Meet trish andersen | Fiber artist

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

Hi trish, how do you think about risk?
I am a big fan of the “no risk no reward” philosophy when it comes to my life and business. I am constantly thinking “what’s the worst thing that could happen” and that worst thing never out weighs the potential for things to be better so I just go for it. Have my risks failed? many times but all those leaps have added up to where I am in my career and so I have no regrets. It’s important to be uncomfortable and try new things. We are always evolving so shouldn’t our businesses do so too?

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a fiber artist living/working in Savannah, Ga. The tool I primarily use is called a tufting gun. It is typically used in the manufacturing of hand tufted rugs but I use it to create my artwork and “paint with yarn” . I grew up in Dalton, Ga “Carpet Capital of the World” so things have come full circle! Previously I had a studio that did fabrication and design for the event/set/styling world for 13 years in NYC . It was fun (and challenging) and I learned a ton but I had kinda just fallen into it through following opportunity and eventually realized it just wasn’t my true passion. I was burned out and was seeking a more intentional way of working. I made a promise to myself to get back to creating my art again. Then I discovered tufting and I was hooked. It was more for my sanity than anything and honestly didn’t know if it could be my “career” but I am thrilled to say after 5 years of my tufting journey that it has worked out!

Now I run Trish Andersen Studio and have my hands in both the fine art and home textile/product worlds. I love doing both and how each different part of my business challenges and inspires me.

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.
I have unfortunately only been to LA once!

but for Savannah:

eat: The Grey Market, Finches, Bubba Gumbos, Big Bon Bodega, Colins Quarter, Vittoria Pizza/Starland Yard, Over Yonder

drink: Pinkie Masters, Savoy Society, Lone Wolf, Moodrights, Roof of Perry lane hotel (view)

hang/see/shop: Forsyth Park, Laney Contemporary, Shop Scad, Bonaventure cemetery, Tybee Island, Wormsloe, Blank Canvas Development, Ghost tour – cheesy but worth it

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Jessica Bing – Mentor- I used to do event and set design in NYC and she is the first person to believe we (my business partner and I) could pull it off. We were two naive (but eager) artists and she taught us the ropes and gave us opportunities that change d the course of my career

Michael Birch Pierce- Artist friend – I was burned out and struggling to get back to my creative practice and they sent me a video of people hand tufting rugs in India. It jump started my love of tufting and ultimately change the trajectory of my career

Michael Porten- Artist husband- He is my favorite artist and constant inspiration. He lets me be me and there is nothing better than that!

Website: https://www.trishandersenstudio.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trishandersenart/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trishandersenstudio/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCY1IS0XKAwHJqljDCks3WMQ

Other: tik tok https://www.tiktok.com/@trishandersenart tufting course: https://www.domestika.org/en/courses/3305-introduction-to-tufting-learn-to-paint-with-yarn/trishandersenart

Image Credits
Chia Chong, Adam Kuehl, Colin Douglas Gray