Posted by Underground Crafter on June 15, 2011 |
Short Link
Today I have the great pleasure of interviewing Kelly Titus from Aperture Agog. Kelly and I are members of The {NewNew} Team, a group of Etsy sellers in the New York metro area. I recently discovered Kelly’s blog, subtitled Street Photography, Embroidery & Mischief. Kelly is a transplant to my birthplace/homeland of Brooklyn, New York. I find her photography inspiring – and not just because my photography is so pathetic, but also because of the way she captures Brooklyn and New York City.
UC: Your blog primarily focuses on your urban photography. When did you transplant to Brooklyn (my hometown) and what do you love/hate about Brooklyn life?
Kelly: I moved to here in 2000 from Baltimore. It felt comfortable from day one.
I heart Brooklyn because every walk is a mini adventure looking for that treasured wall of street art that speaks to my sensibilities, a strong feeling or capturing the ”now” that street art often brings to the world. I have certain spots I go out of my way to hit and the best part is you never know what you’ll find.
(UC comment: Kelly captures the general mood of NYC these days with this picture. You can buy this image as a matted photograph or card in Kelly’s shop.)
There is an incredible front yard in my ‘hood that for years is full of toys. Someone is constantly adding and changing how they interact with each other. Where else would that happen? Among my neighborhood friends there is shorthand that only we would understand. “Hey did you see the green dinosaur is hugging the cat now?” I started documented them weekly because someone needs too.
I’m not much of hater, so I think the only thing that makes me mad is I can’t do it all. How do you fit a picnic in Prospect Park, bike ride to Bottle Beach, drinks on someone’s roof and crazy dance party all in one weekend?
A stand-off on the Q train. At least you can get a seat on this train.
UC: Do you travel around looking for these great photo opportunities or are you just ready with the camera all the time?
Kelly: A little of both. Since I was in high school I’ve carried a camera everywhere I go. They are so much lighter these days, my shoulder is much happier. I’m running round the boroughs a lot, and I find I get my best moments by luck and chance. My friends are so patient with me as I stop every few blocks. I’ve definitely been late to parties due to street photography.
Kelly taw a putty tat...
UC: How did you get started making and then selling your photography and embroidery?
Kelly: I have a documentation impulse that pre-dates social media these days. So the photography has been there since my teens. Everything else started out of necessity. I used to play roller derby and we need team shirts, so a crafty friend taught me silk screening. We made our first team shirts and I was addicted. I could put anything on anything? AMAZING!
I have Etsy to thank for my start in embroidery. I went to an Etsy Craft Night where Danielle was teaching how to embroider cards. There is something calming about stitching and it is inexpensive to start.
(UC comment: Kelly’s shop is filled with embroidered works inspired by the urban environment, like All Hearts on the left and You Would Love on the right.)
Like many people, I had a friend selling on Etsy when it first started and she encouraged me. Sometimes you just need a push from a smart friend.
By nature I’m a social person, so selling my work is a sharing impulse I don’t think I can stop. One of my favorite parts of selling at local Brooklyn markets is talking to the other vendors.
UC: You seem to be multi-craftual. What is your favorite “go to” craft these days?
Kelly: Embroidery is saving my life. My husband is living in another city and the bus rides are now filled with listening to This American Life and embroidering away on the good old Bolt bus. It is perfect because the supplies are light and I can make it work in the tiny seat.
(UC comment: If you need photographic evidence, check out Kelly’s portable, commuting workshop in this post on The {NewNew} blog.)
UC: Where do you generally find your creative inspiration?
Kelly: The City! God I love this freakin’ place. Even after a decade at least once a week I get a little giddy about being here.
More of Kelly's inspiration from the urban environment...
UC: Do you have any favorite crafting blogs or websites you’d like to share?
Kelly: I have a blog problem, here is some i love, feel free to pick what you think is interesting.
(UC comment: I have included them all! No blog editing here!)
Inspiration:
Craft buisness – My two big faves:
Brookyn fun (not crafty, but a girl has gotta have some fun too)
Photography/NYC History
Photography
Craft/fashiony/designy
Graffiti/Street Art
Thanks Kelly for stopping by for an interview! Don’t forget to check her out at her Etsy shop, on her blog, at her portfolio, or on Twitter!
Kelly also left us with some parting words of wisdom…
Kelly claims to learn a lot from the words written on bathroom walls.
Oh wait, that wasn’t her final quote. Here it is (attributed to Tom Robbins):
“Humanity has advanced, not because it has been sober, responsible, and cautious, but because it has been playful, rebellious, and immature.”
Tags: aperture agog, apertureagog, bolt bus, brooklyn, etsy, i can't afford to love ny, interview, kelly titus, new york city, newnew, newnew team, this american life, tom robbins
This is great! I’m a huge fan of Kelly’s work, especially her ability to capture amazing images and emotions that most of us miss as we make our way through Brooklyn and beyond every day. Awesome post about an incredible artist!
Thanks Lolafalk! I must confess, as a native New Yorker, that I am generally unimpressed by the work of the transplants. (Yes, I’m a NY snob, but that’s how I roll.) But Kelly has a way of capturing things without seeming exploitative.
you go girl!
Thanks for stopping by ruby and astrOdub! Kelly is pretty cool (that’s why I interviewed her!).
Kelly is awesome!! and her enthusiastic personality is not only contagious but inspiring. Whenever I can’t stand another minute of NYC- Kelly’s art makes me look at it in a different way.
Awww, you guys! I can’t thank you enough for the super kinds words and the oppurtunity to share my passion with UC in her awesome blog.
Plus, it means so much that a real New Yorker digs my stuff! BIG HUG!
Kelly, thanks so much for taking the time for the interview and to stop by. I am slowly making my way through your blog recommendations!
Great interview with one of the most creative and passionate people I’ve met through the New New. Her work is inspiring.