The first time I met Femi Cachola, she was exhibiting her hand-stitched pins under her brand “Gawani Femi” years ago at an art fair. Created out of felt cloth and dolled up with colorful buttons and threads, these pins developed a strong following with children and with the young at heart. Those looking for something unique to dress up the basic outfit can find a piece from her collection of thought bubbles, ninjas and cute monsters.
Six years after, I came across her handcrafted artworks again. This time, the plush pins have evolved to art on ceramic pots. They caught my eye because one of my biggest frustrations about living in a condominium is the lack of a garden. Options for having one are definitely limited when you decide to set up home in a high rise. A good compromise and solution is to keep plants in pots. I know there are several options along Whiteplains or even at MarketMarket for these but if you are looking for a hand-painted art piece that promises a lot of fun, seek out Femi and her potheads. That sounds like a good name for a band, by the way. I laughed when I saw Manny Pacquiao and Mayweather in the mix. My friend immediately went for the David Bowie pot. Femi’s entry also happens to be a runner up in the Heneral Luna Fan Art contest with her depiction of the General on her pot.
Femi shares, “I get a lot of ideas from the people I meet and the movies and documentaries I watch. I also get inspired by celebrities, toys, food and anything under the sun. I want to tell a story in every piece that I make. I always bring a notebook with me and doodle when the right moment strikes.”
So how did Femi come up with the idea for drawing on pots? A year ago, she organized a succulent dish garden exhibit with a friend. In the process, she fell in love with succulent plants and their vibrant colors, interesting textures and shapes. She compares plants to people, each with a special personality. After getting bored with the regular pots available, she decided to play around with simple patterns like polka dots, stripes and chevrons to add some design to the pots. From there, she experimented with faces and that gave birth to her potheads collection. For new designs, it will take the artist a week or more, depending on the intricacy of the design. Sometimes, it starts with research. For example, for David Bowie, she would immerse herself with all information relevant to the musician. She would watch documentaries about him for days, play the song “Space Oddity” and absorb articles about him. Femi would then sketch on paper before translating them on the pots. When her mood allows it, she would paint directly on the pot using mainly eco-friendly acrylics.
Her current top three favorite characters would be Frida Kahlo, David Bowie, and Heneral Antonio Luna but that changes with time. Every time she creates a new caricature of a cultural icon, it becomes an instant favorite. She reveals, “I think it is because of the whole process I go through in researching about the individual. I discover their secrets, trials, loves and failures. Each revelation inspires me and I feel blessed to be able to create these small tributes dedicated to them. I feel it is also my way of connecting with other people as these are conversational pieces.” While Femi enjoys making these tributes, she also admits that she takes equal delight in introducing her original characters as well.
For choosing the right plant, Femi imparts this bit of advice. If you happen to have areas that receive a lot of sunlight, cacti and succulents will thrive. For greenery in low light areas, consider snake plants and bacularis that is almost impossible to kill. To clean indoor air, plants like the golden pothos and aloe vera are excellent plants to consider. So far, Femi has been receiving positive responses regarding her creations. She shares, ”I like how their faces light up when they see the potheads and that makes me really happy. That is why I do what I do. I want my creations to evoke good vibes in their homes or place of work. I think most artists aspire for the same thing; to tug at heartstrings and imagine that a moment in someone’s life is a little better because of something they have made.”
For more information, kindly contact the artist through [email protected], www.facebook.com/gawanifemihandmade and ig: @gawanifemi, Follow me on Instagram @cal_tavera