Artist Spotlight: Papa Llama

We are excited to introduce you to this month’s featured artist: Risa Culbertson of Papa Llama! She has a wonderfully playful sense of humor and a seemingly endless amount of creative energy, which she funnels into an inspiring array of crafty projects including puppetry and food-shaped ceramics.

She is the Pee-Wee Herman of the Millennial generation, and we’re here for it.

Tell us about the birth of Papa Llama!

It started with my friend’s excessive use of the phrase “Awesome Sauce”, a linoleum block,  and my mom’s wood carving tools from the 70s. I had minimal exposure to printmaking but I thought it would be fun to carve a block and make a card. The retail shop where I was working at the time thought they were fun and started to sell them. They kept selling out so I put some more out and those sold out too. I was able to experiment with some new designs, and those sold too. That’s when I knew this could be something much larger.

Did you always want to be an artist, even in childhood?

Art is something that is in my blood. My mom is a quilter and potter, my dad, a mad scientist of sorts, is always constructing things like solar cookers and clocks made out of string. Growing up, making is a big part of what we do as a family. It was definitely encouraged. I’m bi-racial and bi-cultural so art was also something both sides of my family could enjoy without any need for translation. 

What is your favorite medium to create with? Describe your process.

I enjoy making a bunch of things in a bunch of different ways using whichever medium speaks to me in the moment. I’m always looking for the best medium to tell the story most effectively with each individual piece. A big part of my days are spent making sure I’m never out of construction paper, cardboard, and that I always have a sewing machine nearby. 

Where do you find your inspiration?

My inspiration has been coming from the outside world and also how we interact with one another. Most of my sketch books are filled with words which I use to inspire the imagery I want to pair with it. Now that we’re all spending more time indoors because of the pandemic, I’ve been more inspired by ways we’re coming together, longing for those we love, and how we interact with the world now that it has changed. 

What's your solution for combating “creative block” and maintaining productivity?  

I had a horrible creative block that lasted a few years. The thing I credit for getting me out of it was learning to put my creative joy as a priority. I made as many projects that didn’t have a clear purpose other than it made me happy or I was trying to learn how to make something different. This helped me get back in touch with my original joy that comes from creating. We demand so much from our creativity sometimes so allowing myself to connect with that unscripted creative time allowed me to get through the other (not so joyful) tasks. 

What does a typical day at your studio look like? How do you manage your time?

I organize my days so I have large uninterrupted blocks of time reserved for a specific task like running the press or administrative work. I’ll also break up the smaller laundry list of daily tasks into 30 minute bites but I’ll always try to leave myself with a reward project at the end as a “you can have your dessert after you finish your veggies” type motivator. 

What do you enjoy doing in your “free time?”

I find myself still working on my fun projects for work and for play so I’m always making something. I suppose I do spend some time with my small mischief of rats. Pre-pandemic, I really loved going out to support local art, cooking for friends, and walking around the city with a coffee in my hand. Someday I look forward to doing those things again.

What are the biggest challenges you have faced to get to where you are now?

For me, and I think a lot of artists out there, it was myself. My perspective had to change from not feeling “good enough” to trusting myself. The things I make come from my heart so creating physical representations of that feeling and putting it out in the world is enough. 

Risa sewing Harold, her right hand man – er, puppet – made out of fabric and ping pong balls.

Who is Harold? We’re dying to know more about your puppetry hobby!

Lol, Harold and my puppet entourage. Harold is a disgruntled bear who hates waiting in lines and constantly mumbles under his breath about how much coffee costs. My friends say he's an extension of my personality but to me he's just Harold and has become very much a staple in my world. With him I saw first hand the magic that happens when people interact with puppets and sparked my interest in making more.

I grew up on Jim Henson and always admired his ability to connect with people and create amazing worlds. Both things that I strive for in my art. I'm learning as I go but love the process of making these puppets, discovering their distinct personalities, and the connection my friends and family have with them. They really do feel like they come alive!

Plus... people have no problem telling puppets all of their secrets. 

How does the culture of your city contribute to the development of your independent business?

The arts and small business communities in San Francisco are still alive, but there is an undeniable economic pressure that has pushed many of us out of the city. There’s a strong sense of community here and an intimate sense of support and compassion for one another. Honestly, everyday is a fight for the ability to continue to make a living as a “creative.” It is exhausting, but it has also pushed me to overcome my fears of failure and gives me the motivation to keep going. 

Still from Risa’s craft tutorial video How to Sew a Button: Quarantine Crafts

We hear you are working on a craft tutorial series. Can you tell us a bit about it?

When shelter-in-place first started, I was trying to figure out a way to entertain and distract people as we shifted gears into this uncharted socially distanced territory. I started making craft tutorials and had so much fun making them so I decided to make more. I started including my puppet friends and I think the point was to show people creative ways we can use our imagination to lift spirits during these tough times.

You can find my quarantine videos on YouTube under the channel name Risa Rainbow and/or on my website www.PapaLlama.com