featured maker: Collection of Collections

Photo Credit: Nadia Sumac

Collection of Collections is a New Orleans studio that offers creative solutions through art and design. Some things we love about the team include their abundant garden, the ceaseless research they put in to their work, and their dope personal style. We are blessed to be friends with Kurston and Jeremy and their passion for design is a huge inspiration to us! Enjoy their generous interview below.

Tell us about yourselves, How did your brand come to fruition?

Kurston: As I’d like to say we’re partners in life, love and creativity. Lol. I’m originally from NC with deep ancestral roots in New Orleans/Louisiana. My background is in marketing, project management but I’ve always dabbled in creativity since high school - I was really into fashion and writing poetry/short stories. In college I took a lot of classes outside my public relations major - film and art history, literature, and graphic design.

Jeremy: I’ve always loved art, drawing, and tinkering since I was kid. I had a collection of comic books, trading cards, rocks, and toys. I went to college for illustration, but explored other art forms in school - graphic design, printmaking, painting, visual storytelling, art history.

Collection of Collections actually started after we moved in together and we realized how much sh*t we collectively had. We joked that we had a “collection of collections”. Our love of collecting started for both of us in childhood. We started selling Jeremy’s original artwork and prints, gently loved home decor and jewelry at local markets. Then in 2016, we decided to merge our talents and start our own creative studio. We felt like the name still works since we offer a range of services from graphic design to illustration to painting to creative consulting to gardening to writing.

Where do you collect the gems you’ve found for your home?

Our childhood homes, travels, antique and vintage shops, our maker/artist friends, yard sales, gifts from loved ones.

If you could spend one day with any artist/designer/musician etc who would it be? What would y’all do?

Kurston: Can I say two? I’m really in my mom bag these days. Lol. But I’ve been following these two since before I was even a mom. Elise Peterson, she’s an artist and founder of Cool Moms and Beth Birkett of Bephies Beauty Supply and Union Los Angeles, she’s an art director, stylist, and mom. I’m so inspired by their work and ability to balance motherhood and creativity. We’d probably have a play date at the park with our kids, maybe go to a museum, take a walk, cook a meal together then after the kids go to bed have a little chill girls’ sesh.

Jeremy: Hmm that’s a hard question to answer. I have so many interests and I’d invite multiple people to a garden party. I’m really into cybersecurity right now so I’d definitely invite Kody Kinzie. Definitely Pearl Fryar. We visited his topiary garden a few years ago and it was life changing. I’d also invite Tuff Leung, HAMCUS designer. His clothes are functional and let me become a character that I would draw.

Any dishes you're currently cooking?

Kurston: During quarantine I started baking a lot. I’ve gotten really good at making biscuits. I was also pregnant and craving baked goods all the time.

Jeremy: Anything with chicken. I’m working on my deboning a whole chicken technique.

Photo credit: Dung “Donkey” Nguyen

The pandemic has forced every industry to change/adapt , what has been the most exciting development?

Kurston: Slowing down. Being more intentional.

Jeremy: Fine-tuning the skills that you already have. In the process of doing that you’re re-awakening your own creativity.

Have you picked up some surprising hobbies/rituals during this increased time at home?

Kurston: I didn’t necessarily pick anything up, but more so re-discovered my hobbies - gardening, collaging. A fun ritual after having a baby is reading my collection of indie magazines to him. I also boxed my whole pregnancy, literally up until I went into labor.

Jeremy: I’ve been scratching my tinkering bug. During quarantine I constructed an RC car. Right now I’m working on putting together a 3D printer.

What are you currently listening to?

Kurston: Lofi, chill beats.

Jeremy: Grime. Instructional videos lol.

How has parenthood changed your approach to design/creation?

Kurston: We want to start making our own collection of things, exploring the different art forms we work in. Giving ourselves time to just create and ideate. We love working with clients and bringing their visions to life, but we also want to start doing the same for ourselves. Working from home while raising a baby has its challenges but also has its many rewarding moments. Parenting is super hands-on and we want to apply that to the studio. Personally, I find that I’ve been trying to figure out the balance between motherhood, day-to-day work and finding room for my own creativity.

Jeremy: Getting back to basics, deconstructing design in our everyday lives. Rethinking our process.

What advice would you give to creatives looking to launch their own business?

Kurston: Find out what differentiates you from industry peers, your value proposition. You don’t have to follow trends.

Jeremy: Learn how to step outside yourself. Put your work out there - some people will love it and some people won’t. Understand the importance of critiques. You can’t get better at fighting without taking a few punches. I’d like to thank our boxing training for that.

Photo credit: Nadia Sumac

Photo credit: Dung “Donkey” Nguyen