If you frequent pop ups or vendor markets in the SoCal area you have probably come across Giselle. She is the artist behind Violetsarentbluue and a regular vendor at the Little Tokyo Flea Market. I found myself relating to so much of what she said, specifically when she mentions how many different mediums she has tried out. And how her visits to the swamp meet while growing up introduced her to so many new characters. (I remember buying my first hello kitty items at the swamp meet and santee alley way before I ever set foot in a Sanrio store.) The interests Giselle grew up with have stayed with her and how inspire the work she creates.
Tell us about yourself and your work! (✿◡‿◡)
I've always been a very creative individual and I pick up more hobbies than I can count. I love to draw, play bass guitar, and make keychains. I always feel the need to make or do something which is why I offer a variety of products such as keychains, button pins, hair clips, stickers and clay items. I started off my account doing ramos, my business name is a play on words inspired by a poem and my weenie dog Violet. I attended my first ever market last year as a customer and was amazed at all the talented vendors and didn't know it was something you could do, so I decided to test my luck and make the switch. Since then, I have had the opportunity to sell at so many different events from Orange County to LA & SD, meet likeminded people, and make this my full time job. I love what I do and I mean it when I say that everything is handmade with love!
When did you first get into kawaii culture? (´・ω・`)?
A lot of my items are inspired by childhood toys, retro magazines, music and youtube. Back when youtube was really popular, I remember watching videos of people doing dolly makeup, trying japanese snacks, and making decoden items. Music videos like Avril Lavigne's “Hello Kitty”, PonPonPon, and Hatsune Miku changed my life. Early internet days have influenced my aesthetic and who I am today.
Why do you think so many Latinos gravitate towards kawaii things and cute culture? ☆*: o(≧▽≦)o*☆
I think Latinos gravitate towards kawaii things because we were surrounded by it from a young age. I visited swapmeets a lot when I was little so i am used to the cross of cultures and items. A lot of latinos also grew up owning Hello Kitty items or watching DBZ. I was one of the kids who had to get rid of her Hello Kitty items when the whole thing about her not having a mouth came out. And I think not being allowed to own those items or even allowed to fully express myself has made me gravitate towards it a lot more now.
How does your Latina culture impact your work? o((>ω< ))o
Trips to the swapmeet every weekend and seeing the many toys, colors, different characters and influx of different types of products is what has inspired what i make. Especially for future projects, i am going to be incorporating a lot more of my personal art which is influenced by the chicano style.
Giselle is currently fully booked for events in August so I encourage all our SoCal cuties to check out her account for those upcoming events. She also let me know that she is going to start selling prints as well. You can follow her on Instagram here. <3