Element Eden Advocate Lisa Solberg was interviewed for aStory magazine – an internal trade publication for the action sports industry. The mag isn’t available on newstands, but we wanted to share the love – check out the transcript of her interview here:

How much time do you spend marinating?
No marinating at all. I see a big open canvas and if I am feeling it, I start making moves on it. I never have the end image or goal in my head. I start and deliver until completion. It’s a commitment thing. I always tell my friends, once I put that canvas up, there’s no real sleeping or stopping until it’s finished. I can’t even have cohesive conversations with people when I’m in the process. I’m totally lost in the world of my painting. It’s nice when I finish. It feels like a huge burden lifted off my shoulders, and I’m left feeling totally exhausted.

Describe a typical day for Lisa Solberg – the portrait of the artist of a day. Do you paint every day, or does life make a habit of getting in the way?
Life for me is experiencing and then expressively creating – so whether it gets in the way of actual ‘painting’ doesn’t really matter – the end product is always in the form of a work of art. I most definitely spend a lot of time painting. I also spend a lot of time not painting. However, when I’m painting, it’s one hundred percent necessary and I pump it out. It’s very natural, very immediate, very raw. I release everything. On my off days I am usually exploring somewhere, meeting someone, in the ocean or recovering from a night out. I like to go to the public library downtown in Los Angeles and work in my sketchbook and practice backwards calligraphy. I like to do everything in odd number days. These kind of things fill my days.

Are you inspired by the walls of your studio, or do you need to get out to find ideas?
Both. Big open spaces always inspire me. I’m totally O.C.D. I need everything very clean and open in order to be messy and expressive with my work. I also need to get fresh air and experience the world around me in order to get ideas. It’s a two-part process. First, getting out–whether it is Indonesia or skid row–and then thinking about nothing and seeing everything appear on the walls of my studio. Both are integral parts of the process.

Most importantly: What’s your favorite color?
1. Green  2. White  3. Gold

Favorite number.
1. 11   2. 3   3.23

Check out your September issue of Lucky for a shout-out on our Nolita pant! This cotton/spandex pant has a subtle sateen finish and exposed zipper details for extra edge. A staff favorite for sure!

Haven’t had enough of your Fall fashion fix? Beachworks is hosting a special locals-only event at all their retail locations today and tomorrow night. It’s simple – head to your local BW store, show your ID, and immediately save up to 30% off your entire purchase -  including our favorite Element Eden pieces for Fall! The earlier you arrive, the bigger your discount, so don’t lag. Event starts at 7pm – click here for all Beachworks locations.

Get a sneak peek at Spring 2010 trends! Element Eden was part of the Seventeen Magazine Fashion Show at the ASR trade show. Keep an eye out for our Eventide Bag – an awesome faux leather foldover bag with a beautiful washed treatment.

Our friends in Toronto are in for a real treat as the Smile On Your Brother art show is coming your way! Having completed three exhibitions (see the Vancouver show above) there’s only a few more opportunities to see this inspiring artwork in person.

The show is sponsored by Contributor, a non-profit that seeks to distribute skateboards to at-risk youth and features 59 artists who generously donated their time and energy to create custom board graphics. Element is proud to have four Advocates represented, including Amber B, Todd Francis, Matt Irving, and Don Pendleton.

If you can’t see the show for yourself, you can still get in on the action by participating in the online auction (going on now!) Every board is up for grabs with the funds going towards Contributor’s goal of donating 100 skateboards to disadvantaged youth across Canada.

Show Info:
LIVESTOCK (Toronto)
116 Spadina Unit G1
Toronto, ONT, M5V 2K6
Phone: 416-360-5483