Artist Profile: Keep Your Sweaters Close

by Sam Dizon

Sweaters are a comforting hug in the fall and especially the winter. Do me a favor and follow my line of thinking... sweater leads to winter which leads to ugly sweater party, which leads to Weezer's "Undone - Sweater Song." Is that a bit of a stretch? Perhaps, but it makes sense to me. This month's artist profile theme is inspired by this very song and so I am focusing on sweaters. When the weather warms up, many people pack them away until the autumn rolls around again. One person this doesn't apply to is Samantha Grandy also known as ponytailsandcapris online. She is a multitalented artist who keeps her sweaters close year round. She delves into various mediums such as graphic design, animation and photography to name a few. With each medium, she excels in creating diverse pieces of work leading me to believe that the possibilities of what she can create are endless. We discussed art, music and you guessed it, sweaters!

Describe the kind of art you create.

I guess I'm a multidisciplinary artist. I'm primarily a graphic designer. I also work a lot in animation, motion graphics, illustration and photography. Really I don't like to pigeonhole myself into any particular medium or style. I want to be open to anything that will allow me to create.

What piece of art was the hardest or easiest for you to make?

This is a really hard question. Basically anything I create for a client is extremely difficult, at least in the beginning. It can take me a few days to get into the headspace of what they've communicated to me they would like. Once I feel comfortable in that space it gets easier.

Is there something you have created that you would like to go back and tweak?

Only everything I have ever created. I don't believe anything I create is ever compete. I just have to let it go at some point or I'll never share it, and will tweak it forever.

What is your favorite medium of art to work with?

It completely depends on the day. Sometimes I just want to create a logo for no reason, or go adventuring to do some nature photography, or just sit and draw all day. Each day, whatever I've chosen to work on is my favourite medium.

Is there a type of art medium you would like to learn?

3D animation really intrigues me. I animate using Adobe Agter Effects where you can imitate 3D, but it takes a bit of a work around. I'd like to learn a program like Blender or Maya to really work in a 3D space.

What kind of music do you predominantly listen to?

I'm actually more of a story/movie person that a music person. It's not that I don't listen to music, it's just that in most situations where people would like to listen to music (exercising, commuting, doing house work) I'd rather listen to an audio book, or the audio from a movie I enjoy. I find music can be very over stimulating and distracting.

That being said I do enjoy listening to music, and I find myself often listening to early '90s grunge. I loved it then. I love it now. But to be honest I barely know band names, or even names of songs. I just know the songs themselves and whether or not I like them.

This month't theme is inspired by Weezer's "Undone - Sweater Song." What is your impression of the song?

I actually haven't heard this song in years. My impression tonight listening to it, was how much it sounded like my youth. Oh god. I'm one of "those old people" now.

Are there any lyrics that speak to you?

"If you want to destroy my sewater

Hold this thread as I walk away"

It's kind of absurd, but also sad.

Describe your favorite sweater.

I  have a really old, somewhat ratty, purple, loose knit sweater. It looks horrible on me, but it's just cozy and warm, and it makes me happy to wear it in the winter.

What is the strangest sweater you have seen?

I once saw a Guns N' Roses knitted sweater, which on first glance seemed strange. I was amused by the contrast of that particular group paired with the old fashion style of the sweater. 

Living in a country with four seasons, can you describe the feeling you have when you pack away your sweaters for spring?

I actually don't pack away any of my winter clothes. My sweaters are always at the ready in case I need them. I think I would be sad to pack them away. I mean what if I got cold? What if they got lonely? Yeah. It's just best they stay right where they belong all year long.

What is your favorite collaboration you have been part of?

I've been extremely lucky to have had the opportunity to collaborate with so many artists on so many different projects over the last four years. I think I have to go back to 2013, Ep 1, RE: The Number One for HITRECORD ON TV. The first segment was a short film called "First Stars I See Tonight." I created an animation of a pull out from the earth all the way out to viewing the Milky Way. There were so many people involved in the making of that short film, and it was such a wonderful experience collaborating with everyone to make it.

Who do you want to collaborate with in the future?

Since this can be anyone, I would say Norman Reedus. And no, not because of the Walking Dead. I've been a fan of his for almost 2 decades. Aside from being an actor, he is a really talented photographer.

You can follow Samantha Grandy's work here:

instagram: @ponytailsandcapris

twitter: @ponytailscapris

vimeo: www.vimeo.com/user/24320255

Re-watching the animation Sam mentioned in her interview, reminded me of how versatile her work is. She pays great attention to detail gathering various components to create a larger picture. She continues to tweak her work and also challenges herself to keep on evolving. She has an open mind and is ready to create, so I really appreciate her perspective.

Samantha mentioned that the lyrics that spoke to her were, "If you want to destroy my sweater, hold this thread while I walk away." I imagine some, if not all of us are seeing this playing out in our heads. One person is standing still, holding a thread while someone walks away. The further the person walks away the longer the thread becomes, leaving less and less of the sweater intact. Eventually that sweater will unravel and the person will come undone. That protective shell is gone and the person is left vulnerable. Looks like a sweater can serve as armor for more than just the cold. Weezer was on to something. Sam is on to something too. Leave yourself open to try new things and you might be amazed by what you can do. While you take yourself out of your comfort zone, keep something soothing close...maybe something warm...like a sweater.