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1. Do the daily occurrences of your life directly affect your art? If so, how?
I would say the daily occurrences of life directly affect my motivation to do art. The big thing here is to do whatever you have to do (within reason), to get where you need to be. I think balance in life is important, so I try very hard to balance the things I do in my life, such as having fun, being lazy, working at my other job, spending time with friends and loved ones. I feel if I don’t balance all of these things then I am not really successful at anything. All of these factors make up who I am, therefore if any of them are out of whack, then the motivation to create falls by the wayside.
2. Have you ever attended an art convention? If so, what was your impression of it?
Yes I have. I attended Dragon-Con in Atlanta and it was an amazing experience. This year I hope to be part of the art show, I will definitely be attending again. The thing about conventions is that you meet so many people who like the same things as you do. It’s so neat to meet new friends, and see all the amazing art and costumes. It also is a fantastic place to network.
3. Are there any artists that you aspire to be like?
I aspire to be the best me that I can be. I definitely admire how far some artists in particular have come in the business of fairy art. Jasmine Becket-Griffith is an amazing example of what hard work and amazing talent can do. I think her fan base is incredible and also her work. Also, last year when I went to Dragon-Con, I met Ruth Thompson. She is probably one of the nicest people I have ever met. And that is the type of person that I aspire to be as an artist and otherwise. Yes, I want to be successful, but mostly I want to be a successful artist who is kind to everyone she meets. I also really admire Renee Biertempfel, Paulina Stuckey-Cassidy, and of course Amy Brown.
4. Does the mood you are in influence whether a piece of art is a “dark” piece or a “light” one?
Sometimes, I am motivated that way. If I need some inspiration I will usually do something light and pretty. If I am wading through the trenches in life, I usually will be working on something dark and foreboding. I guess art is my emotional release. I tend to hold my feelings inside and let them fall onto the paper. That’s just me. But it works and it’s healing.
5. Can you suggest your 3 favorite or most-used art books to us? For what reasons did you choose these 3?
Most of the books that have deeply affected me are not necessarily books on technique, but on being an artist in general. My three picks are:
1. Interviews with Francis Bacon. This book really shows a truly profound artist, who struggles with his own personal demons. He was an absolutely interesting painter and person.
2. The Courage to Create. This book really analyzes the create process, and what being creative is all about.
3. Atlas of Human Anatomy for the Artist. I think any book that helps with technique in any sort is fantastic! But, this was one of my text books in college and it helped me a lot in my learning.
6. Do you feel as though posting your art at online galleries is beneficial to you? Why or why not?
I do feel that posting my art in as many places as I can get it, has been an integral marketing tool. Also I have met several very nice people and made some fans in the process. Posting my art online also motivates me, because I enjoy sharing what I have created with others. When someone says they love something that I have done, I feel incredibly happy. It makes me smile when I have made another person happy if only for a minute.
7. What are your views on allowing your work to be used as tubes, stationary, avatars or the like? Do you allow this and why or why not?
There are several different views on this, I however think it should be looked upon as a valuable marketing tool. I think there should be limitation set, which I do have limitations on my website. I honestly don’t want my art to be severely distorted or stretched in any way. But I do enjoy sharing my art with others, and feel it quite a compliment when someone wants to make something creative out of something that was created by me.
8. Have you made any significant changes in your art or in anything art-related for 2006?
I think the most significant thing I have done is pushing myself harder when I paint. I am making conscious effort to take any painting I am working on to it’s complete and final stages. Sometimes I want to be impatient and just want to say it’s done. I want to make sure I am satisfied before I say ok.. Now it’s done. This in fact includes any of the extra details and design elements, that I think really make my paintings come to life.
9. What do you feel are your strengths and weaknesses as an artist?
My strength is absolutely color. It somehow really makes sense to me how color should be used in my work, and how to put many different colors together without them looking muddy. In fact my most favorite thing about my work is the vibrant colors that I put together. I also think that I have a truly conceptual imagination and I think that also is a strength of mine. Before I did this kind of work, surprisingly I was very into realism. Usually when I was working from some point of reference, be it a still life or live model. I think I hold areas of opportunity in drawing solely from my imagination, instead of occasionally referencing sources that may somehow enhance the beauty of my work. Also hands and feet are always a struggle for me, they are never my favorite part of draw. I have several things I think could improve, but these stick out first in my mind.
10. Have you experienced anything in your life that you think makes you a better artist than you would have been without this experience taking place?
Truthfully, every single painful experience I have gone through in my life. And every single truly joyful experience I have gone through in my life. I don’t think it has been just one thing. It has been all of these experiences that have molded my mindset into believing the difference between what I think is right and what I think is wrong. To looking at life and saying, hmmm.. This is what it is all about. OK.. And realize that it is truly ok to accept yourself for whatever way you are and whoever you are. And trying as hard as you can to stand up for what you believe is right. Even though it’s hard sometimes. The acceptance of ourselves makes us believe that we can accomplish anything we set our minds to. This effects how I see things and how I do my art, believe it or not.
11. When you create art, do you choose the subject by how well you think it will be received by potential customers or do you create whatever strikes your fancy?
I pretty much just do whatever I want in the way of what I create. I like it that way. That is one of the perks of being a self-representing artist. The right to be an independent, call the shots and have creative freedom to do whatever you want. It’s one of the reasons I love what I do so much. And, it’s what drives me to continue. When I went to art school I have to admit feeling stifled by a strict regime of expectations that put limits on what I was allowed and not allowed to do. Some of the lessons were necessary in my mind, and some of them just completely restricting. I hated that. That’s why I do what I do now, and I love it! I also have to admit to being extraordinarily influenced by popular culture, fashion and music. These trends I think, could influence my potential customers to be more open to my work.
12. When you price your art, what factors do you take into consideration?
Mostly I base my prices on the market such as, how much other artists are charging for like items.
If it is something I feel is exceptional, it will be based on time and from a business perspective what I think it’s worth in the market.
13. Pretend you just got a large income tax refund and you can spend it all on art supplies! What will your shopping list include?
Yarka St.Petersburg Watercolors, my absolute favorite watercolors. I really can’t see myself using anything else. They are made in Russia, hand poured and semi-moist. I think Yarkas are fantastic! All sorts of brushes. Display stands for convention tables I may have. Portable portfolio cases. Black archival ink pens. Fine tip markers all colors, any brand I am interested in trying. Organizational supplies for my art supplies and art in general. And any cool new gadget I have not seen yet that I think would be interesting to try!
Name: Christina Lynn Myers
Website: http://www.christinalynnmyers.com/
email: info AT christinalynnmyers.com
DeviantArt: http://sunkitty7.deviantart.com/
ArtWanted: http://www.artwanted.com/sunkitty7
SheezyArt: http://sunkitty7.sheezyart.com/
