TEA WITH MARMALADE

This past half year of blogging, I have had the greatest privilege of meeting talented, creative people from all over the world.  Many have been daily inspirations.  More than that, they are virtual friends.

As promised in my last post, I am sharing one of these friend/inspirations.  You may all have met her already from her own edgily creative blog, MARMALADE.  If you haven't, I would love for you all to meet Victoria.  We meet up here for virtual tea where she has kindly let me interview her for all our benefit.

(all photos taken by Victoria, previously posted on her blog, and selected to display her artistic range)

TFA:  What is your artistic background?
Victoria: 


The problem with me is that I have always been a Jack-of-all-trades. I don't think this is a good thing but it is true. I have memories of me making clothes for my dolls, going to painting classes etc. at the age of 9 years old. I started studying Industrial design in Mexico but left to study Art in London.  Then, I did a few courses in fashion too. I've worked as a florist, fashion sales assistant, visual merchandiser, opened my own shop and my last job was in an I.T. company. I have always known I wanted to do something creative, mainly, because deep in my heart, I know I'm rubbish at anything else. I have tried other trades but I believe you can't ever be the best at something that you are not passionate enough about.

TFA:  What is your favorite medium?  Why?

Victoria: 

This is my old, same battle.  So many times, I've wanted to focus on one thing, but I found it almost impossible. I truly love everything that involves creativity.  Some days, I feel like taking photos.  Other days, I feel like painting or designing something. I get bored of just doing one thing. I like to have different mediums of expression.

TFA:  Who or what are your favorite sources of inspiration?

Victoria: 

Frida Kahlo, Ellen Rogers, Deborah Turbeville, Francesca Woodman, Allison Scarpulla, Basquiat, Francis Bacon, David Bowie, Coco Chanel, Simone de Beauvoir, Edgar Allan Poe, Paul Auster, Albert Camus, Tim Burton, Katharine Hepburn, Iamamiwhoami, Just to mention a few.

TFA:  Why did you begin your blog?

Victoria: 

Out of desperation because I was not doing anything creative and I was depressed. I thought it could be a start to build myself again.

TFA:  Do you have hobbies, even non-artistic ones?

Victoria: 

Cooking.  For me cooking is another way of been creative.  I love trying new food, new spices, herbs. I also love listening music.  I do it all day. It helps my ideas to flow. I also love reading.

TFA:  Thank you, Victoria, for sharing yourself and your creativity with us.  I am so glad you began Marmalade!

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Perhaps you'll understand now why I admire Victoria's edgy aesthetic. It seems to reach for every point on the artistic sphere -- like a robust wheel's spokes radiating in diverse creative directions.  It would be no surprise to see additional spokes in the future either.   (Prior to this interview, I didn't even know she made sculptures!)  What a terrific list of inspirations as well -- all fascinating, talented people.

I hope to share more wonderful Bloggers here on this space next year.  Whom do you admire on the Blog-o-sphere?