INTERVIEW: MEET Stacy Rajab

I’m pleased to introduce to you Stacy Rajab , the talented  artist behind the Retro Modern Projects.   Her shop is environnemental friendly and she tries to reuse and recycle everyday items into art. What a beautiful idea, isn’t it?

My love for patterns and art took me to discover Stacy through her original and beautiful art. Finding great handmade products is always nice, but finding an amazing person behind those products is even better. Meet stacy and enjoy the journey to discover a little more about her.

Love Creative Hands: Dear Stacy, welcome to Love Creative Hands! Let’s start with an easy question. Can you tell us a little about your background?
Stacy: My dad was a jeweler starting at age 13. My entire childhood was spent in his shop watching him create custom jewelry and run hisshop. I then traveld and lived throughout the word; London, Long Island New York, San Jose Costa Rica, Northern California, and now in south of Los Angesles in the beachy community of San Clemente.

I was a teacher for over 10 years, settled down, had three children, and now teach teachers on-line as well as create my art. I tried carving linocuts on a fluke from a neighbors suggestion. Immediatly I had the feeling that I had done it before. Well, I had! I used to help my dad carve for castings for gold. It’s easy and relaxing for me to simply sit and carve into the lino blocks and create modern style art.

LCH: How does your usual day look like?
S: Wow — I don’t even know how to answer that! I am up between 5 am and 6 am with my three children. I don’t stop until around 10pm….between keeping the kids active (they are 2, 4, and 5) and working on my carvings, managing the on-line store, squeezing a moment with my husband and grading papers of the college students I teach…I am constantly running!

LCH: What motivated you to become an eco-friendly artist? I have seen that you got a remarkable style. Where does your inspiration come from, or what influences your work?

S: I read a lot of magazines and books and am always on the look out for textures and patterns that I like. I usually come up with my best ideas while laying awake (trying to sleep) at night. I then hope and pray I remember them in the morning….

LCH: What would you describe as the toughest challenge you face with having your own label-style?

S: Time management is and always has been a challenge for me.

LCH: How would you describe the signature of the Retro modern project?

S: Retro Modern Projects signature is of affordable, attainable and fun art. I believe that art doesn’t need to cost a fortune or be elaborate to make a home or office compelete. Art hanging on your walls should be a mixture of what you love, who you love (pictures), colors, and whatever you fancy. The more the merrier.

LCH: How do you usually market your work?

S: I market through etsy, papernstich, and show my art in a local gallery. Most of my customers are word of mouth or people who happen to peruse my site or blog and fall in love with something.

LCH: What is your motto or philosophy?
S: Keep it simple, practical, and colorful!

LCH: Are there any projects in the long-term for -Retro Modern-?
S: Retro Modern Projects will soon embark on the letterpress machine! I think that in order for my line to grow, it needs to be conneceted into the past. In otherwords, the letterpress machine will connect the age-old craft of block printing to modern art.

I hope that you all enjoyed this interview as much as I did enjoy making it!

If you want to get in touch with Stacy, you can reach her on:
Etsy: srajab1
Twitter: @retromodern
Facebook: retromoderprojects
Blog: retromodernprojects

Pinterest: retromodern

Hugs from Montreal!
Guisela