In conversation with Cute Brute

An interview taken from our June Issue. In this special issue, we wanted to give light to artists, especially illustrators and painters, to know how to quarantine time affected their lives and their process. We wanted to showcase a different story, different arts to give a voice and platform for these creators.

KALTBLUT: It’s been almost 2 months since self-isolation has been enforced worldwide, how are you feeling?
Cute Brute: I’m doing alright — adapting, I guess? The world feels so day-to-day, but I’m both healthy and employed at the moment so I feel very grateful for that.

KALTBLUT: What have you been doing to pass your time in quarantine?
Cute Brute: I’m a bit of a workaholic by nature, so this self-isolation hasn’t disrupted me too much. If anything the lack of socializing has forced me to revisit some old projects, which excites me. But overall, I try to stay productive and that’s my coping mechanism. Drawing. Lots of cooking. Working out (just kidding! not at all). At the beginning of this, I told myself I would use this time to finally watch all of the high-brow cinematic masterpieces I’ve neglected over the years, but I still default to the comforting garbage television. There was also a hot moment when I got into diamond painting kits we had been gifted. One was a scary portrait of Santa and I quickly became obsessed.

KALTBLUT: How has the situation affected your work?
Cute Brute: In addition to the Cute Brute, I have a full-time gig as an art director/toy designer and I’m balancing a couple of other side projects. Creatively, it’s a bit exhausting — especially when I’m stationed at the same workspace for 12+ hours a day. In order to not burn out, I have to be more judicious with my creative practices. Weekdays are devoted to my job, evenings are for miscellaneous projects, and weekends / any other free moments are all about Cute Brute. That work is still my passion.

Contact

Instagram: @thecutebrute
Read the full interview here: