What do you do? How did you get started?
I am a painter, animator & sculptor. I have a lot of artists in my family, including both my parents, so art, mostly painting, was like food in my childhood home. I went to CalArts to study Experimental Animation at 17, and a whole other world opened up to me. I had the honor of studying under great teachers - Jules Engel, E. Michael Mitchell, Corny Cole, etc... It all came together to make me who I am as an artist.
Where do you find inspiration?
So many places! Film, dance, cartoons, the classic, old masters of painting, literature, also the personal, distinct, necessary worlds that people create in their mind and put to paper or clay or celluloid or music. Fantasy worlds that have realities and important truths, and realities that have magical, or hopeful fantasies. It's special and makes me want to create things.
What does a typical day look like for you?
My days vary depending on what kind of project I'm working on or preparing for. Mainly though it's some combination of working, eating, ballet, animals, nature, movie and boo.
What is your relationship to Osei-Duro?
I was introduced to Osei-Duro by my friend Molly Keogh! I love the clothes, and the positive idea behind the clothes.
What’s your favourite Osei-Duro piece in your wardrobe?
I love my Luppo macrame bag. It fits my puppy, Dog Rickles. He looks sharp in there. I also love my Nima dress. The textures and colors are beautiful. They're like brush strokes and subtle gestures that form a painting, but instead are knit together or placed on a fabric, cut and sewn to hug a body comfy-like.
Describe your perfect day off.
Breakfast burrito with jalapenos, nature hike, ocean swim, cuddles, stretch, rest the bod, dance class, pork ramen, milk-duds, two scotch and Excalibur in 70mm.
What advice do you have to offer someone who is just starting out?
Stay true to yourself and follow your heart always. Integrity is the only thing that can get you through life. Dedication is the sincerest form of love. Love is everything. Don't fear the dark. Happiness is in the dark.
What are the top 3 places we should check out in Los Angeles?
Yamashiro at sunset, El Capitan on a weekend organ night and the Old Zoo at Halloween when you can also ride the miniature railroad.
Is there any music you’re loving right now?
Endless amounts. Van Halen, always. Sortilege, Talk Talk, Dinosaur Jr., Nadja and Tchaikovsky are on repeat a lot lately. Also a lot of sad & quiet ballads.
You’re hosting the dinner party of your dreams. Who is invited and what’s for dinner?
My boo Eric, my mom, dad, brother, aunt, my very closest friends, my newly met cousins from Scotland, my grandparents on both sides I never met, and my fathers biological family we never met, my 1st cousins who passed away when I was 11, my great granpappy Jimmy Jones, who was Speaker of the House in Canada in the 20's, Chris Farley, James Belushi, Gilda Radner, Gene Wilder, Bob Fosse, Josephine Baker, James Ensor, Isadora Duncan, Rembrandt, Prince, Susan B. Anthony and Edgar Allen Poe. I'm sure it would be super awkward, but it's BBQ!
Recommend something to us:
"Ruslan and Ludmila", the movie.
As of this writing Schulnik, who shows internationally, currently has work in group shows in Los Angeles at Sade and at ACME. All photos of the artist taken by Eric Yahnker.
