Frances Trombly and Leyden Rodriguez-Casanova are two well-respected successful artists who also happen to be married. And perhaps their greatest collaboraion is Penelope, their daughter.
What's the first piece of art you fell in love with?
We're hijack this question and talking about the first piece of art we fell in love with each other while discussing. The piece is Untitled - A Curse, 1992 by Tom Friedman. The artist hired a witch to curse the 11 x 11 inch space above a pedestal. It was the first night we spent talking and I was telling Frances how brilliant the work was—she thought I was crazy. Months into our relationship, she came around. It set the stage for 10 years of dialogue, collaboration and, of course, love.
Who are your favorite designers?
Frances: Christien Meindertsma, Scholten & Baijings, Gunta Stölzl, Anni Albers
Leyden: Tejo Remy, Jurgen Bey, Martino Gamper, Massimo Vignelli, TAF, Tom Dixon, Charles & Ray Eames
What is the best piece of style advice you've ever heard?
When in doubt, wear black.
Who are your favorite writers?
Leyden: a few classics: Franz Kafka, Jean-Paul Sartre, Hermann Hesse. Shel Silverstein's The Giving Tree makes me cry everytime. Joseph Campbell is brilliant and I wish I could practice the teachings of Jiddu Krishnamurti in full, but it's really hard.
Frances: I don't really have a favorite writer but lately I've been reading, Matthew Crawford-The case for working with your hands and why office work is bad for us and fixing things feels good.
What is inspiring you these days?
Frances: I'm looking at contemporary craft and methods of production these days.
Leyden: I'm inspired by architecture and economic systems. It's interesting how economics determines the sizes, materials and colors available in a market place and how that effects the creative decisions of the masses.
What is your motto?
Frances: Take care of yourself before you can take care of others.
Leyden: There is no such thing as work, only what you love to do.
What is your favorite indulgence?
Frances: Amazing cheeses, a great bottle of wine and a nice outdoor spot.
Leyden: What Frances said, but adding a long airplane ride.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Doing what we love with who we love everyday.
What career other than your own would you like to attempt?
Frances: Anything involving plants.
Leyden: Architect.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Frances: Too sensitive for my own good. It's a positive and a negative at the same time.
Leyden: Airplane anxiety. I love traveling, but the ride is a bit torturous.
