Benefits of being spotlighted include your interview posted at the foum, on our Facebook, Twitter and Live Journal blogs for all to see! We also supply you a badge that links to your interview that you can post on your website or any social networking venues!

I usually ask approx. 12 questions and you can elaborate as much or little as you like! We want to get to know YOU! When you email me, please provide links to your website or any places that provide bios or other details about yourself so I can formulate interesting questions!   You can also submit up to 4 images, including a photo of yourself and 3 choice works in .jpg format, no larger than 200 pixels on the longest side.  Thanks!

Join Fae Forum at: http://www.faeforum.com/forum/

~Carol

Come read about it and talk about it with us and we hope you will join in and submit your art!

  1. Maryanne, your art is beautiful! Are you a full-time artist or part-time? I see anime/manga style influence, but not strictly so. How would you describe your prime influences , what draws you to draw?

Thank you! Currently I am a part-time artist. I have a full-time job in order to pay the bills! My primary influence growing up was Wendy Pini. I’ve been drawing since I could hold a crayon properly (I honestly have! We have pictures of the mural I drew on the walls when I was 2! It wasn’t exactly pretty, but it was big. And purple. Very, very purple.) but I wasn’t serious about it until I was 11 or so and discovered ElfQuest. I used to sit for hours on end, painfully copying the comic panel by panel. I was pretty heavy into anime in college and I’m still fond of Rumiko Takahashi’s work (Ranma ½ and InuYasha) but I never got 100% into the style. The traces of it still linger.

2. Your use of Swarovski crystals to embellish originals and prints is gorgeous! Is this a signature of yours you plan to use indefinitely?

Thanks again! Yes, I do plan on using this indefinitely. I really like the decorative look it gives, and it shows really nice when you’re outdoors at a faire. Plus if you hang them in the right spot inside, when the light hits it right, they just sparkle non-stop.

3. You list watercolor, ink, pencil and PS CS2 as your main tools of the artistic trade. Do you have a favorite? And have you had any professional training or are you self-taught?

Watercolor pencil has got to my very favorite tool. I like the amount of control you have with them versus watercolor paint, which can sometimes come down to luck. They don’t have as many special effects as paint, but I found them much gentler to learn. I’m now branching out into watercolor paint and I usually blend the two now. I love India ink for line work, and I use a nib pen for it. I can’t get quite the same feel using something like Micron pen.

I majored in visual art in college, but I’ve also taken additional courses offered through one of the local art studios and got a certification in graphic design through an online school. My favorite extracurricular class was Comic Book Illustration. I still work on my education with tutorials and books. I have to give my parents a lot of credit for my education! Growing up they always made sure I had plenty of art supplies, from construction paper and glue as a child to art tables and easels in college. In fact, my mom was the one who got me into art class in my junior year of high school when the school insisted I wait another year.

4. Do you use reference material, follow trends, or are all ideas plucked from your fertile imagination?

I do use reference material. I’m constantly flipping through the Art section at the bookstore to find any book that I think I’ll be able to take something away from. I have a heavy background in figure work, but I just recently purchased manikins to help with the more difficult poses. I’d love to be able to get to some live drawing classes; sadly they’re all while I’m working.

I try not to follow trends too much, but if I get an idea for a piece, I run with it, regardless of if it’s trendy or not. Most of what I do is from my own imagination, but I sometimes do research on folklore to discover new faery types. I start with rough sketches, then move onto illustration board. I find it much more durable to the torture I put it through versus my old standard of bristol. I get a lot of ideas from music and find that my iPod is a bit of a savior in that respect.

5. What has been your most successful mode of marketing? Online? Shows/faires? And what would you recommend to newly emerging artists as their best bet for breaking-out in the art world?

Renaissance faires have been my biggest success thus far. I really like being able to get out and talk to people who are looking at my art. I think people like to hear from the artist about their inspiration, how they create their art, how much fun they had while doing a certain piece or what gave them problems, all sorts of things. Connecting a face to a name is always a good thing and I do like to gauge the reactions my work has on people. Bringing a smile to someone’s face, however cliched that may be, is a huge boost for me.

I’d recommend a couple of things to new artists. One is to always keep a small sketchbook with you. Jot down ideas and thoughts, do rough sketches whenever you get the urge; keep it by your bed. Keep it by you at all times. Show it to interested people, to gauge what they like or don’t like. Put yourself out there as much as you’re comfortable with. Get a website on Elfwood or deviantart (both are free, so that’s very cost effective for new artists), join art forums (like FAE!) and participate. Take the constructive criticism to heart and ignore any nasty or negative ones. Don’t take it personally, you’ll learn quickly enough which comment is meant with an honest interest in seeing your technique grow and which one is only meant to try and make you feel bad.

Go to local faires (art shows, renaissance faires, arts & crafts) and see what the market is like in your area. Ask vendors how they’re selling right now and base where you want to start from there. Start small, start local. Keep in mind that most arts & crafts fairs tend to have a heavy ‘window shopper’ crowd, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing so long as you make your table fee back.

And oh, invest in good business cards! Always keep a few on you.

6. I see you have a great interest in gaming, role-playing, LARP’ing…..tell us about your involvement in this and how it influences your art, ….or does your art influence your gaming? Do you do portrait commissions for game playing?

I’ve been gaming since I was roughly 12 years old. My older brother played D&D, and I got my interest from there. LARPing is a natural progression from wanting that really in-depth immersive character, but I got into it in college. My dad and my older brother were both heavy into Tolkein when I was little and my mom is into sci-fi and horror/monster movies, so I was kind of fated from the start. Gaming really introduced me to fantasy artists like Larry Elmore. I don’t do as much gaming art as I used to, but yes, I do take character portrait commissions.

Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to LARP as much since the birth of my son. But he’s three now, and we’re starting to introduce him a little here and there to the idea of people dressing up and ‘playing’ even though they’re all grown up.

7. Are there art subjects you’ve not explored yet, but want to, or have a burning desire to try?

I’d love to try my hand at different cultures, but I’d want to research them before I do. One of these days, I’ll get more into digital art.

8. Do you do other arts or crafts? What are some of your non-art- related hobbies or interests?

I used to sew pretty heavily, along with dabble at jewelry making. My non-art hobbies, beyond tabletop gaming and LARPing, are playing World of Warcraft and watching horror movies (when my son’s asleep!) I love to read books about true hauntings, folklore and cryptozoology. I’m starting to introduce my son to Godzilla movies now and in a couple years the classic Universal monster movies. I *love* the creature features of the 50’s and 60’s.

9. Your Elfwood profile quotes, “Maryanne is a very odd individual. She prefers the term ‘freak’.” How do you define your own personal “freak”?

Hoo-boy. Yeah, I wrote that in my twenties, one of these days I need to change it to ‘charmingly kooky’. I’m into fantasy, hauntings and cryptozoology, which are usually considered odd at best. So when I got into the work force and didn’t mesh personality wise, kind of led me down into that ‘I must be a freak or something’ mentality. Fortunately, I’m now comfortable with the fact that my interests are somewhat off the beaten path and no longer keep quiet about whatever I was watching on TV the night before. J Yes, I would rather watch a good horror/monster movie verus the latest ‘chick flick’. Oh well!

10. You mention an interest in belly-dancing! How long have you been dancing, where do you do so, and what can you share with us? Do you use and make your own costumes?

I have been dancing at least 10 years now, on and off. I have studied cabaret, folkloric, tribal fusion and now tribal/American tribal style (ATS). I dance in the local area with some wonderful, gorgeous ladies under the tribal/ATS troupe Mahasti. Sadly, we’re all on a bit of a break right now due to everyday life kind of intruding on everyone and killing our schedules. I used to make all my own costumes, now I find deals on eBay or through reputable vendors. It’s actually had a big influence on my art, as a lot of what I draw has a belly dance feel to it, either through poses or clothing,

11. Are you attracted to other artists who mainly do the same style of art as yourself, or what other styles capture your attention?

I’m attracted to all styles! I love everything from light and delicate watercolors to digital pieces created in Painter. I’m pretty eclectic in what I like. Anything that has a really strong sense of humor to it generally leaps to the forefront though.

12. Do you have a personal totem? I see hints of wolf in several of your works. What is the meaning behind your screen name of “Wulfemoon”?

Oh yes, Wolf is definitely my totem! Wulfemoon is a wink and a nod to my first inspiration, ElfQuest, as well as being two things I’m naturally drawn to. Why I spell it “wulfe” as opposed to “wolf” is pure chance. Years ago, when I was on AOL, I went to get the screen name Wolfmoon, which was already taken. It was my husband who came up with the alternate spelling. I’ve been Wulfemoon ever since.

It concerns our art shows, so if you are interested in them (or not, I want to know that too!) please do vote in this poll. I would greatly appreciate it.

Show is now live and we welcome you to visit and enjoy the many different visions our artists created for the Spirits and Spiritual Beings theme.

]]> http://www.faeforum.com/intro/2009/12/spirits-spiritual-beings-show-now-live/feed/ 0 http://www.faeforum.com/intro/2009/09/sasha-fitzgerald-view-art-at-www-solarissky-com/ http://www.faeforum.com/intro/2009/09/sasha-fitzgerald-view-art-at-www-solarissky-com/#comments Wed, 23 Sep 2009 15:20:55 +0000 Carol http://www.faeforum.com/intro/?p=300

That does sound like a lot, now that I think about it! Art and business are my two greatest passions in life (travel is my third). Because I love both disciplines so much, I find it very enjoyable to pursue them with all my time and energy. School is tough, but, as they say, time flies when you’re having fun!

2. I see you do traditional as well as digital art…do you prefer one medium more than the other, does one come more naturally to you, and why?

 I definitely prefer using traditional mediums for my paintings and illustrations. I find it takes me much less time to complete a picture traditionally than it does digitally (especially when it comes to things like inking an image). I also suffer from tendonitis when I’m on the computer too long which is actually the main thing preventing me from doing a lot of work digitally. My favourite mediums to work with are Winsor Newton Watercolours, Copic Sketch Markers, a pen with a nib and India Ink, and my trusty bic mechanical pencil.

3. You live in Vancouver, British Columbia—very beautiful country! Do you draw much of your inspiration from your surroundings? (I’m often curious if you take an artist out of their beautiful location, if it stifles their ability to create.)

 Thank you! Yes, we are renowned for our mountains, trees, city, and torrential rainy weather. I think the thing that inspires me most about my surroundings is the greenery. I didn’t realize how much it meant to me until I went to Europe. The thing I missed most about home were the lush tree-lined streets, and beautiful mountains and the view of the ocean. We tend to take things for granted and only truly appreciate them when they’re gone. I’m not sure how leaving my surroundings would affect my art. I think that I would try and use the change positively though and let it flow through my work.

4. Please tell us about your coming book project collaboration with other artists! You seem very confident of your projected follow-through plan for it. Are you intimidated at all by the amount of work involved? Do you have established plans for marketing it?

 The book project is something I’ve wanted to do for a while now. My sense of confidence in the project comes from the talented artists involved, and the vision of the finished book I see in my mind’s eye. I have confidence in my ability to create unique and professional page layouts, and to blend all of our pieces together. I plan to make a different page template for each section of the book to keep it uniform and to ‘recycle’ it so that my work is cut down. I’m actually looking forward to designing the page layouts and working on the design part of the book. If I weren’t a fantasy artist myself, I think this is a career I would be interested in pursuing in an alternate universe. 

 The daunting part, that will surely test my ingenuity, is the publication. It involves a lot of shameless grunt work. I’m going make cold calls to agents, publishers, and book distributors; I’m going to send out draft manuscripts, and hopefully meet with some publishers and give them our pitch. I am lucky to have the added advantage of being in a program with teachers who are actually in the industries of art, illustration, design, and publication, and will hopefully give me feedback and contacts to call. 

 It may take a while (and immense determination), but I’m convinced that this dream is possible. I’m very serious and passionate about making a professional, worthwhile product and pitching it to major players in the publishing industry.

*I have also had some artists offer to help put everything together, and I really appreciate it. This is a team project to the  core. Something that will hopefully launch us into the public eye and inspire others. Are you excited? I’m excited.*

5. In an industry genre often referred to as “over-saturated”, what do you feel you do to stand-out and be unique? What must anyone do to stand out and be unique?

 Here’s what I try to do:

One, have kick ass art that competes with established artists. Take what inspires you (whether it be from life, imagination, other artwork) and translate it into something unique and personal.

Two, determination; never give up! Always draw draw draw! You are constantly improving.

Three, promote yourself in any way you can. Make a personal website, put your artwork up on sites like our Fae Forum, or Deviantart, participate in local markets and contests.

Four, be yourself and let your awesome personality shine. Have a strong online identity and you are less likely to be forgotten.

 6. Artists are so much more than their art. Who are you besides an artist–what other interests/hobbies/quirks/unique peculiarities?

I really love watching a good movie, having a strong cuppa joe or a soothing green tea, camping and kayaking, being nuzzled by my kitten, eating white cheddar popcorn, organizing my bedroom, reading the latest young adult fantasy novel, and carrying on with my crazy market pals.

7. Have you ever worked jobs other than art, and if so, what?

I’ve had a few. I worked in a movie theatre selling popcorn to the masses, at a grocery store as a demo girl, and selling soap at the market I work at now for my mom. I can’t wait until my artwork becomes my full time career.

8. Did you always know you wanted to be an artist? What tipped your scales into going to art school? What advice would you give other artists trying to decide about whether to go to art school or not?

 No. In fact, I never called myself an artist until I decided to go down that career path. I have a great love for history and archaeology (and Indiana Jones lol) and was convinced I wanted to be an archaeologist. When I got out of high school I took some college courses and discovered that I was more engaged in my drawing and doodling than my classes and school work. Then I did a little soul searching and decided I wanted to become an artist; specifically an illustrator (which I needed to be educated for to enter the industry).

My advice to those artists that want to pursue a full time career in the arts to definitely go to school. At school you get to use state of the art equipment, and are taught by people who work in the industry and have important knowledge to pass on. Also, you have the opportunity to make connections with like-minded people and key industry pros that could lead to future career opportunities.

From my experience, art school is divided into two groups; artists and designers. Artists are, to be cliche, those funky, expressive people, who are more about the message than superficial looks of the piece itself. They want to share their messages (such as environmental, social, and political issues) with people in shows and public places. They focus on experimentation and ideas, and are generally into modern art. Designers, on the other hand, focus more so on the aesthetics of a piece. They create art that can be used in commercial work and publication or even galleries (such as a company logo or an illustration for a magazine or a group art show). Figure out which side you fit in, and choose your courses/program from there.

9. If the world did not have the internet, how do you imagine you’d be marketing your art?

The internet has been an amazing asset to artists. To be honest, I’m not sure how artists marketed themselves in the past. I imagine their success depended on connections, exposure, and luck.

10. Is there subject matter you’ve not attempted yet to paint that you wish to, and if so, what?

I’m trying to work on more pieces that involve characters interacting with each other. Like hugging, kissing, or walking together… It really challenges me! I’m also practising painting backgrounds. I would really like to get a convincing old craggy stone effect like other artists I admire do.

11. What other artists (living or deceased) have had the most lasting effects on you in developing your own style and why?

When it comes to colour, style, and mediums, I’m most inspired by Kmye-Chan, Lois Van Baarle, Nati Pierandrei, Stephanie Law, Antonio Gaudi, and Alphonse Mucha. I love the Art Nouveau feel and careful colouring and textures created by these artists, and hope to emulate a similar style in my own.

12. Does the most rewarding compensation from others for your art come via sales or appreciative compliments? What drives you most to create art? Is it for you, or for others?

I really appreciate thoughtful comments on my work. Even if they aren’t compliments, the fact that something I drew made someone stop and say or write something to me… that’s just too cool. When I was younger, I drew to express the characters and worlds running through my imagination. Since I started posting my work on the internet and gaining a small following of online friends and admirers, I find that I am driven to create art for them. I want to hear what they think and feel about what I’ve made.

I feel most confident when I’m drawing or painting something. I feel totally in my zone.

~Sasha Fitzgerald

http://www.solarissky.com

http://solarissky.deviantart.com

http://www.faeforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=5347

Rather than a regular newsletter, FAE has this “Subscribe to Any” button below. One of the options is ’subscribe by email’. Every time we update the main site with a new show, a call for art, an Artist Spotlight or other newsworthy event, you will get an email containing the new post. Looking at the dates from past updates, this averages to 1, maybe 2, emails per month. A great way to stay up to date with all our art shows, artist spotlight and other events!

Find the new link here:

http://www.faeforum.com/intro/newsletter/

Show is now live and we welcome you to visit and enjoy the many different visions our artists created for the Ocean Fantasies theme.

]]> http://www.faeforum.com/intro/2009/07/ocean-fantasies-art-show-now-live/feed/ 0 http://www.faeforum.com/intro/2009/06/artist-spotlight-faerydaealyssa/ http://www.faeforum.com/intro/2009/06/artist-spotlight-faerydaealyssa/#comments Wed, 03 Jun 2009 23:34:37 +0000 Carol http://www.faeforum.com/intro/?p=256

 1. Alyssa…..how long have you been arting to have amassed so many different art skills? I see you do traditional art, pencil art, clay, wood, stone, metal…my gosh you’re an ambitious gal! Are you self-taught at all of these talents?

I started as soon as I made the connection that one can create something with various objects – sticks in sand, crayons on paper, pencils and pens, etc. My family has a strong artistic bent and my mom always encouraged me. She was also very crafty and I sort of went along for the ride – so I was making my own clothes and doll clothes at like 7 and I had a massive stuffed animal collection that I made myself. My mom and I did all the typical Tandy and Michael’s (I think the store was Michael’s even then) crafts, and I learned how to work in leather, cross-stitch, embroider, crochet, rag fabric weaving, hook rugs, stained glass, fake stained glass, glass etching, painting, ceramics, pottery, porcelain painting, china painting, miniature scenes, doll houses, dolls, drawing, pretty much every one of the craft trends in the 70’s and 80’s me and my mom did. LOL.

Probably the coolest part about my childhood really. My granddad on my dad’s side had me making jewelry and doing basic lapidary as early as 5 years old. So that got me into the world of minerals, crystals, gemstones, metal working, jewelry making, carving and cutting stone, and he would make little critters out of semi precious stones and so I learned that too – so I guess in a way I was making dolls in stone from a very early age LOL. From him I learned wood carving, and manipulating natural materials and a bunch of other things – he also grew and did gourds.

I was just extremely lucky to have a family that exposed me at insanely young ages to things their hobbies so they had the finances to explore so I had my hands on things that likely most kids don’t get a chance to normally. As a result I wound up with a wide and very expansive list of hobbies and interests, and that’s just talking about the art end of things.

But yeah, mostly self taught – in the sense that I didn’t take classes – but the reality is that I often had folks I could ask questions of around me and I often had someone older than me for me to bounce things off of, so not entirely alone in my self teaching. If that makes sense.

2. You have quite a few websites that are either yours or you are the steward or assistant-steward of…how do you manage to manage them all? And do you find it an advantage to keep certain art themes separate vs. lumped altogether? (I’ll list them here for anyone to visit!)
http://ElfWitch.com

http://HeebieJeebies.org

http://Dragonlings.com

http://FeyRealm.com

http://OOAKguild.com

http://MermaidArtists.com

http://CollectibleACEOs.ning.com

http://DragonArt.ning.com

http://OOAKArtDolls.ning.com

http://HalloweenArtists.ning.com

http://PencilArtists.ning.com

(still working on this one)

http://ACEOaddix.com

(just an admin/mod for)

I’m sort of addicted to websites. LOL! does it show?  That’s actually not all the sites I have – but those are my “art based” sites – along with the art based sites that I either co-run or help with. It can get to be a lot of work sometimes, yeah. Many times I think I am just insane. LOL.

I do not know if there is a certain advantage to having themes or not – it’s really more due to my addiction to making websites – I LOVE LOVE LOVE creating a new theme or website – so it’s one reason I like building stuff for others cuz once it’s done I can go onto the next one without adding to my extensive personal website collection. LOL!

The dragonlings site was just because they are planned to be a series – and I thought that they had enough potential to be streamlined and polished enough of a theme/series that they would warrant or deserve their own space. I expect at some point that I will launch into a resin series of them – though I will also always create OOAK dragonlings. And sort of the same thing for the HeebieJeebies and the Halloweenie HeebieJeebies … they just seemed to lend themselves to their own line.

3. I was especially intrigued with your in-depth fairy wing and mermaid fin tutorials…beautiful! How long, and how many attempts did it take you to arrive at these clever designs?

I mostly did the tutorial because at the time there was NO such tutorial in existence that either clearly explained ALL the steps or had clear and high quality pictures, and actually clearly listed all the supplies one would need. I spent TWO years chasing those wings because the artists doing them were not revealing how – or were only doling out pieces of the process and I just was so annoyed that it was so easy to do and that it took me 2 years of fiddling and chasing down false leads and being misdirected that I swore I would share it once I found a way to duplicate it.

The main thing for me was just in letting the glue dry entirely before messing with the film … but either no one said let it dry, or they said you could do it immediately after gluing. I just wanted to help artists that wanted to get that particular effect they were looking for and prevent anyone else from having to jump through the hoops like I did.

I still need to do one specifically for mermaid fins. Also Angelina film can be used instead of the Fantasy Film since they are basically the same thing.

4. Please tell us how you arrived at your charming name “Elf Witch” for your main website.

I’m going to be lazy, LOL, and just cut and paste from my site … hope that is okay!:

“Many people have asked why I chose “ElfWitch” as the name for my site. I chose that because I do find sculpting and drawing to be sort of medicinal, as well as magical. Medicine women were often commonly called witches in the old days and art is sort of magical all on its own so it just seemed like a great name. The image that name called to mind is the drawing on the right, an elfin maiden who is also a medicine woman versed in magics. Plus it just rolls off the tongue and I just like the sound of it!”

5. You mention that metaphysics and meditation play a key role in your creativity process….can you tell us more about what you practice, any tools or schools of thought you particularly embrace, or care to share?

I’m just sort of seeking my truth, and my path. I’ve had a really severe creativity block that lasted near 18 years that I’m emerging from, and I do think it is tied to a lack of meditative space in me and in my life. I’ve been starting to study a shamanistic path currently as that really feels the most “right” so far for me.

6. Your clay Heebie Jeebies are such charming little buggers! Do you have your own kiln to fire them? And please tell us what your art area is like to organize so many crafts you do! Do you have any links to studio photos?

They are done with polymer clay – so they do not need a kiln. I do however have a dedicated convection oven to bake all my polymer creations in so that I am being as safe as I can be. Right now all I have to work on is a folding table in my living room. I am a severe hoarder of art goodies though – and I have enough to fill studio. But we’ve had to move 3 times in 2 years so most of my stuff is all in boxes buried in the garage because I am a pack rat and I have WAYYYYY too much stuff. So I make little “forays” into the jungle safari that is my garage every so often when I need something that I know I have … out there … somewhere…. I still haven’t been able to organize or root through all my stuff so gods knows where everything is. I want to set up the second bedroom as my art room – but am terrified I’ll get it all set up only to have to move…. again … and that just gives me nightmares. So everything stays in boxes so far and I just root for items every so often.

7. You are of Native American heritage…Choctow, I believe you mention on your site….do you feel you bring your ethnicity to your arts in any way, and if so, how? Is there any family lineage to your crafts?

Yeah – I’m an eighth Choctaw, (I’m a mutt – what can I say? I have an interesting lineage I guess – but in the end, I’m still just a mutt! lol) and have been trying to teach myself their language – so far unsuccessfully, LOL! I think at some point, being partially native American will play a part in my art, but right now I feel like I’m just “playing” mostly, more of my stuff is light hearted, doesn’t dig deeply into anything, doesn’t have meaning or messages from me any way, but I think at some point that will come. Right now I’m just getting used to being creative again as a regular or daily thing.

8. With so many art skills….are there arts you’d yet like to tap into and if so, what’s on your To-Do List?

Sculpting in stone, fiberglass, wood, and metal – on museum level in terms of size. I want to do LARGE pieces. The reason I do polymer is just because I do not have the funds to own or run a kiln or have a place where I could actually sculpt in marble or whatnot. I pretty much want to dabble in everything LOL. I love glass blowing but only done a little of that so far. I want to do more work in metal crafting too. I’ve always wanted to learn how to forge and how to build a forge from scratch and maybe make blades and swords. I also want to learn carpentry and woodworking – I have an insane desire to build my own furniture and do inlay work. Puppetry also fascinates me and I have an urge to explore that as well. I just want to play with everything. LOL!

9. What is your most successful mode of selling/presenting your art and what advice do you have for up and coming artists inspired by your work? Do you feel it is an advantage to have so many types of art to offer, or is it easier for you to focus on one thing at a time when your mind is moving in a a direction on a project?

eBay has been good to me relatively. I’ve been kicking around offering prints and originals on my site – but I think I might actually give that a shot since all it would cost me is time. LOL. I have yet to sell anything on Etsy and not much off Zazzle to date. I can’t imagine anyone being inspired by my work LOL – I really find most of it sooo tame and mellow, it’s not edgy or punchy or complex or even really meaningful. I hope that might change someday though!

My biggest mantra to new artists is <b>YOU CAN DO THIS</b>. The ONLY thing that makes artists different from non-artists is that we have the drive and motivation to keep trying even though we fail over and over at capturing what is on our heads. If you practice ANYTHING every single day for years on end -n you cannot HELP but gat the very least get somewhat adept and decent at it. It’s just a matter of doing it over and over and over even when you fail, getting up and doing it again – THAT is what makes someone an artist in the end. JMO.

10. Can share with us what your favorite brands of materials are to work with for all of your arts?

I try to never pick favorites in anything – I think it winds up limiting you, I try to keep all doors open and ready for me to walk through – as I might not be in the right space to do well with a particular medium but years later might be RIPE for it. Watercolors being a perfect example. I avoided watercolors for decades because of an unsatisfying experience when I was much younger, and if you had told me I’d enjoy watercolors and be using them so gleefully and with as much joy as I am now like even a year ago – I’d have laughed in your face and thought “Yer craaaazy!!” to myself LOL. Turns out, the time just wasn’t right for me to accept and be interested in that medium until late summer of 2008. Go figure. LOL.

11. Where do you envision yourself being with your art, and doing what, in 10 years ?

Hopefully I will be a lot closer to the highly ornate and complex pieces I have glimpses of in my head. I want to do pieces that reach inside and outside myself. I want to rip pieces of my soul and of the world and my imagination and arrange them and hang them up is unexpected ways and just step back and go THERE. Lookie that sucker, weird one isn’t it? LOL

12. Who or what have been the three most influential forces upon your art inspiration?

Wendy Pini I think would be one – she was the person that captivated me with her art SO much that I simply HAD to learn to draw like her. The other influences come and go – maybe my mom would be one, cuz she really opened a lot of artistic doors for me. Maybe Kandi – who was my best friend and drawing buddy and introduced me to Wendy Pini’s art – and who with her and our buddy Mike taught ourselves to draw while tracing ElfQuest lol. Maybe I haven’t meant my other two yet – or maybe they are always meant to be in flux and ever changing.