I consider it retro pop art, I am an 80’s baby, I like the retro telephones, bright colors that pop and branch from there.

Des Edge

Artist, Des Art Designs

We connect with Des Edge of Des Art Designs, this artist pulls from retro 80’s and 90’s pop art, along with dabbling in a variety of other design creations, we talk working big, inspirations, influences, process for creation and what is next. Check out her work at Artspire’s Art Fair & Sale on Saturday, June 11.

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Transcript

Amy Gabay 00:00
This podcast is brought to you by People’s Food Co Op, a community owned grocery store in downtown La Crosse, Wisconsin and Rochester, Minnesota that promotes local farmers and producers through an emphasis on fresh, healthy, sustainable food. Anyone can shop, everyone is welcome. For more information, visit them online at PFC.coop. This podcast is also brought to you by Trempealeau County Tourism. Whether your idea of fun is bicycling, hiking or canoeing, afterwards head into the heart of one of their welcoming communities to experience historic architecture, independent shops and locally owned dining establishments. Visit Trempealeau County Tourism online. Artspire is back with a full weekend of art at the Pump House Regional Arts Center. Enjoy live music from Cloud Cult, Bill Miller and B2wins, plus a fine art fair, interactive art projects, and visual and performing arts June 10th through 11th. Learn more at artspire@thepumphouse.org. We connect with Desiree Designs, this artist pulls from retro 80s and 90s Pop Art, along with dabbling in a variety of other design creations. We talk working, big inspirations, influences, process for creation, and what is next. Check out her artwork at Artspire Art Fair and Sale on Saturday, June 11th. You can find more conversations, food reviews, live music and events on our website lacrosselocal.com. I’m Amy.

Brent Hanifl 01:29
And I’m Brent.

Amy Gabay 01:30
And this is La Crosse Local.

Desiree Edge 01:32
So my name is Desiree Edge. I go by Des. I was born in Fenimore, Wisconsin. I’ve been doing art pretty much my whole life ever since I was little, you know, painting, colors like yeah, just out of nowhere.

Brent Hanifl 01:46
Did someone ever just like throw you into it, or was it just always readily available around your house?

Desiree Edge 01:51
Always readily available. So I’m the youngest of three. So my mom was just kind of like, hey, you know, here’s crayons, colors, and kind of like with any parent. But it really stuck with me. I remember being in kindergarten, like being so proud of my you know, being able to color and stay in the lines and stuff. And ever since it’s just stuck.

Brent Hanifl 02:14
So it’s kind of like a necessity. I know I have the small children. And it’s just great to just throw some paint or some like you say crayons, and it just entertains them for a while. But it really stuck with you. So through that process, in terms of like influences, you know, looking at your work just recently, is there like music, arts or otherwise that kind of have influenced you as you grew up?

Desiree Edge 02:36
Well, since I lived in Fenimore, it’s a pretty small town. So there wasn’t really much out there. But I remember when I went, so I went to University of Wisconsin Whitewater for Graphic Design. And that’s when I really like opened up and saw more things and stuff because, you know, their art program, there was a lot more out there. And given Whitewater is not a huge school, but it was still bigger than Fenimore because Fundamentals got like 2,000 people.

Brent Hanifl 03:01
So for someone who hasn’t seen your work, what would you describe it as?

Desiree Edge 03:04
Well, I consider it like retro pop art, you know, and I’m an 80s baby. You know, I like the retro telephones and like the bright colors that pop and stuff. And then I just branch from there. I also like, you know, like cartoon women and stuff like that.

Brent Hanifl 03:20
It looks like you work big as well. So like, you know, it looks like you have some big canvases. Is your process fast when coming up with ideas? Or is it something that takes a while?

Desiree Edge 03:30
It kind of takes a while, like I did a giant guitar, that oneI just sent through the mail the other day, and the customer ended up being one of my friends that lives in Texas. And he was the one that bought two other paintings from me. So then I was talking to him and he goes, what about a guitar? So then I started coming up with stuff and ideas. And then I started on my computer with my graphics and illustrator, and then I’ll print it off, and I’ll draw it on a giant wood board. And then I’ll paint it.

Brent Hanifl 03:57
Oh, so it’s some of that. You also do some custom work sometimes that it sounds like?

Desiree Edge 04:01
Yep.

Brent Hanifl 04:02
So you know, you’ll be at the Art Fair and Sale at Artspire June 11th in La Crosse. How has it been doing markets recently? Is it something that people you know, really dig when they see your work? How does that work for you?

Desiree Edge 04:14
Well, I did one last year. So I’m new with the art fairs and stuff. And I did one last year in Racine. And it turned out really good. Like I was really excited. You know, now that I have, I work from home. So now that I have more time to do my artwork and stuff and I’m not running around all over the place, it’s really nice. And the one in Racine, you know, it was good. There were a lot of people from Milwaukee and Chicago that came up and you know, they really dug my stuff. So I figured I’d tried it over here and that’s when I saw La Crosse had one and I’m like well give it a go.

Brent Hanifl 04:47
So what’s next for you? Is there anything coming down the road that you’re excited for?

Desiree Edge 04:51
I have three art fairs this summer. I’m trying to get all of those ready.

Brent Hanifl 04:56
So what fairs are you going to be at?

Desiree Edge 04:59
I got the one in Artspire La Crosse, the one in Racine again, and then I applied for the one in Soldiers Grove.

Brent Hanifl 05:05
If people want to find out more, what’s the best avenue to you know, either follow along or even pick up some of your work.

Desiree Edge 05:10
Well I’m on Instagram, desartdesigns on Instagram. You know, maybe that’s probably the best way because then you can just message me on there.

Brent Hanifl 05:19
Oh, and it also looks like you have an Etsy shop, too, so people can pick up prints. So the different works, you know, I would say, you know, for someone who hasn’t doesn’t have this right in front of them some you know, Andy Warhol sort of influences.

Desiree Edge 05:31
Yeah.

Brent Hanifl 05:31
But unique to its own. It looks pretty sweet. Well, I’m excited to see you at Artspire. I’ll definitely stop by and say hi.

Desiree Edge 05:39
Wonderful, awesome.

Amy Gabay 05:44
La Crosse Local Podcast is a production of River Travel Media. Do you have an interview idea you’d like to share with us? Message us on Facebook at La Crosse local. Find out more about us at lacrosselocal.com and you can subscribe to the La Crosse Local Podcast on your favorite podcast app. If you like us, rate us five stars. We appreciate it.

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About La Crosse Local

La Crosse Local is an arts, food, and entertainment podcast and publication for La Crosse County and its surrounding communities.

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