“I find my best projects are the ones I don’t over analyse and I just run with it.”
Name
Nicole Beno
Profession
Artist & Graphic Designer
Website
Who are you? What do you do?
I’m an artist and graphic designer living and working in Kitchener and Toronto, Canada.
Where are you from?
A Canadian city called Windsor which borders Detroit Michigan. My Slovak heritage plays a subconscious role in my work as well.
Your style in 3 words?
assemblage, playful, surreal
Your weakness? Your strength?
Backtracking and second guessing myself is definitely a weakness, that must be normal though for a lot of people. Since I work as both an artist and graphic designer, there are times I feel like I’m neither, and I’m just in the middle of these disciplines. Then I try to flip it and figure out how to use this “middle ground” as an advantage.
What makes you different?
I’m not sure what makes me different exactly, but I’m continuously exploring analogue means of printing such as screenprinting combined with digital printing, so I layer the two together. I’m still exploring what that may mean in terms of how the specificity of the type of printing can contribute to the content of a piece.
When did you decide to become an designer?
I knew I always wanted to work in the arts, specifically I wanted to become an artist ever since I was young. Going up, it never seemed like a viable career choice, so becoming a graphic designer was another option. For the past three years, after finishing a master’s degree in design, I’ve been continuing my arts practice while working as a graphic designer, which has been gaining more traction as I develop a personal style.
What do you find most fascinating about the creative process?
Getting inspiration from everyday things, picking up objects from the streets, old libraries, flea markets, and making them into something else.
A few words about your favourite creation?
Artwork where I was able to get into ‘flow state’ by turning off my brain and trusting my instincts. I find my best projects are the ones I don’t over analyse and I just run with it.
Someone else’s work that inspired or inspires you…
I’m inspired by a lot of surrealist artists such as Miro, Dali, as well as designers, Antoine & Manuel, MM Paris, Abake, Elliott Earls…
A new project coming up or an idea you want to work on?
Right now the collages that I create are flat, and are printed on paper or vinyl, I’m interested in how the artwork can be more present in space, so created sculptural elements that can accompany the artwork by extending it out of the canvas/paper. Experiment with lighting. Combining feelings of materials and executing them together into a new world. For example right now I’m thinking about neon, bubble gum, agate.
Finish the sentence „More important than my career is…“
Family and friends. They are such a support, especially when I get into my own bubble and don’t talk to anyone for a couple weeks.
2018: Where are we going?
Create a new body of work, using a new language, through the use of experimenting with different materials, textures, colours. Keep pushing my arts practice further, both in the commercial arts realm and conceptually.
When the going gets tough…
I surround myself with family, friends and lot’s of plants…
Your city’s favourite spots?
Favourite spots in Kitchener include, Open Sesame which is an art bookstore with a great curated selection, The Yeti: best brunch, Public Market: sandwiches. so good. White Tiger Vintage: sweet denim jacket finds, Jane Bond: great cocktails.
Last but not least: what is your favourite Song?
Can’t narrow it down to one but really digging the new John Maus album
