The Interview

I have been visiting Andrea Pratt's blog, Coloring Outside the Lines, for some time now. She recently posted an interview of her with questions she was asked by another blogger. So, I commented on her blog and she sent me these questions. Thanks for the great questions Andrea!

Do yourself a favor and check out Andrea's art, it is fantastic! I hope to someday add some of her work to my art collection!

If you would like me to interview you, read the rules at the bottom of this post and post a comment.

The Interview:

Tell us about your love affair with the circle. Where did it come from and what does it represent to you?

That's a hard question to answer, it comes from so many different places. Growing up in New Mexico, the circle and spiral are all around. The Zia symbol in the state flag, the mandalas and dream catchers, the circular designs found in Native American pottery, and the geometry of the Petroglyphs. For me personally, the spiral in my art represents my growth as an artist and a person. I started the spiral series as an expression of my inner self and the layers of the spiral represent the layers of my personality.

Your artist’s story reminded me that I heard recently how collectors love to buy “the artist”, not just the art. How has having a blog allowed you to connect with your purchasers/collectors on a more personal level?

It's allowed me to get my story out there. In the past all a collector had was the bio on the back of my prints. Now they can log on anytime to see what I'm up to on a day to day basis. Instead of getting only a summary of my life from the past, they can read about my plans for the future and see new work before the paint is dry! My favorite part about the blog is the interaction I get with people leaving comments and sending me email. For me, the best part about being an artist is the connection I have with people through my art. I love to hear how my art has brightened up someone's day!

Why is there such a thriving artist population in New Mexico and how did you end up there?

New Mexico has a long history of artists moving here to experience the "Enchantment", the light, the colors, the textures....if you have ever been here, you know why artists are drawn here. It started with the Taos Colony of Artists and later came Georgia O'Keefe and I guess the word spread! However, I'm one of the lucky ones, I grew up here. I was born in New Hampshire, but my parents moved to Las Cruces, New Mexico when I was 9 months old. I lived the first 17 years in Las Cruces and after time in the military(Hawaii, Alabama, Oklahoma, Tennessee) and moving to Colorado for college, I ended up in Albuquerque. I plan to make new Mexico my home for the rest of my life.

How did you meet your husband?

Believe it or not, when I met my husband he was 14 years old and my younger brother's best friend! Nine years later, after being friends for quite some time, we became closer friends and eventually started dating and moved in together. We married 1 1/2 years later.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years and what “art mountains” would you like to climb in the future?

In ten years I see myself living literally in my own "art mountains". My husband and I have plans to move up to the mountains of western New Mexico once the kids are grown and we are established with our careers. If you have read my art story(here on my blog), you know that I basically had to start my art career over after my divorce in 1995. I have come a long way, but I still have many goals ahead of me. I see myself in ten years having my work in several galleries across the country and even across the world! My youngest son will graduate from high school in four years and then we will become traveling nomads for a while before retiring to our home in the mountains where we will stay in touch by internet and work on our art and music everyday! I can hardly wait!!

DIRECTIONS FOR THE INTERVIEW MEME
1. Leave a comment saying, "Interview me." Cut me some slack -- it may take awhile.
2. I will respond by emailing you five questions. Please make sure I have your email address.
3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.

Featured Etsy Shop: Jewelry by Tara

Today's featured shop is Jewelry by Tara

What made you start crafting/designing jewelry, and what was the first thing you remember making?

I have always been crafty, even as a child. The first thing I remember ever really designing from scratch was during 4th grade. Friendship pins were a big thing back then (giving away my age) anyway, I pulled apart safety pins with pliers and put beads on them. My relatives still have a lot of them today! I've dabbled in all types of crafts, crochet, knitting, floral arrangement, you name it, I've tried it. I've been designing jewelry for 7 years now. I just closed my own personal website to come over to Etsy and I have to add that I really enjoy the environment and different types of artists there.

What other jobs have you had in the past?

As for other jobs, I'm still a petsitter and I used to work in my husband's brokerage firm as the administrative assistant to the C.E.O.

What inspires you?

I'm constantly inspired by the seasons changing and all the beautiful bright colors I see. All of my designs are one of a kind because I always have new ideas and want to create a totally unique image based on my moods.

Tell us a little about yourself.

I consider myself a very liberal, artsy kinda gal. I have 2 children, 6 pets, and a husband who probably wants to move to a quieter house! I'm obsessed with antiques and I have an appraisal certificate. I hate the summer, love the snow, pink is always in, Hello Kitty is my favorite icon of style, and I'm originally from New York City.

Is there a art/craft that you admire and hope to learn someday?

Lately I've really wanted to try sewing. I see all of these beautiful bags on etsy and I want them all! So I'm definitely thinking about getting a sewing machine soon.