Kate Banazi interview and giveaway!

I couldn’t believe my luck late last week when the gods smiled upon me and granted me an interview with the uber magnificent designer, illustrator, silkscreen printer and cake  aficionado Kate Banazi of Alyoisus. However, not only was I to get an interview but also a giveaway! Rapture! So, after you discover the inner workings of Kate and luxuriate in her posters, make sure you enter the competition at the end to win one of her magnificent posters!! 

Tell us a bit about yourself

My name is Kate and I'm fully grown in height, so now I'm only growing in girth and gobbiness (I think I just made that word up). I was born in London and moved to Sydney three years ago. I am only just starting to settle down and properly explore this city. I still haven't driven myself over the Sydney Harbour Bridge as it scares me, plus I don't know how to get back, because generally driving is quite difficult with your eyes shut.

I did a fashion degree at St Martins which was an incredible experience and I had the privilege to be taught by and work with some amazing people. Without doubt some of the best tutors in the world. I wish I could go back and do it all again, and possibly listen a bit better.

I loved doing fashion illustration and design, and my illustration tutor showed me that it was possible to earn a pretty good living out of doing what I enjoyed. My college peers were and still are amazing, and some of the most famous names in the industry which often begs the question "what happened to you then?" but that's another long and tedious story which involves a thief, a coward and 25 waitresses. Really.

After I had my son I was taught to silk screen print by the talented Kate Gibb and worked for her for many years. I still freelance in menswear every now and then which I really enjoy as it's purely design, none of the tough stuff like manufacturing and sale, but I mainly work as an illustrator and silkscreen artist which I love.

I'm incredibly lucky to be self-employed in work that really challenges and stimulates me and which of course, I enjoy doing. I have a brilliant husband who is supportive of me, my decisions and is just an all round top bloke. It can't be underestimated - the power and influence of positive relationships around you.

When did you first decide to become an artist?

There was no decision made to start as both my parents are creative types and they come from a long line of creative types and much to their chagrin they begat a creative type. Secretly, I think my parents wish my sister and I had broken the mold and were accountants or brain surgeons. Which is laughable really, as if you knew me as the truly messy person that I am, as a brain surgeon, it could be quite a dangerous but possibly interesting combination. Possibly more Dr. Moreau than Mr. Fixit.

One of my favourite books though is Saturday about a brain surgeon and my home city of London. I'm rambling now.

So really, I was always geared up to doing it, as for generations on both sides of my family its been seen as a legitimate career choice. I am still surprised when I hear stories of my peers who have not had the support of their parents growing up and of being told to get a "proper" profession and that any form of art is a hobby.

Who are your favourite artists at the moment?

There are way too many to mention so I'll keep it completely nepotistic. The people whom I used to studio with...Zakee Shariff, Kate Gibb, Justin Hibbs, Toby Zeigler, Dinah Dufton, Tommy Penton, Lisa Jones...and now my friends form my illustration agency...Marcela Restrepo, Matt Huynh, Kat Macleod, We Buy Your Kids.

...and of course there's my son...Moofus. I have to say that, he'll be choosing my nursing home.

What are your top five favourite movies at the moment?

I'd find it hard to choose my top five so I'll tell you the last ten movies I've watched instead. Please don't judge me harshly: Footloose, Dr. Strangelove, Sherlock Holmes, A Room for Romeo Brass, There will Be Blood, Black Hawk Down, Wolverine, Zoolander, Burn after Reading and Holes.

Where do you see yourself in ten years time?

I really haven't got a clue. If you'd have told me ten years ago that I'd be living in Sydney there's no way I would have believed you. Also, in the last ten years two of my closest friends have died suddenly, so I try and live day to day and enjoy them the best I can even if it's super mundane stuff like washing the families knickers or cleaning up the dog's poo (I make it sound like we all share knickers, just to clarify, we all have separate underwear although there's a rumor going around that one of us is wearing the others).

Obviously that's easier said than done, so if I'm still lucky enough to be knocking around in a decade, I won't be doing any of our washing because everything will be self cleaning.

I'll also have honed my amazing teleportation powers to be able to transport me between London and Sydney on a whim - although it does tend to give me a mild headache.

  Thank you so much again Kate! ...and now for the FABULOUS COMPETITION!

How to enter?           1) Go to Kate's etsy shop                                     Alyoisus Silkscreened prints

                                   and choose your favourite design and

                                   2) come back here and tell me which is your favourite!

This is the ravishing silkscreen print 38 Mate that will be yours if you win the competition! Entries close in one week's time on 16th February 2010!

Wow wee! Good luck everyone!

Comments

[PRIMOEZA]

very cool. i love purple crane, but they're all pretty trippy!

[KIM]

wow, sam, fabulous interview! :)

[Jacquie]

Oh wow! This is fabulous.

I love this:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=37195147
I have a thing about japanese origami cranes. I've hearted it!

[Down and Out Chic]

wow amazing talent and thoughtful work.

"books" is my favorite in the shop http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=36234438 but i would to win 38 mate. i can see it on my wall now:)

[Kathleen]

Okay...That was HARD! I ABSOLUTELY Love her stuff!!! So, so cool. Incredible. Thanks so much for the awesome interview and introduction to the talent of Kate.
like I said it was so hard, from the black dog to Sebastien of course...but my absolute fav is BOOKS! I must get my hands on that when I have a little bit extra money!!!

[Couture Carrie]

Fabulous pieces and interview, darling S!
My fave work in the shop is Purple Crane!

xoxox,
CC

[lenorenevermore]

Wow, inspiring interview Sam!
Beauteeeful illustrations as well.
St Martins is such an impressive school, so many talents coming out from there~

ps: Love you for doing 'L' illustration, I'm honored & so touched by your kind gesture darling!
~Big humongous Mwah-kiss your way````*
Greetings via the tropics!
oooh...Could you please email me your mailing address=
[email protected]

~THANKS YOU SAM!

[Rachel]

This is hard to choose! I think it's this: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_2&listing_id=40346230

I love the colors and shapes. It reminds me of some industrial-inspired woodblock prints I saw the the MET made in the early 1900's.

[Rebecca]

Excellent interview - she's quite hilarious as well as talented. I think "Spaceman" might be my favorite in her shop! :)

[victoria renee]

great interview! i loved ALL of kate's work so it was difficult to decided on my favorite...but i think the parrot print is especially touching :)

[Diana]

amazing! i really admire mother's who work from home.

this one is my favorite! http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=36234438

[Cafe Fashionista]

Great interview! I LOVE the fact that Kate listed Holes as one of her favorite movies - it's one of mine, as well!

I believe that Sebastien is my favorite piece by her - http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7831249. :)

[Emma]

You seriously want me to choose one of her screen prints? Really? I have been a buying coward with her work for at least 2 years and spend my life going back through my favourites and refavouriting my preferred ones...
This one is my favourite this week (in fact, I might buy it now...)
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=32361297

[Tracy]

This was a fantastic interview Sam. A very talented and charming artist that you've introduced me to. I had already seen the work of her son, Moofus. Now I understand where he gets his talented genes from!

Picking a fave is difficult, but I'm leaning towards the 'Books' print.

Hope your week has been a great one so far :) xo

[sealaura]

very cool work. I love uncle sid in blue. it is very fun and happy. and I am such an animal lover it makes me smile. thanks for the opportunity.