LC: Thank you so much for allowing us to share your propagation stations here at Local! In six years, this is the first work of its kind and we're so happy to have them. Let's start at the beginning of this journey as such an interesting story. How did you begin working in this space?

Chris: No, thank you!! It has definitely been a slow progression into woodworking, but picking up steam over the last couple years. I’ve always loved working with my hands and building things since I was young. The quarantines over the past few years gave me some extra time to become more comfortable with wood, and the tools, to begin experimenting building some things!

LC: Please tell us how working in this medium has made you feel as I have to believe that the transformation from raw materials to a beautifully finished product is an extremely cathartic process.

Chris: It certainly is! It’s amazing to see the wood go from a very rough material, to a silky smooth and very solid feeling end product. Each step cleans up the rough edges, creates more definition in the piece, and brings out the natural beauty of the wood. It is also a very tactile hobby, each species has its own weight, grain, and smell as you work on it, really immersing you into the craft. After a long day of staring at a screen, it’s quite relaxing to bring something to life.

LC: Tell us about the types of woods that you seek out and are there any particular favorites?

Chris: I am still very new to this and exploring the world of hardwoods, but the most prevalent ones in my current work are Maple, Mahogany, Cherry, Paduak, and Purpleheart. Out of those Paduak (the bright orang-ish/red one) is my favorite. There is something about the vibrance contrasting your typical browns of many other woods that always catches my eye. With that being said I love shopping at the wood supplier and seeing what new types I can try. The latest round of propagation stations will include a species called Wormy Maple, which has a really unique pattern.

LC: Perhaps a funny question but what has been the most interesting cutting or plant that has made its way into one of the stations?

Chris: A true staple in most of my propagation stations is the Pothos, featured on the walls in the coffee shop today! That being said one of the more exciting plants is definitely a Monstera Deliciosa plant (also known as a swiss cheese plant), with broad, bright green leaves and large fenestrations! I absolutely LOVE seeing the creativity of what everyone else puts in them, so shoot me a message on Instagram with your best décor!

LC: You included a philanthropic cause in this exhibition. Why is this important to you?

Chris: The root and name behind the company comes from my Mini Australian Shepherd, Evie, who I adopted about 8 years ago from a truly horrible shelter in the south. Since then I’ve always tried to be a big advocate for both pet adoption and animal sanctuaries in general. Having a hobby that allows me to both enjoy building new things and give back to charities is truly a win win!

LC: As a fellow canine enthusiast, I love that your heart is in this place as well. Tell us about Evie :)

Chris: I touched on this a little above, but Evie is one of the most unique dogs you’ll ever meet. Her experiences before I adopted her continue to impact her to this day so she is definitely not an average dog. She loves long walks, and carrying around her stuffed toys to show off to the neighborhood, and drinking water (weird, I know)!

LC: What is your favorite coffee or tea beverage?

Chris: While tea is always a morning staple, I have been slowly increasing my coffee intake over the years. While I’m still in the minor leagues (hello lattes <3), I am slowly becoming a more adventurous drinker! I will continue to work my way through the Local Coffee Menu in the coming months!

See more from Chris on his Instagram Page here

LC: Janette, we first connected more than a year ago when the concept of showing your work at Local was first discussed. What I remember from that call is that we were on the phone for more than an hour (which is a rarity these days) and it was the most honest and enjoyable conversation I had in a long time. You have this pure form of communicating that both made me laugh but also made me feel better about some of my own thoughts. Have you always been this forthcoming in your dialogue?

JA: We totally clicked. Our phone conversation was great. But seeing you in action at Local it’s pretty obvious you have a talent for making people feel comfortable. It may be one of those, “it ain't me, it’s you” type of things. However, you are right that I’m pretty candid. I have a tendency to lead with letting people know I’m not on 100% footing on many things. I’ve been joking around lately saying that in a job interview when asked what are some of my weaknesses I’d say, “I’m wrong a lot of time.” Thankfully, I’m self-employeed. Also, I’m super cool until I totally panic. I like to tell people I’m the person that you’ll have to shake and slap a few times when things get in a high stress situation. Even though I like to lead with my mess, at times, I do have my crap together (sort of) but I like to connect with people on the interesting and funny stuff... the struggle that’s where I relate.

LC: I love this approach because I can tell immediately when either a person, a brand OR anything else for that matter tries to be or do something that they do not have the experience or right to express. Think this is part of the beauty of growing up in NYC... most of us can immediately sense authenticity or lack of it. How did your childhood and/or formidable years contribute to you being so real?

JA: That is 100% why when I moved to New York City 25+ years ago, I knew I had found home. I grew up with two cultures that strongly believe in manners over truth. The Iranian culture (my dad) and Texans (my mom) have may subtle mannerism which always left me wondering what was the truth. In New York if they like you knew it, if they wanted you to get the fuck out of the way, you knew it. I loved it!

LC: OK so I was setting you up with questions number 1 + 2...tell me how this honesty translates into your craft and expressing yourself in your art?

JA: Honestly, I have no idea. I think I’m trying to work out something in all these lines but I’m not sure. I paint in my attic listening to music. It’s meditative for the most but part but I do get frustrated at times because I can’t draw a perfect cat or deer or something like that but then I just move back on to my abstract line drawings. I try to balance the colors and find depth and balance as I draw each line with yard sticks. I try to perfect some things and destroy others as a progress. I think about my family, friends, kids, my past, crazy times, marketing art, and grand ideas of being an artist as a grow old. I'm really simply painting because I have always wanted to but also always found a reason not to until now. I’m just doing it.

LC: Tell us about this work you chose to share -

JA: Right now, I have a total of what I think of as four collections of work. The first, are in a minimalism style and fall into the Gerhard Ricther area (people say). I love these but some may I think they are too simple. Surprisingly these are ones I get the most purchase requests for on Instagram. I haven’t been able to part with them yet. Next, is the plaid series. These are the most fun to paint and look pretty cool in person but I didn’t think they are complex enough. The third, are leaning into cubism. I don’t have enough of them for a collection plus I just sold one of these yesterday so I have even less now. The forth, Linear Motion, is what I selected to exhibit because they are what I’ve been experimenting with most lately. I think they capture where I’m at with my painting at the moment. A combination of all of the other collection trying to fit into one space and be seen.

LC: I can tell you how much I appreciate it as it just seems so timely right this very moment. There is so much going on right now...so many distractions..so many directions but it is ultimately up to each of us to make sense of all of it. Also, these paths/lines can be quite chaotic but if you step back and breathe, they can also be quite beautiful based on your interpretation. I've gotten more comfortable with this concept as of late. In my best Wendy Williams voice, how you doin' (through all of this)?

JA: I think the painting capture how I’m doing. The lines are stationary yet there is a lot motion.

LC: Alrighty then...I know you are quite busy so I'll save the rest of my questions for when I see you next. But before you go, critical inquiry - what is your favorite coffee or tea beverage?

JA: Black coffee in the US. Black tea in Iran.

Learn more about Janette here and find her on Instagram @janetteafsharian.art