please introduce yourself? who are you? what do you create? where did you grow up? where do you live?
hillery rebeka sproatt. i was born and raised in los
angeles, california. when i was 15, my mom, debra weiss, and i launched a line
of women's clothing and handbags called rebe, www.myrebe.com. i studied
printmaking and book arts at the maryland institute college of art. i currently
live and work in baltimore, maryland where i make prints, drawings, and
embroidered objects.
what do you make or do? where can we find your creations?
i make etchings, drawings, and small embroidered objects. i
sell online and to a handful of stores in the united states and japan, as well
as at craft fairs in baltimore and san francisco. i have also been doing more graphic design work like textile
design, posters, catalogs, and packaging. i am always looking to take on new
projects! you can see and buy my
work on my website at www.hilleryrs.com and at reform school,
http://www.reformschoolrules.com/.
at what point in your life did you realize that
creativity was a necessity not a luxury for you?
i think when my mom and i started rebe, so when i was in
high school. making is what seems to make me feel best.
how long have you been creating? is it your full time job? if it is your full-time job, how did
you make that happen? if not
what’s your day job?
i received my bfa in 2007 from mica, but i've been a maker
for as long as i can remember. my art is not yet my full time job, but i hope
it will be one day soon. i currently work as a nanny to supplement my art
making. i feel very lucky, as i find being a nanny a very rewarding job as
well!
what obstacles have you had to overcome to lead a
creative life?
i don't know that i feel like i've had to overcome any
obstacles in order to lead a creative life. i grew up in a creative environment
and was always encouraged to follow my passions. i think making is all i know.
lately, what movies/music inspires you while you’re
creating?
some of my favorite movies are harold and maude, benny &
joon, and me and you and everyone we know. i often watch those over and over
again while i embroider, even though it seems to be a bit counterproductive at
times. i have been listening to
lucky dragons and vashti bunyan quite a bit lately.
who is the person that introduced you to your creative
side?
my mom.
whose creations are inspiring you the most right now or
have inspired you in the past?
lots of people. sometimes i see so many good makers at a
time and i am overwhelmed. i very much enjoy my cousin, adam wolpa's art. he
writes, makes drawings, collages and sculptures. you can see his work at
http://www.calvin.edu/~arw3/. i often visit my gees bend quilt book for
inspiration. i just picked up a book on grandma moses. i love cy twombly. my
mom's clothes are my favorite.
what’s on the horizon for you and what you do?
i would love to have a small store of found and handmade
objects. it is my favorite dream.
if money wasn’t an issue how would your life change with
regards to your art?
i could open up my store and never worry if anything sold.
although that would make me sad. i
think sometimes having the challenge of making something work through necessity
is good....or at least rewarding.
what would be your perfect day off?
something happy. i enjoy being with my family. i would like
to go to japan.
what inspiring advice would you give to other creatives?
always be making even when it's not going well. have fun. i
often struggle with both of these things, but i've found that i make my
favorite things when i remember them!
