Daniela Garreton, guest artist

(version française below)

Each season, Bask in the Sun collaborates with several artists and illustrators to create its prints. Daniela Garreton (see her website) has been themain guest in our collections since 2014. Her drawing of the smoking bearded man is on the cover of the season catalog, stickers, postcards... and on a series of tees shirts. An opportunity to take the time to meet the artist (see her Instagram page).

Who are you? Where are you from?
I'm Dani, an artist and, to tell you the truth, completely crazy about my young dog. I live in San Sebastian in the Basque Country. I grew up in Chile by the sea. I came here four years ago after studying in Hamburg, Germany.

What's the first drawing you remember?
It was probably on the walls of my childhood bedroom. I was about five years old and decided that the walls needed some color... My little sister and I did it... We got it everywhere. It was like a colorful explosion! My mother wasn't very happy with the picture. We said the neighbor had done it!

Which medium do you prefer?
I really like drawing on wood. Wood adds depth and texture to your work. Actually, I like all media, depending on my mood at the time. I like the relaxing side of a detailed drawing on paper, and the next day I'm letting off steam with brushes on raw materials.

Where does your inspiration come from? Do you have a specific process or ritual for your work?
I think that, definitely, water, living near the ocean, surfing, diving are the things that nourish me the most and have a real influence on my work. At the same time, my eyes are always open to the world, and I travel as much as I can. It's the best way to get inspiration. I also read a lot of art magazines, hang out on the internet and keep my creative bible close to me. It's a book by Alan Fletcher, The art of looking sideways. An astonishing book about art and design that suggests a different way of looking at life. An invitation to keep an open mind and learn new things.

I think the more you follow through on your ideas, the more you open new doors for yourself... The more you create, the more efficient you become in the process: perception - conception - expression. You know yourself, you know how to catch fleeting ideas on the fly.

If I had to define my ideal working environment, it would be with a big pot of tea, chocolate and good music! And when it's unfortunately a blank page, I go for a walk on the beach with my dog. The fresh air clears my head.

How did you hear about Bask in the Sun? Why did you agree to work for the label?
I think it was in 2012. I'd met Tito by chance in Saint Jean de Luz a year earlier. So when he told me about his project to create a clothing label, I didn't hesitate. It's very important for me when I work for companies to know who's behind the brand, where the products are made, whether they're environmentally friendly and to feel good about the people behind the project. I know all the people who make Bask in the Sun, they're all good guys. I really feel like I'm working with friends...

You did five designs for the Spring Summer 2014 collection; you also have three in the next collection. Your pipe-smoking bearded man design is so popular that it's becoming a bit of a brand image. What do you think of it?
It's so cool! You always feel flattered when people like something you've created. I like the simplicity of the design. I think it fits well with the spirit of the Bask in the Sun project: being happy with the simple things in life.

... Version française

Daniela Garreton is the main invited artists of the spring summer 2014 collection. It's time to sit with her in front of the sea to know more who she is.

Who are you? Where do you like from?
Im Dani, artist, artist and dog lover living in San Sebastian. I grew up in Chile with a very close relationship to the sea. I moved here about 4 years ago to be close to the coast after studying in Hamburg.

What was your first memorable drawing?
Probably in my bedroom walls. I must have been around five and decided that the walls needed some color so we made an art explosion with my little sister. My mom wasn't very happy about it, when she asked who did that mess we blame the neighbour.

What medium do you prefer?
I really like drawing on wood. I think wood adds a lot of depth and texture to the artwork. But I like to try different mediums. It depends on the mood Im in. Sometimes I love how relaxing it is to do a detailed pen drawing on paper but the next day I'm all about brushes, textures and roughness.

Where come your inspiration? Any typical process?
Well, definitely the sea and living a life close to the ocean through surfing and diving has a lot of influence but I'm also constantly awake and aware of new things that can inspire me. I try to travel as much as I can, which is one of the best ways to get inspired and to find new amazing things.
I also read a lot of art mags and blogs and have my "creative bible" always next to me. It is a book by Alan Fletcher called The Art of Looking Sideways. It's an awesome book about art, design and looking at life differently. Just keeping your mind open and always being interested in knowing more.
I think the more ideas you materialize, the more new ideas will come. The more you create, the faster the process of percetion-conception-expression is.
Probably my typical process would involve a huge jar of tea, some chocolate and good music. When I have some artist block I take a walk on the beach with my dog and clear my mind with the fresh air.

How did you first hear about Bask in the Sun? And why have you accepted to work with this new brand?
I think it was in 2012...I had met Tito spontaneously a year ago in Saint Jean de Luz, so when he approached me with the idea of doing a clothing brand I didn't hesitate to participate. Its very important to me when I collaborate with brands to know who's behind it, where they produce, if its organic and if they are nice people all together. I know all the people involved in Bask in the Sun and they're genuinely nice guys so its great to feel your working among friends.

You've done 5 drawings for the SS14 collection and 3 more in the FW14-15 collection. It seems that your smoking pipe artwork becomes iconic for the brand, something like an alternative logo, what do you feel about that?
It feels good! Its always regarding when people like something you've done. I love the simplicity in the smoking pipe design, I think its a lot of what Bask in the Sun is about, just enjoy the simple things in life.