Blair Breitenstein, at work with her paints and pastels.

City of Women Denizen: Blair Breitenstein

Bona Fides: Fashion, beauty and still-life illustrator who creates expressionist takes on contemporary high fashion, and has worked with some of the best known and loved brands, such as Chanel, Oscar de la Renta, Prada, Saks Fifth Avenue, MAC, and many more. I’m thrilled to share with you below Blair’s interpretation of me, scribing at my desk!

City of Women Induction: Blair’s command of watercolors, pastels and markers is impressive, and she uses them in a way that shows unbridled confidence; in fact, Fashion Illustration Gallery says she “marks the paper as if attacking her subjects,” and describes her aesthetic as “punk rock on paper.”

I’ve asked Blair questions I thought you’d want to know answers to… I hope you enjoy our chat!

RPO: When and how did you discover you could draw? Were you the kid in kindergarten who was making prodigious art while everyone else made a mess?

BB: I absolutely loved drawing when I was a child. I would trace over magazine covers, and I took every art elective that was offered. I am not sure if my artwork was better looking, but I think I enjoyed art projects more than my classmates.

RPO: If I pressed you to define the word "art," how would you do it?

BB: I think the dictionary defines art perfectly: the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power.

RPO: Your figures seem to be imbued with nonchalance, coolness, and self-assurance. Do you strive to create strong women as you draw? Is that intentional?

BB: My drawings are inspired by a variety of muses from Brigitte Bardot to Bjork and Jackie Kennedy. I do think my drawings are cool and chic because I find my inspiration from strong and iconic women. Creating asymmetric features and using bold color combinations are also used intentionally to create edgy/funky characters. I definitively strive to create strong women when I draw!

RPO: What inspires you to create?

BB: Sometimes I will see a runway look or a character in a movie and I won't be able to stop thinking about it... that is when I am inspired to create.

RPO: Describe the relationship between fashion and your art.

BB: I've always felt like fashion was a form of escapism and fantasy, which is why it is my preferred subject for the art I create. I love the drama of fashion shows and editorials. I'm not interested in the t-shirt and jeans side of fashion... or even good taste- it's the dramatic volume, shapes colors and textures that I am drawn to.

Scribbles, the short-answer section:

Top three favorite artists: Matisse, Picasso, Donald Robertson

Favorite font: Times New Roman

Your most productive time of day: Afternoon

Favorite medium in which to create: Pastel

Something that few people know about you: I prefer to work in silence

Please nominate someone you'd like to be a citizen of our City of Women @beckjewels