Our collaborating designer, LA-based photographer, painter, mixed-media artist,
Paul Robinson is known for his unique and whimsical blending of story with
image. We sat down with Robinson to discuss his approach to the creative
process, his transitions between mediums and to uncover his inspiration behind
our collaboration.
How did you get your start as a photographer?
I think I realized pretty quickly when I got my first camera in high school that
I wanted to be a fashion photographer, but it wasn’t until I was introduced to
Helmut Newton’s work that I became obsessed—and once that obsession took
hold I really didn’t stop. I moved to Paris for 6 months to shoot fashion my third
year at University of California Los Angeles and returned certain that being an
artist was the path that I wanted to follow.
What was your first project?
I shot for several modeling agencies in Paris and then for magazines when I
returned to Los Angeles, but I would say that my first personal project was a
series of photographs that I titled, Voyeur. This series became my first exhibition
which was shown in Los Angeles and New York and it was the beginning of
many of other series and exhibitions around the world.
Where do your ideas come from and where do you find inspiration?
I would say that most of my ideas come from wandering around cities with ear
buds listening to music. Something about having a personal soundtrack to the
movement of the streets creates the perfect environment for creativity. My mind
flows freely. I love cities. Besides cities, I find that painters inspire me immensely.
What motivates and moves you?
I’m most motivated by the quest to experiment with different mediums and find
new unique ways to incorporate each within my art.
“I’m most motivated by the quest
to experiment with different
mediums and find new unique
ways to incorporate each within
my art.”
What’s your favourite part of the creative process?
My favorite part of the creative process is right after I’ve come up with a new idea
and I lock myself in my studio to figure out how to bring it to life. I love watching
what was swimming around in my head unfold into a piece of art that I can hang
on a wall.
Tell us about your designs for The Rug Company.
My designs for The Rug Company are all based on photographs I shot in
Thailand and the patterns are created from reflections on in-motion water. I
wanted to bring movement into a room where mostly stationary objects live.
What made you want to work with The Rug Company?
The Rug Company really has beautiful rugs. The quality, craftsmanship and
reputation for only producing pieces that reflect that superior, high end
production, is very well known. I was confident that the vision I had for the final
designs and rugs, would come to fruition.
How did you find the transition from photography, to working with paint and
later rug into rug form?
I’ve always been fascinated by painters and I suppose have always had the need
somewhere inside of me to experiment with that medium, so the transition was
far more seamless than I imagined it would be. Because The Rug Company
employs such intricate techniques, the transition from photography to rug form
was seamless as well.
What was your first rug memory?
That’s easy! A red shag runner that ran up a flight of stairs in our house when I
was a kid. I fell down those stairs and crashed into an antique vase and smashed
it.
How does your collection of rugs reflect your style?
I would say that the incorporation of motion and abstract layers in much of my art
is what ties this collection most to my style.
