Interview with Darla Teagarden

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An interview with the lovely and talented artist, Darla Teagarden.

I love finding artists that make me giddy with delight. Artists who’s craftsmanship and eye for detail leave my mind swimming with inspiration, who send me on daydream vacations to their worlds. Some of my favorite artists, I am very lucky to say, are also my friends. One in particular who wows me constantly, is my friend Darla Teagarden.

A former pin-up model, hair and make-up stylist with a flair for the timeless, you notice at first glance, Darla has a definitive eye for detail. When we met on a creepy craft web-site in cyberland a few years back, I had no idea that I would one day find myself as a lucky participant in her world. One minute, happily floating through the air, with the aid of rabbits, and then singing birds flying out of my mouth while adorning a brooch of the church tower where I would dwell in the world of Darla Teagarden (image at the bottom of the post). Our first face to face was for our photo-shoot, and it was the most magical first play date I’ve had since I was 3! One of theses images (shown below) was recent published in Austin’s Rare Magazine, where Darla was voted 2009’s best photographer in Austin.

Being a doll maker and photographer, my heart goes wild for gorgeous sets and handsome photos. So you can imagine how my heart danced when I first saw her photographs. Darla builds sets and photographs various subjects who then become part of these worlds she makes from scratch. I’m not talking just a pretty backdrop and a fancy array of flowers. Her world is bursting with life and tales. Darla builds giant birds nests, mermaid tails and cuts out individual moths, butterflies, bunnies and bees to set the mood in her breathtaking photos.

Keep in mind, she only started this new venture in 2007 and has already created a body of work that rivals some who have been at it for over a dozen years. When wht agreed to feature her, I jumped at the chance to interview my inspiring friend.

Christy for wht: So, did you really just pick up photography in 2007? That amazes me; you have a real gift you know!
Darla: It chose me in a way. It began when I wanted to create a typical darla-ish scenario with my son. I dragged over my kid, wig, costumes etc. and paid a local to shoot it. After realizing the cost, and more, the future cost of doing what was in my head (not to mention the credit for my concepts), I stepped back. I thought, this is just like all the nerdy theatre, window dressing and mixed media I’ve done over the years, just add camera! So without further ado, with many more images I longed to realize, I picked up my Cool Pix and began. I started with an Octopus girl prop body and a full mount deer in my living room.

No formal training right, you just happen to have mad skills?
No photographic training. Unless you consider periodic modeling, training. Which, of course, does have its insights at least on a surface level. I have little knowledge about cameras or equipment, but I’m learning. Trial and error is the most readily available teacher for me.

On average how long does a set take for you to create?
I haven’t yet decided to have an assistant, so by the time I gather supplies and install, it can run at least two weeks. Shooting is about 3 hours, aside from hair and make-up. 90% is prep and that includes staring off into space thinking about it.

What is your most memorable shoot to date?
Most memorable? Hmm….The Bird Nest Girl & Octopus Duchess (both at the top of the post) because I understood how happy realizing an image in this way made me. Lady Teatherheart, the skeleton face girl with hearts (shown below) because it was the first time I shot something that appeared in person exactly as it did in my head. And maybe, the one with you too, Christy, because you were a complete joy to work with! I can’t choose!

Your Lover’s Eyes Dolce Masquerade Gown makes my heart sing. How long did that take for you to make that entire thing from cupcake doilies? It makes me want to roll in a field of poppies, I love it! (shown above)
The dress is made of pastry doilies and paper eyes, plus a meshy liner, sequins and rhinestones. It took about three weeks of vigilance, cutting out circle after circle. It reminds me a bit of honeycomb and It sounds like a hill of autumn leaves!

Do you know the silent films of Georges Méliès? He’s a huge inspiration of mine, his sets were mind-blowing. Is he one of your inspirations?
I know him, of course! Who couldn’t love a trip to the moon! But he isn’t directly an influence, no. My influence is primarily stage theatre, but pared way down to little visual poems more in tune with Alfred Cheney Johnston jazz era portraits, only more POP-ish, darker perhaps. I used to make cutouts and piece together costumes for productions. I studied dance for years too. Also, I made it my job to dress windows in places I had worked in NYC in the same style. It’s a bit of a tic I guess. Even though we aren’t visually related really, Tony Duquette and Bob Fosse live in my brain. In short ballet, opera, cabaret.

What inspires you most…I’m sorry, I hate these kinds of questions when I get them as I can have up to 150 answers depending on the day, but what as of now, June 2009, is really inspiring you?
Right now I’m still in awe of the young Pop Surrealists. C.C. Askew, Liz Mcgrath and sculptress, Jessica Joslin to name a few. Some people who’s work began in the fields of sculpture, animation and film. I really feel at home in their imagery. Mostly, classic themes with modern narrative.

In your Le Salon de La Sirene (The Mermaid’s Lounge, shown above) I can’t believe that’s you with a timer! I read that you were inspired by the paintings of Colette Calascione, Did she see and love your siren?
There are several of these portraits, the mermaid being one. As you can imagine it took endless tries to get it right, long shots and cropping. I rushed like mad to dive behind props, and in that case, grab teacups. I broke a teacup and a vintage teapot that didn’t make it into the shot. I had to reposition a top heavy, lop sided, headpiece over and over. No clue if the great Colette Calascione saw it! I’d feel like a dork asking her so I’ll probably never ask.

The tech geek in me has to know, what camera do you use? And do you have any favorite photographers?
I use a Pentax K 10 D mostly and a Nikon Cool Pix. My favorite photographers are industry classic standards like Helmut Newton, Diane Arbus and Sally Mann. But I absolutely love and worship conceptual photographer Maleonn and Maggie Taylor. I very much like Austin Young’s portraiture too.

I know we both have a love of New Orleans. Any NOLA inspiration in your pix?
People say they see it. It’s not intentional if it’s there, but I can say it most certainly there since New Orleans has made a large impact on me in every sense. New Orleans has a beautiful rot-bitter, gummy-sweet, aching secrecy like no other place. I’m sure it’s always present somewhere.

Any book plans? I know tons of people who would snatch up one in a second! Or are you planning on selling prints on-line? Basically how can wht people hang your gorgeousness in their homes?
This is a weird thing for me I must admit. I’m in the mode of producing and learning, so pimping myself has proved difficult. But, I’m in a place now where I’m on my way to having a place to sell official prints. I have a much longer road before I commit images to a book, but when that happens, an angel will get her wings. Ha!

(Great news, that angel did get her wings! Darla is taking orders for prints. See the bottom of the post for contact info.)

Did I miss anything?
Being a parent is a major influence. In fact (I’ve never said this to anyone for some reason.) The main reason I’m creating these images or any other image for that matter is, my son (shown above, what a cutie!). It’s an illustrated love letter to him for when I’m old or dead. I want him to be able to see this part of his mother. A keepsake to show, to muse over, to frame, to say “she made that for me”. Even if I end up a dour cat lady, there’s this chapter-Mom indulging in dreamy drag, being happy.

And no wht interview is complete without a reach in our potluck question vault…
If you had a spare $500, what would you do with it?
I’m obsessed with Masonic Regalia! I would buy a fine piece, probably a gorgeous banner.

What’s your inspiration name? (childhood pet and the street you grew up on)
Peaches Killdeer. I think it fits and I like the visual!

What are 3 things you can’t live without?
1. My meds. As of now, I need them to chop my way through the maze of life’s typical annoyances and trauma that has caught up to me. (I’m an over sensitive cry baby) It’s a chemical “chin up!” A veritable hot fudge sundae for the synapses!
2. Craft stores. Who doesn’t love that at any moment (between 9-6 pm) you can mill around wads of fabric, wooden shapes, cutting tools, fake hair, and static orchards of brightly dyed flowers?
3. My dogs. They are the silliest and sweetest friends. The only agenda there consists of ass scratches and the promise of all things digestible.

What characteristic do you admire most in a person? Which one do you despise?
I love humility in genius people. It somehow gives me hope in humanity. It shows real perspective. I hate denial based personalities! I despise people who say they hate people who they most represent. I admire (and like) someone who can embrace who they really are and what they like… nerd, loud mouth, giant sappy fanatic, love starved neurotic, fool for Little Debbie Snack Cakes or say, Stevie Nicks tamborine portraits…let it fly I say!

I heart:
Christy Kane! It’s true. Lets talk over bubble tea soon and plot our next mini adventure in Darlaville. Or will it be House of Kane? Either way, looking forward to you and your lovely sewn goils!

Darla, thanks so much for gracing our site with your gorgeous work. Be sure to check out her MySpace page for an array of additional images and larger versions of the ones shown here. Be prepared to get lost in the magic world of Darla Teagarden. Interested in a print of your own? You’re one smart cookie! Email Darla at darlatea(at)gmail.com for more info. At the very least, stop by her wht profile and say hello.