Fantasy Artists Emerging

1. You both write about and draw your vampire characters. Which came first, the story or the drawings?
First off, thanks for turning the spotlight in my direction. I feel very honored, there have been some really great artists spotlighted here, and I look forward to more of your great questions. Now onto your question. The vampires. Well, I’ve always been fascinated by vampire tales so I supposed it had to happen sometime. My vampires actually came from a dream I had one night about two years ago. Which then turned into a challenge from a friend to put that dream down on paper. So the writing came first, and being the really selfish person I am, I wanted to be the one to give them all faces, so I started illustrating them. ^^ Since then I’ve learned to share, and there have been some really amazing renditions both in writing and painting done for me by artist/writer friends. Maggie Hawthorne, and Caron Vinson have both done beautiful paintings of Dorian, one of my main characters.
2. If you had to choose; which is your greatest love-writing or drawing?
Good question. Almost impossible to make a choice. Both writing and painting fill different creative needs. Painting is more intuitive for me; it makes anything bad in my day slip away as though it never happened. It’s a great equalizer for me and makes me very happy. If my body didn’t demand food and sleep, I could paint indefinitely, but every once in a while a person has to come up for air, darnit. I can always paint. Writing is not the same it is very personal. My head has to be in the right place to sit down and write, but once I find that place, it sucks me in. (get it ^^) Most of the time, it seems I come up with a much smarter story than I am capable of writing. So it takes me a while to figure out how to incorporate all the story details that I’ve decided are part of the tale into the tale. So in answer to your question, I can’t really say which one I love more, but painting is more second nature, but both make me feel like a richer person. Not really an answer, was it?
3. You participate in a lot of conventions. How did you first get your start with that and what tips do you have for others wanting to travel this path?
Conventions are great, and so much fun. Not only do you get your work out there, but also you get to be part of an artistic community. I have met some of my dearest friends at conventions that I’ve been a part of. I got started doing it with a friend I’d made on-line. We decided that it would be fun to share a table and see how we did. That was about 4 years ago, and I still share that table with her. As far as advice goes, the first order of business is to have fun. If you’re not enjoying the time you spend there, it will come across to everyone who visits your table. When you are just starting out, don’t pin every hope that this show is going to be the ‘be all end all’ for your artistic career. It could happen, but usually it takes time. But if you are genuine with people, and engage them with enthusiasm about your work, they will respond and you will start to see familiar faces when you return the following year. I have people who continually support my work year after year and that’s part of the real fun is seeing those people. From a set up standpoint, it is good to have little things that people can buy, mini prints, stickers, you know, little stuff that you don’t have to charge an arm and a leg for.
4. What one thing has helped you to grow artistically more than anything else?
Practice. I draw every day, without fail. When you do that, the only choice you give yourself is to get better. ^^ I also have friends and other artists who inspire me, and challenge me to keep stepping up my game. I know there are those artists that are really protective of their techniques and style, and are less than generous with information, but luckily, I do not know any of them. If you have a question about a particular technique you see, ask the artist. Almost all I’ve met have been more than willing to share any knowledge they have. It’s quite wonderful.

5. Tell us who one of your favorite artists is and why they are your favorite.
Though my style is nothing like his, I really love J.W. Waterhouse. Everything about his work disarms me when I see it. The thing I like the most is the emotion that he was able to put in his works. I am greatly moved by him. It makes me try that much harder to make all my work full of emotion and life.
6. What influences does your life have on your art and writing, if any?
My work is my life. Almost everything has some effect of what comes out of me creatively. My husband, my dogs, the sunflowers I have planted along the fence…everything. I can’t even count the times that my husband has said something to me that will trigger a thought that leads to a painting, or a line in my story. (whether he likes it or not, ^^) My dad was a pretty solitary person, and growing up, he taught me to take notice and be observant of my life. So I suppose that my habit of pulling my life into my work came from him.
7. If you could meet one famous person of your choice and spend the day picking their brain, who would it be and why?
Oh gosh. My first inclination is to say Johnny Depp, for obvious reasons. ^^ But I will resist that temptation. I’ve always been drawn to this fellow Terry Gilliam. He is a former member of Monty Python’s Flying Circus, and has since gone on to make really extraordinary movies. (Brazil, Twelve Monkeys, The Fisher King to name a few) He has such an interesting outlook on creativity and how he sees the world that I think it would be an amazing day if I were able to spend it with him. Or Johnny Depp.

8. What tips do you have to stay motivated to create?
I’m lucky in that I never really lose motivation, for long periods anyway. Usually if I don’t feel like working on art or writing, I just take a little break and the urge comes around to pick up a paintbrush or pencil. There are those days when I sit at my day job dwelling on the desire to go home and paint, and then when I get home I see the couch and think that plopping in front of the TV might be a better use of my time. At those times, if I can get past the couch and pick up a brush there is usually no problem. So I guess getting rid of comfy couches and good television programs would be my best motivator.
9. What medium do you find the most difficult to work with and why?
Markers. I’ve been doing a lot of small card work lately, and to achieve a colored piece on a thin 2.5×3.5 card you sometimes need to do marker work. I stink at it. ^^ I’m very used to the gradual building up of color, and with markers, there is really nothing gradual about it. I really enjoy the subtlety of watercolors, and have yet to get that effect from markers. So they are my new best friends, and I will play with them until I get the hang of them.
10. Are you drawn to creating a particular style of art or do you experiment with various styles?
I really try to test out new styles and techniques in my work. I enjoy the process of seeing if something is a good fit with your subject matter. Lately I’ve been trying out more cartoony styles, with bolder lines and very little shading. It’s been a lot of fun, but I still really enjoy the experience of doing a really polished sketch. There is nothing like starting with a blank sheet of paper and turning it into a vibrant, emotional piece. I concentrate mostly on people; I’ve just never really gotten the bug to draw landscapes and still-lives. But there are plenty of artists willing to pick up that baton. ^^

11. In your writing, do the characters represent real life people or are they purely figments of your imagination?
There are aspects of real people in the characters I write. None of them are straight forward a real person I know. My main characters especially, are made up of qualities that I find appealing or confusing or just sexy in real people that are in my life. I think it makes them more believable, richer, characters. The story itself has many details that are pulled from my life. Sometimes unintentionally. None are exactly taken from real life, but there are little things here and there throughout that are inspired by actual events. ^^ I sometimes read over things I’ve written and get a flash of déjà vu. It’s a little scary, but I haven’t really found a way to prevent my real life from seeping into my work. Actually, there is one character that I wrote specifically, for a friend, who is based on an actual person.
12. Tell us about your other interests outside of art and writing….
There’s life outside of art and writing? ^^ I have long been a fan of motorcycles, and quite recently become a fan of motorcycle racing. MotoGP to be exact, for anyone familiar. On any summer Sunday, my sweetheart and I can be found watching really fast motorcycle scream around a track in some exotic location around the world. I am also very fond of playing with my two great danes, they amuse me to no end, and many an afternoon has been spent lying in the yard with them. I am a certified diver, though I’ve only done lake dives in Minnesota and North Dakota. (don’t laugh) Someday I would love to dive in the big blue ocean. I like to ride motorcycle with my husband Craig. Sewing is good. I really enjoy singing, in and out of the shower. I am very good at planting gardens, and lousy at tending them once they are planted. I like to cook, though I am not all the fond of cleaning up the mess afterward. All in all, I am blessed with an interesting, adventurous life, thank you for letting me talk your ear off Kelly. xox

website: http://www.outofthemyst.com

Lj: http://mugmoni.livejournal.com/

DA: http://mugmoni.deviantart.com/

Vox: http://mugmoni.vox.com/

1. Your art features a lot of dark gothic themes. Do you enjoy this type of art more than lighter styles? If so, why?

I don’t know if I would say that I enjoy painting darker themes more than lighter ones. It just seems that the ideas that come to me are more often dark. I love to paint in black and grays or in a monochromatic color scheme. I know some artists say that they get bored if there aren’t a lot of colors or they don’t get to change colors often, but this has never seemed to be the case with me. Also I have always had a love for horror books and movies and am greatly inspired by them…Vampires in particular. So I will often take those influences and combine them with my love for Faeries/fantasy and then I have my gothy fantasy art.

2. Your bio at Deviant art states that you are inspired by heavy metal music. Who are your favorites?

Yes! I can’t create without music. I have to have it on; it helps with my artistic flow. I would say that Opeth is my absolute favorite. It seems like no matter what mood I am in, they have something that will suit it. My other favorites are In Flames, Children of Bodom and Pantera.

3. You write as well as create art. What do you write about and does it tie in with your art in any way?

My writing is about a fantasy world that I created a few years ago. Its main inhabitants are Elves, Faeries and Demons. The Demons are the enemies of the other races and have a dream of taking over the world. The Faeries kind of live separate from the rest but the threat still concerns them. The Faery world is the one that fascinates me most and was, ironically, the last part that I created. That is basically just a hobby of mine. I’m not quite as confident in my writing as I am in my art, but maybe someday that will change. It still needs a lot of organization and development. Some of my art is indeed based on my writing. I love to draw my characters. The fact that I end up drawing more from my stories than actually writing them has tipped me off that art is my greatest love. I’ll get an idea for a new character, and his/her story and then I’ll be thinking, “You know what? I have to draw them!!” lol

4. Do you use reference photos when creating your art? What is your take on this?

Yes, I use reference photos. I find them very helpful for getting anatomy right and realistic. I am trying to be slightly less dependant on them so that if I am unable to find a reference that fits my idea, I can still pull off the pose that I imagined and have it look natural. In the past I have had to slightly change things because I didn’t feel comfortable trying to manipulate the pose without a reference. So I’ve been trying to take more risks and just try it when I don’t have the greatest references. I have improved, but not as much as I’d like quite yet. That is one goal of mine.

5. What is your favorite medium to use and why is it your favorite?

Definitely watercolors! I just fell in love with them when I first tried them. There is so much that can be done with them. I love to mix other media with them too (such as gouache, colored pencil, acrylic, ink, watercolor pencils). This started off with my laziness and an attempt to speed the process up, but then I just liked the effects that I got from mixed media and began to almost always incorporate it into my art. I think this has sort of helped to define my style.

6. What is your biggest challenge artistically?

My biggest challenge would probably be backgrounds. That seems to be the focus of my frustration at the moment. I find myself being unsatisfied lately with my more simple backgrounds. I want to do something “bigger.” I want to create a whole scene, where the background is just as much of a focus or maybe more so than the main figure(s). So far, I haven’t quite achieved this to my liking. But it is definitely something that I plan to work harder on in the future. Not that I’m going to stop doing my portraits or anything. There are times when I’m not in the mood for something more complicated. I just want to work on becoming better at creating more extensive, realistic backgrounds. My painting “Demon’s Fire” is a good example of one of my attempts of this.

7. Do you participate in art shows or conventions or do you show your art in any other venue?

So far, no, I haven’t shown my art at any conventions or shows. This is something that I would definitely like to do eventually. The internet has really been my only exposure up to this point. Hopefully that will change.
8. I’m sure you have a busy life. How do ensure that you have time to work on art?

It can be hard to make time for it especially when I have classes and studying to do. Sometimes, I’m bad and choose to do art when I should be studying. Lol! When I’m busy, I tend to do a lot of my painting or drawing at night. I’m always up late anyway, so it is really the perfect time for me. For some reason, I just can’t make myself go to sleep early, even if I have to get up early in the morning. I just don’t get much sleep those days. I’ve always been like that.

9. The characters you paint are very realistic and life-like. How do you achieve that? Any tips you can give?
To achieve the amount of realism that I can do now, took a lot of practice. I few years ago, during what I call my obsessive year, I was working on art almost constantly, during every free moment I had. I would put out 2-3 paintings every week. I wish I could be so productive now, but I think that all that practice really paid off now. Not everything that I did turned out really great (most of it I can’t even look at now) but I learned a little something with every drawing/painting and improved vastly in that year. I’m not necessarily telling people to be all obsessive like I was, but to draw often. I don’t think that there are really any short cuts to improving. Practice, from my experience, is the best way to go. Also for realism, I would suggest using references, or if you’re lucky enough to get one, a model. This helps so much in getting proportions right and to have natural looking poses. Also keeping lighting and shadows consistent is important. And to bring more of the features and muscles out with shading as opposed to using lines. If that makes sense.

10. Out of all of your art, do you have a favorite piece? If so, why is it your favorite?

That’s a hard choice… “Enchanted Melodies: Violin” is one of my absolute favorites. It is one of those painting that I look at now, even though I did it a couple of years ago, and I am still am amazed that it turned out so well. The details, the colors, the pose, that darn violin (hours of frustration!), it was all just how I wanted it. It is a rare thing for me to be satisfied with almost everything in a piece. That was intended to be a series, and I have yet to get around to doing the other two gypsies. I still want to, but I wonder if I can get them to compare to that one in my mind. It will be a challenge. A close second is “Dark Angel 2.” Aside from the technical side of it, I can relate to certain aspects of the painting. I didn’t paint it thinking of myself in particular. I just have felt like that angel at times before, as I’m sure everyone has. Where you feel very much isolated. But for me there is also always a brighter side that is never too far out of sight.

11. Do you accept commission work or do you create art solely on what you want to do?

I accept commissions if I find the idea presented to me particularly inspiring or if I think that I can do it justice. But if I just can’t see it or I don’t think that I’m the right artist for it then I’ll have to turn it down. So far my art has been mostly been my own ideas except for a few I’ve done for family or friends.

12. It is said that there is a little of the artist in all of their creations. What part of you is reflected in your art?

Probably a little bit of mystery. I am a pretty private person, and have a tendency to keep a lot of things to myself especially if I don’t really know a person well. Besides that, maybe a bit of mischief.

13. Where do you want to be artistically five years from now?

I would really like to learn more about the business side of things. So far, I’ve really just been focused on growing as an artist that I still have much to learn about the other side making a living off of art, which, of course, is my ultimate goal/dream. First of all I would like to have my own website. Hopefully that will happen in the next couple of years. I would also like to explore some other media such as digital. I have tried it before but I would really like to experiment in it some more. And improving on backgrounds as mentioned earlier. I have so many things that I still want to learn and grow in.

email: Elvenstar83@hotmail.com
DeviantArt:
http://elvenstar83.deviantart.com/
Elfwood:
http://elfwood.lysator.liu.se/art/b/e/beckysinz/beckysinz.html
ArtWanted:
http://www.artwanted.com/artist.cfm?ArtID=13063&SetBG=Yes
Epilogue:
http://www.epilogue.net/cgi/database/art/list.pl?gallery=8707

1. Who or what inspires you to create?
  Mostly I am inspired by other artists to create art. Some of those artists are family members such as my great-grandfather and his daughter my grandmother who both created many beautiful paintings in their lifetime most in watercolor. It is their soft style of watercolor painting I lean towards as to the modern vibrant style that today’s watercolor painters tend to favor.

2. What creative activities do you enjoy?
 I love to do arts and crafts from find a fun and unique way to frame a print I have bought to decoupaging a box with cards I have cut up. I also like to paint and sculpt of course.

3. Your art has grown in leaps and bounds over the past year. What do you do to improve and grow artistically?
I read other artists suggestions and hints and tutorials and I just experiment experiment experiment. I have learning difficulties that make it hard for me to sit and read a book to learn how to do something I am very much a hands on learner. So I will read tutorials with pictures and then just try to do something using the same techniques but never the same images.

4. You do a lot in support of fellow artists.
 Tell us about FaerieDust Galleries and how it got its start. FaerieDust Gallery is a gallery that showcases over 150 artists from around the world. The artists being shown change from time to time when I find new artist actively creating art that catches my attention. Sadly I have also removed artists from the sight when they no longer have a website of their own or their own website has not changed in YEARS. I must do this because the cost of running the website in paying for my host server and buying my programs to create the websets is completely non-profit in fact it brings in NO income even to fund itself. It is a labor of love. How it started is because of my love and respect for the hard work artist put into their art. I would find a beautiful piece of art on websites like webshots.com with no credit being given to the original artist and the names of the paintings even being changed. I would then have to search who was the wonderful talent that created that piece of art. It was after months of seeing this and many other sites theft of art that I finally said enough and create Faeriedust fantasy art gallery as a place to give credit to the real artists and links to their own websites. Over time Faeriedust has evolved into a gallery that not only shows the established well-known artists like Amy Brown but also the up and coming new artists such as Dawn Obrecht and Kelly Smith. It’s goal being to introduce visitors to artists and guide them to the real Artist’s websites.

5. How much work goes into maintaining such a large site?
Good question and one I have never measured in hours spent. I do all the html coding myself. I create individual backgrounds for each artist’s page which can take 15minutes to an hour. I use the images themselves to help determine the colors and pattern that I use for the background so they will nicely frame the Set of art. I periodically search the internet for new fantasy artists often using larger galleries or art forums. Unlike many websites I take the time to email every artist I show regardless if they have a faq page that so I can use them in a non-profit way.  I also try every couple of months to visit each and every one of my artists own sites to see what new art they are showing. Recently I also added a new page to show any Ebay Auctions the artists are having. I now have all the artists from my sites Ebay accounts added to my favorites so I can easily find new auctions and update that page and I try to update this page almost weekly.

6.   How do you choose which artists to feature in your galleries?
You know that is actually the HARDEST question to answer!! Sometimes it’s one piece of art that crabs my attention enough to make me search thru and artists’ gallery looking for more. Sometimes it’s getting to know and artist and taking the time to watch their art grow as well as their websites. Sometimes it’s just finding a well known artist whose work I like that will say YES. But always there is at least one piece on each page that I truly love.

7.   According to your bio at Elfwood, you claim some interesting ancestors in your family tree. Tell us about them. 

I am related to Lady Godiva an English lady that protested her husband’s taxation policy by riding unclothed thru the streets of town to gain his attention. My 10th great-grandmother was Suzanna Martin a resident of Massachusetts during the witch trials whom was outspoken enough to gain unwanted attention. She was hung and was one of the Last witches to be declared Innocent of all charges post humously in the last 1990’s several 100years after her death. My grandmother was also a strong woman whom during the 1950’s did the unheard of and divorced her husband and raised her three daughters on her own working as a national representative for an international dye company based in the US.

8.   Are there other members of your family that are creative?
 As mentioned above my maternal grandmother and her father painted watercolor landscapes. My maternal grandfather was also an oil painter as well as my mother. My grandmother, mother and aunt are all experienced and professional photographers. My sisters both have far more talent with a pencil and pen then they use as did my little brother before his death.

9.   Do you hope to pass on your love of art to your daughters? If so, how will you do this?
 I certainly hope to instill in them a love for art. In fact Hobbit my elder daughter is already amassing her own collection of art owning a few original paintings and several prints, postcards, cards and ACEO’s from various artist from around the US. I also intend to encourage them to create their own art in whatever medium they choose giving them the supplies and chance to discover that which they love.

10.  What artists have you met in real life? What was your impression of them?
 I have only met two artists in person at a very busy book signing. I had some time before the Amy Brown arrived to talk with Rob Carlos who is a part time employee at the shop as well as a wonderful fantasy artist in his own right. He was very friendly and showed interest in seeing another newer artist’s work as well being very informative and willing to share some of his knowledge. Sadly it was too busy to really talk with Amy Brown but she gladly signed not only books we purchased but a print and even a card for my older daughter.

11.  If you could pick one thing (artistic or non artistic) to excel in, what would it be? Why?
 I think for everyone that should be a unique choice for them. For me I would like to go back to college and get a degree that will better allow me to produce a professional website and open a physical store in which to show and sell art. But mostly I want to raise my daughters to be healthy happy young independent women!

12.  If you were to offer advice to emerging artists, what would it be?
 Don’t be shy! Ask questions, Take advice, offer your art to others artists to critique and keep creating. Share your art with the world by placing it in a gallery or on its own website and listen to what fans and critics have to say when it is useable advice.

13.  Who is/are your favorite singer(s) and why?
 Oh my now you have opened a can of worms. At the moment the Dixie Chicks rank foremost in mind because they got mistreated by the country music industry, radio stations and supposed fans for voicing their opinion. They took a step back collected themselves and decided too bad for the rest of you we are NOT going to let you knock us down and keep us down we are going to keep on making music because that is what we want to do and do best. They have come back with their best most heartfelt album yet and I plan on supporting them for years to come because they are like the women in my own family that have stood up to that which they felt was wrong and been proven right!

Sophia-Christina
FaerieDust Gallery
http://faeriedustgallery.org/ 

Come one! Come all! We’ve put on a show for you!

Fantasy Self Portraits

1. Did your childhood play a part in your decision to be an artist?

Oh yes! My father painted and made furniture and other woodworking projects. My mother quilted and did lots of crafts. They are both so creative and encouraged that in my brothers and me. I read a lot as a child, and I loved the worlds that books and their illustrations would create.

2. After reading your Bio, I see that you are a member of your local Artist Guild. Has this been beneficial to you as an artist? If so, how?

My guild organizes shows, workshops, demonstrations and children’s programs. It’s really nice to get to know other artists and work together to promote the arts in our community.

3. What factors helped direct you towards the style your art has taken; how did you find your own personal style of art?

When my daughter and son were little, my favorite books to read to them were by Beatrix Potter. Her stories and illustrations are simply wonderful! I also volunteered for a year at a public library as a children’s storyteller. While choosing books each week, I discovered illustrators like Kate Greenaway, Cicely Mary Barker and Arthur Rackham. I think my style has a very storybook feel.

4. What is the single most helpful thing you’ve discovered to promote yourself and your art?

Every year, I paint and print my own Christmas cards and Halloween party invitations. I love to share my paintings and these are a personal way to show people what I do and even promote my work. I’ve gotten several commissions from and through friends.

No doubt, the internet is an amazing way to share art. At any time, I can see work from the most talented professionals to the most charming amateurs. It’s exciting to know that people all over the world can see my work, too!

5.You incorporate nature into your art often. Do you enjoy any outdoor activities that inspire your artistically? What else inspires you?

I love camping and hiking and just being outdoors. There is a 35-acre forest right behind our house. It’s like a fairytale woods- twisted, old Ponderosa pines with owls, mule deer and a coyote den. There are wild roses, a honeybee hive in a hollow pine tree, and even an enormous fallen petrified log. I imagine many of my paintings happening in those woods.

I find endless inspiration in my children, in being a mother, and even in everyday domestic things like housework. I think music is the perfect partner for visual art, and I am very much inspired by my guitarist husband.

6.What mediums do you use and which is your medium of choice? Why?

I paint with acrylics and am very happy using the little craft-grade bottles. They’re so inexpensive and I love all the wonderful colors. I paint on illustration board for smaller pieces and plywood for larger ones and commissions. A pencil and eraser are still my most important tools.

7.Your Home Portraits are wonderful! Do you have any tips on using perspective that you can share with us?

I think they’re a sweet idea. I meet with the homeowner, photograph the house, and then draw it by grid. I’m really trying to improve my technical drawing skills!

8. Do you do anything in particular to prepare to paint? Is there a special way you get into the mood to paint?

I’m almost always in the mood to paint, but with a job (I work part-time in a flower shop) and kids and their activities, I have to set aside the time. Paintings always take a few (or several) sessions for me to complete, so I like to sit down first with a cup of tea and critically study the piece, planning what to do next. I also like to get inspired by other artists- by looking at books and on-line galleries and forums.

9. What is your favorite subject to paint? Why?

Elves! I love the thought of tiny people living perfectly with nature.

10. Is there any art reference book or website that has helped you a great deal? What was it and in what ways has it helped?

Field guides like those by the Audubon Society are great sources of reference and inspiration. The illustrations in old field guides are so beautiful. Rien Poortvliet’s Gnomes and The Living Forest and Froud and Lee’s Faeries are wonderful for the imagination.

www.artpassions.net and www.surlalunefairytales.com are fascinating sites about illustration. Elfwood, Epilogue and FAE have encouraged me to show my work and to constantly challenge myself. It’s great fun to get to know other artists whose work you admire.

11. Do you believe great artists are born or taught?

If someone is born with a love to create, I believe they can learn the needed skills. Except for a few classes in school, I taught myself to paint. I think good artists are continuously learning and trying new things.

12.Do you think artists are different from other people? If so, in what ways?

There are so many different kinds of artists- musicians, writers, designers, craftspeople, cooks, gardeners… anyone’s passion can be their art. I think visual artists might see things differently, though. I’m constantly looking at the colors of things and light and making up pictures in my head. I imagine that musicians would do the same with rhythms and melodies.

13. If you woke up one morning in a horrible mood, what would you do to change your mood?

Every morning, I watch the sun rise on the mountains. I just drink coffee and stare out the window for an hour and try to start my day slowly and pleasantly. If I were still in a bad mood, I would take my dog for a walk in the woods.

Name: Kristina Layton

Website: http://www.kristinalayton.com/
email: thelayton4 at comcast dot net
Epilogue: http://www.epilogue.net/cgi/database/art/list.pl?gallery=14736
Elfwood: http://elfwood.lysator.liu.se/art/k/l/klayton/klayton.html

1. Do you have any projects going on that you’d like to tell us about?

I love starting new projects. I might be taking too many at the same time though! *laughs*

Right now, I’ve been working part time on short animated movie called “La Ballade des Enfarinés”. It’s not my personal creation though. I’ve worked as background colorist and clean-up artist in the project. So far, it’s been quite an experience! I can’t wait to see it finished! I wish I could say more about it, but I’m not sure I am allowed.

As for personal endeavours: I have a few ongoing projects that I hope I can finish in 2006. One of them is an illustrated fairytale called “Princesse Lune” (Princess Moon). It’s a very sweet story about a moon princess wishing to meet with the sun prince. I’m not telling more though! Hopefully, I will find some time to work on the illustrations soon and I will have a sneak peek on my website.

I’m also hoping to do an illustrated calendar this year. I’ll probably do a little survey to see if my idea is good. If family and friends approve of it, this project will offer a little bit more than your usual 12 months / 12 illustrations calendar!

2. When quoting a commission price for a customer, what factors do you take into consideration to come up with the total?

Most of the time, I evaluate how many hours the commission will take me and base my price on an hourly rate. Simple as that. I make sure that my client is clear about what he / she wants and also warn that I will charge for any extra work or modifications in the commission. Right now, I charge $15-25 / hour depending on the nature of the commission. I will charge more for an animation than for an illustration.

3. How did you begin to develop your own unique style? Was it a conscious process or did it gradually evolve?

People tell me I have a very unique style of my own, but when I look at my own work, I always feel that they are all of different styles! I always felt like there was no need to focus or stress on something like that. I’ve learned that if you put your whole self into your paintings and drawings, people will recognise your work.

Styles can be easily faked too. We were taught in my animation classes that we needed to adapt to any styles we were introduced and we had to try new styles with every new exercises we did. So I guess I was introduced to so many styles in such a short period of time that now, I am still trying to figure out what works best one for me.

4. You write a monthly column for EMG…what’s that like? How do you choose which subjects you write about?

I’m so happy to be part of Ellen’s e-zine! I’ve always had fun doing tutorials like the ones I’m offering on EMG-Zine. I like to help other artists and aspiring artists in any way I can. I’ve found that the best way I could do that was with tutorials and critiques. I noticed that most of the tutorials we can find on the web and in books are steps by steps images of paintings. While this can be helpful to a certain extent, they have their limits: you have to follow the author’s methods, and not your own, to get to the showed effect. So basically there are as many techniques as there are books. This can be confusing and overwhelming to anyone who’s trying to develop their own painting habits and techniques . Instead, I try to focus on creating tutorials that have general information that anyone can integrate in their own paintings without having to change the way they lay down the paint on the paper.

As for coming up with subjects: I first started my columns with the first steps I take when I start an illustration.(my first column was about brainstorming and thumbnailing) Readers made suggestions along the way and I’ve integrated these suggestions in my new columns. I’m always opened to new suggestions! I’m doing these columns for the readers after all!

5. What is your paper and medium of choice and why?

That’s a tough question. I like to work with so many mediums! I think it really depends on what I want to do.

If it’s for a storybook style illustrations, I will prefer to work with watercolor on hot pressed arches watercolor paper. I use the hot pressed paper because I find it easier to do very detailed inking on this paper.

I also love working with photoshop for other types of general illustrations. Working on a computer is ideal when you are confronting tight deadlines: you can easily correct your work and I also love the very clean style it can give you.

6. Is there a particular theme or subject that you constantly revisit in your art?

Currently? Yes. Fairytales. Especially ones with fairies, spirits, animals, princesses or princes. Anything that could be related for a fairy or folk tale will strike my muse.

I don’t know if this could be considered a subject but I always try to put some interaction or action in my own personal work . I will be especially inspired if I feel that the illustration I am working on seems like it’s telling a tale of it’s own or that we feel we need to learn more about what’s going on in the picture.

7. If you had to name one source of your greatest inspiration, what would it be?

Nature. Life. It’s possible to tell a tale with anything!

8. You have another fulltime job along with your art career. Any advice for those of us juggling another job along
with art?

I think I’m the absolute worst example of how one should struggle with both art and work. *laughs* But I do have some advice:

1. Make sure that’s really what you want! Unless you are very passionate about your art and you really want to put all the extra hours into it, take the time to consider if art is really just a hobby for you. I’m not saying this to discourage people one bit. But having two jobs at the same time never is easy. You have to skip on things you enjoy like going out with friends, spending some time playing games or going shopping. Most of the time, even though we put countless hours into our work, it doesn’t pay much. So even with the lower pay, we have to find it fulfilling or else we live a miserable life.

2. Make sure you are able to follow your schedules. And I don’t only mean your work schedule. We have to plan some free time to relax, eat, sleep, take a shower, exercise our body, clean up the mess. Write these essential things down in your agenda. If you don’t, you might forget about some of them or even skip them on purpose because you feel you don’t have enough time to finish your work.

3. Learn to say no! (I still have HUGE issues with that one) People know when you aren’t able to refuse work and they will take advantage of that. They will also be the first to whine because you’re not quick enough or because you’re late. Unless you want a miserable life overtaken by endless hours of work, learn to say NO!

9. Have you always wanted to be an artist? How long have you been creating art?

To tell you the truth, I think being an artist isn’t something we choose to be, it’s something we need to be. I’m a very shy person and art is there for me to express myself. I know for a fact that if I do not draw anything for a week or two (or more!) I will become sick, literally. So I guess art for me is both a job and a way to get all the bad vibes out of my system.

As far as I can tell, I’ve always been drawing, but I’ve considered art as a career 3 years ago when I graduated from college.

10. Do you have any art shows or conventions under your belt? If so, do you
have any tips for those who plan on doing this in the future?

Yes, I do. 3 times an Otakon attendee (in Baltimore, MD) at the Artist Alley and this year I plan on being at Anime North (in Toronto, Ontario) in May. Some of you might be surprised that I attend anime conventions. The first time I went to Otakon, it was with the wonderful group from Artcorner.org (the site is still there, but it now closed). Most of them were big anime fans. I graduated in classical animation, so japanese animation did interest me in some way. Even though I have been attending for 3 years, I never really thought of it as a business, except for last year (august 2005). Being in the Artist Alley mostly helped me meet friends and paid for the trip.

If I have a few tips to give to people starting in conventions, they would be these:

1. Try to bring as little as you can with you. Of course, you’ll need to bring all your material and prints, but stick to that. It will already be heavy enough, you do not need to bring extra books or unnecessary personal items.

2. Bring food with you at the table if you are allowed. I usually stay all day at my table to meet customers and I rarely have someone who can take care of my table while I’m gone. I bring something to eat, so I can have extra time for sales.
3. Always be curtious with your customer, young or old. People will come back to you if you take the time to answer their questions. Make sure you greet every customer when they look at your material. Sometimes saying: “ Good day! Thank you for looking at my portfolio!” will make them feel welcome. People are often shy to start a conversation so if you greet them first, they might even start asking questions.
4. It’s a good idea to bring an unfinished painting to work on at the convention. Not only will it keep you occupied when no one’s at the table, but people always love to see artists at work! Be ready to explain how you work and what tools you use. Customers can be very curious.
5. Try talking to other artists around you . Conventions are the best place for networking! I personally love to see other artists work too, so I love to have a look around and buy prints too. Bring business cards with you so you exchange them too!

11. Pretend you were commissioned to do a fantasy portrait of a celebrity.
Who would be your first choice to portray and why? How would you
portray them?

Enya. And I would absolutely see her as an Elven songstress. She’s got such an amazing and calming voice, plus I find that her face and features also emphasise that.

12. Are you a planner and goal setter or do you just take things as they come? Explain.

A little bit of both. I like to plan my own personal projects a long time before I start them so I can brainstorm my ideas for a while. I also know for a fact that if I plan my schedule ahead, I won’t have to push my own personal projects aside because of a last minutes deadline from a freelance job.

Most of the other freelance jobs I get are as I go. I cannot plan them ahead and since I have a hard time saying no to fun and interesting project, unscheduled projects take a big part of my time!

13. You just found out that some of your most-used art supplies are being
discontinued. Which one item do you rush out and stock up on because
you can’t do without it?

My 2H leads of my Mars Luminograph lead holder. I cannot do without this particular pencil holder and lead. I use it to sketch, to clean-up the line art of my paintings and my animations. It’s my lucky pencil and I take it almost everywhere I go.

Name: Annie Rodrigue
Website: http://www.moonlight-whispers.com/
email: mail [at] moonlight-whispers.com

DeviantArt: http://maina.deviantart.com/
Livejournal: http://www.livejournal.com/users/eaglemaina
Elfwood: http://elfwood.lysator.liu.se/art/m/a/maina/

1. What is your favorite medium to work with and why?

Ink, ink and ink. This is probably due to my earliest illustration dreams and influences. I adored the color fairy tale books edited by Andrew Lang, which were illustrated in a wonderful, classical Victorian style.

I also loved to publish at an early age – and ‘publishing’ when you’re that young and poor generally meant xeroxing at the school library. Color printing and copying at that time was prohibitively expensive, and grayscale didn’t reproduce worth snot, so pen and ink was the way to go.

Within the realm of inking, stippling is my all-time favorite. This is a method of creating shadow and depth using dots… lots and lots and lots of little dots. My preferred tool is a Pigma Micron, size 005.

2. How do you manage to organize and optimize your time to do all that you do?

Lists! And more lists! Nearly every day, I make a list for the day, a list for the remainder of the week, and a list for the remainder of the month. Most of these lists live in my livejournal, but I have a longer-term set of lists on a large whiteboard in my office. This whiteboard has a calendar with several months in advance, and every few months I make sure all the very important deadlines and dates and shows are on it. Having everything laid out like that really highlights what has to be done when – and then you just go do it.

It’s important to have attainable goals, so I break down what I have to get done into fairly short time intervals – what can I finish today? What can I finish tomorrow? Sometimes I put vague things on my lists like ‘work on commission’ – no matter how much work I put into it, every little bit goes to the final product, so even if I just erase a line and redraw a little tiny piece, it’s some work, and something I can feel good about crossing off.

I’ve been using lists for a long time, and have discovered that, most importantly, they don’t work well on pieces of paper that can get lost. Because they will. Somewhere in the ether is a whole slug of lost notes – probably with goals I never accomplished because I have a brain like swiss cheese unless I have it written down and can look at it.

3. Can you give us some tips on how to promote oneself as an artist? What has worked the best for you?

I wish I could point to a magical ‘promote oneself there!’ site, because that would make my life a lot easier and I could do it, too.

Most of my best clients come from word of mouth. The best way to get clients, is to have clients, which is one of those disgustingly true cliches that make you want to kick something.

More seriously, I’d say that being active in good communities is a really good way to get exposure. A tasteful signature in your forum ID and a friendly, helpful attitude will get you further than any paid advertisement. Writing articles and tutorials and getting them published is also a great way to get exposure. (I’m not just saying that because I’m trying to get more people to write for EMG-Zine, really!)

4. How did EMG begin?

Ah! The million dollar question. Har har.

I had a lot of penpals – the snail mail variety – while I was in High School. I was way too cheap to buy store-bought stationery, and I did a lot of art, so I started doing my own fantasy-themed stationery. One of my penpals mentioned casually that they loved it and that I should sell it. So I did!

I’ve always loved both art and making things, and have been of the business-minded kind since I was about 6. So this idea of selling stationery for money was really intriguing, especially when people started buying. It was one of those projects that was always growing, little bits at a time. An idea here. A possibility there. An opportunity over there. And suddenly I blinked, and it had turned one of those hobbies that could afford to buy me a laptop and ate up so much time I felt compelled to quit my day job to stay sane.

5. What helped you to decide to quit your day job to run your own art business?

The staying sane bit mentioned above, honestly. I was trying to do way too much – my husband and I were building a house, and the business had grown to an unwieldy size. I didn’t get any downtime, my husband never saw me, and I was going to go crazy! So I sat down, figured out what things were taking time – and it was the day job that sat there at the top of my list. It wasn’t taking me in the direction that I wanted to go, and EMG could. Jake and I did bills, and realized we could get by on just his paycheck if necessary, and we took the plunge. It was worth taking a chance.

6. What are some of the things in which you find inspiration for your art?

My beautiful land (I live in a birch forest in the outskirts of Fairbanks, Alaska), my wildly entertaining pets, my wonderful husband and all of my fabulously talented friends. Also, I am stubborn and proud and if someone says off-handedly that I can’t draw/write something, I will usually have to try to prove that I can, too.

7. In your opinion, how can an artist better their technical skills?

There are two ways, in my opinion, and you have to do both.

One is to practice. It seems simple, but seriously – if you don’t use it, you lose it, and your art ‘progress’ will slide back instead of moving forward because you have to re-learn what you figured out last time if it was too long ago. Draw constantly. Doodle. Sketch from life. Whatever you have to do to constantly be doing art, that’s what you have to do.

Secondly, you have got to develop thick skin. You will not always be able to see what you are doing wrong, and you will have to go to someone else who can look at the work with unprejudiced eyes. They will tell you what’s wrong with your work – maybe not nicely, maybe not as enamored with the subject as you are, and you have to be able to take it and learn from it. Once you can do this, you have cut your learning time into a fraction of the time it would otherwise take.

8. How do you find motivation on those days when you’d just rather stay in bed?

Positive reinforcement works pretty well on me. If I write these three icky rejection letters, then I can go read my friendslist on livejournal. If I clean up my desk, I can buy that print I really, really want. Of course, that still requires a fair amount of discipline!

9. What are some of your artistic goals for 2006?

Gosh, I hadn’t actually thought about that yet – I made a whole list of business goals, but hadn’t gotten to thinking about my own work!

I would like to do several large, color pieces. I have a 14 x 20 inch piece in the pencils stages on watercolor paper that I am really loving, and I’d like to finish it this year. It is a big challenge for me! I’d also like to complete an entry for the fantasy self-portrait show here at FAE, and a big snow-unicorn piece for a contest, and I’ve got several commissions I want to finish. More generally, I’d like to keep learning. I want to be more comfortable with color, and with larger, more complex pieces by the end of the year. I’d like to do more with scratchboard, and more with digital, too.

10. Do you have any advice for artists who would like to get started mailing to or attending Art shows and conventions?

*laughs* I’m the worst person to ask about this. I’ve attended two conventions – at one I sold several hundred dollars worth of artwork (mostly other people’s) and never got paid because the Con went bankrupt. At the other, I sold nothing. I’ve done one mail in show that ended up $40 in the red. So my advice is not to do what I’ve done. Many people have luck in this field. I, do not.

11. Of all your accomplishments, which one are you the most proud of and why?

Tying my shoes.

If I had to pick my single proudest moment, it was a moment following the car accident that crushed my fifth lumbar when I could reach down and tie my own shoes again.

Really – it’s not really a single facet of EMG or a piece of artwork, it’s being able to pay artists for their wonderful work. I paid more than eleven thousand dollars into the fantasy artist community in 2005, and that felt amazing. One of my artists wrote that she was really happy to get her payment because she could afford to go see a doctor and get some medicine with what I’d sent her. There is probably nothing that even compares with what it felt like to be able to do that for someone. I’m really, really proud that I can help artists get some part of what they deserve.

12. Does living in Alaska greatly prohibit you in attending more art shows and conventions?

Oh yes. A plane ticket to the lower 48 can easily cost as much as it costs most lower 48 folks to get to Europe. Driving takes a minimum of 5 days to get to the Northern contiguous border (and gas is not cheap!). It costs more than twice as much for me to attend a themed convention such as Dragon*Con as it would cost someone in the lower 48 – even if they live several states away. Add to this restrictions on baggage which limit how much I can bring to a show, and I have to plan such events very, very carefully; the risk is pretty high.

Someday – in the not too distant future – I hope to do a many-month road trip. My husband and I would buy either a trailer or some vehicle that could transport EMG and us, and we’d hit as many events in a summer as we could manage. I think this would be tremendous fun!

13. What is your favorite way to relax and unwind?

Hot chocolate in front of the woodstove with the cat, in the background either a well-loved DVD or some good music, a stomach full of my husband’s amazing cooking, and maybe a sketchbook (depending on how much of my lap the cat feels like sharing).

Name: Ellen Million

Website: http://www.ellenmilliongraphics.com/
email: ellen AT ellenmilliongraphics.com
DeviantArt: http://ellenmillion.deviantart.com/
ArtWanted: http://www.artwanted.com/ellenmillion

Elfwood: http://elfwood.lysator.liu.se/~million

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/

EBSQ: http://www.ebsqart.com/artists/cmd_4629_profile.htm

1. Do you have any particular theme within your works that you enjoy painting? Why?

I do! And many of them! I suppose aside from the most obvious themes like my faerie and storybook pieces, ice skating is a theme that is a little more unique to me as an artist. I’ve combined my love for the sport and fae art by creating little creatures I’ve named “Ice Pixies” which are faeries with a soft spot for ice skating.

That theme is so strong in my art because I love the beauty of what can be done on ice. So much beauty and tenderness and sheer joy can be conveyed in the movement of skating. But I also love the old Victorian photos and illustrations of skaters from days gone by, and I try to find a way to combine that with a little bit of fancy. Thus, the Ice Pixies were born!

2. Do you think that the location in which you live can affect your visibility and marketability as an artist? Do you think it affects you personally positively or negatively?

I do…but with the help of the internet it is a lot easier to get past geographical barriers in that sense. Thank goodness for the internet! While I love my home and feel a real connection to this place and the people, my style of art, being the more fanciful and whimsical sort, isn’t the most prominent style here in Oklahoma. There is a strong history of native and animal art, which is wonderful, but not what I personally create.

Little by little though, I am starting to make my way here amongst the cowboy art I’ve started selling prints at a local boutique and have been asked to do some decorative painting in people’s homes and even some mural work.

So you never know until you try what you might be successful at in your area. I don’t really find it limiting personally because I can always find art of interest in book stores, online, in my own book collection. I think illustrations are a wonderful source of inspiration, and there’s a whole section of bookstores devoted to it…Seek and you shall find!

3. If you had to name one thing that has helped you to grow and expand as an artist, what would it be?

One thing…as in an inanimate object? Well, in that case I would say “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron. It’s a book that is invaluable to an artist if only to just boost your confidence and let you know that your artistic dreams aren’t frivolous, they have substance and they’re worth striving for.

Although I’ve always been ‘artsy’ and consider art a big part of my identity, for a long time I think I sort of suppressed it in thinking that art was no way to make a life, and that I had to find a ‘real and serious’ job and art would take up whatever time I could carve out for it. But this book made me realize that whatever talent I may have should not be wasted on my being wishy-washy or denying my wanting to make art. It made me see that doing art is a part of me, and a justifiable part, and that was something I really needed to hear.

It makes me wake up being happy and wanting to be creative. And that’s half the work in being an artist, believing in yourself to do something, so that you can do it.

4.Do you think your art has a certain style? If so, what would you describe it as?

I think so. I’ve heard tell that I’ve got a certain style. But I think we all do. We all have our way of perceiving things and then putting them on paper. The word I’ve kind of snatched up as ‘all-encompassing’ for my art is “whimsical.” I really love the old style of illustration, like in the old Alice in Wonderland books, where the drawings are cute but bordering on really dark and strange. I want my art to have some depth to it, which might sometimes be dark, but also have some humor and wit in it to lighten things up. That’s what I try for anyway!

5. Tell us about one of your greatest artistic achievements to date.

Aside from this flattering spotlight? Well, I’d have to say my little wall at this antiques and interiors shop in Tulsa. It was really strange and thrilling to see my stuff out and displayed and ready for buying with all these beautiful things…and when someone actually BOUGHT something—I was so thrilled.

6.How long does it usually take you to complete a painting from sketch to finished product?

Honestly, I am an artist with a short attention span. And that’s not usually a good thing, but I try to make it work for me. Its not odd for me to have a couple of paintings going at a time so I can work on one while the other is drying or I’ve gotten frustrated with it. Although I can work on one through a week doing a little here and there, I’d say it takes me about 2-6 hours to complete a painting. I don’t really work on large scale, and have been liking working on a 5×7 size. So its usually a matter of hours, unlike when I was in school and it would take weeks to finish a project. That just drove me nuts.

7. What ways do you currently advertise your art and do they work well for you?

I’ve tried to join multiple (free!) art sites like ArtWanted, Deviant Art, and Sheezyart because it never hurts to put one more gallery up. I also, like I mentioned before, started selling some of my work at a retail location. The most valuable advertisements though seem to be through connecting with people on like-minded sites…be they art forums like FAE or more special interest. I like to pick a few sites I like and then try to be part of the conversation there. I think there’s nothing more irritating than a poster who only pops in to sell something, so be courteous to your buyers and potential customers by being willing to converse with them about things not pertaining to your business. I think that’s a great way to create repeat buyers, when people know and like you, as well as really good friends.

8. Being an artist, which would you find most difficult: the loss of your hands or your eyesight?

Ah, what a terrible thought! Something artists fear in particular. Although I think either would be a really tragic loss for me, I think I’d have to put my hands above sight. I think I would be beyond frustrated if I could not work with my hands anymore. Everything I do- my livelihood, my hobbies, all depend on my hands. It frightens me to think of losing their use.

9. Out of all your art, which piece means the most to you and why?

That’s a really hard question. I don’t know that I have an answer for that, honestly. I suppose the first piece that even meant a great deal to me and made me proud was my “Sleeping Beauty” that I made in school (you can see it on my site in the portfolio section) It was done on a huge piece of black matte board and done with only white conte pencil. I remember my art teacher being really struck by it, and I thought it turned out better than I ever hoped.

Of my current work though, I suppose “Celia and Percival” are my favorites at the moment. I love the bright color and darkness, and the strange mood it kind of gives off. Is it sweet? Is it dark? I really like that.

10. Do you have certain techniques that you use in most of your works or is every piece an experiment?

Don’t know if I’d call it ‘technique’ as much as ‘habit!’ My most recent experiment has been with waterproof ink, doing the inking first and then painting. I’m finding I really like it. I usually ink, paint, then come back to ink finer detail.

But I do have habits…I always start with the face. Always! One trick I love is to draw the oval for the face, and then draw a cross on it. The middle line will give the direction for the nose, and the situation of the horizontal line will give the level of the eye. I find that simple technique very helpful in getting the basic things situated.

11. Where do you get the ideas for your paintings?

Anywhere….It can be in visiting a certain place. Or in an object like a gemstone, or a season like spring. I often find inspiration (as well as frustration, I admit) in the work of other artists, past and present. I LOVE JW Waterhouse, Arthur Rackham, Sulamith Wulfing, Cicely Mary Barker, Paula Modersohn-Becker and Gustav Klimt. I also find inspiration in books I love or phrases that I think are interesting. I’ve had a funny phrase in my head for months now, that I’m still trying to get down on paper…Hope someday I’ll get it figured out!

12. If you could be someone else for one day, who would you be and why?

I honestly have no idea! I’m assuming for this questionnaire it has to do with art . Who….I suppose I’d get a kick out of being any of the painters I listed above. I’d love to be them painting in their studio all day, learning their secrets and what inspired them. Then I’d try to take that knowledge back with me, and wow everyone with my progress!

13. Is there any particular person in your life that has pushed you and kept you motivated artistically? A mentor or a friend?

Lots of people have encouraged me through my life. My mom was probably the first…She used to really be into country crafts and she and I would spend many a Saturday in the garage painting things. Being accepted into a summer art program that was auditions only also did a lot for my confidence.

But the person who has pushed me and encouraged me and contradicted me when I thought my work was lousy would have to be my husband. I am so lucky to have him. I think he tells me he’s proud of me just about every day, and he always says he “really likes” everything I show him. He even took an ice pixie to work with him to display in his office! I think I might have gotten frustrated and quit several times if it wasn’t for him. I’m very lucky to have someone like him who believes in me so much, that I cant help but believe in me too.

Name: Heather Van Winkle

Website: http://www.reverieart.com
Retail space at “The Market” at 81st & Harvard, Tulsa OK
email: heather AT reverieart.com

DeviantArt: http://hvanwinkle.deviantart.com/
ArtWanted: http://www.ArtWanted.com/icepixie
SheezyArt: http://icepixie.sheezyart.com/
ebay ID: reverie_art

1) Do you believe a good artist is born with talent or
do they have to work to learn it?

I believe there are always people that are born with
natural talent – a gift for drawing, an eye for color
or composition, talent with a brush, etc. – but if
someone is not graced with these gifts, they can most
definitely learn. Focused application of will and
steady practice can take the place of natural talent.
The only things you need to be born with to be an
artist are an imagination and a passion to
create…everything else can be learned, practiced and
perfected through time and hard work.

2) How do you best manage to carve out time for art in
the midst of your busy life?
I work the usual Monday through Friday 8:00-5:00 gig,
so any art I do has to fit in around the evening and
weekend chores and errands. I fit in a couple of hours
during the evenings (on the nights I don’t have TV, so
Wednesdays are out due to “Lost” *grin*), and I’ll
usually dedicate one weekend day to painting, while I
do all my running around on the other day. I am lucky
to have a supportive family that understands there are
times when I will lock myself away in my room and paint
for hours at a time. ;P

3) Do you, as an artist, believe that you can
contribute to changing the world in some way?

Yes, I
do believe that. Art is a funny thing…it is very
personal, and the joy of creating it is a satisfaction
unto itself; however, the sharing of art can lead to
something that is so much greater than just the bond
between the artist and their creation. Even if it just
brings a simple smile to someone’s face for only a
moment, if someone looks at my art and feels anything,
I am reaching out to the world, and yes, changing
it…hopefully for the better! And, of course, when
artists band together for causes, we can make a very
real difference by contributing our art to help
charities around the world.

4) Of all your art, is there one particular piece that
you strongly connect to?

Not necessarily your favorite
piece, just one that strikes a chord with you. “Love Notes” is my current favorite painting of mine,
but “Rowena” is the painting I feel the strongest
connection with. I painted “Rowena” over a year ago,
and have painted more technically superior pieces since
then, but still to this day, I look at her and am
struck by her eyes and mysterious smile. She was my
very first painting that I felt was imbued with a soul
and she will always hold a special place in my heart.

5) Do you consider yourself to be a prolific artist?
Approximately how many new pieces of art do you produce
in a year?

I am definitely not as prolific as I would like to
be…my full-time job sees to that. I manage to do two
or three paintings a month, and if I produce at least
24 paintings per year, I’m happy. I did 25 paintings
in 2005.

6) In terms of promoting yourself and your art, what
seems to have worked the best for you?
I have not yet done a focused marketing campaign for my
art so I don’t really feel qualified to answer that
question. When I put myself out there, though, I plan
on doing as many art shows and conventions as I can,
since I know this is a great way to show off your art
and get people to sign up for your newsletter. I will
also advertise in various fantasy genre publications
and go around to local new age shops and show them my
portfolio in hopes of getting some wholesale orders. I
may also explore some licensing options. Internet
marketing is all very well and good, but it cannot be
your only method of spreading word of mouth and
building your fan base.

7) If you could take a sketch book and travel to any
place in the world, where would you choose to go to be
inspired the most?
I have always longed to go to Britain and visit her
ancient sites, historical castles, rolling hills, and
beautiful cottage gardens with sketch book in hand.
The artistic inspiration to be found there would be
tremendous, and one day I hope to be able to go for an
extended stay.

What are your artistic goals for 2006?

My goals for 2006 are to invest more time and money
into marketing my art, both on the web and locally.
2005 was all about learning, building my portfolio,
making contacts and buying art supplies and office
equipment. Now that I feel I have a solid base to work
from, my goals are definitely focused on promotion and
seeing where this wonderful world of fantasy art will
take me!

9) Looking back over the year 2005, would you have done
anything differently?
I would have definitely worked harder to offer more
products than just prints, bookmarks and cards. Key
chains, tiles, mugs, journals, boxes, magnets, etc, all
sell well and are more useful than prints that can only
be hung on a wall or put away in a drawer or scrapbook.
Making an effort to diversify my selection of products
would have almost certainly yielded better sales, but
because I didn’t do the legwork this year to make the
proper contacts and find suppliers, it is something
else that has to go on my 2006 to-do list.

10) Have you learned one particular tip or technique
that you feel has made you a better artist?

If so, can
you share it with us?
I work predominately in watercolor, and one of the
techniques I love to employ is wet-on-wet blending. I
get a lot of compliments on my subtle shading,
especially on my portraits, and it’s accomplished by
blending wet colors over many layers. For example, on
my faces I lay down a light wash of flesh tone, which I
do allow to dry completely, but then once my darker
follow-up layer of flesh tone is applied, I immediately
add a layer of sepia, blending out from the darkest
point. If it’s too dark, I stroke with a clean wet
brush in the opposite direction blending back up to the
original starting point. Lather, rinse, repeat until
done! *grin* (I usually do about 5-8 layers before I
feel I’m finished.) Keeping the paper wet allows for
soft graduations that add an almost airbrush quality to
the piece. For highlights I rarely mask out white
areas, but instead lift the colors in the places I want
with a cotton ball or q-tip. This works well and keeps
the overall soft feeling of the piece, but you have to
know where you want to do it, because it does wear away
at the surface of the paper and repainting to correct a
mistake will look blotchy.

11) Tell me a little about your creative process. What
steps do you take to create a work of art?

First, of
course, is the germination of an idea, which can come
from anywhere. A picture or scene will catch my eye,
or a word or phrase will catch my fancy. Once an idea
is planted, then I work on taking reference photos…I do
not have the drawing skills yet to get proportion,
depth perception or lighting right without reference
pictures, so I assemble the shots I need and put them
together like a puzzle on the computer to achieve a
general layout. Then after I’ve sketched out the
complete painting, I transfer it to the watercolor
color paper. Now the fun really begins! As much as I
enjoy drawing up ideas in my mind, my true love is the
painting itself. I will sit at my art desk, with my
dog snoozing under my chair, listening to a movie
soundtrack (usually Hans Zimmer or Howard Shore) and
sigh in contentment as layer after layer of paint
slowly develops a two-dimensional collection of lines
into a living, breathing painting.

12) Do you feel artists should sell their originals
cheaply at first or hold out until they are more
popular?

I feel that artists should hold on to their originals
until they can command a better price. Unless you are
pressed for space and have to sell them to make room,
why not store them until you’ve built a fan-base? I
have yet to sell any of my originals (although I have
given a couple as gifts). There are a few of them that
I don’t want to part with at any cost, and there are
others that I am just holding on to until I can get a
fair price. I believe that 2006 might see me placing a
couple of my originals up for sale.

13) Do you take part in any art shows or conventions?
If you do, can you share any tips on getting started in
these venues?
I have yet to take part in any art shows or
conventions, although where I live does afford me that
opportunity when I am ready to take it. I first have
to build up enough inventory of a variety of items to
display in my booth and I need to decide on how my
booth will look. Yet another thing on my 2006 to-do
list! I did help work a booth at a wholesale tradeshow
this year, though, and from that experience learned
that I will always wear fairy wings…my coworker and I
got so much attention from them and it was a simple
matter to steer people from the wings to our art and
our e-mail sign-up sheet. Never be afraid to be
flamboyant! ^_~

14) Tell us about the newest members of your
family….(Your BJDs!)

Hee hee. *grin* I have recently
become completely enamored of Asian ball-jointed
dolls…they are fully posable, beautiful and
wonderfully customizable dolls. My current family
consists of Sybilla (CP Lishe), Ophelia (CP Miyu),
Devlin (Volks Heath), Alexis (CP Breakaway) and Jabari
(CP Tan El). I order them without the factory make up
so I can do them myself, and I just love painting my
dolls’ faceups. I also really want to learn how to sew
because I have so many costumes I want to create for
them. So not only are these dolls beautiful and full
of personality, but they are useful as well…I have
already employed Sybilla as one of my models on a
painting and plan on putting the others to work in the
same capacity soon! ^_^

Name: Deborah Grieves

Website: http:/
www.cynnaliafantasyart.com

email: deborah AT cynnliafantasyart.com
DeviantArt: http://cynnalia.deviantart.com/
ArtWanted: http://www.artwanted.com/artist.cfm?ArtID=15296

LiveJournal: http://www.livejournal.com/users/cynnalia/
Epilogue: http://www.epilogue.net/cgi/database/art/list.pl?gallery=11915