D’Ara Nazaryan | ARIS
GLB: Please tell us about yourself and your work!
D'Ara: I was born and raised in LA, which is one of the many reasons I love GLB. Coved ceilings, arched doorways and art deco bathrooms, they instantly feel like home to me. As a kid I was more inclined to sit alone and draw and that funneled into me having a long career in the creative space. I've worked in the motion graphics industry for over ten years, then started working for myself as an illustrator. This year flowers have become the medium of my creative expression and it's just taken the center stage. It's been just as terrifying as it is exhilarating to relinquish control and just submit to this experience.
GLB: How long have you been working with florals?
D'Ara: I've always loved flowers in my home. I remember going with my mom and my aunt to the flower market as kid then coming home and preparing everything to be displayed. It wasn't until last year when I felt burnt out on design work that I decided I needed a way to get back in touch with my creative life force. I needed to find an expression that wasn't tied to achieving any particular result, something that would just let me be.
GLB: Where do you find inspiration?
D'Ara: At first I was just letting my curiosity be my guide. I didn't know what was technically considered "right" or "good" but I also didn't care. The purpose wasn't the final product as much as it was to tap back into myself as a creative person. What in the end held true was the point to experience this child like joy of getting lost in creation.
GLB: How would you describe your work in 3 words?
D'Ara: Sculptural, artful, striking.
GLB: What is your favorite flower to work with?
D'Ara: It changes so often but right now I'm really into cobra lilies.
GLB: Why flowers over drawing/design?
D'Ara: My work is a reminder that creativity knows no boundaries. Whatever the medium my love for design remains the same—to create meaningful and impactful work that inspires others. I've been trying to lean into being a multidisciplinary artist. Currently I've been balancing both design/illustration work and floristry. It's not necessarily one over the other. When flowers started taking up the bulk of my time I did have a bit of an identity crisis. Over the last few years I've tried to untether myself, my value, from my work, productivity and the accolades that come with it. But there is still a part of me that views being a designer and illustrator as a huge part of who I am. I've dedicated so much of my life to it.
GLB: What are your favorite LA spots?
D'Ara: Quarter Sheets, I'm there weekly and it never misses. The Huntington Library. I've been big on auctions and going to estate sales recently. I love interior/home decor so being able to step into all these different lived in spaces has been such a treat. Also my friends' homes, I like feeling cozy and I'm in my dinner party era.
GLB: What is your favorite thing about living in Los Angeles?
D'Ara: I think there are the usual suspects - the weather, nature and so on. But I love the creative communities that I've become a part of. It's so inspiring and motivating to everyday see so many people I love doing what they love. Apart from that LA is just my home, you're never going to catch me talking [too] bad about it.
GLB: Is there anything new you are working on that you’d like to talk about?
D'Ara: Currently dreaming up new things for Aris and trying to make sure I keep that creative spark alive. Stay tuned xo <3
