Follow Your Passion | Volume 3

Follow Your Passion

Winter

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FRO M M I NTED | A M A R K E TPL AC E O F I N D EPEN D ENT A R TI ST S

VOLUME THREE

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Artists to Watch

Designers’ Travel Guide

9 to 5 / 5 to 9

Two artists discuss creative independence through stories of personal and artistic transformation

Our community curated 9 can’t-miss spots in Austin

2019

Meet Tal Paz-Fridman, a QA Specialist for a tech company by day, and an impressionist photographer at night

ANGELA SIMEONE Nashville, Tennesee M I N T E D.C O M/S TO R E /A N G E L AS I M EO N E

PAINTER. WALLPAPER DESIGNER. SELF-STARTER. CHANGE AGENT. THIS ARTIST LE ARNED HOW TO THRIVE THROUGH A LIFE OF EVOLUTION.

ANGELA SIMEONE is the definition of a self-starter.

Growing up in a military family, she spent her childhood adapting to constantly shifting surroundings. She developed her “sink or swim” survival skills early in life and learned to thrive.

“Transformation means learning who you are and where you come from. What were the prescription lenses you were ‘given’ from your family of origin in which to view the world? How have those lenses served you in your life? What do you choose to bring forward and invite into your adult life, and what will you leave behind? You can dig in and show up for yourself by creating change through therapy and self-love. This commitment to yourself and life will transform how you interact with the world. For me, connecting with the life force that is God gave me the security I needed to let go of unhealthy connections.”

Simeone’s professional life is as varied as her up-bringing, and reflects the same tenacity. She got her start in the music industry in Athens, Georgia, working for an influential woman that had dropped out of UGA to start her first gig. She launched from there to Nashville for a record label, publicity agency, and artist management. In the late 1990s, she moved to San Francisco and joined a female-led start-up called ChickClick. Together they created editorial content and developed a community, joining an online network of independent media outlets targeted toward young women.

“ChickClick was the first time that I was surrounded by women creating their own realities and daring to think beyond big. Our programs were unconventional

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and we gave back. These ladies were self-starters and writing their own tickets and went on to be executives, write cookbooks, and run major music festivals.”

Simeone returned to Nashville to start a family and had two small start-up businesses that failed. It was after her third child that she decided to start painting. Seeking a mentor, she signed up for a figure painting class with painter David Guidera.

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launching her line in 2019 on her website AngelaSimeone.com. Additionally, her work has been featured in major shelter magazines such as Traditional Home, Domino, and House Beautiful, on national television, and in private and corporate collections.

“You learn and you choose change. My work is getting better. I’m getting more mature as an artist. I’m moving forward.”

“I had never painted a figure before—ever. Everyone else in the class was far more advanced and many of them had painted together for many years.

I told my teacher, “I know everyone else here is doing realism but I want to do abstraction. Is that OK?” And he said, ‘Do it, that sounds great.’”

Simeone sees art as a struggle. A piece is never really done, she says, which makes creating a “little beautiful and little dysfunctional” mystery. Her success as an artist is born out of this tension, and she values the knowledge gained from failure.

Simeone asked Guidera if she could be his apprentice, to come to his studio and paint what he paints. This was a very old-school process, a classical tradition of art education—uncommon in 2019— but he agreed. She learned color theory, color mixing, and her painting technique while she practiced alongside him.

Drawn to abstraction, Simeone’s art is very organic, containing motion and stillness through the interaction of color, line, and value. She wants to draw out the subjectivity of the viewer and question why they see something the way they see it. Her approach to her career as an artist is built around asking questions.

Simeone has taken her paintings and translated them into wallpaper designs,

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“My color and spatial choices are intuitive.

The problem solving that is inherent and imperative to the process of creation is unique— both exhausting and exhilarating.”

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In early 2016, Cunha submitted ‘The Typewriter’ from her ‘White on White’ series into the Minted x West Elm Art on the Big Stage Challenge, her first Minted Challenge. Soon after entering the competition, she was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer.

“It’s a dramatic story—I saw my life falling apart. My whole family is from Brazil, and we have no history of cancer. We were so scared when we found out I was sick—I knew nothing about cancer. All I could think was, ‘I’m going to die.’

I was lacking hope.

“I became completely focused on getting through my treatment, being strong for my husband and my kids, and getting healthy again. Nothing else mattered.

Beyond survival, I had no dreams beyond that point. Dreams were once a vital part of my life because they helped me move forward but at this moment, I couldn’t. It was hard to imagine what ‘life after cancer’ looked like.”

Then in April 2016, Cunha received an email from Minted announcing that she had won an Editor’s Pick in the art challenge, out of more than 6,000 submissions.

“It was such a whirlwind of emotions—to learn that I was very ill, and yet I was a winner of a very big art challenge. When my art print launched to the Minted site and started selling well, my outlook began to change.”

In October of the same year, one week before Cunha was supposed to finish her chemotherapy, her husband of 16 years, Fabio, was also diagnosed with cancer.

CRISTIANE CUNHA Tampa, Florida M I N T E D.C O M/S TO R E /C R I S C U N H A

IN THE MIDST OF HER BAT TLE WITH CANCER, SHE DISCOVERED HER VOICE THROUGH HER ART. NOW, SHE CRE ATES PIECES WITH A CONSCIOUS, THOUGHTFUL MINDSET.

Design is what Cristiane Paganelli Cunha does for a living. She runs her own boutique branding and graphic design agency, planning campaigns and strategies for businesses. After working in the commercial industry for 10 years, Cunha decided to pursue her Master of Fine Arts at the School of Art and Art History at the University of Iowa.

After a decade of using her creative skills to make a living, Cunha discovered she wanted to say something through her work, and that her art was her voice.

That’s when her transformation started.

“Transformation is much more than change. A change so significant to the object of transformation that the previous identity no longer fits and therefore a new name or identity is required for the transformed object.”

Her MFA thesis, the result of 12 months of research about consumer behaviors and commodity culture, showcases her work as a conceptual designer: the ‘White On White’ series. The series depicts 22 carefully selected objects, dipped in white paint and photographed on a white background.

“I dived deep, researching the impacts of design in consumerism—and became aware of my role in this process. I then wanted to use my voice to create awareness that we have to be conscious about our daily decisions and the overconsumption that is the status quo. That’s what my art is about.”

“My husband and I were careful about not overlapping our cancer treatments, because one of us needed enough energy to take care of our two small children.

In April 2017, I was about to finish radiation, my husband was about to start his second round of treatment, and I was exhausted. It was then in late spring 2017 that I received another email from Minted telling me that they wanted to sell “The Typewriter” as a wall tapestry at Target. I was so grateful for that email because it gave me a boost of confidence to keep going.”

When Cunha and her family arrived at the Bakehouse Art Complex in Miami and spoke with Minted Founder and CEO, Mariam Naficy, and our team, it was much more than a community meetup for her—it was a celebration of her resilience in the face of cancer, and of her determination to pursue her art despite the hardships.

Now, Cunha dreams of continuing to use her art to share her message. “I dream of taking my artwork around the globe, including my homeland of Brazil. I also dream of being part of more art shows—I love being surrounded by the art community. Most of all, I dream of living a long life, in good health, with my husband and kids. That’s the ultimate dream.”

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THE T YPEWRITER

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T R AV E L G U I D E : AU ST I N

The Designers’ Guide to Austin Hello, Austin. We asked local Minted artists for their favorite places, and curated this guide from their recommendations. Our creative community members have been exploring the local fare, converted industrial spaces, and artisan crafted goods this world city has to offer.

Discover Austin’s top spots for eating, drinking, and getting inspired.

No. 1 Recommended by Minted Artist Megan Davis

Located in a former Goodwill warehouse on Austin’s East Side, this sprawling creative complex features art studios, galleries, and retail shops all stitched together by courtyards and open-air breezeways. Pop into Big Medium to check out their latest contemporary art show and be sure to stop for a coffee and honey-butter toast at Sa-Tén, a Japanese-inspired cafe tucked between galleries and jewelry shops.

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No. 3 Recommended by the Minted team

IREN E’ S 5 06 W E S T AV E N U E

Recommended by Minted Artist Megan Davis

Housed in a former auto body shop, Irene’s is ideal for sipping on the patio (be sure to have a glass of frosé— frozen rosé!) and enjoying comfort food (think: Frito pies, pimento cheese snacks, pulled chicken and avocado sandwiches, and their all-day breakfast sandwich).

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Austin’s new Central Library features a six-story atrium, a cookbook-themed cafe, a “technology petting zoo” (where guests can check out gadgets like tablets and 3-D printers), and a rooftop butterfly garden. “It’s filled with sunlight and even has huge ‘reading porches’ so you can read outside in the fresh air,” says Megan Davis.

Recommended by Minted Artist Sarah Luna

WOM EN & TH EIR WORK

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CENTR AL LIB R ARY

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Known for its pioneering spirit, embrace of artistic innovation, and commitment to Texas audiences and artists, this visual and performing arts organization created by women has brought groundbreaking art to Austin for over 40 years.

Visit for exhibitions, performances, and educational workshops.

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T R AV E L G U I D E : AU ST I N

No. 5 Recommended by Minted Artist Megan Davis

As the city has changed over the decades, the state’s oldest swimming spot has remained a constant. Once a swimming hole on the Colorado River, Deep Eddy is now a popular freshwater swimming pool—the perfect spot for a cool dip on a hot day. “It’s very ‘old Austin’ and feels like a secret spot every time you go,” says Megan.

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Recommended by Minted Artist Erin Hodges

Recommended by the Minted team

MAT TIE’ S

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Housed in a converted gas station/ Laundromat, Launderette serves up some of the tastiest food in Austin— elevated bar snacks like deviled eggs with salmon gravlax to sandwiches like their fried-egg BLT served with avocado and pimento cheese. P.S. Don’t miss their famous birthday-cake ice cream sandwich.

This historic Victorian home has been dishing out classic, southern food favorites in an intimate setting for nearly 75 years. Now recently remodeled and restored, Mattie’s is perfect for porch sitting, date nights, and a killer Sunday brunch. ”It’s one of my favorite places to grab a bite to eat, lounge on the porch, and sip true Southern milk punch,” says Erin.

No. 9 Recommended by Minted Artist Erin Hodges

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No. 7 Recommended by the Minted team

With a mission to discover and highlight emerging designers, Nannie Inez is stocked with an ever-changing collection of contemporary and hardto-find home objects, accessories, and apothecary from around the world.

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Filmmaker Richard Linklater established this non-profit organization in 1985. By hosting premieres and industry events like the Texas Film Awards, AFS shines a spotlight on Texas filmmakers and serves as a creative hub for filmmakers and the community.

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9 TO 5 / 5 TO 9

LEFT TO RIGHT: Tal Paz-Fridman | Seaside 2017 No. 13 | Here and Now No. 5

9 to 5 / 5 to 9 TAL PAZ-FRIDMAN Tel Aviv, Israel M I N T E D.C O M/S TO R E / TA L PA Z F R I D M A N

A TECH SPECIALIST WITH A FULL-TIME OBSESSION FOR PHOTOGR APHY, THIS ISR AEL-BASED ARTIST HAS LE ARNED THAT LIFE IS A BAL ANCING ACT.

TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR WORK IN THE TECH INDUSTRY.

“My company is the leading cybersecurity company in the world and we have a wide variety of products—network security products, endpoint products, cloud security—you name it. I have been with the same company for almost 18 years.

In some ways it has a connection to my photography in the way it demands a strong sense of aesthetics and critical eye. I give strong emphasis to UI and UX testing, making sure our customers have the best experience when using our products. The great thing about my work is the ability to influence the daily experience of many users and customers. Having the trust of my managers and having great, wacky, crazy, interesting coworkers makes my days feel less like work.”

HOW DO YOU FIND BAL ANCE BET WEEN WORK, ART, AND FAMILY LIFE?

Tal Paz-Fridman learned photography from his cousin at just 13 years old, when they spent the weekend together at their grandmother’s house. “From there it became a hobby, a profession, forgotten hobby, and now a part time profession, full-time obsession.”

Now, he is 45 years old, married with 3 children, and working as a QA specialist for a tech company in Israel. His approach to photography has subtly evolved, from documentary style to creating impressionistic images imbued with a sense of nostalgia.

HOW DID YOU DISCOVER YOUR PASSION FOR PHOTOGR APHY?

“I discovered it over the years when each time it allowed me to transform my emotions to images.”

WHAT DOES “TR ANSFORMATION” ME AN TO YOU?

“As someone that has been influenced by and studied Zen for over 20 years, “transformation” means being in the moment, in the here and now. So each moment in itself where there is no transformation at all, leads to a series of infinite moments that create a transformation.”

“I strive to do my absolute best in every aspect of my life, so when it comes to balancing everything, I manage doing it by being extremely efficient in many of my tasks—at work, at home, and with my art—finding the best of doing them.

My art is just another extension of my full self, so the challenge is achieving the best results based on my expectations. Still, it is important to distinguish between the process itself of being out and taking the image—something that has more zen and less to do with challenging myself or meeting certain goals— and all the rest, which is more technical and ‘grown up.’”

YOU’VE LIVED IN ISR AEL , TE X AS, LONDON, AND TORONTO. HOW HAVE THESE DIFFERENT LOCATIONS AFFECTED YOU AND YOUR ART?

“Together with other events that have happened throughout my life, I view the world a bit differently than most people. Planet Earth is the home of humanity and of all the living creatures. Everyone should have a right to life, freedom, and liberties. In that sense, I try to reflect the beauty of our world in my art.”

DESCRIBE YOUR CRE ATIVE PROCESS. HOW HAS IT CHANGED?

“I always look to document the world around me and capture the decisive moment, which holds the essence of the image. I never crop the image, change the perspective, or move things around. The main transformation I went through was moving from a documentary photography similar to the one seen in National Geographic Magazine that had no manipulation, editing, or post processing to my current practice where I can heavily edit an image to achieve the final result. I document the world as it is, putting emphasis on the composition, light, and timing, but then I allow myself to shape the final image in any way I feel helps to tell the story.”

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