Artist Spotlight: Jillian McCann
Each month, we highlight one of the talented artists in our reuse community. This month, it’s costume maker extraordinaire, Jillian McCann of Manic Expressive!
Jillian creates magical head pieces, suitable for costumes, festivals, celebrations, and more. She also provides services as an art director and set designer. Read below to learn more about what inspires her colorful headdresses and why she chooses to reuse!
1. When did you first start making wearable art?
My background is in sculpture & installation art. When I was living in San Francisco, I started performing aerial & the circus arts. Naturally, I was drawn to the costumes and began using costume as a medium of expression.
2. Which aspect of creating is your favorite?
Material Sourcing!!! Thanks, ACR! 90% of my work is up-cycled and my passion is saving sparkly things from the landfill. I lived abroad for a while and coming back to the states, where we live in such a consumer society, it's incredible how much gold & treasures people throw away. Unless it's a commissioned piece & for a client, most of ALL of my work is inspired by the objects I find, and the art of giving it a new life.
3. Where do you get your inspiration?
My work is inspired by the alter ego, the multiple lives we live and my own personal relationship with neuroticism and being manic. Beyond that, my work is mostly inspired by cultures that I have seen in my travels, and the way they use color, texture & costume to share their stories. Masks, crowns, & headdresses have been seen in tribes around the world for hundreds and hundreds of years.
4. What is your preferred way to engage with your audience?
Pop Ups, Instagram, my website (soon to be SHOP!)
5. How does reuse play a part of your creativity?
Reuse is my main vein in my process.
6. What compels you to donate to ACR?
Knowing that it will be reused, loved, and thought about again.
7. Do you have a favorite ACR find? How did you use it?
Every week I have my “favorite finds”, it's usually all the gorgeous tassels & trim! But, sometimes I score random items that really set the tone for the new work. Last week, I found a plastic rat and I put on a turban. It was a hit.
8. Where can we find more about your work?
My studio is in East Austin, be sure to look for me during EAST. I will be doing it renegade style, sticking true to *my style*. Catch me at pop ups, Seismic Dance Event this November, follow my instagram @manicxexpressive and peep my site www.manicxexpressive.com. My work extends beyond costume, I am an art director & set designer here in Austin. (Peeps the site, folks!)
