Posted by Curry S. on Jan 23rd 2020
Featured Artist: Becky Margraf
Texture geek, craft dabbler, and yeti enthusiast Becky Margraf is our July featured artist! Take a look at her work below and get ready to be inspired. Her work has the ability to brighten anyone's day so do yourself a favor and follow her on Instagram.
Name: Becky Margraf
Location: San Francisco, CA
IG: @bookymargoof
Website: beckymargraf.com
Favorite Product at A&C: Felt
Artist & Craftsman Supply: Who are you and what do you do?
Becky Margraf: I’m Becky! I’m an artist, designer, and educator based in San Francisco, CA. Professionally, I’m pursuing research in the future of learning and play, and I dream of designing new generations of educational toys. Artistically, I’m driven by a love of tinkering and learning new techniques/technical skills. I’m a passionate evangelist for the 100 Day Project and have participated for the past four years making 100 felt creatures, 100 felt faces, 100 t-shirt pockets, and (this year’s) 100 yarn pom-poms.
A&C: Did you go to school for art? What is your background?
BM: I was always an artsy kid who dabbled in lots of things. I discovered a passion for design through my high school’s journalism department after joining the newspaper staff and realizing I much preferred organizing the pages over writing their content. I pursued that passion and earned a degree in Graphic Design from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design in Boston, MA. While in college, I discovered an interest in education and teaching. The overlap of those interests has guided me in my career ever since.
A&C: What drew you to art initially?
BM: Making things makes me feel like me. A day where I haven’t made something probably wasn’t a great day. My work is often the result of my love of making and learning rather than a visual reflection of my feelings or personal perspective of the world. They’re not always precious, but they’re usually fun to play with.
A&C: What inspires you?
BM: Kids’ crafts! There is so much underestimated possibility in simple techniques that use inexpensive materials (paper weaving, finger knitting, finger-painting, perler beads). I’m inspired by the potential of these mediums and how we can use them to make valuable things that are accessible to all skill levels.
A&C: Do you have a favorite artist/piece of art?
BM: I deeply admire Belgian surrealist painter René Magritte. I’ve always felt inspired by his approach to blending the real and the fantastic, his ability to render textures, and his uniquely graphic realism. I also love how he incorporates statement into his work.
A&C: What is your go-to album/artist right now (in the studio)?
BM: It varies on the project and mood, but my general go-to is jazz, blues, or bluegrass (Punch Brothers, Chris Thile, Andrew Bird). I’ve also been listening nonstop to a Boston-based band called Ripe. They make delightful groovy, dance-y, ska-y music that I can’t get enough of.
A&C: How has your practice changed over time?
BM: I’ve learned to embrace the process, finish things I’m unhappy with, and document every step along the way. One big joy of being a generalist is seeing how each experiment can inform the next: every unexpected result can become an intentional goal for the next project, forming a wiggly path leading you places you never would have found otherwise.
p.s. The 100 Day Project is a particularly great way to watch your technical skills mature. Highly recommended!
A&C: What do you like most about Artist & Craftsman Supply?
BM: I love A&C! No matter the location I visit, it always feels the way an art store should feel: paint splotches on the floor, handwritten sale signs, kind/knowledgeable people, endless appealing options for things to empty out my wallet.
A&C: What’s one thing you can’t leave an art store without buying?
BM: Black pens. Or felt. Or unique glues.
A&C: What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given (not necessarily art related)?
BM: Well, it’s more of a quote than advice: Caroline McHugh said, “There are as many opinions of you as there are people.” Making art (and generally existing) in an age of instant feedback can often be any combination of encouraging, demotivating, addicting, exhausting, enlightening, and confusing. Finding the right mantra to remind myself that I’m making art for me and the spectrum of feedback will always exist no matter what I do has helped me remain focused on my internal motivations rather than the external influences. I think that keeps me saner.
A&C: What is your advice to younger artists?
BM: Make things. Any things. Lots of them. Every day. You don’t have to like them. You don’t have to sculpt them so the Internet will like them. You don’t need to show them to anyone else at all. Just keep making your art and pushing your skills and looking for thing you make that is uniquely and richly you. It’ll take a while to get there.
A&C: What is your favorite place to visit where you live?
BM: All of San Francisco is inspiring. Between the city’s pleasant weather and the abundant colors, it’s always a joy to explore and look for inspiration. My favorite place is sitting in any of the grassy parks to read, draw, sew, people-watch, or eat tasty snacks.
Huge thanks to Becky for sharing her awesome work with us! To learn more, check out her website and her Instagram and be on the lookout for a Becky Margraf-inspired tutorial on our blog!
