Pen & Surface: Tuesday Bassen

The LA-based illustrator talks to us about her inspiration and her new retail space called Friend Mart.

Art 
15.3K 0 Comments

Today’s artists often build their presence with viral installations or Instagrammable work. They might even take their craft the traditional route with increasingly publicized and progressively larger gallery shows. Los Angeles-based illustrator, Tuesday Bassen, has gone completely against convention by opening a store in LA. Called Friend Mart, the space is making her pastel-colored, feel-good social commentary accessible to the masses (no pretentious art curators involved) on everything from pins to T-shirts to home goods. The store itself is almost as unconventional as Tuesday’s decision to open it in the first place. While many other brands are playing it safe with an online-only presence, Friend Mart is located on a quiet block of LA’s Chinatown neighborhood, away from the trends of glitzier neighborhoods but still welcoming those who seek it out, with bright hues and good vibes.

For the second installment of our Pen & Surface artist series, we spoke with Tuesday from her combination studio and fulfillment center, where a handful of quiet associates run her online operations. Tuesday explains that her art is meant to inspire and empower young women, and in the future she hopes to be able to use Friend Mart as a platform to help emerging talent and host events for the art community.

Watch the complete video above to see Tuesday do a digital rendition of the HYPEBEAST logo and hear more about her work, then hit up the Surface website for more information.

Read Full Article

What to Read Next

Frank Ocean & Earl Sweatshirt's "Super Rich Kids" Gets an Alessia Cara Cover
Music

Frank Ocean & Earl Sweatshirt's "Super Rich Kids" Gets an Alessia Cara Cover

The ‘Channel Orange’ standout gets a rework by Alessia and co.

Quartersnacks Releases 2016 Fall Merch Collection
Fashion

Quartersnacks Releases 2016 Fall Merch Collection

Modeled by the staff writers’ uncles.

Lanvin and MR PORTER Launch an Exclusive Capsule Collection
Fashion

Lanvin and MR PORTER Launch an Exclusive Capsule Collection

Celebrating Lucas Ossendrijver’s 10th anniversary with Lanvin Homme.

Take a Look at What Really Happens at the Victoria's Secret Angel Fittings
Fashion

Take a Look at What Really Happens at the Victoria's Secret Angel Fittings

Featuring Adriana Lima, Lily Aldridge & Taylor Hill.

A Closer Look at NikeLab's 2016 GYAKUSOU Collection
Fashion

A Closer Look at NikeLab's 2016 GYAKUSOU Collection

A runner’s dream.


21 Savage & Future’s Hit Song “X” Gets a Stwo Remix
Music

21 Savage & Future’s Hit Song “X” Gets a Stwo Remix

Retro boomin.

BMW Motorrad Unveils Limited Edition HP4 Race Advanced Prototype
Automotive

BMW Motorrad Unveils Limited Edition HP4 Race Advanced Prototype

And it’s a menacing one.

Kodak Black Endorses Hillary Clinton
Music

Kodak Black Endorses Hillary Clinton

The Healthy Kid approves.

Thom Browne Opens a Surf-Inspired Pop-up at Dover Street Market London
Fashion

Thom Browne Opens a Surf-Inspired Pop-up at Dover Street Market London

Beach vibes.

Snapchat Takes Inspiration From Instagram for New Feature
Entertainment

Snapchat Takes Inspiration From Instagram for New Feature

Two major new updates.

More ▾