On Embroidery, Trips to Big Bend and Sustainable Art Practices: Sam Asencio of Future Vagabond
Today, we’re chatting with one of The Front Market’s Spring 2024 vendors, Sam Asencio of Future Vagabond.
“It’s always been important to me to make accessible art in a sustainable way. I’d say at least 85% of the pieces I sell are upcycled vintage, allowing each one to be truly unique. I’ve always had a passion for history and preservation, so by using these older garments not only do I get to create my own “story” with the added embroidery but I get to continue that of the person who made the item itself. ”
Tell us about your creative journey. What made it hard? What made it easy?
My creative journey really started out as a child. I was fortunate to learn and experiment with multiple mediums growing up but the two I always found myself going back to was ceramics and photography. So naturally that’s what I ended up going to college for, graduating in 2015 from Pratt Institute with a BFA. It was during my time at Pratt that I actually started to embroider as a hobby. One of my close friends had been taking a fashion class and was embroidering for an assignment while we were hanging out. Inspired, I asked her to teach me some basic stitches and from there started to embellish my own clothing. Fast forward a few years later and I’m in Austin continuing my embroidery practice when I started the business.
As an artist I think the hardest part has been balancing my own creative outlet with that of Future Vagabond. When your livelihood depends on your art there's this kind of unspoken pressure because now you need to make things that will sell so you can pay your bills. That in and of itself creates these subconscious restrictions that can sometimes be hard to snap out of. But that being said, it’s also been extremely rewarding. The Austin community has really continued to show their support over the last few years which in many ways has given me more confidence as I grow my business.
What does your day-to-day as a creative look like?
It really tends to differ based on the needs of the business but I do try to keep a kind of “schedule”. Basically breaking the week up between sourcing, designing, commissions and production work.
Where do you find inspiration for your work?
A lot of the time, it comes from my day to day life. Sometimes from a song, a road trip, a film, an object I encounter at an estate sale or even something I saw on the way to that said estate sale. I like to reference my own photography as well, using the images as a sort of blueprint for the embroidery.
Our theme this season at Future Front is RITUALS. What are some of your favorite rituals?
So for the last 7 years a few friends and I have been going to Big Bend for Thanksgiving. We try to change it up a little every year but for the most part we have our staple activities and locals we like to visit with. It’s become one of my favorite yearly rituals and well I see it as being a lifelong thing now.
Why is your work important to you?
It’s always been important to me to make accessible art in a sustainable way. I’d say at least 85% of the pieces I sell are upcycled vintage, allowing each one to be truly unique. I’ve always had a passion for history and preservation, so by using these older garments not only do I get to create my own “story” with the added embroidery but I get to continue that of the person who made the item itself.
What advice would you give to a creative just starting out?
The best advice I can give to someone starting out is to try to set themselves up as best as they can for success. Each creative business will have its own needs but personally I started out part time for 2 years. Within that time I tested my proof of concept and learned a lot about the business side of things before taking the plunge into full time.
Let’s spread the love! Who are three vendors from The Front Market this season that you’re obsessed with?
Ooof this is hard, but I’d have to say Sweater P*rn Knitwear, YEAR 901 and Tak Tak.
What does your relationship between work and play look like?
For the most part I’d say I tend to work more than I play but having a partner and a dog definitely help to remind me to not be such a workaholic lol. It also kinda depends on the season, there are months that tend to be a lot busier so when it’s slower I try to take advantage of the free time.
What part of running your business do you secretly love? Secretly hate?
I would definitely classify myself as an introvert but I have to say I secretly love talking to all the customers who come to my pop-up markets. It’s fun to see what pieces they connect with and hear all the stories they end up sharing with me. As far as what I secretly hate, it would have to be managing my social media.
If one song had to be playing on repeat while you crafted/worked, what would it be?
Hmmm, this is hard because I’m totally one of those people that will listen to a song on repeat for days at a time. And well according to my spotify on repeat playlist, Bob Seger’s “Ship of Fools” has been sitting in the number one spot for months now so I’ll have to go with that one.
