Chloe Trujillo is an inspiration for so many.... She is a wife, mother, musician, artist, actress, designer and a wonderful human being.. It is always a treat to catch up with her... I hope you enjoy my interview with her.

Chloe, you do it all mother, musician, artist and designer first how do you do it all?

I don't think about it too much, and the minute I think about it, I get overwhelmed...I have extensive to-do lists, that get longer everyday...so I try to go with what feels right first, like priorities you know? Children have the highest of my priorities and then depending on momentum, for example if I'm working on my music a lot, I will take a break painting for an hour, and maybe fit one or two phone calls regarding new designs for scarves...In reality I am so passionate about what I do that I just live it.Holidays kinda throw me off, my work is my release, my meditation, my therapy, I need it! I have to add though that my day sometimes starts at 5 am so I connect with Europe (suppliers, stores, galleries, etc...) and sometimes can end at 1 or 2 am.So long days, with breaks in between of course.

At what age did you discover that you were so artistic?

At a very young age, my parents were both artists with tons of artists friends, my grand-parents on my mom's side were musicians, so I was raised in a very cosmopolite, multi-media artistic environment. I had to have a note book to draw on anywhere I went, I still do today! It's actually cool to revisit them, they're like a journal with images only, sketches of all the different places I've been, people I've met or strangers in the subway.It is also interesting to see how I perceived certain things at certain ages...you could only see that through your own drawings.

You come from a very artistic family from Paris.. Tell us a bit about your background?

I think I just did...I can add that living in Paris was really great for me! Being immersed in so much culture certainly infused me with a passion for Art , History, Science and Music!

According to your bio on your website, you were very shy in your youth and used art to express yourself. Tell us what you were doing then?

I always felt like an alien to the human race?... as crazy as it may sound, but I felt unsafe expressing my emotions and opinions on things, I would talk, but through art I could go deeper and express to a fuller potential, feeling safer. I could also see things or sense things around people, that I felt too weird to admit, and so I could just draw or paint these things using symbols or metaphoric elements, and that was okay.

After art you began using music to express yourself... Tell the readers about what kind of music you were doing.

I always had a love for raw sound, so of course blues, punk rock and heavy metal were my first musical experiments, "no name" was my first band, we had one radio play!!

You were involved in the Paris punk movement hanging out at the squats.. Tell us about that?

Like I said earlier, I felt like an alien, an observer of the life going on around me, an outcast, it was really painful and disturbing.Music is what was keeping me going. Metal, Punk were feeding me life force energy! And in that world I found a sense of belonging, of security, a nest. Something I never felt before! Freeing, no attachment, no following rules...We did things our way and we had each other's back- serious. We would hang out, go places (hop on trains and travel...meet other punks and hang with them), go see shows, sometimes get in trouble..can't tell it all, but this freedom also came at a price and there were some really dark dark times as well...Let's say it was quite an experience, a much needed experience, I was so young, but learned so much from the streets- community and self-efficacy at the same time... I could probably write a book about this journey, for example, I remember this mirror behind a bench inside the metro station that would tilt and there was a whole room with electricity and heat!That was our spot for a while, then squats, or someone's house for a night...we never knew where the day would bring us Some of my friends were true characters, when I think about them today, "Destroy"( he used to pick up any rusted safety pins of the streets and pierce his own cheeks with it right there on the spot...), "l'Araignee" ( means "the spider" kept yelling at his invisible monkey...), "Papa" (he was older- old enough to be our dad), "l'Edente"(the toothless), etc, etc...wow long time ago....yes I could write a book with all the stories...tattooing each other, getting lost in the sewer, endless stories....

Who were some of your favorite bands during that time?

Bad Brains, Agnostic Front, Black Flag for the more Punk/Hardcore Bands (I listened to a lot of french punk as well), but I also really got into extreme Metal, Grindcore and Death Metal- Napalm Death, Carcass, Death, Venom...too many to list here ...and I always loved Judas Priest! As a vocalist I thought Rob was the best!Oh and Mercyful Fate too! I could go on and on....

How long were you involved with punk?

I still kinda am? not as extreme...but it's still in there.And I got out of the "streets" before finishing high school.My friends would come pick me up when classes were over!!!One day my math teacher even said, "Chloe your zoo has arrived to pick you up!", she was really torn because I was such a mathematician as well, she didn't understand why I was hanging out with these punks...

While hanging out at the squats were you mainly doing art or was it the music that you were cultivating?

Both, but as a group, we did a lot of music, art was more of a solitary activity for me.That's when I started expressing myself more and more, fearless of what others may think or maybe even wanting to ignite some kind of reaction in people- a peaceful rebellion through art and music- such a release-

During this time were you performing in any bands

"No name"- one radio play!!Yes!All hood-rat instruments...we didn't care.And a few more last-minute made-up bands, basically just getting together and play!We performed in studios, garages and also at some squats.Very much private special VIP shows!!!Not just anyone could get in....

You also got a good education. Where did you attend college and what were your majors?

I went to a scientific university at Pierre et Marie Curie in Paris and after getting my degree in Mathematics and Physics I decided to switch to Art University-which was a big deal, because education is free in France, they don't allow students to switch so easily...I had to send a whole file of my artistic work, a letter of motivation and other stuff to the Secretary of education proving why Art was so important to me...I got in and studied Art history, all kinds of art techniques, etc, etc..

When did you first start showing your art?

While studying science!

You were also doing theater... Was it musicals or drama?

Both! I never knew a lot about musicals-except for Kurt Weill's work, but I love to sing, dance and act, and it seemed the perfect fit.I got cast most of the time as a french maid, prostitute, or cancan dancer, so I actually ended doing more cabaret related stuff, which was really cool!And rock operas!And lots of drama!!!!

You also became involved with spiritual leaders.. What prompted you in that direction?

After being attacked and almost raped and killed....It was definitely a wake-up call for me! Things needed to change, I needed to deepen that connection within and start creating a more meaningful life for myself.I had to take responsibility!!Try not to fall into "playing the victim" trap... It was such a miracle that I managed to fight back and save myself, I received it as a gift.It was a long painful route of healing, therapy, music and art...That is also how I got involved in Healing Works and Magic.

Your artwork also changed towards spiritual liberation.. I am so impressed by your growth in your art? Was it an easy decision to make?

Thank you! It came almost naturally, it had to come out like that, the message came through, the visions and the transition happened.There was so much within myself that needed healing and after doing so much spiritual work, I became a clearer channel, and let information travel through me and expressed itself through painting, writing or music....I work on being clearer and clearer everyday. Letting go is the most liberating experience.

How did you meet your husband Robert Truillo?

I met him at Clash of the Titans in 1990 in Paris, ST was playing with Testament, Megadeth and Slayer.I was there and one of my best friend introduced us.

I understand you engraved some artwork on Robert's bass guitar. What was it that you engraved?

The Aztec Calendar- he had this blank wood bass with him and asked me to do something with it.We were all in Paris and so I went to my dad's cellar where I had some art supplies and found my old pyrography tools.I decided to use it on the guitar, then I wanted to create something that represents Robert - his background is Aztec, it felt just right...plus I loved the mystery of that civilization's history! I have now done eight guitars for him!(going on ten)

When did you marry Robert? You also have two children together? Do you have a nanny?

We got married in 2004, we do have two children, a boy and a girl, they're awesome! And yes, we do have a nanny now, especially since I am working so much, it really helps.

You lived in San Francisco for awhile! Do you prefer San Francisco or Los Angeles better?

I don't know...Both cities are really different...I love LA for the weather, that's for sure.But SF has a real cool vibe.And I have really great friends in both cities!!!

Tell us about your current musical projects?

I am finishing my album, it's a mix of punk gypsy rock....Very fun!Lots of instruments..I can't wait to give you a copy when it's done!

Kathy Peck tells me that you have started a clothing line. Tell us all about that?

Yes,I was born in the fashion world with my parents, and always had this connection with clothing, mixing colors and textures.During the punk-rock years, I would paint on my friends jackets, or cut t-shirts, etc...But never thought of really creating a line, I had enough work between the fine arts and the music. A few years ago, my mom gave me this handmade super-colorful scarf that I would always wear, and people would ask me if I made it all the time, so the idea came... The next day, my good friend calls me with the same idea: "you should make scarves!!!" OK universe, I get the message, so I started with scarves! When you listen to the Universe, it really responds fast! In no time the collection was out, from Italy, top of the line quality, colorful, exactly as I imagined, thanks to my punk-rock friends(YES!) and the collection was sold at Colette in Paris!!!How amazing! I did tons of interviews and the line was launched! Now I am working on purses, jewelry and other stuff...it is busy around here!

Do you have any Internet addresses you would like to share with the readers?

www.chloeinart.com
www.chloetrujillo.com
Please visit!

Tell us what is ahead for Chloe Trujillo in 2013?

Album release!And more music writing Working on a book New designs on scarves, launch of a bag line and jewelry and maybe clothing... The launch of a DC women shoe design Art exhibitions Gigs, performing more and more, singing but also live painting. Spending quality time with my family, having a healthy and happy successful year! Is actually what I wish for everybody!!Sending out positive vibrant energy to the planet and beyond! And staying open to opportunities...

Any last words for Punk Globe readers? Thank you so much Ginger, and thank you to the Punk Globe readers!!!You all rock!xxx Happy New Year to all!!!

Thank you Chloe....

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Check out some of Chloe's work below and don't forget her websites: www.chloeinart.com     www.chloetrujillo.com