Interview Monday is back! To kick off the New Year we’re talking to Nedda Nagel from studioCONFETTI!
Would you mind introducing yourself and your brand to our readers?
I am Nedda, 26 years old, and I’m the owner of studioCONFETTI. I live and work in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. I’m a painter and sell prints and cards in my online shop. I focus primarily on paintings for children.
Where did the name studioCONFETTI originate from?
I usually choose romantic, happy subjects and my style is quite playful so I find it important that the name of my shop reflects my work. I always try to make my paintings look like a party, something cheerful to look at, whether it’s on a beach or in a chic ballroom. That’s why I chose the word “confetti”. Also it’s just a pretty word and means “candy” in Italian!
Can you tell us a little bit about your background? How did you end up becoming a painter?
Besides my studioCONFETTI work I am a costume designer for films in The Netherlands. It is a job for which I have to collaborate a lot. It is something I love to do, but I also like to be able to do something creative completely on my own. I have been drawing ever since I can remember, I’m a visual person, and I see so many thing around me which inspire me. By drawing and painting I can use all this inspiration.
What are the inspirations or motivations behind your designs? Is there a style that you are inspired by?
I find inspiration in a wide variety of things, sometimes I get inspired by a movie or a song and at other times by a simple color combination. I prefer illustrations with a strong use of color and always try to come up with a little story for each design. Someone who inspires me is Fiep Westendorp, a dutch illustrator who is most famous for her illustrations for Annie MG Schmidt, a well-known writer of children’s books. Besides her drawings I love the work of Mary Blair, a designer who produced art for a lot of old Disney movies. I remember one specific illustration of Fiep Westendorp from a book called „Jip en Janneke”. This was an illustration of a man with lots of beautifully colored balloons. When I see this image now I immediately go back to my childhood because this image was so magical to me, and I still think it is! This is exactly what I would like to achieve in my work by using the right colors and by thinking about the smallest details.
Which is your favourite painting from the current collection?
My personal favorite at the moment is „Chique baroque flowers”, because there are such small details to be seen and because I like the dreamy atmosphere. I also like that the colors I used are somewhat more refined than the basic primary colors which I actually try to avoid.
Do you have children? How does that influence your work?
I don’t have children yet! But I do get inspired by things that children say and think. I like to think back to my childhood and what I dreamed of as a child. I like drawing for children because the world is often still magical and mysterious when you’re little.
What are some essentials that every child should have in their bedroom?
Lots of picture books and later on books to read for themselves. Pencils in all colors of the rainbow and many glow-in-the-dark stars on the ceiling.
What are the most rewarding and most challenging aspects of your job?
I find it the most rewarding when people, children in the first place, simply think my work is dreamy! If it is possible to accomplish what some illustrations have meant for me, then I’m a happy person. Some parts of the creative process are easier than others. Thinking about a theme is one of the best parts, because an idea can come from anywhere. I spend quite a lot of time on choosing the colors, because a little extra green or red can sometimes make a big difference and color is very important to me. It’s usually the starting point.
If one of our readers is only in your city for 24 hours, what is the one thing you recommend them to do?
I live in Amsterdam, a city that I love! If I have to recommend one thing I would suggest buying some lemon-meringue pie at „patisserie Holtkamp” and then walk over to the Vondelpark to sit on a bench near the big pond with the fountain to just look at all the people walking and cycling there.
If you still have some time left: go to the area called „de 9 straatjes” to visit Laura Dols, a fantastic vintage shop where you can buy the most beautiful 50’s (party) clothes for children and grown-ups. I never leave this store empty-handed!
Feel free to visit her website: www.etsy.com/uk/shop/studioCONFETTI
