Cairo Dwek left behind her life as a model in Los Angeles to pursue her aspiration of becoming a fine artist.
INTERVIEW: FAHREN FEINGOLD CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN ART
June 25, 2018 6:00 PM
The name of contemporary American artist Fahren Feingold has become synonymous with fluid, feminine watercolours in her enigmatic paintings and illustrations. Her elegant fashion illustrations recall images of women in various stages and chapters of life. Her unique works impart an ethereal quality through her depictions of the female form. Her images featuring bold watercolours and distinctive silhuettes of the feminine form reference imagery from early 20th century French erotica, vintage American magazines from the 70s and 80s, and today's internet girls.
-----FAHREN FEINGOLD INTERVIEW-----
1. Fahren, would you like to introduce yourself and your work?
FF: My name is Fahren Feingold, I’m a painter living in Los Angeles, and the focus of my work is female nude figures.
2. What made you leave fashion design and revisit your painting? And how was the transition?
FF: I left fashion design for several reasons. The work was no longer creatively satisfying, I felt taken advantage of by brand owners who wanted us to work long hours in return for little pay and even less kindness. Making the transition from fashion design to painting was a wavy road. I did not know exactly what my voice or style was, I had never before used watercolors, and I was new to sharing my work on social media. There was a great deal of self-exploration in both my work and personally.
3. You paint mostly feminine nude, and what do the femininity and nudeness mean to you, which seems to be very essential elements in your artwork.
FF: I have always loved drawing and painting the nude form, and I particularly like painting women. The female body is beautiful. I paint mostly women not just because of beauty, but because I can relate to the way women move, feel, emote. There is a language that our bodies create with movement and gestures, being in tune with your femininity helps to connect you to other women with this unspoken language.
4. Why the watercolours? What is the beauty of watercolours?
FF: watercolors are such a gentle and poetic medium, they whisper to the observer rather than cry out for attention. Often, one’s message can be heard more clearly like this, and for me, it felt like a nice juxtaposition for important topics of feminine equality and what has become controversial subject matters.
5. In your paintings, all the colors are being beautifully blended together. Do you follow your instinct choice when it comes to selecting color? Or you plan it out in advance?
FF: I always use my intuition when it comes to colors. Whenever I plan a color scheme in advance, I always end up throwing it out the window once I start working. Colors are very much a feeling and an intuition.
6. Do you have a favorite fashion brand? Any specific brand you wish to collaborate in the future?
FF: there are so many amazing designers. I am in talks with a few for possible collaborations -so please follow to see what comes =)
7. Could you tell us about this “The Peep Show” in collaboration with Fleur du Mal?
FF: Many of my subjects are referenced from early 1900s French nude photos as well as vintage 70s erotic imagery. Fleur du Mal’s aesthetic is very much based in 70’s Parisienne romanticism but still has an edge to it. My aesthetic has always centered on juxtaposing objectives. Watery and dreamlike colors used for subject matter that feels forthright and exposed. Using beauty to seduce the viewer into listening to my message, or at least taking a moment to look at the painting. The gallery space is intimate and creates a unique environment for the viewer. Le Peep Show is like a secret room, you get to steal a private moment, away from the busy everyday hustle - share a cocktail and a secret with a painting.
8. How would you want your artwork to be remembered by the audiences?
FF: I would like to be remembered as a unique artist who painted timeless women, breaking down barriers of censorship.
9. What is your ultimate goal as an artist?
FF: To create beautiful works of art, that leave a lasting impression, and inspire other artists.
INTERVIEW BY BORA YON
PHOTO CREDIT: FAHREN FEINGOLD
related posts
Pointillism revived: Rising artist Cairo Dwek connects the dots
Christopher Russell Interview: Beneath the essence of clay
Christopher Russell spent his youth in a small town outside Boston, Massachusetts. According to his kindergarten report card, he had an “unusual talent for art”.
ALL WHITE Summer SOIRÉE Party
ALL WHITE Summer SOIRÉE Party was held on June 25, 2022 and the night started out with the beautifully dressed guests.
American Ballet Theater Summer Gala
Spring/Summer of 2022 has seen a rushing return of events, dressing up, and the social calendar.
Elizaveta Litovka ‘Flowierdy’ footwear sculptures Interview
Naïve Beauty: Flowierdy
Support people in Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s said in a tweet on February 24 that “Now, more than ever, we need concrete support.”
SHIOTA CHIHARU EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
TWELV interviewed performance and installation artist Chiharu Shiota and discussed her personal and professional life, as well as her inspiration and what plans she has for the future. The COVID-...
OLAF BREUNING Interview
OLAF BREUNING Interview is now available!
QUERIES OF A QUIRKY MIND
...
RYAN MCGINLEY EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Standing before the images created by Ryan McGinley, one becomes entranced by the irresistible visions of freedom and joyous irreverence.
YAYOI KUSAMA INTERVIEW "AN OUTSIDER TO INFINITY"
In Yayoi Kusama’s world, everything is a polka dot — the cosmos, the earth, the world, stars, the moon, and people.
Body Beautiful Exhibit Opening November 21st
“BODY BEAUTIFUL”
A Group Show Curated by Indira Cesarine
OPENING RECEPTION: November 21, 2019
INTERVIEW: GRACIE ELLISON PORTLAND BASED ARTIST
Gracie Ellison is a self-taught Portland based artist who focuses on canvassing portraits of grumpy and solemn faced women with use of patterns, textures and colour. She was drawn towards canvas...
MAURIZIO CATTELAN INTERVIEW "MAD SCIENTIST"
MAD SCIENTIST by MIGUEL FIGUEROA
WOLFORD LEADS THE SUSTAINABLE FASHION REVOLUTION WITH DUAL CRADLE TO CRADLE CERTIFICATION
Making History With The Aurora Collection
"GREETINGS FROM SWEDEN" BY RUVAN
Ruvan Wijesooriya is a self-taught American Photographer, who began by starting a skateboard brand before moving to working with clients such as Vogue, Samsung and many in the nightlife...
INTERVIEW: Adriana Wynne French-American multidisciplinary artist
French-American multi-disciplinary artist studying a BFA degree at Parsons school of Design in Fine Arts and acquiring a minor in Museum and Curatorial Studies.
ZIP III Opening March 9th
Like it or hate it, we live in a fully connected digital world these days.
INTERVIEW: FAHREN FEINGOLD CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN ART
The name of contemporary American artist Fahren Feingold has become synonymous with fluid, feminine watercolours in her...
Interview: Lisa Ann Markuson on Modernizing Haiku
The minimalism of Haiku poetry– it’s English form dictated simply by the syllabic pattern 5-7-5– allows this traditional Japanese verse to span languages, cultures and ages.
Interview: Rebecca Leveille's Solo Exhibit "The End of Love"
Certain artists have captured the zeitgeist of a particular time and place in such a powerful way that history will forever be represented through their images.
Oussamah Ghandour’s Journey from Ad-Man to Painter
Do you remember that episode of Mad Men when Don Draper decides to quit the ad business and follow his true calling as a painter?
Jörgen Axelvall's "KÄR / LEK" Photo Exhibit in Tokyo
For Jörgen Axelvall, photography is a language.
Interview: Illustrator Roby Dwi Antono on his Startling Surrealist Imagery
In a single painting, Indonesian artist Roby Dwi Antono combines a breastfeeding lamb, a kiwi bird, power ranger, crocodile, and a child.
Interview: Bettina Werner's Pioneering Use of Salt in Art
Being an artist isn’t just a matter of creating paintings or sculptures in a particular medium, it’s about making your mark on history.
"One Year of Resistance" Recalls an Unsettling Year Under President Trump
During President Trump’s inauguration week, curator Indira Cesarine hosted a group art exhibition entitled Uprise / Angry Women in response to the election.
Artist-Activist Francesca Galliani Brings Her Messages of Empowerment to Fashion
Modern day social activism can be found and utilized everywhere from social media to organized protests.
ARTIST MISHA KAHN'S ANTI-RIGHT-ANGLE EXHIBITION "MIDDEN HEAP" ON DISPLAY AT FRIEDMAN BENDA
Artist Misha Kahn lives in a world free of right angles.
Interview: Lin Dai, CEO of Hooch, the Game-changer Drinking App
Hooch is here just in time for the holidays! The Hooch app is the first-of-its-kind, subscription-based drinking app, offering customers 30 free drinks a month for just 10 dollars.
Chrome Hearts Miami Transformed into Candy Shop and Gallery for Art Basel
Chrome Hearts is celebrating Art Basel at their Miami retail space with a pop-up confectionary and café, alongside the launch of group exhibition in their second floor gallery. The...
Indira Cesarine's "Only You" Art Series Visualizes Emotions after Betrayal
New-York based artist Indira Cesarine premiered the video format of her art series “Only You” at Art Basel Miami in 2010...
Chappy's "Dress the D" Halloween Campaign Promoting Safe Sex
The new-on-the-scene dating app Chappy has gained recognition for its mission and success in producing more meaningful...
Ashley Judd & Gloria Steinem Address Human Trafficking at Apne Aap Benefit
The award-winning actress Ashley Judd, luminous in a bisque maxi-dress, was feted at a Manhattan soiree on Thursday night.
Yayoi Kusama to Open Namesake Museum in Tokyo
On your mark, get set, go! Yayoi Kusama enthusiasts will be delighted to know that tickets to the venerated Japanese artist’s namesake museum go on sale August 28.
Just Cavalli Restaurant & Club Opening in Porto Cervo
From the brand that fully embraces the bold and vibrant Dolce Vita lifestyle, now comes the ultimate nightlife experience. On July 14th, the...
The witty pop art of Alessio Franceschetto
Minimal, quirky and straight to the point, all uniquely describe the work of artist Alessio Franceschetto, a superhero of graphic art.