We were lucky to catch up with Maitejosune Urrechaga recently and have shared our conversation below.

Maitejosune , appreciate you joining us today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

I’ve been into the arts since I was a kid. At some point in elementary school or maybe middle, they gave me a little section of the garage as a creative space. I had my little easel, and table of supplies. When I got into high school I started with ceramics and photography, and sculpting clay to make beads, and little figurines. This sometimes took up the kitchen table or areas of my dresser. And even these days, my moms shares what she collects with me. From fabrics for our stage set ups, and jewels to implement them into my paintings. My parents have been coming to my events since I’ve been involved.

Throughout high school our house was a sorta hub for our friends, and we lived next to a park we all hung out at. My parents were always cool with a group of us hanging around in front of the house, this was before everyone had cars, so it was bikes and skateboards. And they were always cool with us going to concerts back when you had to sleep out for tickets. I think there may have been a few concerts my mom missed when she was growing up, and felt it was important for us to go see who we wanted to see. I think their trust in me to do these things allowed me to make proper decisions, and stay on my toes.

Since I was a kid my mom, and I have taken adventures to Bal Harbour in Miami Beach, and Worth Avenue in Palm Beach. Nowadays I can take her to Miami Design District. Although she was shopping, and roaming the malls looking for the special something that stood out, I was intrigued by the window displays and the way the shops were laid out, and the art work, and galleries we passed getting to where she wanted to get to. It was a higher end luxury environment. One of the more memorable events was meeting one of the members from the band Cinderella while I was shopping for shoes. I’ll never forget the shoes I bought, it was a pair of beaded loafers with an anchor on it and he commented on them when I was trying them on. He was shopping with a friend.

My sister used to dance with Freddick Bratcher and Company, and Ballet Concerto, so I was always around other creatives. My brother was building terrariums in high school. Our parents have always been supportive of our creative paths. My siblings and I have always been creative. My sister and I took out the carpet in our rooms when we were in high school with out asking our parents and we painted the walls and furniture. My brother and I shared some art classes and professors in school. My mom always dances around the house and my dad plays the dumbeck while she dances. I think my household was a great experience for me.

Maitejosune , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Back in 2007, I started ‘Mind The Snails’ which was a sorta umbrella for when I wanted to organize an art exhibition. This was early social media, but internet access. It wasn’t intended to be a business, just more of an entity or brand or artists that you would come to expect when we put a show together. My first piece that made its way to the public was my “Snail Car” which was introduced During Art Basel 2007 and received a “Best Basel Grab by a Local Artist” in 2008 where it was stated “She covered the jalopy with huge white and green snails as symbols that “no artist should be left behind.” This went from Wynwood to the Design District, and back to Wynwood. It was invited to a few more locations such as Fairchild Tropical Garden, III points Music Festival, St Thomas University, and then again in 2012 in Wynwood during another Art Basel Satellite Event. A comic book was created shortly after which tells the story of the car. I invite different artists for each story, and I’ve released 5 volumes so far.
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/naninks-the-lady-maitejosune-urrechaga/1140569161
I don’t know if I ever thought of my art as a brand, or just me living life and making as i go with it. I could say that throughout my doings, one would be able to expect certain things from my playful programs, music and art.

In short I make a lot of art which includes paintings, installations, shirts, etc and at the same time I find time to play bass and create music for Pocket Of Lollipops and when I feel like recording a cool band or putting on a happening or group exhibition of sorts I have a little boutique label Houndstooth Cottage. By day I am a full time high school art educator for the public school system and I teach some of the coolest kids who stumble into my program.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

That’s tough, the visual creatives I come across, or research are always looking for space. Space to create and space within each other to take on new projects. I tend to go into my hole after just being around people and then I just start making. People can support by attending but I don’t really make art for society.

I just make it and then I feel they take an interest in it.

I think I have made my own ecosystem with all my outlets; painting, performance music, installation that I desire at the time. I think I am open and allow society to interact with all of them if they choose to.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

I think people wonder how I multitask within all the different things I do. Maintaining a full time job as an educator, along with being a full-time musician and artist. On several occasions I also lend myself to other artists either to see their vision come through or even just helping get the word out.

I think non creatives wouldn’t know that sometimes it is very hard to tell your brain to stop making or doing projects.The struggle is a mix of finding time to make / express themselves through an artistic avenue, and those who just love the atmosphere, and just don’t know how to get their expression translated. Which is fine cause there needs to be the creatives, and the audience. I’ve said this before, I am good at managing my time and taking lots of naps.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

That’s tough, the visual creatives I come across, or research are always looking for space. Space to create and space within each other to take on new projects. I tend to go into my hole after just being around people and then I just start making. People can support by attending but I don’t really make art for society.

I just make it and then I feel they take an interest in it.

I think I have made my own ecosystem with all my outlets; painting, performance music, installation that I desire at the time. I think I am open and allow society to interact with all of them if they choose to.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

I think people wonder how I multitask within all the different things I do. Maintaining a full time job as an educator, along with being a full-time musician and artist. On several occasions I also lend myself to other artists either to see their vision come through or even just helping get the word out.

I think non creatives wouldn’t know that sometimes it is very hard to tell your brain to stop making or doing projects.The struggle is a mix of finding time to make / express themselves through an artistic avenue, and those who just love the atmosphere, and just don’t know how to get their expression translated. Which is fine cause there needs to be the creatives, and the audience. I’ve said this before, I am good at managing my time and taking lots of naps.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.maitejosune.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pocketoflollipops/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pocketoflollipops
• Other: www.pocketoflollipops.com www.houndstoothcottage.com