Okay, so we know it's super old
news now but Leah Tinari first
came on our radar when we saw her
on "The
Apprentice" last spring. She was one of the artists being considered
for that kooky gallery
exhibition challenge… So anyway, she shows
up on the TV and we were instantly crushed out!!!! We
had to meet her
so that’s exactly what we did. Learn more about Leah at mixedgreens.com.
Hi Leah!!! So, tell us what was it like seeing yourself and your work
on TV?
It was fun, especially after a few glasses of champagne! The truth is
I couldn't even hear what I was saying because my friends and I were
being
really rowdy and laughing throughout my thirty seconds of airtime. I did
enjoy seeing my work on TV and thought it read pretty well.
Did you always know you wanted to be an artist? How did you express yourself
as a kid? For as long as I can remember
I’ve loved to draw and paint. Lucky
for me, my parents recognized my enthusiasm and signed me up for art lessons!
We know many of your paintings are based on snapshots. What kind of camera
do you use? How does a kooky pic of a pal turn into a painting?
I use a Kyocera, Yashica T4 zoom with Carl Zeiss lens. It is an awesome
camera you can basically just point and shoot without much fussing. It
seems as if all the pictures come out excellent! Usually in a roll of 36
I may find four or so pictures that I instantly know I want to adapt into
a painting… That means everyone is pink in the face and looks really
happy and uninhibited!
We love a lot of the same things:
polka dots, cake & dollhouses!
What else inspires you?
Stickers, ribbons, taxidermy (especially jackalopes), candy, packaging,
photos, postcards, pins…
We
know you also love knick-knacks! Do you collect anything?
My jackalope, old photos… Gosh, I collect a lot of stuff. I wouldn't
even know where to begin!
What was your first experience of success as an artist?
Maybe my first published illustration in “The New Yorker”?
I was so thrilled to be a contributor to that magazine. It also made me
feel like a true New Yorker, even though I did grow up in the Bronx...
You also dabble in fashion too, making some cute looks for yourself...
Do you think you'd ever pursue that direction more seriously? You'd be
an amazing fashion designer!
I don't know. Maybe if there were about ten more hours in each day! I do
like being able to whip something up on the sewing machine if I am bored
with my closet… I am also crazy about silkscreening.
We saw a pic of you in ELLE mag...
Tell us about that cute lil' tattoo on your left arm.
The tattoo is of a cherry with wings and a blue cloud. I drew it first
in pen on my arm and then went into the tattoo parlor… The tattoo
on my wrist has a heart and says "Mom". That one I did myself
and I think it’s referred to as a hand poke tattoo.
So we heard your fiancé's
in a band... What are some of your fave love songs?
"Our Love Will Still Be There" by the Troggs and "Watching my
Baby Get Ready" by Greg Oblivian.
You live in Brooklyn, right? What are some of your fave local places to
hang out?
Marlow and Sons on Broadway and Berry has great oysters and food
and amazing cocktails. Our friends work there, too!
Can you give advice to the creative kids out there who dream of
pursuing an art career?
Make stuff all the time with whatever you can get your hands on!
Okay, Leah... speed round!!! FAVE COLOR: red FAVE CANDY: Is
chocolate considered candy? I freak out over it. I also love Twizzlers! FAVE TUNES: Lately I have to be able to
dance to it for me to get really psyched! FAVE FOOD: seafood, raw fish, Italian,
Japanese, my mom's cooking… FAVE MOVIE: I love Waiting
for Guffman,
Best in Show, Deer
Hunter, Blue Crush,
Mostly Martha
