In celebration of NJ Makers Day, I reached out to local maker and mom (!!) Lindsey Shevkun Aguayo of Indigo Road Studio for an interview because, well, I'm obsessed with her. I stumbled upon some of her textile work on Facebook and it's absolutely beautiful. Read on to find out more about where she gets her inspiration, how motherhood has helped her evolve as an artist and maker, how she finds balance between art and motherhood, how she encourages her own children's creative tendencies, and to check out some of her amazing work.
What is your background and how did you get started with Indigo Road Studio?
While acquiring my Bachelor of Science in Art Education at Temple University's Tyler School of Art, I was trained in various aspects of Visual Arts. Augmenting my training, I greatly benefited from a year abroad studying art in Rome, where I gained first-hand exposure to the works of Italian masters. After graduating from Temple in 2007, I secured a position as an art teacher at Plainfield High School teaching a variety of art courses. At that point, I felt it necessary to continue my own personal practice of producing and exhibiting art because it kept the energy in my classroom alive. Likewise, teaching was influencing my art. Shortly thereafter, I launched Lindsey Shevkun Fine Arts and began marketing and selling my art in 2008 primarily focusing on furniture and abstract mixed media paintings. After returning from a two year maternity leave this past September 2018, I decided to rebrand to "Indigo Road Studio" and begin my journey into the world of Textile Art.
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| Some of Lindsey's recent textile work |
Where did the name "Indigo Road Studio" come from?
The color Indigo is representative of a few aspects relevant to my art practice. Indigo is a color of intuition and perception, promoting deep concentration and right brain creative activity. Not only do I simply love the color, but the meaning felt fitting for the mental space I find myself in while creating.
Tell us a little more about your evolution as an artist - from paintings/furniture to textiles.
Creating art has always been a therapeutic process for me and always came from just a deep internal desire to make things. Regardless of the medium, my work has always had a strong focus on color and texture along with a piece that had a functional purpose.
The first chapter of my artistic career focused around abstract paintings and restored and painted furniture that was coated with resin. After a few years of teaching, I initiated a ceramics program at the high school and this began to slightly influence my work. Intrigued by mixed media works, I began incorporating mosaic and tile on furniture as well as wood canvases.
In 2014 and 2017 I (along with my very supportive husband) created my greatest masterpieces of all - my sons Leo and Roman. Becoming a mother pulled me away from producing art for a few years. This past September I decided to return to work as an art teacher and began searching for a new art medium that would be friendly to work with while my sons were nearby. This led me to textile work.
After teaching a lesson on weaving using cardboard looms, I had the desire to create a tapestry for my dining room. So, I built a loom and another loom and another (...) I began investigating wool and cotton yarns , different style stitches, and whatever else I needed to know to create the visions I had in my mind. Of course having a desire for mixed media elements, most recently I began exploring ways to add porcelain clay textures into tapestry for a unique visual play with color and texture.
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| A sampling of Lindsey's work throughout the years |
Do you have a dedicated studio space in your home?
Currently, my entire house is becoming my studio. Fortunately, I am able to move looms around from one room to another so that I can still be around my children and be involved with them while I also work. Down the road, I do envision a separate studio space when my children are a bit older.
What's your favorite piece you've ever created?
It is a challenge to pick one favorite. All my work is meaningful and representative of different aspects of my life. Although, there is a set of dining chairs that I wish I never sold and would love to have in my dining room! They were a set of 6 antique chairs; I replaced the seated area with wood instead of cushion, stripped them all down, painted with a very detailed Aztec type print in a secondary color theme and coated with a gorgeous thick resin layer to make it appear like glass.
 Lindsey's favorite dining chairs |
You took 2 years of maternity leave while your children were young - what was your creative outlet during that time? Did you feel stifled or did you emerge from it even more inspired?
Yes! There was definitely a feeling of my creativity being stifled. Don't get me wrong, I love being a mother... but creative people just need to create. A little creative endeavor was started through making sensory bins with intricate themes and colored rice for my sons. It was fun for all of us. Short-lived creative escapes were made into the kitchen to cook so that I could be creative in some form. Ideas were built up for a few years, so I did emerge from it even more inspired! Motherhood also gives me motivation to be a role model for my children. It's been a struggle recently to pull myself away from my work!
 Lindsey at work |
What's your favorite way to encourage your kids' creative tendencies?
Sketchbooks, collaging, gluing, cardboard sculptures, painters tape... All you need to do is provide toddlers with interesting and fun materials, a safe place to make a mess, and their imaginations will take flight!
 A sensory bin Lindsey created for her children |
What are your favorite places to bring your kids to help them explore their creativity and art in general?
I mostly do at-home projects with them right now! But I love Fire Me Up in Cranford, Hot Sand in Asbury Park, and the Children's Museum of the Arts in Manhattan!
 Lindsey and her sons at the Children's Museum of the Arts |
Where do you sell your artwork?
Currently I am selling by word of mouth and through social media, primarily Facebook and Instagram (@indigo_road_studio). In the past, I have sold in local shops, street fairs, and art festivals. Later this year, I'm hoping to find a few stores for my weavings and participate in some art festivals or street fairs.
Anything else you'd like to share as an artist/creator/maker/momboss?
Don't let hurdles in life stop you from doing what you dream of doing. Keep on going whenever you find the time, the space, and the proper balance. Once the opportunity arises, if you have prepared for it as best as you possibly could, then everything else will fall into place.
"Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity."
Feeling inspired? NEED one of these in your own home? (I know I do!!) Check out more of Lindsey's work on Facebook and Instagram @indigo_road_studio or contact her for a custom piece!
AND check out this list of local spots to celebrate NJ Makers Day this weekend!
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