
- It is ok if your path changes along the way. How are you supposed to know what you are going to want when you are 35?! I am still figuring it out! I have done a million different things interiors, event design, styling, installations, etc etc. I have done ALL the things until they don’t feel good to me anymore.
- Be open to opportunites!
- With that being said — google can teach you anything. Do your research and never stop learning!
- Be kind to people and build relationships — you get back what you put out there
- Say thank you! Write thank you notes.
- Don’t be afraid to fail and keep going if you do — I realize this is easier said than done but I have failed a ton of times. Yes, it was devastating and scary but you learn more from those experiences than the good ones and will be stronger for it.
- Work really hard but have fun to cause what’s the point otherwise?!
(Photos taken by Colin Douglas Gray, Savannah College of Art and Design, etc.)
-
Trish loves to use a variety of fun and vibrant colors in her work - be sure to check out our new shop by color page to see what's available and branch out in your own style!
Follow along with Trish Andersen on social media, and check out her work in person! She currently has a art show up at Spalding Nix Fine Art in Atlanta, GA - it will be up until Sept 6th, 2019.
Stay updated with Modern Macramé's future events, tutorials, sales, artist features, etc. by signing up for our Email Newsletter! Let us know if you have any questions or comments: