Stoked in the fires of Woodstock with fellow FOLLOW conspirator Luke Gilvey, we basically brought the FOLLOW RAbbit to life on Glass Bars. Each bar the size and shape of a few pounds of pure gold, these are something to behold!
There are only 24 Glass Bars in this final FOLLOW RAbbit addition.
This project has been so much fun – and has included some highlight moments such as traveling back and forth to Woodstock just to “get it right” and working closely with artist Luke Gilvey and his bevy of beautiful glass blowing friends and family.
We are now almost done with the Year of the RAbbit (2011) and what an improvement over the Year of the Tiger. Now onto the Year of the Dragon. Roar.
Here I am in front of the countdown clock of 1XRUN BOOTH. At that time it was 18 hrs to D Day now it’s like 6hrs. Check out the prints. http://1xrun.com/runs/The_Cult_Yard_NYCC_-_Friday_Day_2_at_3pm
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The Interview of Ingrid Opitz, artist and designer, FOOX LLC.
Q: Where did you study art?
I went to Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, MD for my freshman year of college. The first year of art school is like art boot camp, very intense, but an amazing experience. Even though I loved it there I ended up transferring to University of Virginia (UVA) my sophmore year because like most private art schools, MICA is very expensive and UVA was in-state tuition. I majored in studio art there, focusing mostly on figurative painting and drawing.
Q: Who are your heroes?
I tend to seek out strong female role models- Anytime I need some extra inner strength I find myself listening to female artists like Fiona apple, Tori amos etc. I admire anyone who allows themselves to be equals parts vulnerable, raw and honest, especially through a creative medium, and be completely unapologetic about it.
Q: What is your favorite FOOX project you are working on right now?
I’m currently helping to create a series of female rabbit characters, sort of a spin off of David’s male rabbit series [The Heroes]. It started with one female rabbit, “Pixie Rabbit”, which was done using the Wacom tablet and a combination of line work, sketches, and then coloring in photoshop. Since it turned out, these bunnies will be doing what bunnies do best, reproducing.
Q; Tell us a little bit about a day in the life of FOOX.
Because it’s not an average desk job by any means, my schedule is somewhat unconventional. Generally I come in around 10 or 11, talk briefly with David about the plan for the day and then start working on whichever project is the current priority. We stay pretty focused throughout the week but always make a little time for some silliness and fun.
Q: Where do you get your artistic inspiration from?
Looking at the work of fellow artists always gets me in a creative mindset and motivates me to produce my own work. More specifically, scenes from daily life give me ideas for paintings. I think that some of the most powerful paintings are very simple scenes but its the emotional subtext
Q: How old were you when you first decided to be an artist?
I’ve been doing art ever since I can remember. My parents have all my old drawings saved in scrapbooks. It was always just kind of a given in my mind that i would “be an artist when I grew up”.
Q: Any highlights to working for FOOX?
We’ve definitely had our share of moments and artistic accomplishments. The show at the Sanctuary Hotel this past month was alot of fun. It was nice to be able to take a moment and have fun and reflect on how things have changed since first starting work at FOOX.
Q: Do you tweet or facebook?
Definitely facebook although I can’t say I post too many status updates. I have a twitter but barely update it- I’m pretty sure no one wants to read about the fact that I just cooked some mac and cheese or reorganized my sock drawer.
Q; Do you love rabbits? and what pets do you have?
I’ve always thought rabbits were adorable but I’ve never had one as a pet. I love animals so I’ve had many different types of pets (lizards, fish, hamsters, you name it), but i’ve always had a special place in my heart for birds. I have 5 budgies , also known as parakeets, who live with me in Brooklyn in a big house-shaped cage.
Q; Rabbits in business suits?
…cottontail Trump?