Maker: Christina of Le Trango

If this interview doesn’t make you smile, I don’t really know what will. Christina bubbles over with joy about her art, her time with her art, and her life.  Meet Christina and enjoy some time in her shop!

~Angie~

 Please introduce yourself. 

Hi, my name is Christina and I’m an illustrator, graphic designer and maker of random squishy characters. I grew up in Chino Hills, California and currently living in beautiful Laguna Beach with my husband.

What do you make or do?

I’m an illustrator and graphic designer who likes to sew plushies and has dabbled in screen printing. I design greeting cards, t-shirts, tote bags and usually for shows I will sew a set of plush creatures which vary depending on my current inspiration (ie watermelons, hedgehogs, whales and currently, alpacas!).

Where can we find your creations?

You can find my creations via my website: www.letrango.com

Etsy shop: www.etsy.com/shop/LeTrango

You can also find my latest inspirations and doodles on my Instagram: @letrango

 

 

How long have you been creating and is it your full-time job?

I like to think that I’ve always been creating. As a kid, I took drawing very seriously. I would spend HOURS tracing the Disney video covers or creating elaborate books with matching pictures. Le Trango is a part time job and I’m a freelance graphic designer on the side. Graphic design allows me to be creative in different ways and provides consistent paychecks which gives me less pressure to sell Le Trango which allows more time to be creative! It’s not sexy, but totally necessary. Girl’s gotta eat!

When you’re not making things, what do you do?

When I’m not making things, I’m exploring different restaurants with my husband. We love to try new foods. Or we’re doing Crossfit. Yes, I love to lift weights, but I also like making hedgehog plushies lol.

Is creativity a luxury or a necessity for you?

I’d like to say creativity is a necessity in my life. Work wise, it’s probably when I’m the happiest. When you’re a maker, you’ll stumble across a lot of bad ideas or drawings, but when you’re in the process of making something great, it’s the best feeling ever. I literally can’t stop grinning when I draw, or after I’ve finished making a plush animal, I’ll swing him around the room and make him dance in the air. We’re all a little weird, right? Overall, I think being creative brings me a very true joy.

Where do you find inspiration? 

My inspiration for Le Trango can come from the most random things. They’re from conversations with friends, when I go on walks and see dogs walking in shoes, random videos from YouTube, or memories from childhood. Pretty much anything that makes me smile inside.

What’s on the horizon for you and what you do?

We have possible fun partnerships coming up (crosses fingers). I’d also love to explore working with patterns, fabric companies and definitely add to my stationery line!

If money wasn’t an issue how would your life change with regards to your art?

I would love to have an entire studio to dedicate to my art where I can work and showcase my latest pieces and meet my customers in person! Also, unlimited fabric, paper and the best computers and equipment money can buy!

What would be your perfect day off?

My perfect day would include going on a beautiful hike with my husband, eating burritos and then watching a movie at home while eating cookies.

What inspiring advice would you give to other creatives be they established or just starting out?

Draw and create like no one’s watching. My best creations are when I’m having fun or just doodling with no purpose and with no regards to what people will think. Sometimes, you have to create for the sake of creating and nothing else.