Covid-19 has changed the day-to-day lives of most of us, but especially high school and college students. There were no graduations, no proms, and moving from IRL learning to taking classes online. It was quite an adjustment as many milestone moments became virtual, and an even bigger adjustment for those college students majoring in art (think: fine arts, illustration, fashion design), whose education often involves collaborating with others, dedicated studio space, and being hands-on.
Teen Vogue spoke with art students from the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) and the School of Visual Arts (SVA), who have moved back home to Long Island, about what it’s been like living at home, creating art with limited resources, and how the state of the world has had an impact on their creative points of view.
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Jake Valliere, FIT, footwear/accessory design
Teen Vogue: New York City is vibrant and full of inspiration. Where have you been finding inspiration while living on Long Island?
Jake Valliere (JV): As much as I hate to say it, I think a lot of the inspiration I take in is from my phone and social media. For the most part, I really only use Instagram to look at artwork, designs, photographs, or other people’s creations to help inspire me. Another form of inspiration is definitely just going through my house for odd materials that aren’t typically used in design. My biggest inspiration from this was creating a pair of shoes from a yoga mat.
TV: How has changing where you live and the state of the world informed your creative mindset?
JV: Leaving NYC last spring and coming home I was already starting to think a lot about sustainability in design. Being back home and having to do most of my projects with whatever I had lying around, as opposed to whatever I needed in the city, definitely opened my eyes to using different materials and mediums.
TV: What are you currently working on?
JV: I am currently working on my thesis project, which I am calling Molecular. It’s a project consisting of footwear and handbags that are inspired by cacti cells and driven by comfort and function. Besides this, I am always working on side projects which are usually in relation to my apparel brand What’s Wrong With Weird. The next drop for WWWW will be a fully curated collection of secondhand garments that I will be printing on. I’m also working on a new collaborative brand that my best friend called Youthful Folly. We are both graphic designers and plan on doing designs for apparel, home decor, and many more fun things!
TV: What are the benefits and disadvantages of being at home?
JV: Definitely missing out on all that New York has to offer. Specialty materials stores, the school labs, and workrooms. Something awesome that came out of this is my newfound passion for screen printing. I think if I was at school and wouldn’t have had to gather my own materials I never would have delved as deep into screen printing as I have at home.
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Alice Katok, SVA, illustration
Teen Vogue: What are you currently working on?
Alice Katok (AK): At present, I’m working on a painting based on a headline and a multimedia drawing assignment that’s meant to be an extension of a postcard. I’m also slowly working on a book project based on strangers’ secrets from the internet.
TV: How do you collaborate with and critique your peers while studying remotely?
AK: It’s definitely quite bleak. I haven’t been able to really collaborate with anybody recently, mostly because I like to be working alongside people. I’ve started posting a lot more on my art Instagram account, where I have gotten some good feedback, but not as much as I probably could from my classmates and friends if I could see them. I’ve noticed on Zoom that people are pretty hesitant to make any comments during critiques.
TV: What are the benefits and disadvantages of being at home?
AK: I think both an advantage and disadvantage is that the art world on Long Island is pretty bleak on the surface. I’d only say this benefits me because it’s pushed me to dig deeper in order to find inspiration anywhere I go. I’ve found that some of the best places to find some interesting art is abandoned buildings and structures, such as the Welwyn preserve. Both its nature and graffiti have some pretty beautiful elements to it. Of course, it’s a pretty big disadvantage to be here because I’m not really meeting any other artists, or seeing very interesting people. I find that people really inspire my work and Long Island isn’t exactly known for its eccentric population.
TV: How do you stay productive?
AK: I have actually struggled a lot with productivity because of online school, and have only slightly improved in the last half a year. I’ve learned that creating goals, such as giving myself earlier deadlines for my work has benefited me. I really need structure in order to do enough work that I’m satisfied with.
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Donna Burawa, FIT, fine arts
Teen Vogue: New York City is vibrant and full of inspiration. Where have you been finding inspiration while living on Long Island?
Donna Burawa (Donna Burawa): I’ve been finding most of my inspiration in my immediate surroundings, whether it be the confines of my house, or in nature. There’s a lot of beautiful beaches and wooded areas to explore out here, which is a nice change of pace from the city and its skyscrapers. Being ripped out of my normal environment has pushed me to look within myself to find inspiration.
TV: What are you currently working on?
DB: Aside from grad school applications, I am currently working on my thesis painting series to finish up my bachelor’s degree in fine arts. This series elaborates on ideas I’ve been working with, especially in regard to self-reflection and evolving as a person.
TV: How has working from home changed your creative process?
DB: For a few months, it really put a strain on my creativity and I didn’t have the motivation to produce work. Being cooped up at home for so long and being away from the studios at school really disoriented my process. I just could not produce the same quality of work sitting up in my bedroom all day, attending online classes for hours, and sitting in one place the whole time. I was stuck both physically and mentally. Thankfully, I have found ways around that and was able to separate my studio from my bedroom, which gave me space to actually work.
TV: Where do you get your materials now that you are not in NYC?
DB: I don’t have many options other than rummaging through all of my old supplies that I have lying around my house. Yeah, I could schlep an hour all the way out to the one and only Blick Art Supply store on all of Long Island, or spend more money for online shipping, but both of those options are less than ideal. I’m used to being surrounded by art supply stores in NYC, so it’s been harder to access what I need.
TV: How does your family play a role in your ability to make work from home?
DB: My family is not accustomed to being home all at the same time, so when the five of us are around, things get cumbersome. Being in my room was stifling, but I was unable to utilize any other space in my house. I couldn’t find that balance or the urge to create. Fortunately, my family came up with the solution. My father was able to clean out the basement so I could have a makeshift studio down there. I’m really grateful for that. It finally gave me that space to create and get into the swing of things again. It sure is a lot better than trying to finish my thesis work from the corner of our kitchen.
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Celine M. Palermo, FIT, fashion design/knitwear specialization
Teen Vogue: New York City is vibrant and full of inspiration. Where have you been finding inspiration while living on Long Island?
Celine M. Palermo (CMP): I’ve really been inspired by people and their experiences. Thinking back to my city days, I’ve probably crossed paths with hundreds of people on 34th Street alone. People whom I’ll never meet. The hustle and bustle of the city doesn’t leave much time for interaction, so I’ve been trying to value relationships more and just learn more about the people in my community, and having these interactions fuel my work.
TV: What are you currently working on?
CMP: My senior thesis! I’m creating a garment that’s adaptable for people with disabilities and maybe some adaptable footwear.
TV: How has working from home changed your creative process?
CMP: I’m a hands-on person, so it’s been a challenge. I had to learn some new programs and brush up on some old ones to help in my creative process. From digital drawing to knitting and rendering, all of it is done through a screen. I can’t even go to the Met for inspiration. I have to look at pictures of the Met online.
TV: Where do you get your materials now that you are not in NYC?
CMP: Mostly online. It’s difficult because the colors in the online pictures don’t always match the actual color and you can’t feel the fabrics, so I just place my orders and hope for the best. I’ve also been trying to incorporate scrap fabrics or old clothes, things I already have, and reworking them for my projects.
TV: What are the benefits and disadvantages of being on Long Island through this?
CMP: A disadvantage would be my routine. Pre-Covid I was making time when it seemed like there was no time. From drawing on the train to training at a gym, each destination served its purpose. What used to be my resting place (home) has become my school, my work, my church, and my gym. It’s been difficult trying to manage these things when there’s no distinction between the places. Anyways, benefits! I’m home, I’m saving money by not commuting and eating out. I can spend more time with my family and new pup, and my favorite, I have free run of the kitchen!