An Interview With Danielle Buerli
Interview: Romina Perez
ABC: Tell us a little bit about what you do
DB: I make and draw things. I mostly make things now and draw for myself, but I would still like to keep that going too. My work has evolved into more diorama environments and puppets where I draw, craft, knit, sculpt, paint, build, photograph and edit. I think I just like to do too many things so I am trying to find a way that I can do them all. I like to sit down and get lost in what I do and then kinda wake up and find out I made a whale or a boat.
ABC: What was the worst critique/review/feedback you were ever given and how did it make you feel?
DB: The worst critique I got was when I was doing design. Which is funny because I care less about it. It still really floors you though because it is your decisions they are questioning. I think I that am so self critical with my illustration work that when someone says something, I have already thought of worse. So most of the time, with feedback, I agree and view it as really constructive and helpful.
ABC: How did that experience change or not change the way you feel/felt about your art?
DB: I guess it made me think that I have to push harder to make it look like what I envisioned. I am still just figuring things out. It is an on going experiment.
ABC: What did you do about it?
DB: I try harder.
ABC: Your illustration work is mostly 3d, how did you find yourself transitioning from 2d illustration to 3d illustration?
DB: Well, I was in Nathan Ota’s painting class and I was really struggling with an assignment. I went to him for help and he said what if you actually build it. And from then I on I was like, wow, I can do what I want and work with what I want. I had this idea in my head that I was going to be a traditional painter, I guess I am not. Still kind of want to be though. But that’s not me, my head is too all over the place to stick to one medium. Now I just collect materials I want to work with and try new techniques every time. It is so fun, I learn something each time. Now I just need to find out how to make it marketable.
ABC: How long does it take for you to create a whole piece like “don’t tell me what I can’t do”.
DB: That piece took about a month. It was my first bigger piece and I really didn’t know what I was doing. Now I can build something in a week or less. It also depends on what I have around the house. Sometimes you need to find the right things to put together and that takes time. I go to the thrift and craft store a lot with Jessica (my roommate, a fabulous artist).
ABC: What inspires/influences your illustrations?
DB: Everything. Movies I watch, my friends, things I find, stories I write or just other art I see. I do a lot of internet wandering. Sometimes I will just have some yarn and really want to knit something and think this looks like a ….. polar bear? I have been on a big sequin kick right now. I find excuses to sew sequins on things. It relaxes me.
ABC: What do you love the most about being an illustrator?
DB: I can do what I want and I get to share it. I get to look at all these beautiful things all day long and then try and make something like it.
ABC: Share 5 fun random facts about you:
DB: I love sailboats. I have a cat named pocket. I drink at least three cups of hot tea a day. I listen to vast amounts of science and culture podcasts about how things work. I am really bad at telling left from right. I should never be the navigator in the car.
ABC: What would like to say to the other underdogs out there?
DB: “Don’t stop believing!”
Visit Danielle’s
Website: http://www.dbuerli.com
