This Friday the 13th, I am starting a new weekly feature. Every Friday I am introducing a new, young, lady artist/illustrator of immense talent. The world of visual arts is still a difficult place for women to get the recognition they deserve, so keep an eye on our Friday gals!
With no further ado . . . Florence Gidez!
Florence answered a few questions for BUST
What is you favorite place in NYC to find inspiration?This past year I worked on a community garden maintenance crew, and I was very inspired by the gardens. I saw a pineapple growing in the Bronx, figs in Brooklyn and cherries in Queens, red okra in INwood . . . The parks are also amazing. You can actually go hiking in Staten Island, or get lost in the forest in Queens.
I was also really inspired by the industrial decay of Brooklyn when I moved to New York. It sort of made me feel at home because I’m from New England where we have lots of decaying mill towns, decaying agricultural buildings and tools and lots of backyard dead car and farm machinery displays.
What is the best/worst advice you ever got from your mom?
In high school I was always tragically in love with boys who didn’t like me and/or already had girlfriends. My mom wisely counseled me about the girlfriend problem saying: ‘things change, people die.’ Luckily that didn’t actually happen to any of them. She’ll be embarrassed when she reads this but I think it’s funny.
What are your favorite materials to work with?
What artists/musicians/writers influence your work?
Whose opinion influences you the most?
What would you be if you weren’t an artist?
If you could only draw one thing thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?
To learn more about Flo, see more of her work or buy awesome hand-printed merchandise, visit her website .
-Emma
