Alessandra Risi, visual artist, opened the doors of her studio - a world of full creativity and inspiration. We sat down to chat about her work, her creative processes, the things that inspire her, and how she winds down after a long day’s work.
“I find inspiration in everything that surrounds me – in wanting to highlight those small, seemingly insignificant or often overlooked things, like flowers.”
Alessandra wears the Boyfriend Classic PJ Set Blue Dots.
Tell us a bit about how you define yourself.
I am a multidisciplinary artist. I paint each day as a part of my quotidian practices – with oil on paper and/or canvas. I also enjoy working in fashion and styling…basically whatever interesting project emerges. I am open to everything, not limited to my studio. I also have an alter-ego, cabbage patchxgirl, through whom I explore movement in different dance performances inspired by fashion and music.
Alessandra wears our Core collection.
How do you generally wind down after a long day?
After a long day I enjoy listening to music and drinking a good cocktail. My current favorite being a Hugo spritz.
What is your bedtime routine?
My evening routines always include some nice candles to set the transitory mood. My current favorite candle scent is rose. Then I use dermatological skin lotions and I alternate face masks depending on how I am feeling, but I usually opt for an orange-based face mask.
A self-care practice you honour daily.
My evening routines always include some nice candles to set the transitionary mood. My current favorite candle scent is rose. Then I use dermatological skin lotions and I alternate face masks depending on how I am feeling, but I usually opt for an orange-based face mask.
What would your perfect night look like?
A perfect night begins when I finish my paintings. The natural light dictates in this case, so as soon as the sun begins to set, I clean up and wash my materials. Then, I would indulge in a good aperitif with friends, and continue into the night sipping white wine.
The perfect night look with our Boyfriend PJ Set Indigo.
When do you feel most creative?
The times when I have felt most creative are when I am in situations that take me out of my comfort zone; those challenging moments that present the need for finding solutions and/or continual adaptation.
Where do you find inspiration?
I find inspiration in everything that surrounds me – in wanting to highlight those small, seemingly insignificant or often overlooked things, like flowers. I am constantly looking to the past as well – my grandmothers, old photographs, vintage necklaces – and seeing what feelings these things generate within me. I think a lot of my work alludes to times past.
What are you reading/watching/listening to lately? And when do you generally give yourself that time?
I don’t really have time to be watching things at the moment, but I have been listening to a lot of music - specifically vinyl albums, like Nicola di Bari and Glen Miller. As for books, I am currently reading the collection of poems Cuatrojos by Carolina Carbone.
What is your favorite thing about what you do?
In my opinion, the best part about being an artist is having that freedom to create and develop projects at any moment, and however you want. In painting, like in fashion, and movement there exist infinite possibilities.
