Benconservato: Solo Exhibit (With Giveaway!)

When I first saw the work of artist Emma Kidd, the genius behind Benconservato, I was quite genuinely taken aback. There is an other-worldly quality to her work that is almost dream-like: shifting boundaries, strange creatures, unusual pairings.

The piece above, titled “Monkey Portrait,” is an original oil painting on a rounded-corner canvas. But Emma is an artist inclined to work in many mediums. Take, for example, the following illustration called “Wind Powered Biosphere,” done in ink and gouache.

Another gouache piece, this one by the name of “Sleep Walker Monster,” is an exact replica of something that, I swear, lived under my bed from the ages of 5 to 7. Little Beatrice was terrified of this guy, but the adult Beatrice has come to find him endearing and, admittedly, she misses him a bit.

Perhaps it’s these less traditional renditions of animals and her use of monsters and mythical-like creatures that really speaks to me.  The 12 “mini monsters” below would be stunning as a set together in a child’s room. Or terrifying, depending on the child. Fine, I want them for my room.

What I find most admirable about Benconservato, though, is that Emma has pulled off what only the finest Etsians can: she has a wide variety of work (originals, prints, sewn cuffs, zines, illustrations, etc.), but it all stands together clearly as a collection. Each piece clearly comes from Ms. Kidd’s distinct point of view and bears her unique artistic style, regardless of how varied it seems from the previous piece.

From monsters to bears: take a look at “Bear in China,” a digital print of a gouache painting done over a page from a Chinese calendar.

Emma’s pieces do not ignore the conceptual aspect of visual art, either. One of my favorite listings is a professionally printed postcard of the print “The Last Book.”

Curator B: Could you explain where your shop name comes from and how you chose it?

My shop name originates from when I made jam for a living on top of working in hospitality (which, at that time I honestly thought I wanted to do mainly that). I had been to Italy and had a love affair with learning the language (try to get me to speak it now, appalling!). So it was “ben conservato” which means “well preserved”. I always stuck the two words together. I liked the name so much, I just continue to use it.

Curator B: Please give us a brief bio of your life and career in the arts. When did you first know that you were an artist?

I supposedly always drew and painted. I always wanted to be in the “arts” somehow. I liked dancing and acting etc. But this one suits my hermit, timid side more. I knew when I just couldn’t give it up and was getting enough recognition to not. I always did it no matter what I was doing for “work”. Except now I am a lot more motivated to be in exhibitions and working in all my free time, which I can’t say I did in the past.

Curator B: How long have you been selling on Etsy? What made you decide to set up shop there?

The big Etsy question. I am sure, in the earlier days of Etsy, I tossed up whether I wanted to sell like that. Paying fees, if the site was worth the fees. I bought things before I started selling. I have been registered since December 2006. It is the best site in my opinion now for traffic and how it is known.

Curator B: What/who are your biggest inspirations as an artist?

The internet gives you inspiration overload. But I do get inspired by people I have direct contact with either face to face or virtually. Sometimes it is just their work ethic, sometimes it is their astounding work nearly always all of the above. Some names: Mandy Ord, Eugène Dodeigne, Alain Buyse, Julie Knoblock, Flossy-P, Wil Freeborn (Ghostschool), Penny Eager (pocketcarnival), Heidi Burton, Caroline Gaedechens, David Bessent, Kirsten Klein, Samantha Szaza, Anna-Denise Van der Reijden, Renée French, Marty Harris, Lapin, Laura Martin Ansa, Marina Grechanik, Helena Tay, Samantha Battersby, Jan Allsopp, Lynne Lamb… I’m going to stop there.

Curator B: You seem to work in a variety of mediums–do you have a favorite?

I do like gouache, I like that it can be transparent or opaque. I do use more and more ink again these days too.

Curator B: Could you tell us a bit about your studio/workspace? (If you have a picture that would be great; if not, no big deal!)

Oh no… my little space is a little sad really so no photos. If it is warmer I work outside. I am in the corner of my small living room at the moment. I have attached a photo of my work space in France, it was nice. Very light and roomy at the end there.

Curator B: I know your art is sold and featured quite a bit outside of Etsy; could you tell us a bit about the other places we might find your work?

In galleries? At the moment I am in an exhibition about Ern Malley at the Heide Museum of Modern Art (Victoria, Australia) which is an amazing opportunity. I participate in a variety of moleskine exchanges http://www.flickr.com/groups/moly_x/ , I have some ACEOs at LeeLoo.com.au , I have just been chosen to be in an exhibition of decorated piggybanks… and I am crossing my fingers to get into Finders Keepers (Sydney) in December. Otherwise I am on Lomography.com (grifter is my name) which I also love to play with. Photography was always my first love.

Emma has generously offered to give one lucky Stalker the following Gocco print, one she has not listed in her Etsy shop. This is a rare opportunity, my friends:

To enter, click on over to Benconservato, stalk around in the shop a bit, and then return here to share with us your favorite piece in her shop. Which one really speaks to you? Why? One entry per person, please. The winner will be chosen at random next Sunday, September 13th at 5:00 PST.

Good luck, and happy stalking!