Aaron Chupp

>> Who: Aaron Chupp
Wife: Vana Chupp of Le Papier Studio


When I met Vana...
I met Vana 8 years ago in architecture school. She had just transferred to my school my senior year. It was her first day at the school after she moved from California, I saw her, she didn’t see me. Our school was small so I knew she was new, and I was immediately interested in her, but thought she was out of my league. Thankfully she noticed me soon after that (we worked together in a slide archive for our student jobs) because I was shy and could not make a move. We soon found that even though we grew up 4800 miles apart we had a lot in common.




I love soccer/football/futbol but only catch a game everyone once in a while on TV, but I check the scores and read commentary everyday.

As a member of the first freshman class at our architecture school, I was voted by our professors “Person most likely to be an extra-terrestrial”. I am still trying to figure out why.

I am from Delaware and miss my scrapple and egg breakfast sandwiches.

I used to have a cowboy hat rack in my truck, but I have never ever had a cowboy hat. (it came with the truck)
I love cheese, me an Vana used to work for a cheese stand at a farmers market briefly. My favorite that I am imagining at this moment is brie that is layered with apricot preserves.


1. What would you say are the three most important things that you do to support Vana in her creative endeavors?

1. Playing with our son, and try to keep him out of her space.
2. Helping clean up around the house.
3. Encouraging her and providing feed back on her work.

2. Being with someone who works long and irregular hours can be tough... from missed dinners to not being able to do simple things like relaxing and watching your favorite shows together as often as you'd like... How do you stop the craziness from impacting your relationship?

For us our relationship was built during one of the busiest and most stressful times in our lives (architecture school) so in a way we are used to it. I think the important thing is to take time for the little things regularly. Say goodbye to each other in the morning, and actually look each other in the eyes and smile, the same in evening when you come home. Call or chat online during the day at work. We try stay connected, but understand that we have a full and busy life. It is only a few times a year that we have a chance to go out alone, so we have to maintain our lives connection during our everyday life so that our lives don’t become separated.

3. Could you give us a sense of what it's like living with an artist/designer who works from home? Please describe what typically happens once you come home from work [door opens]...

My son either, tackles me and says he wants to play or as I enter I see him in the kitchen with a bowl/pot, a spoon, shouting out about what he has “cooked”. Usually this is followed by Vana saying “please take him”. Sometimes I come home and open the door and find silence. I then have to go searching for them, as they are hiding somewhere. We usually then have dinner and then I try to give Vana time for her to work undistracted.


4. What was the strangest thing you've done to support Vana in what she does?

Not strange item but more unique I guess. I built a series of cabinets and a countertop for her workspace.

5. What is the easiest and hardest thing about being Vana's other half?

Easiest – Being happy for her seeing the enjoyment she has in designing and creating her products.
Hardest – Having time to get away from it all with her and relax.

6. Please choose one of your personal favorites from Vana's collection and briefly explain why it's your favorite.

A personal favorite is the paperweight with the boy blowing bubbles (I wish I had one of these for my office at work) as it is my son enjoying one of his favorite pastimes.

Thanks Aaron!!