The Young Rebel’s Studio
Pasadena, California
Jill: The Young Rebels Studio
Tell us a little bit about who you are and what you do:
I make things that are functional and artistic. Things that make an impact but don’t take up a ton of space. I started with making coasters, but my product line has expanded into hand painted shoes, prayer candles, jackets, chairs and more.
Let us know more about your business name - how did you come up with it?
When I moved to LA I thought I would use my MFA in Acting from Brown and start a kids acting studio as a side hustle while I painted and created things with my hands. My husband came up with the name. I quickly realized that that line of work was way more about paperwork than artistic work and I abandoned the idea. I had the DBA already so I decided to keep it!
What is your signature style / item? How did it become so?
I'm a mixed media artist who draws inspiration from language and texture. I tell stories in my work. My work is a call to action in many ways. The drawings that I use in my work were originally born out of making cards for my bridesmaids. Black ink on white cards. I turned those drawing into coasters and ran with it. I sadly don't make coasters anymore but the drawing style stayed. Its pretty recognizable style at this point, no matter what its on (pillows, shoes, etc). If you know my coasters, you'll know my jackets walking across the street.
What makes your business unique to the industry?
My work is political in a lot of ways. I like to say I make work for thinkers and drinkers. People who are not afraid to speak up and fight for what they believe in. People who are not afraid to display their beliefs on their body or on their bookshelf.
What's been your biggest roadblock when it comes to business and how have you been able to overcome?
I'm an artist who works in many mediums. The larger scale pieces I make out of yarn and acrylic are always incredibly bold. People can't usually tell what creates the texture and when I tell them that It's yarn they are always surprised. I would say my biggest challenge as an artist at this point is that I don't have an MFA in Studio Art. I am grateful to have found an audience primarily in the entertainment industry, that industry has been very kind to me, but serious art collectors don't care about you unless you have an MFA from Yale. I mean....I have an MFA from Brown but not in the right discipline.
How has your business had to adapt amidst the Covid-19 Pandemic? What are you doing to navigate the situation?
I think the biggest shift hasn't strictly been Covid-19 but that in combination with the deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd. I did my 2.23 mile #runwithmaud, I have called decision influencers and written emails - but because of Covid-19 I haven't felt safe to march. I fought for a long time to have my daughter, after trying for 5 years and delivering my first baby stillborn, I could not jeopardize myself for the movement. Because of that, I have partnered with my friend Ben Feldman, an actor on the TV show Superstore in a fundraising initiative. We are selling kids Vans that I am handpainting. The proceeds are being divided among 3 charities. Stacey Abrams' FAIR FIGHT, BLACK LIVES MATTER, and the NATIONAL BIRTH EQUITY COLLABORATION. The last one is particularly important to me because they are addressing the extremely high rates of maternal and fetal death for black women during child birth - especially high when compared to white women of the same education and economic level. We are calling this initiative The GREY Project because that is my son's name and grey is what happens when black and white comes together. We are only making kids shoes because...well...we believe that children are the future and we need to teach them well and let them lead the way. (That really is a good song.)
What is your favorite part of what you do?
I start conversations with my work. I fire people up!! Once a woman ordered something from my shop - a white women from the midwest. She was buying a gift for her daughter's college roommate who was black. She sent me a long message about the uncomfortable conversations they'd had and that "you really can teach an old dog new tricks." She was commemorating that change with some of my work. That felt so good. I was grateful that she shared that with me.
What is your *must do* local activity?
I love the Underground Museum. Aside from having truly thought provoking shows, they do wonderful things for the community. Movie screenings, talks, it's a true gem of an institution.
Where to find The Young Rebel’s Studio:
Online: theyoungrebelsstudio.com
Instagram: @theyoungrebelsstudio