For our sixth and the very first post of the year, we visited a LA based artist, Vanesa Zendejas' studio in Eagle Rock neighborhood with her 3-year-old son, Aadi.
Q1. What do you do with Ito Bindery’s Drawing Pad, Margin gridded notebook & Mitsubishi colored pencils? What do you like about these stationeries?
The sketch pad and colored pencils are such a great pair because the color contrasts so nicely on the Kraft paper. It reminds me of art school where you rely heavily on Kraft paper because it’s often free at school, but it also teaches you not to treat a blank surface as necessarily empty. I love drawing with my son on this paper. And I only take notes, plot plans, and budget on gridded paper. I need parameters always, it allows me to think within a real space.
Aadi and Vanesa drawing together, using the Mitsubishi colored pencils on the Kraft sketch pad.
Vanesa's studio desk scene
Q2. In our technology driven world, what does it mean to make things by your hand to you?
It exercises an important part of my brain, I only get this satisfaction from making, drawing, building, hiking, biking, and cleaning. When I don’t do these physical things, I feel lost, it’s just a deep need I have. Maybe it’s how I’ve developed my relationship to the world around me. It definitely keeps me looking up, constantly observing, as opposed to down at my phone.
Q3. Pencils or Mechanical Pencils?
Mechanical. So consistent.
A graphic patterned stamp, Papermate mechanical pencil and skinny mini ruler
Q4. What’s in your pen case? How do you store your stationeries?
Many felt tipped pens, brush pens, plastic fountain pen, all different colors. Paper is often stored in flat plastic bins, keeps them clean. In the desert you have to protect everything from dust.
An enamel mug with livestock branding from a thrift store in the desert. A tin storage to store markers and pens.
A pen stand & Vanesa's minerals and beads collection in a drawer.
Q5. What is your most favorite stationery?
Any traditional handmade Japanese paper. Or anything hot press.
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Vanesa Zendejas is a LA based artist. She recently moved from the high desert back to Los Angeles where she now works, sometimes alongside 3-year-old son Aadi.
