Siri Carlén’s art is consistently crafty and honest, often the brush strain is clearly visible. Her work is based on techniques and materials rather than visions, and the final result is something that emerges during the work.

– This is very important to me. I hate working digitally and avoid it as far as possible. To me, the joy of art is in my body and in my hands. Perfection is overrated and I’d rather do a lot of pieces than just a few good. I work intuitively and try to avoid reviewing or hold myself back, she says. Working this way is more than a stylistic question, it is my way to maintain my creativity.

Like many others with creative professions, Siri Carlén suffers from performance anxiety.

– In the past, I always had my periods, either dazzling or productive. But since I had my children, my perception of time has changed and I have found strategies to take better care of time and control my different emotions. I have become more aware of my own process and that I shift between being hybris and despise. I easily start new projects, and have a very good vibe in the beginning of something. It can almost be a euphoric feeling. But after a whilte into the project there comes a long time of doubt. During that period, I have to try to just keep going and don’t think to much, it’s the only thing that works for me.

Since Siri is aware that she struggles with completing her projects, she often has several jobs running at the same time. That way, she can put some projects on hold, when they feel overwhelming. This is also a way to make the anxiety of separation, which often occurs when a project is over, more bearable.

– I have learned that I need to have projects that overlap each other, in that way it feels less empty when it’s over. To me, a break or a couple of days off can be very stressful, because sometimes my passivity leads to anxiety and then it can be difficult to get back on my feet again. Therefore, it’s important to always have easy access to small projects where I can work with my hands.

How was your time at Konstfack?

– The courses Konstfack offered, didn’t really match me and my interests and sometimes I had a hard time staying motivated. I liked listening to presentations and probably learned most when I had my presentation about my internship, which is something I had great use of after my degree. If I look back and think about my creativity at that point, I found it hard to find my own expression and go my own way at that time.

Your work has mainly been formed by illustrations, but you have also created three-dimensional artwork. In addition, you work with many different types of clients, from commercial companies to children’s book writers. How do you define yourself as an artist?

– At first I thought it was bad for me that my work didn’t have a clear concept but I’m enthusiastic and have always relied on my joy in working creativily, to keep me going. I’ve never had trouble finding inspiration. On the other hand, I think not having a job title can be a little complicated, it has confused me sometimes. I have never felt like I’m just an illustrator, artist or designer. The more assignments and projects I make the safer I become in my own expertise. I like to work big, rough and unfiltered. Therefore, window painting has felt so incredibly fun! I look forward making things even bigger.

But doing physically big projects is not always easy. Siri has three children, therefore she wants the projects to be easily accessible and easy to storage when the kids get home. Her children are great sources of inspiration in Siri Carlén’s work. She aims to make creative pieces to children, for example illustrations for children’s books.

– I got my first child at the preparatory art school, before Konstfack. Therefore, I am used to always have children around me. To always have them present when I’m working has affected what I do. I have been absorbed by family life for a long period of time and I’ve tried to be inspired by that. I’m not that complicated in my work, I like working with what’s around me. Now, since my children has grown older, it suddenly has opened up a lot of extra time and opportunities. It has been explosive to me! And, of course, it feels fun to show my children myself as a person who has a strong interest and who lives both inside and outside of the family.  Not only the children, but Siri herself can be found in her art. In the series”Mitt liv i revy”,  she shows illustrations of her life from her birth year 1986 to the year of 2009. There is no doubt this series is about her. But Siri thinks she is visible in all of her works, even in those she is not the main character of.

– All my work is always drawn with my hand, I am always present in some way and I think you can recognise that in my work.

Siri Carlén gets inspiration from herself, her children and her surroundings. There is nothing she does’t want to take inspiration from, but she wishes to work more politically in her art.

– In times like these, I think it’s important to take a stand. But of course, it’s difficult to force an artistic practice. On the other hand, my creation is a deep feminist struggle for me personally, because I allow myself to be an artist, work a lot and take credit for it. I dare to be a woman who focus on my career and still being able to be a good mother. That’s not an uncomplicated assignment and therefore it is both important and difficult.

I understand that you are inspired by everything around you. But how does it work in practice? How do you choose what to work with?

– Production cures my performance anxiety and it’s therefore important to always have access to materials that are easy to work with. As an illustrator you can’t be picky with who you choose to work with, I say yes to most job requests. I’m actually still surprised by the fact that I don’t need an extra job. That was really not something I was expecting. I follow my first instincts when it comes to new ideas and my broad expression has been an asset.

According to Siri, most of her work processes are quite similar to each other, whether it’s a clothes print, a pattern for an advertising poster or a book illustration.

– When my work involves other people, we meet up to talk and check reference images. I don’t like to sketch new ideas, I always try to find something else that can describe what we are looking for. After the meeting, I make some tests that I send to the company I work with and they give me feedback. It has been very fun working against companies and design teams. Getting to know their visions and trying to bring it together to an expression, has been both fun and a little frightening. It’s always so surreal to see my analogue drawing being produced.

Very soon, we will introduce a collaboration with Siri, but that christmas gift will stay a secret for a little while longer.