As winter turns to spring and the streets begin to thaw, something else is coming to life on the streets of New York City. Back for another season, our In Residence program pairs artists with unconventional canvasses. This time around, we asked three artists to create something interactive, joyful and disruptive. While most street art is to be consumed at a break-neck pace—think of how many murals and wild postings we consume while walking, biking or riding through city streets—these pieces were made to encourage a pause from the hustle and bustle. Those lucky enough to be amongst the first viewers were invited to participate by peeling back one layer of the design to reveal another message: Live in the Open.
Read on to meet each of the artists behind this season’s program and see their work in detail.
COVL
Medium of choice: Hard to pick just one, but illustration was my first intro into the art space.
Current muse: My muse hasn’t changed since I started my art career. The octopus always plays a part in my work, whether it’s mimicking its fluidity or its wit.
How does New York inspire your art: New York has inspired me to seek out more color and training my perspective to see the beauty in everything.
Share a daily ritual in ten words or less: Meditate, smudge my home, move my body and journal.
Weather that makes you play hooky from the studio and head outside: Anything above 70 degrees and sunny.
The goal was to liven up a piece of the concrete jungle. I wanted the art piece to also serve as a reminder to get out there and explore.
Playlist that’s always on repeat: I make my own playlist, so I’m still listening to “Q4” by itscovl on Spotify.
Best piece of advice you’ve ever gotten: Con calma, mija. (Translates to: take it easy, girl.)
Lightening round—do you prefer:
Monochromatic or full spectrum of colour? Monochromatic!
Long lead projects or tight timelines? Long lead projects
Still photography or video? Tough one, but photography
Texting or voice notes? Texting
Cooking or take-out? Take-out
Bianca Nemelc
Medium of choice: Acrylic and pastel
Describe the work you created as part of this series: The work I created is inspired by that feeling of coming out of hibernation. I love the idea of expansive brown bodies taking over natural spaces as a form of rejuvenation. Sometimes we need to visualize that after a harsh NYC winter.
Current muse: Musing over a few environmental scientists right now! I love to learn and get inspired by absorbing information, so people who can share their knowledge with me are my muses.
I was born and raised in NYC so it’s in everything I create automatically. My relationship to nature is unique growing up in the city, so it’s the foundation of any conversation I have with my work
Share a daily ritual in ten words or less: Put on a pot of tea, some jazz, stretch, read!
Playlist that’s always on repeat: I’ve been curating a really dope playlist this month that keeps me on my toes while I’m at the studio.
Weather that makes you play hooky from the studio and head outside: When it’s cold and/or rainy out I like to stay home and relax, it’s my guilty pleasure.
Best piece of advice you’ve ever gotten: Don’t worry about what other people are thinking or doing, create for yourself first.
Lightning round—do you prefer:
Monochromatic or full spectrum of colour? Full spectrum of color for sure!
Long lead projects or tight timelines? Long lead projects so that I can work comfortably.
Still photography or video? I love a photograph that captures a moment so well you can imagine a video of it in your mind.
Texting or voice notes? Texting with some surprise voice notes for fun!
Cooking or take-out? I love to cook, there’s nothing better than putting on some music and making something delicious.
