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@liv.leeee is the Australian artist behind our stunning Sirena Longboard, and we recently interviewed Liv to uncover her inspiration and creative process for this piece, and some of the proudest moments in her career.
Here's what she had to say...
What excited you most about being approached by Impala and this collaboration?
One thing that I have discovered since I started working in surface design is that I love making products, but I rarely get the opportunity to have total creative control. So being able to design almost all aspects of this skateboard, from the main deck design, to the small etched details to the wheels was my perfect kind of project! On top of that, the nostalgic aesthetic of Impala is very much something I try to create in my work, so being asked to work with a brand you’ve long admired is such a great feeling.
When did you first discover you loved creating art? What inspired you?
I had always loved making things and being creative – I used to design and sew my own clothes in high school and desperately wanted to be a fashion designer, but it didn’t turn out that way. I picked up my creative endeavors again in my early twenties, and outside my full-time job I was constantly creating – from wood carvings, to silversmithing to fine-line botanical drawings.
My dad had a big influence on my creativity – he was an incredible artist who made intricate wood carvings and detailed drawings. His art featured mostly native Australian cockatoos and native flora. He showed me the endless beauty and inspiration we have in our own backyard.
Do you have a favorite career highlight or proudest achievement?
Collaborating on a collection with Gorman last year was a bit of a pinch-me moment – I had been such a fan of their products for years, so that was a real full circle moment.
Another proud moment was collaborating with a sustainable German brand last year, Hessnatur, who gave me complete creative freedom to create a 12 piece collection, which included the knit cardigan of my dreams! To have a brand hand over the reigns and put their complete trust in me is really reassuring, and I had so much fun designing all the pieces.
Can you walk us through your creative process for this specific artwork – why did you choose this flower?
At the time of creating this design, I was rugged up inside in my mother-in-law’s house in Canada while it was -30 and snowing outside. As I wasn’t able to go and gather inspiration in the bush like I usually would, I turned to an old wildflower field guide she had on her bookshelf for inspiration. I was drawn to this flower for its bold shapes and minimal detail, although my illustration is a very dramatic interpretation of the flower! I always focus on form, balance and color in my designs, so this one ticked all the boxes.
Do you have any quirky rituals or habits that fuel your creative process?
If I need a creative boost, I’ll go for a walk – whether it’s just around the block with the dog, or for a bush walk, as I know I’ll see a myriad of flowers and plants. We’re pretty lucky in Australia, where flowers are in bloom at almost anytime of the year. I take a lot of photos of flowers on my walks, and my camera roll becomes my creative companion.
What's one dream project you'd love to collaborate on, and why?
I’d love to collaborate with my husband – we’re always talking about ideas for products, and he’s insanely creative, it would be so great to build something together.
SHOP LIV'S IMPALA FAVES HERE
Impala's Artist Spotlight 🎨 Meet Liv Lee
