For this month’s Artist Spotlight I decided to feature…….me. Not that I’m all that or anything. 
I just waited until the last minute as usual and I didn’t want to bother anyone else with this during the holidays. Well, maybe I bothered a few people a little…….I asked a few of my friends-you guys-to make up some interview questions for me to answer. What? You didn’t think I was gonna interview myself, did you?! Anyway, a special Thank You goes out to my interviewers for this month’s Artist Spotlight! Here they are in no particular order except by order of their questions:
Carol Ochs: http://www.wildoaksart.com and http://www.simplysoap.com and http://www.enchantasies.com/and http://www.wildoaksart.com/JoinAsAFantasyArtist.htm
Ellen Million : http://www.ellenmillion.com/ and http://www.ellenmilliongraphics.com/
Sophia Zummer : http://faeriedustgallery.org/
Deborah Grieves: http://www.cynnaliafantasyart.com
Christina Myers: http://www.christinalynnmyers.com
Julia Sinfield : http://www.juliasinfield.co.uk/
Carrie Hawks : http://tigerpixie.com
April Vansickle : http://www.aprilvansickle.com
Dawn Obrecht : http://www.flowerchildfantasyart.com/
Katerina Koukiotis : http://www.katerinaart.com/
And now…on with the interview. 
1. GREAT IDEA to finally do yourself !!! A lot of your art has a unique spin on “fantasy”, focusing on the “fantasy male”…certainly a specialized and welcomed niche (to us ladies) in the fantasy art world! What do you feel are the pros and cons, easy and challenging aspects to showing new visions, and marketing your fantasy male art?
~Carol
Well, the pros certainly include my “research”! “But, honey, I’m WORKING!” (Said to my boyfriend as I’m surfing male model sites or ogling barely-dressed rockers….)
The biggest pro for me in creating Fantasy Men is that I’m truly doing something that brings me great pleasure. I’ve been hooked on drawing men since I was a teenager. I guess it comes fairly easy to me since I enjoy it. It’s certainly no chore, that’s for sure! The whole rock star, bad boy persona is very appealing to me and I love to bring it to life on paper. I try to stay away from those sorts in real life these days (opting for a nice, stable sort of boyfriend instead) but I can still have my fantasies on paper….it’s a lot safer that way!
There are definitely cons as well though. There is not as big of a market for Fantasy Males as there is for the female form. Female fairies and female warrior babes sell better than male art. I look it as my personal challenge to change that though!
Additionally, many women, although they may admire my work, won’t buy it because of a jealous boyfriend or husband. I know I had more than a few miffed significant others who did not care for the Christmas card I sent out in 2006: Jingle Bell! So, I guess I have to admit that it is more difficult for me to market my work. I think that there are people out there that do appreciate viewing the male form and who will buy it and hang it in their homes. I just have to work harder at discovering the right people to market my art to.
2. Um… um…! How does your family influence your artwork?
(Either by time/importance, or by subject!)
Ellen Million
My family influences my art quite a bit. First of all, I have to say that my family, starting with my mother when I was young, has always encouraged me and given me the confidence I’ve needed to strive to succeed. I come from an artistic, crafty family and I have always been around and doing creative things.
Now, I would say that my son Todd influences my art as well. In a different way though. Time wise, I spend a LOT of time at the ball field for practice or games a good part of the year since he plays both football and baseball. This greatly lessens the time I have to art. He has been #1 since his birth though and that’s a decision I made a long time ago that will never change. Now that he’s growing up though, I am beginning to try to take more time for myself for what I need to do as an artist. It sure would help if I could learn to sketch at the ball field though!
Another way Todd influences my art is in that, as his mother, I strive to be the best that I can be in order to provide him with the things I never had growing up. I would love for my art career to take off so that I could have the time, freedom and money to live as we wanted.
3. I know music has a strong influence on your art. Can you tell others what music types of music you enjoy the best and how it enhances your art and your muse?
Bright blessings
Soph
I really enjoy a wide variety of music. The music that really does it for me over all is 80’s hair band music though! I was growing up as a teen in the 80’s where excess and decadence were at their peak. These times and their music influence my art quite a bit still. My “mood music” when creating is hair band music almost every time! The rock and roll style with long hair and tattoos seem to find a place in most of my work! Believe it or not, I still have ALL of the band posters and rock and roll magazine centerfolds that were on my bedroom walls back in high school! I pull them out for inspiration often. The fashion style of that era was totally unique and unrivaled! Some artists listen to gentle, peaceful music to paint to. I’m much more likely to be head-banging along with the Crüe!
4. Hi Kelly! We’ll probably send some similar questions, so I’ll give you a selection to choose from…*grin*. I figured other people would cover your fantasy men so I tried to steer clear…LOL ! Which of your paintings is your personal favorite? Hope there’s a question there you can use!
Hugs,
Deb
I tend to fall in love with my work somewhat as it’s first created so usually my newest piece of art is my current favorite. Then, the love fades a little over time. However, I have a few pieces that kind of stand the test of time with me that I still love more than the others. My most favorite piece (right now) was done for Valentine’s Day 2006. It is entitled “Every Rose Has its Thorn”. Ironically, this is one of the few originals I have parted with. I had a very difficult time letting this one go but it helps knowing one of my dear friends Deana Rackley has it hanging in her home.
5. Kelly, what other artists do you aspire to be like? And where do you see yourself in 5 years?
-Tina
In regards to style, I wish my style to be my own. I do not strive to be like other artists in that regard. I think it’s not wise to compare oneself to others so much. I want to concentrate on being the best that I can be rather than worrying that so and so is better. There are many, many artists that I very much admire for their talent and skill; far too many for me to name. However, I believe it takes more than skill to make it as an artist. The artists that I admire the most show us that you also have to be accomplished in the business end of art or have someone else taking care of the business end for you. It doesn’t’t matter how good you are if no one knows you exist. Marketing is very important in order to be truly successful.
Dedication and hard work also are a must so I admire all the artists who suffer and sacrifice and lose sleep in order to further their art career.
I very much admire Jasmine Becket-Griffith. I had the pleasure of meeting her and her husband Matt at Dragon Con last year. She is wonderfully successful yet very friendly and down to earth. She told me that she usually completes one painting almost every day! This is so amazing and awesome to me! It shows such dedication and commitment to her art. Another thing I admire about her is that everyone seems to like her. She manages to remain friendly and liked by everyone and she also remains out of all the DRAMA! Quite a feat indeed!
5 years from now….that’s a tough one. I don’t really think I wish to be married(yet again) but I do wish to still be in a happy, fulfilling relationship with my boyfriend Thomas. In regards to my art, I hope to be doing much MORE of it! I hope that by the time 5 years have passed, I will have begun to make more of my living with my art rather than in always working for other people. I hope to be participating in the convention and art fair circuits a lot more as well. Also, I hope that my son Todd is still living very close to his old Mama when he’s at the ripe old age of 21.
6. With your paintings having a very dramatic & quite individual rock n roll edge to them, what would be your ultimate dream or goals for your art career? I hope no one else has asked anything similar!! I’ll come up with a different one if they do.
*hugs*
Julia xx
Well, of course it would be awesome to be able to create the art for album covers of some of my favorite bands! I’ve always thought that would be such a cool thing to be able to do. Another dream of mine would be to have the opportunity to create a Fantasy Portrait for one of my favorite rock stars! Oooohhhhh…………Tom Keifer, Tommy Lee, Bret Michaels….oh the possibilities! Of course, I would ask that they pose in person-no reference photographs for me on THESE portraits! The real thing baybee! LOL! Oh well, a girl can dream!
7. We all know you are a wonderfully talented artist, What are some of your other talents that we don’t hear you mention very much? (i.e.; Great singer? dancer? speed reader, wonderful chef? etc.)xoxoxoxox
Carrie
Thanks for the compliment Carrie! I’m actually a pretty awesome cook, if I do say so myself! I make a mean lasagna and a chocolate Kahlua cheesecake to die for! I can whip up some pretty tasty Beef Stew and Salmon Stew too! I like to cook and I experiment a lot with recipes. I’ve created stuff the dogs wouldn’t touch but, most of the time, I can come up with some pretty delectable dishes!
Other talents I have include being a damn good masseuse and having a pretty good listening ear and shoulder to lean on for my friends. I actually can read really fast too but I usually prefer to savor a book slowly and enjoy it like fine chocolate. Speaking of chocolate, I’m a connoisseur of that as well.
8. Kelly, tell us how you became interested in drawing rocker style fantasy men. April
I used to draw animals almost exclusively until high school. Then, I had the pleasure of having Art classes under one of my most favorite teachers of all time-Mrs. Browning. She encouraged me to try drawing people. She told me she thought I’d enjoy it. She was right-I found it highly challenging and intriguing. We had lots of magazines in class to get reference photos from or we could bring our own. I brought a concert photo of Jon Bon Jovi from a Circus or Metal Edge magazine and drew it. It was such a challenge for me to make my drawing look like Jon. It was so satisfying for me when people could actually recognize my drawing for who it was. From that moment on, I was totally hooked and have not looked back! I drew constantly. Many hours of my teenage years were spent creating the rocker portraits that can be seen on my website. I still am fascinated by rock stars so some part of this is incorporated into most of the art I do today.
9. Question… How do you find the time to balance art, family, work, school, FAE, and the Premier Jewelry parties you host?
If already asked… where do you find the inspiration for the hunky men you paint??? So generic and prolly already asked, I know, but I’m a dork. 
I hope that helps!! ^^*HUGS AND MUCH LOVE*
Dawn
Ummmmmmmmm……I never sleep! Seriously. I get far less sleep than the 8+ hours a night of beauty sleep that I really need! It is hard for me and sometimes I think I’m insane and that I have too much on my plate. I know that I do but there’s nothing I am willing to give up either. Selfish little thang, ain’ t I?! ;)My family and friends are of utmost importance to me. They keep me sane and somewhat grounded…as much as I can be anyway! I sometimes get slack at keeping in touch but I do try my best. Friendship and love keep me going.
Work…well, at this point-it’s a must for me. One day I hope to be able to support myself and my family with my art but that’s just a dream still right now. The Premier Jewelry shows I host enable me to make some really great side money when I’m able to do them. Plus, I really enjoy them-they’re lots of fun-I feel like I’m having a girl’s night out and getting paid for it!
The online classes I’m taking are in Graphics Design. It is really hard to find the time to fit these in but I do think it’s a worthwhile thing to do. I’ve already completed 1 year of the 2 I need for an Associates. I know it may sound silly but I want that little piece of paper saying that I accomplished this. I had my son Todd at age 19 and gave up any thoughts of college at that point. He was my entire world and I didn’t care about anything else. He still is the apple of my eye but, as he is growing up, I find myself wanting to pursue everything I put on hold when he was a baby.Hence the schooling.
Art is a part of my life period. I have always done it and I always will. Sometimes I am able to accomplish more than other times but that’s just life for me. I find time when I can and work like a mad woman! I do plan to MAKE more time for art in 2007 though! I believe that the more time I am able to spend practicing and creating more art; the better I will be able to become. And I really really want to be good at what I do.For those of you who have found the secret to getting more done in less time, (calling Ellen Million- do you have an article for this?!) LET ME KNOW YOUR SECRET!!! Please!
FAE- I do it because I love it and all of you guys! I know there are other forums out there that are run by artists far more prominent and important than me. I don’t even try to compete with that. I am what I am and I do what I can. That’s all. I want this to be a place that we can all be proud to be a part of. A place where there is friendship and knowledge to be shared and good times to be had by all! I will be working hard to make FAE the best place I can possibly make it. The most important part of FAE is all of you though! Thank you all for being a part of this forum!
Inspiration for my hunky men? My dreams! LOL! Ahem…….I draw inspiration from lots of places. As I previously mentioned, I have ALL of the posters of rockers that graced my walls back in the day. I drag those out often to look for those kick-ass clothing styles of the 80’s! Big hair, eye liner and leather pants-it just doesn’t get any better than that! I also love to attend rock concerts whenever I can. I get so motivated and inspired by those! Of course, I search for good-looking guys everywhere too-I look through model sites online and I look at men’s clothing magazines and such too. There are a lot of good stock photo sites too at Deviant Art. Besides all of these places, I draw inspiration from many other things….sometimes just listening to a certain song will put a plant a seed of an idea in my head that grows into a full-blown picture that must come out and onto paper.
10. Kelly you are known for the beautiful fantasy men you paint. Is there any other subjects you would like to paint in the future
that you haven’t so far? I know not so original question but I always wondered that myself And I would ask you that if I were to interview you :)I can’t wait to read everyone’s questions this will be one awesome interview :):):)
Thanks again for asking me to do this
*hugs*
~Katerina~
Of course I will probably always paint men because I love to! I have been wanting to incorporate animals into my art though. I used to draw animals all the time before I got hooked on people. There is just so much beautiful animal art work out there lately. Every time I see it, I am inspired anew to practice up and start drawing and painting some animals myself. I love art that has people and animals together-it shows a kind of kinship between them and I really want to be able to create that myself in some works of my own. I used to get sooo hung up on each individual piece of fur when I used to draw animals though! It was so time-consuming yet very rewarding too. I look forward to trying my hand at it again soon.
Another subject I would like to explore further is Dark/Goth art. I have touched on it and done a little but not very much. I do enjoy it immensely and would like to create much more of it in the near future. I would love to do some vampire art in particular …I’ve been inspired by a certain Vampire-writing/drawing miss.
*~Kelly Smith~*
www.moonglowhaven.com
http://hippiechic567.livejournal.com/
www.myspace.com/rockandrollartistchic
www.faeforum.com