Artist Spotlight: Isabella Johnson
Every quarter, we highlight one of the amazing artists in our reuse community. This quarter, ACR has the privilege of spotlighting Isabella Johnson from Wildflower Apparel who is a knitwear designer with a keen interest in film production design! Learn more about Isabella and why she delights in the creative freedom she’s found by using secondhand materials in her work in this interview!
When did you learn to knit and how did you start knitting using recycled materials?
I began knitting during COVID-19, as I am sure many people did. I would spend every single Zoom meeting knitting or crocheting as a way to aid in my attention as well as to help with anxiety surrounding college applications, leaving home, and the pandemic. The first piece I made was a garter stitch beanie that I still wear today, followed by a striped sweater with many mistakes that I keep around as a fun memory.
When I came to UT Austin, one of my professors told us about Austin Creative Reuse. I had no idea about the large scope of supplies ACR offered, and I was thrilled when I found yarn for under $1 compared to the prices at large box stores. I almost immediately started using exclusively recycled yarn in my practice from then on due to the price, ethical implications, and the interesting materials I haven’t found anywhere else!
Do you have other creative hobbies?
I have almost too many creative hobbies to the point where I cannot keep up with all of them. From drawing to sewing, and of course knitting, I am almost always making something. This year, I found a passion for film production design and have been able to use many of my creative interests to enhance other people’s visions. Every film I have worked on has something from ACR and/or something I made!
Which aspect of creating is your favorite?
My favorite aspect of creating is being able to share with people. I find this fulfilling in two ways: crafting things to gift to people, or gifting people the knowledge to craft. Every Christmas I make something for my three siblings and my parents. This has been a tradition for three years and I spend the entire year preparing. From sweaters to socks, and a stuffed parrot, I love coming home and seeing the items in use and being enjoyed. I also love to teach people how to knit. My roommate expressed interest in knitting three years ago, and I immediately took it upon myself to teach her. We now spend almost every evening knitting together on the couch while watching The Real Housewives of Orange County.
Where do you get your inspiration?
Inspiration strikes me from everywhere and comes in different forms. I get a lot of silhouette ideas for my designs from the high fashion runway. Knitting inherently has a more relaxed feel than many of the things we see on the red carpet or the runway, so playing around with structure and the fibers in the knit is always fun. I get a lot of color inspiration from nature, the people I see taking the Cap Metro buses, or the walks I take to class!
What is your preferred way to engage with your audience?
As mentioned before, I get so much joy from sharing the art of knitting. I design, grade, and publish knitting patterns for other people to follow. It is a very slow and tedious process, so sharing the experience along with people who also love knitting is a way to make it seem less isolated. Although it can be stressful sometimes, my favorite way of engaging with my audience is by answering questions about the pattern itself, or knitting in general!
How does reuse play a part in your creativity?
I don’t think I would have as much fun with knitting as I do today if it were not for reuse. Using existing material at a discounted price removes many barriers to creation. When I use yarn from ACR, I don’t feel guilty if I create a design that doesn’t turn out or wear as often as the sweaters I make from more expensive materials. It adds an element of playfulness to my process. I never know what I will find at ACR and there are many pieces I have created due to the material itself that wouldn’t exist without the somehow freeing constraints of reusing materials.
Do you ever donate materials to ACR? If so, what compels you to donate?
I do donate to ACR! As mentioned, I have so many creative hobbies, which means I have many craft supplies. The primary item I donate to ACR is yarn that I have already used in a project and no longer have use for. Honestly, a lack of space mainly compels me to donate, but I also love the idea that I could be wearing a sweater made of yarn that someone else then made a hat with. I receive so much from ACR and the community surrounding reuse that I love being able to give back!
Do you have a favorite ACR find? How did you use it?
I have so many amazing ACR finds! I actually have a favorite ACR shopping experience that I always tell people when recommending ACR to them. My roommate and I always go straight to the yarn section, but this time there was a dumpster blocking the usual baskets holding the yarn. When we noticed that it was filled to the brim with bags of vintage wool, cotton, and linen, we knew we would be there longer than expected. I bought way more yarn than I needed that day, and used some gorgeous green linen to make a design called the Olivia Blouse which is currently in the grading process!
Where can we find out more about your work?
I have an instagram @wildflower.apparel where I post my process and finished items. I also post my patterns to my ravelry page https://www.ravelry.com/designers/isabella-johnson