Charlavail Interview Bonus Content.

This is the bonus content from the email interview I did with Charlavail (charlavail.tumblr.com) back in early December 2010.

-Kimberly Hoyos (wonderstruck-wanderlust.tumblr.com / @kimberlymhoyos)

full name/origin/preferred name: Charla Vail Effron. Charla is a family name and Vail comes from where I was conceived. A little personal but too comical not to share. I prefer Charlavail or Vail.

consider your job to be?: Artist/Entrepreneur

how was high school/college?: High school taught me a lot about the kind of person I wanted to be. I don’t like to criticize any teenager because those are some of the most difficult years of your life and every person handles it differently. A few times I got caught up in gossip circles and it didn’t take long to learn that I absolutely didn’t want a part of that. I never belonged to a “click” but found myself friends with individuals apart from their clicks. I liked bold personalities that were far different from my own. I wore what I wanted and maybe for a while it was to be different but eventually it was just for myself, no other reason. I didn’t party, drink, do drugs, play video games, pray habitually or do sports, which ruled out a lot of commonalities friendships are usually built upon. I enjoyed spending time by myself, reading or painting.

After taking a semester off, I did two years of Pastry School at Valencia Community College and I loved it. I consider retaking classes just for fun. I took a class called “Cookies”. It doesn’t get better than that.

what do you do in your time off?: As of late I haven’t had too much time off but I’ll squeeze in a few hours at Wizarding World every few weeks. I like to go to theme parks and study the architecture and production.

do you have any hobbies?: Thrifting, dyeing my hair, crafting, napping.

art/skull clips

how do your friends and family support and influence your art?: They are my support system. I think my dad was hesitant for a long time just because he cares and he didn’t want to see me pursue a career in which the odds of failing are so high. But now that I’m witnessing some success and he’s seen that I will continue to be a hard head and push forward he’s more on board. My mom is as big of a dreamer as I am and has never doubted me. The two of us can sit for hours and talk about elaborate ideas that to most would seem massively impractical. My friends haven’t punched me in the face yet for talking about the bakery nonstop and for that I am eternally grateful.

what form or medium did you first get into?: Play-doh.

what is your favorite to work with and why?: I’m not sure I have a favorite. I get tired of working with the same medium rather quickly and I have to switch it up. Building supplies are my new preference: wood, plaster, plastic, etc.

were you interested in art as a child?: Yes

when did you realize you had creative talent? and that you wanted to pursue it?: I always knew. I didn’t always know how I wanted to apply it but I knew whatever my career ended up being it would allow creativity.

what does art mean to you?: I see art as my way of processing everything around me. I’m constantly absorbing and admiring the world around me. I take it in, process it and regurgitate my interpretation.

do you ever have “artist’s block”?: Most definitely. Especially when it comes to the bakery because it has to be art that I’m going to love for a long time and the pressure freaks me out.

how do you stay inspired?: There are things in my life I know I want to do and I know in order to be able to do these things I have to continue on this path. All it takes for me is a photo of somewhere I’d like to visit and my inspiration meter goes right back to “maximum level”.

will you make more sugar skulls?: No. I’m tempted to but the last time I made them I told people it was my last time and I don’t want to be a liar. I may have them manufactured but I’m not sure yet.

bakery

was this always your main plan? if not what were the other plans?: The four years previous to the bakery epiphany I wanted to be a set designer. I’ll have that job some day, just taking an unconventional route.

what would you do at the bakery? would you be there?: Boss lady. I would oversee everything making sure it’s running as planned. I don’t want any other job title because that would take away from me being able to supervise. And I’ll absolutely be there! I don’t see me leaving (or caring to leave) for the first 3-5 years. I’ll be there as often as possible, meeting people and loving every minute of it.

feel/mood of the bakery?: Magic.

did you ever feel like quitting?: There are most definitely days when I’m tempted to jump on the next flight to Alaska but the irrational voice in my head finally shuts up and I go back to remembering quitting is not an option.

how do you stay positive?: Just just.. just look! At everything. It’s so wonderful.

what do you do on a bad day?: Indulge in coffee ice cream and blast Manchester Orchestra. I also do this on good days.

if the bakery is successful will you make it or at least consider making it a franchise?: Possibly. I imagine I’ll want to work on new projects but the unknown is also a big part of the excitement with the bakery. We’ll see!

internet/standing out

why do you think that you have so many followers? how did you go from being unknown to being ‘internet famous’?: I have a few from my Lady Gaga cake, a fair amount from Hayleyween, and others because I’m Blake’s girlfriend, and some because I have pastel hair but I like to believe that there are still quite a few following me for me.

what was your tumblr originally for?: Just a blog, for myself. No special reason.

has it helped or hurt you and your growth as an artist?: Helped tremendously! It’s changed everything. I didn’t anticipate this sort of support system prior to the bakery opening.

did you ever expect this to happen?: Not like this and not so soon.

what are your general feelings about the internet?: I love love love it. It’s so magical to me to be able to inspire so many people and connect with people all over the world.

have you ever felt the pressure to be perfect since there are so many people watching you?: I don’t know about perfect. I think a lot of the reason people like me is because I’m not perfect. I try to not be so critical of myself, it’s bad energy. I’m hardly as confident as I seem online, I’m still on this slow journey of learning to love and be happy with myself.

how have you been able to distinguish yourself from all of the other young artists online?: I just try to do my own thing and stay true to myself. I kind of avoid looking at other young artist out of fear of subconsciously copying their art.

you and your overall identity are very distinct, have you ever striven for some sort of identity?: I don’t think I’ve striven for it but like I said about my art, just stayed true to myself. Not afraid to wear what I want, do my hair however I’d like or like the things I like. My interests are all over the map and the combination of these things result in me being this slightly awkward, eccentric individual.

hair

when did you decide to start dying it?: I’ve been dyeing my hair shades of brown, blonde and red since I was 16 but it wasn’t until a little over a year ago when I started dabbling in unnatural hair colors.

What was its’ original color?:

It was blonde before I started dyeing it but I think it’s a light brown now with the potential of being blonde from the sun.

what are people’s reactions to the colors? (family, friends, strangers) any funny experiences?: They usually like it. Sometimes I mess up and we’ll all just laugh. I get curious stares from little kids. Many times I’ve had adults be rude to me because of it but I just smile at them. Funniest reactions have been from kids. One little girl repeatedly hit her sister trying to get her attention and show her my hair before I walked out of sight.

how do you keep it healthy?: I avoid using heat as much as possible. And people seem to think I’m constantly doing chemical damage but the colors I use are temporary and don’t damage your hair. It’s the equivalent of food coloring. I wait for the color to wash out and then dye it another. Bleach is what does the most damage and I haven’t bleached it for months.

what color have you dyed it that’s been your favorite?: I can never pick a favorite which is why it changes so frequently but I do love the seafoam green.



inspiration/role model talk

who were your role models growing up? and who are they now?: I don’t really recall having role models growing up other than my parents. I think there’s a difference between a role model and someone you’re inspired by. I can’t think of anyone I’d like to “imitate” but I’m inspired by other young adults doing what they love.

how does it feel when people call you their inspiration? what is your immediate reaction?: It’s surreal. I read it but I’m not always sure I completely absorb it. It’s a mixture of feelings: excited, flattered, intimidated. I still can’t believe how many people consider me an inspiration, it will forever surprise me. My modest side really struggles with being able to take credit and I don’t want that to come off as being unappreciative or stuck up.

do you have any style role models?:I adore Emily Browning’s style.

            describe your style: I’m currently in the process of defining my style more to help make it match the bakery. I want to dress cute, flattering and classy.

what inspires your art the most?: French pastries, milk glass, Switzerland, 60’s colors.

who is your favorite artist and why?: Dr. Seuss forever and ever. His artwork is so distinguishable and to be able to accomplish that is incredible. Not to mention he was a genius and it shows in all his work.



what do you do with the trinkets you are sent?: I keep them all. I have them in my room. The clothes, I wear, and the trinkets, I admire.

how have you stayed so down to earth?: I’ll give my mom credit for this one. I’m just a happy person, being anything other than nice would be unnatural.

what makes you happiest?: Family, friends, chai tea.

Travel

where have you gone?: In June I went to Alaska and that was my 50th state. I’ve been to Canada a few times, France, Switzerland and the UK.

why did you go to Alaska? how long had you planned it in advance?: My friend Sam DeSantis (whom at the time I had only hung out with on three brief occasions) messaged me and asked if I’d go to Alaska with her. I didn’t even hesitate to say yes but had to calm myself down because I had so many doubts that it would actually happen. Sam’s Grandma was also trying to get Sam not to get her hopes up because no one goes to Alaska for a month and she was sure I’d back out. I didn’t ask any questions I just bought the plane ticket and trusted Sam. We stayed with her second cousin for a month and it was one of the best trips of my life.

where have you been the most inspired from?: This is one of the hardest questions in this interview. Traveling is hands down my favorite thing. Of all time. Ever. Each place inspires me differently and also inspires different things. Some places inspire how I want to live my life, what I’d like to do in the future or the bakery. But if I had to choose, I think Switzerland inspires me the most.

how are you able to travel constantly if you are saving money?: It has always been my plan to get a loan for the bakery. I never imagined trying to save up my own money. Most small businesses rely on investment money. So up until recently it wasn’t necessarily my mission to save my money. If I was trying to save money it was so I could use it on another trip. I always got so much grief for that and it was so unjustified. I worked for my money and it was mine to use it however I pleased. If I announced that money was being set aside for a particular use then I’d stay true to my word. Like the Kickstarter money, that is not my money, it’s the bakery’s. And it has not been touched, it’s still there for the aprons. Some people have their minds made up that I’m a spoiled child but truth is I paid for all my trips with the exception of family vacations. My dad provides me with somewhere to live and a car to drive but other than that I pay for myself. He continues to help me financially as long as I’m working towards the bakery. I managed to do so much traveling by flying standby and staying with friends or at hostels.

Charla’s tips to travel cheap:

Airtranu offers fantastic standby prices for 18-22 year olds

Megabus is an extremely cheap bus and has air conditioning, outlets and wifi. Huge fan.

Hosteling International

where has your favorite place been?: This is too hard but possibly Alaska and I think only because I was there for so long and it began to feel like home.

where to next?: I don’t think I’ll be doing any traveling any time soon. I let myself travel these past couple years because I know once the bakery opens I won’t be able to do so, but now it’s work time.

Music: In all honesty, I really don’t listen to much music. I like Manchester Orchestra, Ellie Goulding, Suckerpunch soundtrack and whatever my friends listen to when I hang out with them.



Miscellaneous:

where do you see yourself in 10 years?: Sculpting miniature sets for a Tim Burton claymation film.

what is the biggest goal you’ve achieved thus far? or are working towards?: Selling and producing 1000 skulls. That was the most time consuming, physically draining project I’ve ever worked on. I’m so proud. Sam and I did a fabulous job.

what is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your life?: Being honest and ethical.

if you could live in any other time period which would you choose?: 60’s! But just for a little while so I could gather a bunch of clothes and bring them back to the present with me.



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