10 Questions with Billie Mae

Billie Mae is a 23-year-old analog collage artist based in Connecticut with a passion for music and movies. Growing up, Billie's favorite subject in school was always art, and they also enjoyed exploring different mediums outside of class. Their values have always been about being authentic, creative, open-minded, and above all, advocating for themselves. After receiving their GED in 2016, Billie enrolled in their local community college and decided to pursue an associate's degree in fine arts in 2017; they were included in the college's gallery for a student group show. Since then, they have been showcased in several small publications and websites and have been featured in several online galleries. When they're not cutting up magazines, Billie can be found watching movies, sitting on their porch enjoying the sunshine with their three cats, or writing for their music blog.

In their work, Billie likes to portray a sense of surrealism and entertain abstract ideas, most of which come from their own writing. They mainly work in collage, using magazine cuttings and adhesive, but are also known to write and draw, as well as be an active member of their local music scene and community. Some imagery that can be seen throughout their work is the human body/anatomy, religious symbols or undertones, and sociopolitical commentary. Billie has often been described as having a unique perspective on life as they tend to value the ugly, taboo things in life just as much as the happy, beautiful things. Being as passionate about music as they are, despite not making any, they often incorporate lyrics that resonate with them in their pieces. To Billie, success is when their art provokes thought in viewers and offers people the opportunity to reflect upon their beliefs and values– they like helping people understand that things are hardly ever black and white but a million different shades and hues of grey.

@phrenectomy_

I Hate Small Talk, analog collage, 9x11 in, 2022 © Billie Mae

INTERVIEW

First of all, when and how did you start getting involved with visual arts?

My grandpa, Paul, has a healthy adoration for the arts and raised me on all types of art. One of my favorite things we did when I was a kid was going to the Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford, Connecticut. I think what inspired me to actually create, however, was New York City. I would frequently visit from ages 11-18, and it solidified for me my love for visual arts, and it made me realize that I related to all these artists so much because I was an artist at heart. I have always drawn pictures and enjoyed art class, but after dropping out of high school was when I really started developing my sense of style.

What for you is the most enjoyable part of your art?

For me, I absolutely love piecing it together in the beginning! My pieces to me are like puzzles– I have a blank page and a ton of pieces, I love to figure out which pieces fit together and which ones don't, relative to the theme of the whole work. I sort of get bummed out when I decide that I'm satisfied with/have finished the puzzle, haha. It's also rewarding when you post a new piece, and people tell you they like it. That really makes me smile!

History, Repeating, analog collage, 9x11 in, 2021 © Billie Mae

Wet Dreams, analog collage, 9x11 in, 2022 © Billie Mae

Let's talk about your collages. Can you explain what your idea is and how you are working on it?

I'm not sure I have a set idea, I mostly make my work for myself, and I like to share it with other people because they often catch things that I didn't, even though I'm the one that made the collage. I guess my current goal is to just make people happy with my work and engage with them about it, and I want my work to be accessible for all! I'm on a site that sells a few of my works as high-quality prints, however, they can be a little pricey, and I always extend the option to request a print of any of my pieces for cheaper.

Where do you find inspiration for your work and what is your creative process like?

I'm inspired by anything and everything. I can see a crushed, dirty piece of garbage on the side of the road and find something beautiful about it. When I create, it's a very chaotic process that my brain goes through. I have a hard time explaining it and coming up with words that make my processes tangible ideas/pieces of art, but I have a thought that often repeats in my head. I sit down, and something happens. I'm not sure what, but I usually end up with a basic layout that I like and tweak it as needed before I assemble it.

In your work, you deal with several different themes. How do you choose which ones to work with, and how do you incorporate them into your collages?

Usually, when a collage of mine has a specific theme, it's something that's either frustrating or upsetting me. For instance, America is in shambles. It's something that regularly causes me a lot of stress and sadness. It depends on the specific issue, but I usually can see things from a few different points of view, and what images the magazines I use have to offer me can often be linked to the specific issue I'm dealing with.

There’s A Full Moon Every Night, analog collage, 9x11 in, 2021 © Billie Mae

Why do you use this visual language? And how has it evolved over the years?

At first, I started making collages just to keep my hands busy. But it definitely evolved into a much more emotionally charged past-time for me when I realized the effect of expressing my emotions tacitly positively influenced my life. So I started incorporating more personal sentiments and motifs into my work, and I feel like now my pieces are 100% me, whereas before, I was going by what looked most aesthetically pleasing to my eye. I still go by what looks best, but I am fairly good at adhering to a specific theme.

You also use lyrics in your collage. What are your favorite artists? And what are your other sources of inspiration?

So, I actually run a music blog dedicated to the music I like to listen to. Not a lot of it is very popular music, some artists only have a few thousand fans, and some of those bands are friends of mine's projects, but regardless people are doing exactly what I'm doing, which is just expressing themselves. They are working musically while I am working visually. I don't see a huge difference between the two other than that. I am just more visually based, whereas my friends in music create images with their words. It really depends on the piece, but about 50% of my phrases and whatnot are song lyrics. Other stuff just comes from the good ol' noggin. I think I have a couple of works featuring lines from 'The Twilight Zone as well.

What do you hope that the public takes away from your work?

I want people to have their own personal interpretations of my work. I love when a piece of mine has imagery that very obviously means one thing to me but clearly resembles something else to a viewer. I want people to be able to relate to my work on their own level, so I try to avoid speaking about specific pieces to prevent my ideas from having an effect on the viewer. I want everyone to learn something about themselves when they really delve into my work, whether it's a small "I relate to the superficial idea represented" or a larger "This piece made me realize something about myself and/or thought patterns and ideas.

You are still very young, but you seem to already have a clear idea of your career path. How do you promote your work to different audiences? Do you take part in any online exhibitions or art fairs? Or do you prefer in-person events?

I have an Instagram account I use to "promote" my work. However, I don't do much promoting. I just post a piece every once in a while, share it on my story a few times, and that's that. I don't care much for keeping tabs on my audience, honestly. I just post what and when I want, and people are fairly receptive. There is an online platform called Loupe Art that showcases a few pieces of mine, and I've been in many online group exhibits as well as a few publications. I have only been featured in one in-person event, but based on that singular experience, I much prefer in-person. Online is tricky because you can post a link to it, but people aren't thrilled to have to look at other people's work until they find mine. I get it, I'm an impatient person at times, but when I'm in a group exhibition, I like to check out everyone's work, especially if there's a theme that the exhibit is based on.

Slimecent Van Gogh, analog collage, 9x11 in, 2021 © Billie Mae

What are you working on now, and what are your plans for the future in terms of new projects?

I try not to plan too much in the future. I hate having expectations of myself that I feel I should be fulfilling. I do, however, plan to keep creating for a long time, whether my audience grows or not and whether I make money from it or not. Again, I create for pretty much just myself; anything else that comes from my work is just a fun bonus for me.

Finally, do you have any upcoming shows or collaborations you are looking forward to?

Pretty much just this interview, I try not to overwhelm myself with too many upcoming exhibits or appearances because sometimes showing my work is incredibly exhausting! I am always looking for opportunities, though, whether I actively seek them out or they come to me. I'm always open to exhibiting my work and/or working with someone else!

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