We love esservesper

Esservesper 'We Love' interview.

> Can you briefly introduce yourself ?

Esservesper : My name is Laurel Hill and I am a 25 year old jewelry designer in Portland, OR (US). My aim is to create objects of curious nature that function as non-traditional jewelry. My line, ESSERvesper, is devoted and developed on the principles of creating objects that are not mass produced-- each piece is hand cast and finished by myself. Start to finish I develop each piece more from a sculptural view point than one based on trends and fashion. I also am concerned with age, how metal looks when it doesn't shine.

I've always been concerned with well made objects, objects or clothes that embody both modern and classic--As a fine arts student I was always working with metal and sculpture, and when I graduated I decided that I wasn't seeing the type of quality and detail in jewelry that I wanted. So I approached UNA in Portland and the owner Giovanna Parolari believed in me from the first time I walked in. ESSERvesper has continued to grow organically from there.

> How did you start designing jewels? Is it something you’ve always wanted to do ?

Esservesper : Clean, modest, coherent design has always been something that has been a priority for me. I started designing jewelry three years ago and as I grow as both a designer and an artist I realize that it might be the only thing I can do. Creating objects and environments are what I think about from my first sip of coffee in the morning until I fall asleep.

> What are your sources or inspiration ?

Esservesper : The concepts of age and durability, while also maintaining a fine balance of fragility. It's hard to get just right, and I end up thinking about how materials and form play with one another in my work.  

Artistic inspiration comes from so much and so many-- my partner, Alex Steckly, is a huge inspiration to me. He paints these beautiful atmospheric paintings that awe and wow me every time. I also love the artist Tomma Abts, the painting and writings of Agnes Martin, Josef and Anni Albers, the "joke" series by Richard Prince, Ed Ruscha's limited prints of cactus and LA apartment complexes. Really, so much from the art world.

> Fashion, what for ?

Esservesper : To make the things I want to see. To connect with wonderful people who see outside the cookie-cutter lifestyle of the 9-5. To bridge the gap of highly curated art and functional, wearable objects.

> Which artists would you like to make discover with the readers ?

Esservesper :  Alex Steckly, painter.

> Your news? Your projects ?

Esservesper : Expansion--working on getting a studio/storefront in Portland, OR. Working with combining resins and metal, selling my line in Seattle, hopefully navigating across to New York. I'd love to go to Berlin to not only sell my line, but digest the amazing art scene.  

> Your favorite adresses in your city ?

Esservesper : There's this neighborhood in Portland called Albina and it's littered with factories and train tracks. I just love the old warehouses, the strange artifacts of industry, the dusty streets. It's right next to the Willamette river and you can go out on these long pieces of concrete into the water and just stare at the sun reflecting in the ripples of water.

Either that or Sauvie's Island--it's a strange nexus of farm and country within 15 minutes of Portland City Center. Going swimming in secret coves with your feet in the mud, the sun setting, and two of your best friends is a dream come true.

> The one question you’d like to be asked ?

Esservesper : Who would you like to collaborate with?

> Favorite drink?

Esservesper :

Fall/winter: peppermint tea with a little lemon.

Spring/summer: filtered water with a slice of cucumber.

Always: san pellegrino.

 
> Describe a successful evening/night ?

Esservesper : After a day of working in the studio,  going over to a friend's house, buying groceries, making food, drinking wine out of tea cups, and talking about our pursuits, daily events, etc. Just letting it be easy and laughing.


> Your last concert ?

Esservesper : I've been so busy, it has been a long time since I've seen live music. The band that I am most interested in right now and would love to see give a performance is AIDS3D--strange name, but so good.  

> A motto ?

Esservesper : Love and death.  

> One last word ?

Esservesper : High kicks and tricks. Lickity splitz.

Visit me : http://esservesper.com/