We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Twiggy Boyer. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Twiggy below.

Twiggy, appreciate you joining us today. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?

I love this question as this is a thought that constantly visits me. As someone who has had a “regular” job–I was an elementary art teacher for 7 years–I can honestly say that I although my job was creativity driven, I am really so much happier applying my creativity to my studio practice. The thought of going back to a regular job often revolve around financials and receiving a more consistent income but never around not wanting to be a full time artist.

Twiggy, 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?

Hi! My name is Twiggy Boyer and I am a full time visual artist, the co-founder of an art magazine and a homeschooling parent. My work could be best described as mixed media collages often created using vintage found photographs and explores themes of nostalgia, memories and connections. The works incorporate collage elements, drawing, painting and embroidery. Using carefully curated found photographs as collage elements, I explore how my own recollections and experiences are often similar to another person’s. I work with forgotten photographs gathered from dusty thrift shops that I feel connected to. I aim to relate the small moments captured in the images to my own memories in a sort of familiar parallel. My hope is to invite the viewer to make a connection to their own memories and to encourage an emotional response, ultimately creating a bond between us.

In February of 2020, My passion for vintage photographs led me to create Photo Trouvée Magazine– an art publication that showcases contemporary artists working with found/family/vintage photographs as a medium or inspiration in their works.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

From personal experience, yes! The main aspect of my creative journey I think “non-creatives” around me struggle to understand is why I can’t just make “commercial” work on the side that isn’t my fine art practice so that I can make “extra” money (for example birthday invitations etc). While there isn’t anything inherently wrong with doing this if it is enjoyable and relevant to your personal journey, it truly is not something that I want to do. As an artist whose artwork is often misunderstood, I truly believe that if you keep making work that is authentic to you and your message, if you keep showing up in the studio, then you will find your community and your collectors, and those people will “get it” and will support you. This was the main reason behind creating Photo Trouvée Magazine back in 2020; as an artist using found photographs in my work, I felt very alone and I decided that I wanted to create a space where I could connect with other people who shared this passion. Turns out, there are over 20K of us and growing! So maybe some people will struggle to understand your work or your journey and that’s okay. Try to find support from those who do understand or, create it yourself if it doesn’t exist!

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is showing my daughter that she can follow her passions and live a life that doesn’t necessarily need to fit into a mold. While there are a lot of ups and downs, getting to do what I love each and everyday is the greatest gift I could ask for.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.sarahtwiggyboyer.com & www.phototrouveemagazine.com
• Instagram: @twiggyboyerart & @phototrouveemagazine