A Mixed Media Artist from Iceland!! - Sigga Dis

                         Soaring to Success 

          Interviews of Artists, Writers and Photgraphers

                   Their work, creative spaces and techniques

   

                                          An Artist from Iceland!!! 
                                            Sigga Dis

                                                  

1. Introduce yourself.  Name, City, State, Country  .. and describe what you do, what’s your passion? 

Sigga Dis, That's Me!

My name is Sigga Dís, I’m a mixed media artist living in Keflavík, Iceland. I am an art teacher, teaching art to children age 6-16 and I love my job. I’m 54 years old, married and a mother of 3 beautiful children age 15, 23 and 27. Last year, I became a grandmother and that is such a great experience. 

2. When did you know you wanted to be an artist?

Since I was a little girl I have been painting, drawing, working with clay or just creating. Creating and traveling is what I love to do.

3. What are your fears?  How have you faced them?   

My fears are that people don’t like my art, but so far after 6 or 7 exhibitions that all went very well and selling so many paintings that I have stopped counting, I think that I don’t have to be afraid. I’m working on my self, telling my self that I’m an artist.

Sigga 's Art Exhibition in September

4. What makes you different…unique from others?    

I don’t know if something makes me unique or different but My Lovely Ladies are unique, I´m so much in love with each and every one of them, they are like my friends.

She is my absolute favorite "Lovely Lady"

Fish Face

5. Any secrets to reveal about the tools you use or your techniques?  Tips or tricks? 
     

I have no secrets, but maybe one thing I can say about my painting is that I can be painting on a big canvas or doing a crazy mixed media using even my fingers without getting a spot on my clothes. You should see the mess on my desk.

My workspace - a big mess around me!

6. What are your goals and inspirations?  Where will you hope to be in 2 years?  5 years?  10 years?

I would love to stop working and start painting all day long. Maybe I can one day, I hope so. I’m taking classes all the time and my goals are to learn as much as I can as long as I can. I love to learn new things and techniques.

7. Where is your creative space or studio?   

I have been all over the house but now I have a room of my own where I have my books, computer and all my artist stuff. But as I’m taking Flora Bowleys class I’m painting in my garage, working on big canvas using spray bottles and lot of mess.

I have been thinking about getting me a studio outside the home but I always find out it is best to stay at home because then I have everything there if I get an extra minute. 

I paint in my garage while taking Flora Bowleys class

8.How much time do you devote to your work?  (Is it at same time everyday? Are you disciplined to go into your studio at 9:00am every morning?  Or do you wait until you are in a creative mood?)

I use almost every extra minute I have in my room painting, if not I’m knitting or croqueting.

One of my favorites. This was a special project.

9. What are your “whispers” or callings begging you to do? What made you decide to take this e-course with Kelly Rae Roberts? What do you want to achieve?

My “whispers” are calling me to follow my dreams and go to India again. I would like to stay there for few months doing meditation and yoga, and try to catch the colors of India. 

I did take Kelly Rae Roberts class because I love her work and I love what she has made of her work. I have been doing a little of that myself but Iceland is such a small country with such a small market.

    

Some of my stuff, my diary, my bookmarks and my tote bags...(below)

my diary

10. Do you keep a daily journal or sketchbook, or write in a diary?  These are usually very interesting  & very charming to share- like a peek into the life of an artist.

No I don’t, but I do always have a sketchbook with me so I have a few. What I do is that if I get an idea of a painting I make a sketch first so for most of my paintings I have a sketch. I have my Lovely Ladies sketchbook for sale in my Etsy shop.

One of my Bookmarks

My Totebags

11. How do you market yourself?

There I would love to get help, I’m not good in that. I do have an Etsy Shop  and I do have a FaceBook page but most I have been selling my paintings when I’m having an exhibition. My books, bookmarks and the other stuff I’m selling on Etsy, and in 3 local stores but most I’m selling to the people around me. I also have a blog, be sure and check it out!

From one of the shops that are selling my paintings and my other things

12. What type of music (if any) do you listen to when you create?

Soft music, I have to have some music when I’m painting. Today, I love Adele and all kinds of meditation music.

13. Who is your favorite artist, photographer, author? …  In other words, who do you admire, and look up to?

They are so many. Of Icelandic one I love Louísa Matthíasdóttir.

Hundertwasser, Chagall and Gaudy are great too, and so many more, but those that inspire me most are Kelly Rae Roberts, Flora Bowley, Tracy Verdougu, Juliette Crane and many more Mixed Media ladies.

My first one in Flora Bowley´s  class, I call it Be Brave.

14. Are you encouraged to follow your creative path by your family or friends?

Yes, now they do, I think they have begun to understand how much it means to me.

15. How do come up with titles for your work…whether it be paintings, short stories, a novel, or other artwork?

That’s the easy part, It´s just there and people have been telling me how they love the names I give my paintings...like "Fly on the Wings of Love", "Believe in Yourself"..I use inspirational and encouraging titles! 

Many times I take photos of the process from the beginning to the end.

16. Do you work on one project at a time.. or have several going on at a time?

I think now I have about 20 maybe more… I’m taking Life Book 2013, just finished Lifebook 2012. There I have few on my desk waiting to be finished. I’m taking class with Flora Bowley there I have 4 big canvas I’m working on. Then I have few mandalas and few Zentangles, little of small paintings and few mixed media works.

I Love to Doodle

You can take a look in my etsy shop www.etsy.com/shop/siggadisart or you can search my blog www.siggadisart.blogspot.com if you want to see them. If you visit my blog you might have to go down few pages because I have been doing very different paintings lately and please leave me a comment!

THANK YOU Sigga Dis.. 

Your artwork is lovely!  It is colorful and unique! I always amazes me, that eventhough we all are from all over this world, we, as artists, still have the same passion for art, the same whispers, and similar goals we love to  reach! I may never meet you in person but I feel like I know you, now, and that we are friends, fellow artists, because of the wonderful age of computers! Thank you letting us get to know you and for sharing not only your artwork, but take a peek into your creative space!   Your journey has certainly lead to you having wings....   Fly, baby, fly!!!    Joan

P.S. Your English is fantastic!!! (be proud!!)

* If you are an artist, writer or photographer and want to be featured on my blog, please email me for consideration. 

I owned an art school in Charlotte, NC for 16 years before moving to Jacksonville, FL., so it  thrills me when a classroom full of students, given one assignment, produces such a variety of ideas. …We are all unique, we are all special.  We all have a different path, a different way of approaching our art. That is exactly why I want to do these interviews, to celebrate what makes us, US!      Thank you for participating : )               

                 Joan Carver       (e) joanecarver@yahoo.com       904-230-6155

   

Malini Parker -"I became an artist by accident!!"

                               
                                "I became an artist by accident!!"

"Remember that feeling when you fell in love for the very first time? For me, the discovery of art was just like that. It was all I could think about – first thing in the morning, last thing at night. Making art for the first time was a beautiful and consuming feeling and it was almost a struggle to do anything else."

                        Soaring to Success

               Interview of Artists, Writers and Photographers

                    Their work, creative spaces and techniques

                    Malini Parker ... "I became an artist by accident!"

   "I use a lot of texture and layering in my work – for me it is a metaphor for the layers and textures of life’s journey."    -  Malini Parker

1. Introduce yourself.  Name, City, State, Country  .. and describe what you do, what’s your passion?   

My name is Malini Parker, I’m an artist, writer and teacher and I live in Perth, Western Australia.

2. When did you know you wanted to be an artist?

I came to art rather late in life – started Art School the year I turned 40 and it turned my life around! I was a scientist, with a Masters degree in Medical Science and spent many years involved in medical research. I was never very good at it :) Finding art was quite a revelation. I wrote about it here. So I’ve been painting for 11 years now. Teaching has become my passion in the last two or three years, and writing in the past year or so… who knows what will be around the corner?!

Malini

3. What are your fears?  How have you faced them?  Or your plans of how you plan to tackle your fears.

This may sound strange but my biggest fear is probably paperwork! Sometimes I feel like I’m drowning in paper – sorting, filing, doing the taxes, paying the bills. Drives me nuts and I hate it! Just today I hope to have tackled this fear head on – by getting my husband to agree to take over the book-keeping for me :)

4. What makes you different…unique from others? 

I do find that just making art doesn’t feel ‘complete’ for me. When I started sharing my process in workshops, and teaching beginners how to make art, quickly and beautifully, it felt like the puzzle was complete. So I guess that’s what’s unique about me – I have a seven step process that I share with others in my one day intensive art workshops, and I’m so grateful that they are wildly popular and usually booked out here in Perth, Western Australia. I hope to be able to take them around the world in the near future. My website and blog are here: www.maliniparker.com and my Facebook page: www.facebook.com/maliniparkerartist

Believing Impossible Things

Valley of Joy

  
    5.Any secrets to reveal about the tools you use or your techniques?  Tips or tricks?   What makes your art special? Are your supplies unusual?  you own mixed media collage papers?  If you’re a  Do you have a lucky charm, maybe a lucky shirt you paint in, an inspirational poster or quote, or a special something that helps you to think positive?

I started painting when I was suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome, and as I recovered, my daughter became very ill for a number of years, followed by my husband with terminal cancer. It seems that adversity has been a big part of my journey since a started making art, and so quite naturally, my painting process has mirrored the lessons I’ve learned along the way in facing adversity . I’d say my main ‘technique’ is about embracing uncertainty! I believe no matter ‘how’ you paint, if you can be happy to take risks and be comfortable with not knowing the outcome, your paintings will be fresh and spontaneous.

I used a lot of texture and layering in my work – for me it is a metaphor for the layers and textures of life’s journey. I also use lace as a stencil for creating texture, and those effects often speak to me of the growth and learning one encounters along the way.

I draw my inspiration from the beauty of nature and from my practice of prayer and meditation.

Springtime Longings

6. What are your goals and inspirations?  Where will you hope to be in 2 years?  5 years?  10 years?

Wow! That’s a lot of advanced planning! And here I was feeling proud of myself that I managed to map out just ONE year!

What really excites me is how beginners LIGHT UP during my workshops, when they make art, sometimes for the very first time. I am planning to take my in-person workshop across Australia this year, and living in Perth – the most isolated city in the world - I’m 2000 miles from Melbourne, so it’s quite a trek! I would also like to run workshops in other parts of the world, and now that my husband’s health is a bit more stable, I do hope that this will become a reality. I’m also launching an e-course in the next year or so, and holding my ninth major exhibition… so there’s a lot to do.

I hope that in ten years, I’ll be able to say that I’ve reached and affected the lives of many, many people around the world, and helped them access that wonderful magical well of creativity inside us! And on a more practical, personal note, I really REALLY hope that I would have conquered paperwork and become majorly disciplined in this area!!

7. Where is your creative space or studio?    

  

My creative space has to be transformed INTO it every time I paint! We had to leave our beautiful home in the seaside town of Albany because of my family needing medical treatment, and now, we are renting a house where I don’t have a dedicated studio. So you can see paintings stacked up against bookshelves and even sitting on my piano :) I put dropsheets down and an old curtain up and this becomes my creative space.

Paintings propped up onto the piano

8. How much time do you devote to your work?  (Is it at same time everyday? Are you disciplined to go into your studio at 9:00am every morning?  Or do you wait until you are in a creative mood?)

I work about 8-10 hours a day – some of it is on the computer, liaising with students, organizing my workshops, writing lessons and so on. The rest is preparation work for my classes. On my teaching days that becomes 10-12 hours because of setup and clean up. I set aside weeks to paint when I’m not teaching, and when I’m getting paintings ready for a show, the deadlines drive me, and the momentum of painting creates its own schedule! Then I have trouble remembering to eat, the washing doesn’t get done and the dishes pile up :)

9. What are your “whispers” or callings begging you to do? What made you decide to take this e-course with Kelly Rae Roberts? What do you want to achieve?

Of course there’s always more I could do, but I didn’t really set out to ‘achieve’ anything when I took this course, as I am very fortunate to already have a thriving arts business. I guess I was curious about e-courses in general and how they work. Designing and launching my own e-course is one of the very loud whispers – seems more like a yelling in my ear at times! The very surprising and delightful outcome of doing this course is making so many new friends and like-minded folk all around the world, like yourself! KRR is just a master connector with a beautiful heart!

10. Do you keep a daily journal or sketchbook, or write in a diary?  (please share photos of a few pages of your journal, or sketches in your book) These are usually very interesting  and  very charming to share- like a peek into the life of an artist.    

My current journal is a gorgeous one that was given to me by one of my dearest friends. It’s ornate beauty and special origins make it almost a sacred space for me to share my deepest, secret-est secrets and where I do ridiculous sketches :) Here’s a little glimpse of something that came to me a short while ago after an intense period of meditation. The challenges at home were getting the better of me. At the end of the meditation, the words BE PATIENT were echoing in my soul so loudly that I had to write them down and design a painting around them. That’s how my paintings often begin – just pen or pencil sketches with arrows and notes :)

A Peek inside Malini's Journal

11. How do you market yourself? How do you plan to get “the word” out there??  

My website is my main portal to the world: www.maliniparker.com  I’ve been represented by five different galleries, and had eight major shows, so yes, I’m very fortunate, my work has been selling for a number of years. I’ve had to turn my focus more toward my teaching in the past two years because it’s very hard for me to focus on both with equal attention – and teaching not only fills my heart with joy and delight, it offers me a very good income due to the success of my classes. Taking myself out into the wider world will be more of a challenge – but considering the family health challenges of the past few years, one that I will embrace with an open, grateful heart :)

12. What type of music (if any) do you listen to when you create?

Actually I tend to work in silence!! I really enjoy the peaceful balance of movement and stillness that is painting, and I find that music can distract me. But if I do have music on, it’s usually mellow – Norah Jones, Michael Buble, Sting.

Tim Storrier painting

13. Who is your favorite artist, photographer, author? …  In other words, who do you admire, and look up to?

My painting style was heavily influenced by many of the artists I studied at art school – Robert Rauschenberg, Imants Tillers, Rosalie Gascoigne, Robert Juniper and Tim Storrier (shown in picture) and I love the ephemeral art of Andy Goldsworthy.

My daughter Mary is my favourite photographer! www.maryparker.com.au She is phenomenal, still a student, and has over 3000 likes on her FB page www.facebook.com/maryparkerphotography ! Her photography is just so soulful and beautiful, and she is not even pursuing it professionally.

Mary Parker Photography

I have many favourite authors and so many bulging bookshelves that my books are now stacked on the floor and on top of cupboards! … I love Alexander McCall Smith, JK Rowling, Amy Tan, Elizabeth Gilbert, Ken Robinson, Deepak Chopra, Bill Bryson. I just finished Kelly Corrigan’s The Middle Place which I really enjoyed, and I’m currently reading Anna Funder’s All That I Am.

14. Are you encouraged to follow your creative path by your family or friends?

Malini with three sisters!

I couldn’t be more encouraged – totally and completely supported – I’m so very fortunate in this. In fact, the entire time I was at art school (5 years) my mother supported us as my husband decided to study full time as well! I have three older sisters and they have been my rocks, my guides and my friends, especially through some of the scary, dark times of the past few years as we’ve navigated Greg’s cancer and all the heartache that brings.

15. How do come up with titles for your work…whether it be paintings, short stories, a novel, or other artwork?

My husband, Greg titles my work! I tell him the story of the painting, and he comes up with a few options from which I pick the one that feels right. He’s much more of a poet than I am – being a songwriter, so this works well for us. I like the fresh perspective it brings my art as well.

16. Do you work on one project at a time … or have several going on at a time?

I simply CANNOT work on one painting at a time! I have always worked in layers, so as one layer is drying I move on to the next painting. I also find it keeps me engaged and excited about the work.

Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to share a little slice of my world with you :) Please come say hi on Facebook www.facebook.com/maliniparkerartist or on my blog at www.maliniparker.com

"That creativity – when it finds its expression – may not change your life completely, but it will help complete your life."

 * THANK YOU, Malini for sharing your techniques, vision and personal experiences in my Soaring to Success Interview series!  I wish you continued success with your lovely artwork and workshops. But, most of all I wish you and your family the best of health. It's difficult to continue to accomplish goals when you or a family member doesn't feel well.  Hopefully, that is all behind you  - keep up the determination as you are such a positive  inspiration for us all!!!  It pleasing to see family bond and support of your mother, the encouragement of your beautiful sisters, your husband...and your very talented daughter!  ...what a talented family!
Your artwork is wonderful. It represents your colorful journey through life.
            Keep soaring sister...you look beautiful up there!!!   Joan

          If you are interested in being interviewed and published on my blog, please contact me at joanecarver@yahoo.com

An Artsy California Girl!! Monica Martin

     I am a  messy hands, up to my elbows in paint, paper everywhere, mixed media artist.... 

                                 Soaring to Success

                Interviews of Artists, Writers and Photographers

                     

                Their work, creative spaces and techniques

                 This week's artist is from Carlsbad, California...

                                                          Monica Martin

            "Your life is a canvas....make sure you paint yourself a         
                              whole lot of colorful days!!!"


Monica, I think you must be a shy type of girl with interviews, LOL......I found, and  just had to pull some absolutely charming quotes and sentences from your blog! We all want to get to know you better, so I dug around on your blog, in your Etsy shop and Facebook page..and stole some stuff for this interview, along with your input too,  to find out what makes Monica ... create? 
                                                                                        XXOO Joan

1. Introduce yourself. 

I'm Monica Martin, from Carlsbad, California, USA. I am a  messy hands, up to my elbows in paint, paper everywhere, mixed media artist. As you'll see, combining colors and quotes is my favorite.  It took me close to forty years to figure that out that this is what I've always wanted to do, and I couldn't be happier.

The Artsy Girl Studio

2. When did you know you wanted to be an artist?

 I always wanted to be an artist, as far back as I can remember. As a child, I’d always say, I want to be an artist, a Mommy, and a teacher. I am blessed to have experienced all three.

3. What are your fears?  How have you faced them?

My only fears lie in the future. Will I be able to continue my art business going as I get older? With the success I have had so far, I hope to be able to launch into the licensing side of the art business in the coming years.

4. What makes you different…unique from others? 

I think something that makes me different from many artists, is I try to include a message. I start with a quote or inspirational saying, and then paint based on what I feel, and read into that message. It’s not added afterwards. I typically pencil sketch something out for size and planning purposes, because I am including words, I have to plan for them.

My blog: www.theartsygirlstudio.blogspot.com

My Etsy shop: www.theartsygirlstudio.etsy.com

My Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TheArtsyGirlStudio?ref=hl

Look at the project I found, that Monica participated in...

The "Inspirational Card Deck" Swap using a deck of playing cards. 

26 Artists, 26 cards per artist...collected, and made into 26 sets, one for each family 

devastated by the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Conneticut. It is one
 way to send them the comfort of knowing other people care and send love their way.

In the process of creating the cards.. 

"Inspirational Card Deck"

I am so thankful for all the artists I have meet through my online class, Flying Lessons. 

We now have a group that stays in touch, and that is how I heard about this wonderful 

act of kindness. Jessica Brogan, artist and blogger, put this together, and I am so 

thankful to her. You can find her blog at In Search of Dessert .

5. Any secrets to reveal about the tools you use or your techniques?  Tips or tricks? 
 

Although this is not really a trick, I tend to use my fingers a lot, for smudging inks, acrylics, and even watercolors. I feel that my art is special because I typically find a quote first, then sketch out what I’d like to see on canvas. It’s not a sketch I actually do on the canvas, but more of a concept. Sometimes it ends up exactly like it, and sometimes it goes in a different direction. I don’t usually paint my own collage papers, but prefer to use ephemera that I find at antique shops. I have found some great sheet music, postcards, and old journals. My favorite quote is “ She knew that she was formed by Gods hands, dreamed up in His heart, and placed in this world for a purpose.” It is a constant inspiration to me that God has always had a plan for me, and it’s to share my artwork with others.

6. What are your goals and inspirations?  Where will you hope to be in 2 years?  5 years?  10 years?

My goal is to continue creating artwork and coming up with new inspirational pieces for my customers. I am currently working on a website, as well as an online shop. When those are both complete, I am researching more about getting my art licensed in the future.  Within the next two years, I hope to be published in more mixed media magazines, and have created an online presence for myself with my artwork. In five years, I would like to be in contracts with licensing agencies, while I continue to create art. By then I would imagine I will be incorporating more digital art into my pieces, as that seems to be the art of the future. In 10 years, my hope would be that my business will involve my two daughters, who have been a huge support as I have pursued this dream. 




I found that Monica has chosen her WORD of the YEAR for 2013.  It is such a wonderful idea to set goals so that you can celebrate your success when you achieve those goals..A personal "word of the year" is a great way to make yourself stick to your plan...even better, is wearing a bracelet as a daily reminder with your word on it!!
    

Bracelet created by My Chickadee Designs

My word this year is FOCUS; which means to concentrate an effort into a particular area. Well, 
my life has many areas. My first will be to focus on my daughters. Continue to lead them by example, and to show them that being focused and having goals takes not only determination, but dedication. My oldest will graduate from high school this year, and step into a whole new world, called real life. The second thing I'd like to put some FOCUS on is, my art business. It has grown steadily in the past year, and it's time to get focused on the things that will benefit most. It's so easy to say yes to everything, and lose focus on what's best for my business, professionally and personally. And last but definitely not least, is to look outside my world and FOCUS on others. I have been given the opportunity to work with a handful of teenage boys who are currently live in a group home. They have shown interest in the world of art, and I've been asked to teach. I've taught  kindergarteners, as well as adults, but never teens. I plan to explore the many mediums that art has to offer, and let them focus on whatever they find most interesting to them. I have a feeling I will learn more from them, than they could ever learn from me. I am blessed with this wonderful opportunity to share my love for the arts. 

Monica Martin's "Garagio" !!!

7. Where is your creative space or studio? 
 

My studio is in my garage, which I have fondly named, the “garagio” (garage + studio) Initially I hoped to have it in my home, but as messy as I can get with paint, it is best to be out there. I have two project tables, and many storage baskets and bins to keep all of my supplies. It’s often a complete mess, but somehow I know where everything is. I call it creative chaos.

Her display at a  local street craft market

8.How much time do you devote to your work?  (Is it at same time everyday? Are you disciplined to go into your studio at 9:00am every morning?  Or do you wait until you are in a creative mood?)

I would say I could never devote enough time to my work. There is always something more I could be doing. I typically work between 8am and 2:30, while my daughters are in school. Since I am a single Mom, my afternoons are filled with their activities, and a trip to the post office a few times a week to mail orders to customers. I do not go into my studio every day, since it’s in the garage, and because my desk and computer are in the kitchen. I am the type that has to have the creative mood strike me to create new artwork. It cannot be forced.

9. What are your “whispers” or callings begging you to do?  (Paint, write a book, sell your items on-line)  What made you decide to take this e-course with Kelly Rae Roberts? What do you want to achieve?

I chose to take the Kelly Rae Roberts class after following her blog and reading her first e-book. She had such amazing insight into mixed media art, the business, and all aspects of the creative industry. I chose to wait until I was ready to dive in and devote time to this course, as I knew it would take a lot of energy and effort if I wanted to learn something. The course has changed my life in so many ways. It has helped me focus, put time into positive things, and make smart choices. I am grateful.

10. Do you keep a daily journal or sketchbook, or write in a diary? 

I keep several sketchbooks around. One that I sketch drawings in and another one to jot quotes in. As you will see by the photos, they are not always neat and organized, just more like scribbles or doodles.

11. How do you market yourself? How do you plan to get “the word” out there?

I opened an Etsy shop in June 2011. I started with a dozen art prints, and it has grown from there. Other things I do to market my business is to participate in local street fairs and an event called, The Queen Bee Market. It is a boutique style craft fair, where each vendor has a booth. I feel like I had a successful year in 2012, and hope to see continued growth in 2013. I was also featured in a book called Fundamentally Female, and my blog/etsy shop are listed in the credits for that book. In the March/April 2013 issue of Somerset Studios I am going to have a piece of mixed media artwork featured. I am looking forward to having that as a good connection to my blog.

Somerset Apprentice

My first published artwork in a magazine has arrived! It's been placed in Somerset Apprentice, and I could not be more thrilled, even though I have known for months about it's arrival. Because magazines work so far ahead, this artwork was submitted back at the end of last summer. I feel so honored to be amongst so many fabulous mixed media artists in this magazine. The Spring 2013 Issue is available on newstands within the next week or so.  

 Somerset Studios

12. What type of music (if any) do you listen to when you create?

I always have music on while I am working. I have an eclectic variety of music, from smooth jazz to hip hop. Most days I settle into music by artists like Adele, Alicia Keys and Christina Perry.

13. Who is your favorite artist?

I have quite a few current artists I follow and admire. I would have to say my favorite is Kelly Rae Roberts. I also like the artistic styles of Alisa Burke, Donna Downey, Danita Art and so many others.

14. Are you encouraged to follow your creative path by your family or friends?

Yes! They are the ones who encouraged me to pursue my dream. I was known as the “artsy girl” or “artsy one” in my circle of friends, and so that is how the name of my business was born. It seemed to be a natural fit that my business name became, The Artsy Girl Studio.

15. How do come up with titles for your work?

I always title my artwork by the quote I use within that art piece. It has been an easy way to track them as I have over 100 art canvases I have created.

16. Do you work on one project at a time ..or have several going on at a time?

When I first started my business, I always had several canvases going at the same time. Now that I have a larger inventory, I work on one piece at a time. I also get a lot of requests for custom artwork, so I focus on those individually as well.

THANK YOU,  MONICA for allowing me to take my "artistic license" and dig and pull all those interesting ideas from your blog and other sites..in addition to your interview answers.
You are participating in several wonderful projects.  It certainly is fun to be an artist, I know,.. but even more wonderful now-a-days because of the internet.  We can be in touch with other artists, share ideas, our artwork can even offer comfort to those in a crisis as in Newtown, CT. Joining online classes is another fabulous avenue for us artists to meet each other.  I feel fortunate, to have met many talented artists, writers and other creative people through our group from an online class Flying Lessons...and you are one of them!

Again, thanks for participating in my Soaring to Success Interviews! You are the Lucky 13th interview I have published on my Making Waves blog! I wish you much success, and a future filled with all your hopes and dreams...and remember to FOCUS!!   ( I think I need to chose a WORD for me!!!.. Maybe these interviews are my main focus, this year!!!) LOL 
                                                                SOAR, GIRL!!!!   JOAN xxoo