Tag Archives: lifestyle

Q+A with Louis De Guzman

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The “Falling Through” cushion is your second in-house release in the realm of home goods. Talk a little bit about how you got inspired to design these items.

With my love and appreciation for visual art + design, one thing I’ve always gravitated towards is the practice and experimentation of applying my mixed media methods onto everyday objects. Whether that’d be a tea set, a functional tote bag, a blanket or in this instance, a pillow. It’s always been on the agenda to translate personal experiences through form and function. To always push and elevate the offering from personal narrative to mutual connection through from the viewer’s perspective.

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What went into the decision behind choosing “Falling Through,” which was a painting initially, and turning it into the cushion? Were there any other pieces you considered?

It was honestly the composition and shape that really resonated organically with the team and I. After going through the body of work from the “In Between The Lines” collection, it naturally came together in deciding that “Falling Through” was the one to apply towards this everyday household + studio object.

 

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This is another use of your signature color palette. Can you go into detail about the development process behind your color palette and how you decide to incorporate it differently into each of your pieces?

First and foremost, great question! The 4 paint pantones within the body of work has always been something that resonated with me from the very beginning. Color tones and specific hues that really caught my eye at different points in my life that I naturally honed in and started to spread across the work in which I felt brought out the fine line details and compositions even more. I’d say that it had to do a lot with how these specific tones affected my mood and continued to make me feel when creating the work. All good vibes all around.

Does your process change at all when you’re designing lifestyle items compared to art or clothing?

With my background in both art + design, I’ve learned to hone in my process as far as experimentation goes when applying visual to physical over the years. So I’d say the process doesn’t necessarily change, but more so always learning something new as we go. “Forever a student” mindset is how I’d like to describe it when creating in general.

 

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Do you have anything you can share regarding upcoming projects that we can look forward to? Any plans to release more lifestyle items soon?

There are definitely some exciting projects that the team and I are amped for. Certain ones in the pipeline that I can’t speak on now, but will say to get ready and be excited! Haha. Just humbled by the love and support always towards the work and happy that we can create to share these experiences with everyone at the end of the day. Definitely more home goods in the near future. It’ll be an ongoing thing for sure as the body of work continues to build up.

 

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The “Falling Through” cushion is available for purchase on our website now at the link below. 

 

How RSVP Staff Members are Managing Health/Wellness

While both of our Chicago and Los Angeles locations have been closed for over a month, RSVP Gallery staff have been working from home, which meant a big change in routine.

 

Check out how a few of our staff members have adjusted, along with a short-list of online resources below:

 

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Dawn Apang, Managing Director 

 

Have you been following any type of workout routine? What does it consist of?

I’ve been using an app called Shred and I love it. It lets you build a workout depending on what kind of equipment you have (or don’t have!) at home, and has short, no-nonsense videos of each exercise. The circuits are intense, so it doesn’t waste your time. I think I’ll be using this app long after quarantine.

 

What have you been doing for mental health/wellness, if anything? 

I’ve been reading a lot, writing, and sending letters to friends and family… I’ve tried to keep in mind all that humanity has lived through and eventually overcome in far worse circumstances than those we are experiencing now. An excellent reminder of this is Victor Frankl’s book, Man’s Search for Meaning. He lived through being a prisoner in a concentration camp during one of the darkest times in history and was able to still find freedom and purpose through that experience, leaving behind a beautiful work of art for the rest of us.

I’ve also been teaching myself amigurumi, which is the Japanese art of crocheting small, stuffed yarn creatures. Crocheting has a ton of mental health benefits, including improved focus and memory, and relief from depression and anxiety. It’s also very gratifying to see the improvement in every subsequent shape you make!

 

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Are there any resources, apps, etc. that you find particularly helpful?

I am on the computer and iPhone a lot for work, so the rest of the time I honestly try to stay off my phone as much as possible. I do love the app Simple Habit, though. It has short meditations and a lot of different options for white noise to help you fall asleep.

 

What have you been eating? Any recipes you’d like to share?

I’m lucky that my boyfriend loves to cook and has been experimenting with tons of awesome vegetarian recipes for us during quarantine. This recipe has been one of my favorites so far! Also, this site is super user friendly and you don’t have to read someone’s life story before getting to the recipes.

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What’s one item from these categories that you couldn’t live without?

Right now, probably FaceTime. Normally I don’t really enjoy it, but now I am so grateful to be able to have at least a face to face conversation with family and friends, even if it can’t be in person.

 

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Josh Ray,  Creative Team/Salesperson

 

Have you been following any type of workout routine? What does it consist of? 

I usually wake up around 7 or 8 in the morning and stretch. Being quarantined takes a toll on my body so I do about 30 push-ups and 30 sit-ups. I am not the most active person so I am slowly leaning into it and feel like it is a good start for any beginner. 

 

What have you been doing for mental health/wellness, if anything? Are there any resources, apps, etc. that you find particularly helpful? 

Making sure to take time out of my day to take deep breaths and be in my thoughts. Recollect and calm myself through meditation. 

 

What have you been eating? Any recipes you’d like to share? 

My favorite thing I’ve cooked has been seasoned lemon pepper chicken with buttered noodles and broccoli on the side. 

 

What’s one item from these categories that you couldn’t live without? 

One item I could not live without would be my laptop.  I work, educate myself, and create all from the realm of tech. 

 

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Kam Casey, Creative Manager

Have you been following any type of workout routine? What does it consist of?

I’ve been keeping my normal routine up for the most part. Even before quarantine, I was running 8-10 miles every day. I think the biggest difference now is that, since there aren’t any specific races I’m working towards currently, I’m a little easier on my body. If I’m hurting, I’ll take a rest day, do some yoga, and let my body recover.

What have you been doing for mental health/wellness, if anything? Are there any resources, apps, etc. that you find particularly helpful?

I think the main thing that I’m doing is making sure to take everything at a comfortable pace each day. I think people underestimated how hard it was going to be to have to stay home all the time. I just try to be mindful of the mental toll it can take on me and take my time with work and personal projects.

What have you been eating? Any recipes you’d like to share?

I pretty much eat the same breakfast each day; eggs, toast, and vegan sausage with coffee. That’s like my daily ritual haha, no matter when I wake up, 8am or 12PM, that’s what I make. Nothing special there, except I put Japanese fish stock in my eggs to season them. Other than that, I’ve been making curry, homemade gluten-free & vegan pizza, Korean pancakes, all things I was making before quarantine!

What’s one item from these categories that you couldn’t live without?

Coffee. I don’t know why, but like, the ritual of making coffee is symbolic of me starting my day. I do a French press each day, but I do it the long way. You pour a tiny bit of water over the freshly ground beans, just enough to get them wet, then let that sit for 5 minutes. Then you fill the press the rest of the way, press the filter just passed the foam at the top, and let it sit another 5 minutes. Pull the filter out, stir gently, then press it all the way down slowly. I know that sounds overkill, but that’s how 95% of my days start.


List of Apps We Like:

Shred (Workout)

Nike Training Club (Workout)

Calm (Meditation/Wellness)

Headspace (Meditation/Wellness)