The Last Waltz

New to my Gallery

An Interview with Destiny Allison

I am honored to introduce sculptress and author, Destiny Allison. I met Destiny when she came through Eugene on her book tour. We had already become friends online, but meeting her and seeing her speak her passion was nothing short of amazing. I find her to be a most inspiring, powerful and insightful woman and artist. I highly recommend her book — Shaping Destiny: A quest for meaning in art and life (available here). You can also watch the trailer for the book here. I hope you enjoy her interview as much as I did.

 

Can you tell us a little about yourself?
I’m a metal sculptor, an author, a mom, a wife and a businesswoman.  I live in Santa Fe, NM where I was born and raised.  I think I’m one of the luckiest women in the world. 

What is your first memory of creating art?
I must have been about 7.  I made a clay sculpture of my dog at school that I really loved.  I started writing poetry at 8.

How did you first become interested in your current art form?
I thought I wanted to be a writer, but I discovered sculpture when the words didn’t come and I was struggling with writer’s block and domestic frustration.  My kids had left some modeling clay on my desk.  I picked it up, started playing and fell in love.

What inspires you?
Life.  Everything about it.  And the things I don’t understand.

Do you think of yourself as having a particular “style”? If so… what would it be?
Contemporary abstract.

How has that style evolved over time?
I went from representational work to abstract over a period of about 10 years.  Abstraction gives me more room to hone in on human experience, idea and emotion instead of a visual narrative.

Have you had formal training?
Not really.  I’ve never taken an art class but I did a two year apprenticeship at a bronze foundry and learned a ton there.

What is your favorite medium?
Steel has been my medium of choice for many years.  I think I have metal in my blood.  Lately though, I am loving painting and writing.

Do you have a specific subject or genre you prefer to capture in your work? 
I think a lot about relationships, balance, and mythology.  I am always questioning who we are and why.

What do you find is the most enjoyable aspect of creating art?
I love getting completely lost in my work, watching things evolve and learning from what appears.  I also love it when a work is finished and someone else gets what I was trying to express.

Do you make your living with your art?
Yes.  I’ve been a full time, professional artist for the last 11 years.

Of all of your works, which is your favorite?
The next one.

Who is your favorite artist?
That’s hard to say.  There are too many works to choose from.

Where can we find your work online?
Are you connected to an online art community?  www.destinyallison.com

Some random questions here…

What is your favorite color?
Teal.

What is your favorite thing to have for breakfast?
Bagels, lox and cream cheese or granola and yogurt.

Who would play you in a movie about yourself?
Jodie Foster?

What super power would you like to have? Why?
Telepathy.  I want to know what others are thinking and feeling at the deepest levels.

What do you do to relax?
I read a lot, take hikes with my love and my dogs, and play a lot of backgammon.

 

Artist Reception and (egads) Holiday Cards!

If you can’t make it for the reception this Friday, the show will be up for the month of November so you have plenty of time to pop in and see it… and of course have a bite to eat. Their food is delish!

 

I just have to say, that I can’t stand seeing Christmas items up before Thanksgiving…however…. If you’re interested in any of my Holiday/Christmas/Seasons Greetings cards, I need to know soon so I can get them to you in time for mailing.

At this time there are 2 designs available — And as a Holiday bonus…you have the option of putting the text of your choice (within limits) on the cover of either of these cards. Greeting Card prices are here!

A Crow Christmas

and Mother Earth

And if you’re not yet a fan of my Facebook Page – please click over there and like my page. I’ll be holding a drawing at 300 LIKES which will be coming up soon!

An Interview with R-Atencio

My second, in a series of interviews with a variety of artists, is with the wonderful artist, R-Atencio. R’s work demonstrates a gentle realistic quality — be it from the natural world or from woman/man-made world.

Can you tell us a little about yourself?
If I were to write a autobiography it’d be titled, “Memoirs of a Reluctant Artist.” As a second generation American, my family had a lot of concerns about becoming an artist. I took the business route. For a while, it was satisfactory and paid the bills. From time to time, I felt as if a soft voice was whispering in my ear. It was something indiscernible. One day, I was in the bookstore and found Julia Cameron’s book, “The Artist’s Way – a Spiritual Guide to Higher Creativity” ( It’s full of exercises to promote creativity.) I was so reluctant that I had to read and do the exercises twice. This helped me to hear the voice of creativity and that’s how I began my journey to be an artist.

What is your first memory of creating art?
Well, I suppose all little children draw and color with whatever they have at hand. I took a few art classes in high school.

How did you first become interested in your current art form?
(See next answer)

What inspires you?
So many things… the feelings that I have when I look at beauty – could be the colors of a bird, a fiery sunset, a bin of autumn squashes or the play of shadows.  I strive to re-create that feeling and when I see other artists’ work that has captured it, I’m inspired to try.

Do you think of yourself as having a particular “style”? If so… what would it be?
A few people have told me that I do, but I feel that I haven’t settled on a particular style in that you could look at the work and say, “Oh, that’s an Atencio.” I like experimenting. However, I do prefer realism in my work – so far.

How has that style evolved over time?
It seems that evolution occurs in artists because we are organic beings changed by seasons, experiences and emotions. So, yes, my style is evolving. Recently, I’ve been thinking that I’d like express myself more in sculpture.

Have you had formal training?
Besides receiving my degree in Fine Art, I’ve taken many classes and workshops in different areas of art.

What is your favorite medium?
It’s more like “favorites.” I’m fairly experimental and love to try different media. Some of my tried and true choices are: pastel, oil, acrylic and clay – which I often use in combination. For example, under painting with acrylic for an oil painting. Right now, I’m trying my hand at paper clay. When it dries, I’ll paint with acrylics.

Do you have a specific subject or genre you prefer to capture in your work?
It seems that I’m drawn to nature and travel. Of course, nature is a big category, so specifically birds, light/shadows and produce.

What do you find is the most enjoyable aspect of creating art?
For me, there isn’t one part alone that is most enjoyable.  There are two parts that I’d highlight.
It seems to me that art is a lot about problem solving. I ask myself lots of questions about format, medium, substrate, and size.  I enjoy that formational time in that it is often the most collaborative. I have artist-friends and folks at the local hardware store. It is so enlightening and helpful to put my ideas and questions to them.
There are times when I think, “It’s not working” and “What do I need to do to get there?’ So, when I figure out what needs to change and it actually works, it’s a thrill! (That includes “happy accidents.”)

Do you make your living with your art?
Not yet. I finished my degree program three years ago – at the heart of the recession.  Given the financial situation for so many, who cannot afford to buy art or even fine art prints of art they enjoy, I have one art series that is now available as cards, bookmarks, coasters, mugs, and glass trays.

Of all of your works, which is your favorite?
Usually, the one I just finished.

Who is your favorite artist?
There isn’t really one artist who I admire more than any others. I write an art blog concerning artists, art movements, colors, techniques – all sorts of subjects that I think the public might enjoy. In my research, I’ve found so many interesting stories that I draw inspiration from many.

Where can we find your work online? Are you connected to an online art community?
I maintain a gallery website at: http://www.r-atencio.com
The art-related items are at: http://www.r-atencio-annex.com
Art blog is: r-atencio.blogspot.com

Some random questions here…

What is your favorite color?
In terms of art, I don’t have one.

What is your favorite thing to have for breakfast?
Eggs

Who would play you in a movie about yourself?
Hard to say – I don’t think of my life or myself in those terms. I’m too busy living it.

What super power would you like to have? Why?
SuperPower that allows me to be in different places at the same time – then I could make art in my studio while simultaneously running errands and helping causes I believe in.

What do you do to relax?
Walk, read, play and enjoy time with friends.

2nd Friday ARTwalk

Come by and see a bit of my work at the Washburne Cafe, 326 Main Street in Springfield in the month of November!
Or better yet… come by during the 2nd Friday Artwalk Reception November 9, between 5 – 7 pm and visit!

And don’t forget to LIKE me on Facebook. I’ll hold a drawing at 300 fans (I’m almost there) and the lucky winner will receive the print of her or his choice matted to 11 x 14.

Wake Up Little Susie

Two things happening here.

First — For a limited time, when you sign up for my blog (on the right sidebar) you will receive a link to a free copy of my eBook, Of A Botanical Nature. If you’re already a subscriber, please contact me and I’ll send you the link. Also… Please let me know if you’re having trouble with subscribing. There have been a couple of people who haven’t received their confirmation. Firefox browser seems to work the best. I’m looking into it. Thanks! AND… if you don’t have a tablet or an android for reading it… no worries… here’s a reader add-on for Firefox.
You can also preview the book here…

Here’s a new image to my gallery. She’s just waking up to the morning. Susie is dressed in a layer of photographs and digital filters.

An Interview with Judith Clay

My first, in a series of interviews with a variety of artists, is with the whimsical Judith Clay. I am in love with Judith’s amazing body of work. I find it to be some of the most imaginative and inviting work I’ve seen.

Judith creates whimsical, playful, and curious paintings from her home in Germany.

Can you tell us a little about yourself?
I am a traditional artist based in Germany.  I was born and raised in Germany, but also spent many years in the United States.  I completed a three year apprenticeship to become a ceramic painter here in Germany, and earned my Bachelor of Arts degree in comparative literature in the US.

What is your first memory of creating art?
I started drawing when I was quite young.  I have full page drawings, titled and dated, from when I was 9 years old.  I remember liking blank notebooks, and to make use of them, I filled them with drawings, often just copying cartoon characters.  I also remember in elementary school that we were allowed to draw banners with patterns across the page under each written exercise.  That quickly became my favorite part of homework on which I spent more time than on the written exercise!

How did you first become interested in your current art form?
I started getting back into my art over ten years ago.  I had always loved children’s books, stories, and fairy tales, and had started collecting picture books.  Through my university studies, I was constantly reading books and writing essays.  On one of my many trips to the local bookstore, I discovered a book on storytelling.  That started my interest in writing and later drawing for children which eventually lead me to what I now do in my drawings.

What inspires you?
I find inspiration in everything.  Some of my drawings were inspired by a temporary fixation on a certain color, by the leaf of a tree, an animal I saw on my walk through town, an old toy in an antique store, a story title I read, an unusual name.  Anything can turn into a story and then into a picture.

Do you think of yourself as having a particular “style”? If so… what would it be?
In the comments I get on my drawings, many people call my style “dark and whimsical” and I think that fits it very well.  I would add stylized, definitely not “realistic”.

How has that style evolved over time?
When I first started getting back into my art, I worked only with black ink and ink pens.  Over the years, I added pastels and then colored pencils to give the pastel colors more depth and vibrancy.  I constantly studied other artists whom I admired, and tried to learn why I liked their work and how they achieved the effects of their art.

Have you had formal training?
I never went to a traditional art school, but I did serve a three year apprenticeship to become a ceramic painter.  I also took a few semesters of art studio classes at just a regular college.

What is your favorite medium?
My favorite medium has always been pencil and pen or pastel stick.  I’ve done watercolor and oil painting, but could never get myself to like it too much.  I love working on small details, patterns and textures, and doing that with my ink pens is like therapy to me.

Do you have a specific subject or genre you prefer to capture in your work?
My favorite subject definitely is human and animal characters caught in a certain fantastical fairytale or storyline.

What do you find is the most enjoyable aspect of creating art?
For me it always has been and always will be the fact that it allows me to forget reality and live in my own world—for a little while.  It’s the letting myself go and allowing my characters to do things that aren’t otherwise possible like letting butterflies fly amongst snowflakes or little girls ride on sea horses or giant cats.

Do you make your living with your art?
I’m working on that…

Of all of your works, which is your favorite?
At the moment I have four:  Ana and Eva (An All Hallows’ Eve Tale), Ball Game, The Red Rings, and The Story Teller.

Who is your favorite artist?
I have quite a few but really like Paul Klee, and more contemporary Olaf Hajek, and of course many children’s book illustrators like Anne Herbauts, Susanne Janssen, Carll Cneut, and Linda Wolfsgruber.  I also have a lot of unknown artists whom I admire very much.

Where can we find your work online? Are you connected to an online art community?
I sell prints and other items like stretched canvases, greeting cards, iPhone cases through my Society6 shop here:
http://society6.com/judithclay
I also keep my facebook page updated with happenings and news and my newest artworks:
https://www.facebook.com/judith.clay.50
And I’m connected to an art group on facebook, as well.

Some random questions here…

What is your favorite color?
I like all muted colors like burgundy, jade, pumpkin, mauve, ochre, indigo, etc. and all shades of gray.

What is your favorite thing to have for breakfast?
Crusty, fresh German rolls with (real) butter and rhubarb jam!!!

Who would play you in a movie about yourself?
I would NEVER allow anybody to make a movie about myself (too boring   But if I really had to choose I’d say Woody Allen, mostly because he’s very similar to me in over-analyzing everything and in doubting himself.

What super power would you like to have? Why?
I’m not sure if that would be a super power, but I would like to be able to give EVERYBODY the ability to see the other person’s point of view!  Why?  Because so many problems, conflicts, wars are caused by people’s inability to see each other’s point of view.

What do you do to relax?
Sit with a cup of coffee at a sidewalk café, listen to a story on CD, watch an old favorite movie like Charade with Audrey Hepburn or The Rear Window with James Stewart and Grace Kelly.

 Thank you, Judith — I hope our readers will enjoy this interview as much as I have.