Interview: Kelly Cayuela

Can you tell us about your background as an artist? How did you first become interested in art?

When I was younger I thought if I could understand art I could find an answer to something greater in the universe. As a young adult, it really started with reading philosophy and realism-genre books, which blew my mind open. I studied Writing and Literature in college. Afterward, I moved to Bali to teach English and started to work with the natural dye artisans there. Not long after, I enrolled in Parsons New School in New York City but dropped out when I realized fashion design was not for me. During that time I had started art directing and styling. It felt so natural and playful to be on set, so I focused on building a reel. Two years later I moved to Los Angeles and after 7 years on set, I reevaluated how I was spending my creative time. Art directing for film is mostly building on someone else’s vision - it didn’t feel like the full fruition of my creative potential. I do think that working on set to create a scene has encouraged my focus to paint interior spaces.

The recurring theme of home is evident throughout your portfolio. What draws you to this subject matter, and how does it inform your creative process?

When I painted my first interior I didn’t expect to keep painting them. I used to sketch places I stayed or lived in my journals, but I thought that was just a personal log. However, I keep coming back to another interior because I think I find so much solace in my own little home. There’s a wonderful book I found a year or so ago called “The Poetics of Space” by Gaston Bachelard and he writes in a philosophical, poetic way about the meaning of home. The idea that these walls protect us from the exterior weather, space, and nature and within these walls they enable us to create our own little universe or world. I love that thought!

“I paint places from my past and present; these paintings deliver more emotion and authenticity than if I just try to make something up”.

Your artwork in 'Care' is titled, 'Lost in Translation'. Can you tell us more about this piece and its meaning?

This painting is based on an apartment I lived in Boston right when I graduated college. It was very hard for me to finish school. I studied Writing and Literature at Emerson College. I knew I didn’t want to pursue professional writing halfway through my time at school, but had no idea of what I wanted to do. So I stuck it out and got my degree. This memory I painted is around the time of my final classes. I was working mornings at a bakery close by and getting up really early to open up and make coffee, bake pastries that were mostly just mixes you add milk and butter to, nothing fancy. Then I’d go to my classes in the afternoon. During time off I’d watch movies. I was very minimalist at this time and didn’t have a couch, only one chair. I think I wanted to eliminate any superfluous, outside distractions. I loved the movie Lost in Translation, excellent sound track too. I’d play it over and over. I think I was a little lost in translation from school to real world back then. I was in a bustling city but everything felt just out of reach. So that’s the idea of the painting. I was really beginning to define myself and make choices for myself. It’s a happy memory, looking back.

What do you hope viewers take away from your art? Are there any messages or emotions you aim to convey?

I’m not trying to make the viewer see what I see or feel what I feel. Maybe the only thing I want to convey is the lack of trying to convince someone or make any kind of statement. I can hope one looks at one of my paintings and feels lightness or connectedness. I do enjoy hearing what someone sees or feels about a painting. It’s amusing to me how little control I have over another person’s perspective when they are presented with just a space.

What influences or sources of inspiration inform your artistic practice?

I am inspired by music and film. I love older movies, film noir, and independent films. I think good films offer a sense of escape and stillness in the same way a room does and I really appreciate the effort and talent of good storytelling. I love moodiness in a film, maybe one lacking a big plot line. I listen to a lot of movie soundtracks and dream pop. I also love a magazine called Apartamento, which photographs many artists’ interior spaces and writes fun, informative interviews. Painters who's work I admire are Fairfield Porter, Georgia O’Keefe, Pierre Bonnard, and Henri Matisse to name a few.

How do you navigate creative blocks or challenges in your artistic practice?

Sometimes I start a new work if I feel like a piece I’m working on is stalling. But more often than not I just sit there and try to ground myself apart from the specific painting. If I overthink it I probably will over work the piece so I’d rather stop for the day than try to make something happen. For me, it really helps to have other activities I enjoy which keep the blood flowing, like going for a run, watering the garden, reading a magazine. Anything to create some circulation in my brain or blood.

Finally, what advice would you offer to aspiring artists who are just starting their creative journey?

I will share the advice I give myself: Everything you’ve done and are doing now relates to your art. There are no rules. There is no wasted time. When you can, just focus on the art for the sake of making art.