We had the good fortune of connecting with Sylvia Friend and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sylvia, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking

I am an avid proponent of risk taking — I think it goes hand-in-hand with overcoming a lot of your own fears. I constitute risk by its immediate effect but then the potential for an even greater outcome — and that potential, for creatives, is essential to our growth especially in this industry. Ultimately, overcoming a lot of these fears that comprise risk taking; self-doubt, imposter syndrome, dependance, and so on, is really what life is all about — jumping in the deep end and figuring out how to swim.

Personally, I just quit my cushy corporate job and ended my lease early in a city I am very familiar with to go travel around Europe and make art. To date, these decisions have been the biggest risk I’ve taken in my 25-years but I trust myself, my entrepreneurship, and my work ethic. Regardless of what I achieve financially from my art this year, the risk I’ve taken to get to this point has proven something entirely more important, I am willing to bet everything on myself and that feels very rewarding.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

Friend Studio is a multimedia creative company that showcases the artwork of myself, Sylvia Friend. In short, I create unique, one-of-one fine art pieces produced on hand stretched, locally made & framed, canvas. The ethos of this brand is truly, collaboration, exploration, and passion — those elements are foundational to advancing the creative direction of the studio and also something that really sets Friend Studio apart from anything else that is being done right now in this space.

In that regard, traveling to new places, meeting locals, incorporating two worlds, has allowed me to visualize exactly what I want the studio to grow into. Turning my own canvas work into wearable, high-fashion and couture pieces is ultimately what I envision for the studio in the near future. I am eagerly looking forward to, and currently, watching the process unfold. It has been and will be the best part.

To provide a bit of context as to how Friend Studio began, I would first probably define Friend Studio as an Art House, more than a company — although, semantics. The idea behind Friend Studio came in 2018, when my art first gained a bit of recognition after being reposted by WuWear brand by WuTang on Instagram. This was the first bit of gas in the tank if you will, and ultimately led to my first business endeavor: a series of commissioned pieces that were made available to friends and locals within the community of Santa Barbara. I was never formally trained in art and certainly never thought I would be pursuing it as a career but it has always been a pastime in my life. I graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a double major in Film and Media Studies and Black Studies and a minor in Professional Writing and quickly fell into the corporate world after graduating. As one may guess, I found working within the corporate margins a bit monotonous and just recently decided to quit the 9-5 in pursuit of my artistic endeavors. Although, that work and time I put into the machine was necessary — it taught me that I would rather bet on myself.

Since the studio first began in 2018, the technique of my work has evolved. I focus less on portrait paintings and now invoke components of contemporary and surrealist style into each piece. The aim is to capture the essence of the cities in which these paintings come from. Likewise, the broader mission behind the studio has also seen development. As I continue to find inspiration in the people I meet and the places I travel, elements of each find their way onto the canvas. Still prominent, however, is the continued support from friends and locals.

Support your friends. Support your local artists.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

Itinerary 6:00AM — Malibu Sand Dunes
The sickest view, a bit of a drive but we’re ok with that + decent workout
8:00AM — Breakfast at The Butcher, The Baker, The Cappuccino Maker on Sunset
Dank food, good mimosas, right on Sunset Blvd., this is what the people want
10:00AM — We’re hooping at Van Nuys park with the locals
3:00PM — Lunch in Silver Lake at this thai spot that is unreal but I’m forgetting the name
Stopping in Beachwood Canyon for the views on the way back
10:00PM
Hitting Fayah Sundays Reggae Night on Sunset

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
A massive shoutout to the friends and locals in Santa Barbara who were first on the scene in support of all of the studio’s artistic endeavors and to my amazing friends and mentor in Los Angeles, Blair, Tal, Kiki, Liz Coll, Ri-Karlo and the Handy Foundation Team and so many others, y’all guided me and made me feel like I had family. My twin sister Hannah, from all the way across the pond in Sweden, has been my best friend and cheerleader. Every single Friend Studio customer, far and wide, I appreciate the support more than words can describe. Finally, a massive thank you to Geoff for encouraging my creative dream and doing anything in his power to help me achieve it. Love for you all.

Website: www.friendatstudio.com

Instagram: @friendssstudio

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/

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