Victoria's blog has definitely had a huge impact on myself and many other bloggers out there. It was a pleasure to have this titan of the blog world do The Little Interview series.
Why did you start your blog?
I started sfgirlbybay.com as a fluke back in June of 2006. I had taken a bunch of photographs of my interiors and needed a place to store them online, so I experimented with blogspot.com. I enjoyed it so much, it evolved into a daily practice. Blogging encapsulates my three loves - design, photography and writing, so I find it the perfect creative niche for me. The fact that people wanted to read it was a shock and thrill to me.
How has it impacted your life?
Until May of 2008 I was an art buyer and director of creative services for an advertising agency here in San Francisco. I'd been in advertising for about 15 years and was ready for a change. I wanted to do something I was passionate about and the blog gave me the creative outlet I so desperately craved. Things with the blog and my hand-screened Keep Calm posters I sell in my etsy shop became so busy, I was able to quit my job and I am now a full-time blogger/editor/writer for my blog, sfgirlbybay.com. It's kind of a cliché, but it is a dream come true.
What is the next step for you as a designer?
I'm really focusing on my photography right now. I studied photography in high school and it's always been a huge love of mine. I've recently started shooting more and more and have signed up for some technical, lightening classes so that I can better understand my cameras. I take my camera with me everywhere (much to the annoyance of my friends!) and snap even the most mundane things constantly. I started a feature on the blog called 'Sunday in the City' in which I share my photographs from around San Francisco. I have my first photography exhibit of that work on April 23rd at The Curiosity Shoppe in the Mission and am quite excited (and nervous!) for that.
If you could have superhero powers what would they be?
Hmmm, clone myself? I seem to be constantly working, and the line between my social life and the blog is constantly blurred. Even a simple gallery exhibit, or an event becomes work for me - fodder to write about or photograph. I need to be many different people and be many different places at one time, so a clone would be really helpful!
Name a few of your favorite contemporary artists?
I love Esther Pearl Watson's paintings. I love the humor I find in them. I love Maira Kalman, Martha Rich and Elizabeth Peyton, too. I love the photography of Loretta Lux, and William Eggleston.
What else do you do beside blog?
I am slightly flickr-obsessed, and can't get over the amount of talent and inspiration I find there. I don't watch TV, but I spend entirely too much time on flickr! As I said, photography is a huge hobby of mine and is turning into much more to me. I can't tell you the happiness it brings me. I love urban hikes around the city, and the nearby woods and parks around San Francisco. I love to cook and try and host regular dinner parties. I belong to a group called STITCH - a group of creative women who meet once a month and sit around crafting and sipping wine - it's wonderful. I love travel and recently returned from a trip to Thailand and am off to London in May.
Currently Reading/ Watching anything?
As I said, I don't own a TV, but I do download programs I really love from iTunes. I love Mad Men, not only for the great storyline, but the amazing sets and wardrobe - the 60's at it's best. I'm also an NPR/KCRW radio junkie. I listen pretty much all day long while I blog. It's my main source for news, culture and music. Sadly, I don't ever seem to have time to read lately and I love reading! I have been trying to read Infinite Jest from David Foster Wallace, but it's over 1,000 pages, so I am failing miserably!
CURRENT WORK
oh fun! thanks for sharing this jessica!
Posted by: montague | May 26, 2009 at 11:15 AM
i love victoria's blog :D
thanks for sharing the interview! feels good to hear a fellow agency folk leave the industry to fulfill her passions
Posted by: danielle bumblebee | May 26, 2009 at 11:32 AM
lovely interview! the photography is just gorgeous and it's nice to hear someone's story of their dream coming true.
Posted by: Down and Out Chic | May 27, 2009 at 12:51 PM
What a great interview - I love Victoria's blog and she's such a friendly blogger too.
Posted by: Lynne, Tea for Joy | May 27, 2009 at 05:38 PM
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