Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Astrid Furstner. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Astrid, thanks for joining us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

We are a family of woodworkers. I started the Indians of My Dreams series in pastels. My husband, Brent, is a luthier (he makes guitars) and one day asked if I’d like to learn how to make my Indians in wood. I had never thought of it and would never have even crossed my mind to venture down that road. Women, especially Latina women, do not use scrollsaws, hand tools (man tools), or make art – it’s just not done. We have children, cook, clean, look after the house and the men, work, and do not have time to “feel” or “play” with art. I realized that I still carry a lot of generational and cultural trauma and I didn’t want to pass that along to our daughter. I agreed to a lesson. One lesson turned into many more, which turned into books and videos, and a lot of learning. I discovered that it felt natural to my hands and my brain and my soul. I never thought anyone would buy my art, but then friends saw what I was doing and wanted them. I gave them away until I couldn’t keep up with the cost of the wood and tools, so I started selling them. The Indians of My Dreams came about because I missed my grandmother and great-grandmother. They are buried in El Salvador. I was brought to this country as a child, but we always visited home. I didn’t have anything here that was theirs, so I made a carving of these beautiful women. I carve so you can feel their cheekbones, their noses, their forehead, their face. I carve the Indians to remind me of our people and surround myself with my people. Portland does not have many who look like me, so I created them. A reminder to my daughter of where she comes from. What is in her blood. Where her genetics come from. Some day she may pass those along, and there should be a memory of what our people were like and where the strength comes from. Now, I make carvings of other folks’ ancestors and pets – so they too can remember those they loved in a more tactile way. I just finished making my 500th wood carving. Having good tools were what made a difference. I started with cheap ones and worked my way up. Having a great partner who motivates and encourages regardless of gender and allows me to experiment without judging. It was very difficult in the beginning because the men at the wood stores would not take me serious and definitely would not take the time to explain the tools or the brands. Silly woman, knives and tools are for men. I overcame and I learned that not all men are like that, and that Latinas can do anything.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Atrum Arte is the name of our artist family. We are a family of artisans. Brent makes guitars, ukuleles, kalimbas. I make wood carvings and wool paintings. Our daughter, Luciana, learns from everything we make. She has opportunities to make her own ukuleles, draw on the kalimbas, help paint wood puzzles, learn to carve, make bracelets, and generally has every opportunity to learn from us as well as the community of indigenous makers and artisans we associate with. We have had to go out and find our community of folks who make things with their hands, honor the land, follow their culture, and create a place where trade, teaching, empathy, and opportunity is a daily normal. Learn it; teach it. That is how we honor our artisans and crafters. How else will the next generation learn how clothes are made, how music is made, how to allow an art piece to sink into your soul and make it shine or cry or laugh if we don’t share it and teach it. I believe that Brent helps bring peace to our customers with the beautiful instruments he makes. Luciana brings a smile to everyone thanks to her unfiltered view of the world as a child. My carvings allow people to remember those who may no longer be with us in body, but whom we wish to remember and share stories about. When I make carvings of pets who have passed, the feeling of the wood carving, the presence of the tree that soaks in the intent and love from around, can bring peace to someone. They are not alone and it is okay to speak about them. Once we are forgotten, we truly never existed. The wool paintings are my own way to support our local farmers; buy local wool, support local artisans who can wash and dye the wool, I use the wool to make paintings, and I try to use local framers to frame my paintings, and I sell at local markets or through the co-op art gallery in our neighborhood, so the money stays local – all to help local businesses and entrepreneurs.

The best part of making my art and being a mother, artist, Latina, woodworker, and wife, is seeing the look of surprise in either my own people who never thought it could even be possible or the look of wonder on a younger person who didn’t think being a “real” artist (other than a hobby artist) could be possible. I am proof. Social class and being a person of color should NOT be a barrier to achieving your dreams. You do not have to be rich to be an artist or afford my art. You do not have to be a certain color either. I make art so that anyone can have something pretty and meaningful in their lives.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Making art that connects with everyone and that anyone can afford. Growing up, buying art was not something that was even considered. If you can’t eat it, you can’t have it. Then it seemed that only a certain class of people would be able to afford art and I didn’t think that was right. I make art and while I could charge more, I try to keep my pieces at a price that anyone can afford. I make art because it feeds my soul; selling it is not the main reason.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I wish there were more artisans who studied the craft and then taught it. I wish I had known that there was a small group of women woodworkers who were willing to support each other and grow in this male dominated field. Sometimes, when you can’t find your group, you make it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.atrumarte.com
• Instagram: Atrumarte
• Facebook: atrumarte

Image Credits

Kateshia Pendergrass is the professional woman bipoc photographer who took the picture that shows the three of us together.