How long have you been creating?

Since I was born. More than likely even before that. If you look at it from the standpoint of every time any one of us observes something we are creating it. There are no two people in the world that can see something exactly alike. And that's what makes us all unique and special. Its so totally amazing to think about. In a more tangible sense, I remember creating little worlds and universes with blocks when I was two or three. I moved onto bigger and better things like markers and crayons by four or five. And then I got really into fort building, that was awesome! And crab apple people. It's like I always say, you haven't really lived a full life until you make a crab apple person.

What, besides your art, brings you creative fulfillment?

Surfing!!! Yeah!! Although this time of year up on the Oregon coast theres not much surf, unless you're into getting totally thrashed by some 20 ft. swell. So I amuse myself with other things, such as, energy work!!!! Ya!!! I'm actually becoming a certified practitioner of Matrix Energetics,(I'm really proud of this accomplishment right now) which isn't really energy work per se, its more of a way to tap into the quantum unified force field and manifest instant transformations. Whether it be emotional, mental, physical, spiritual whatever. And its actually really simple and practical. It sounds kind of complicated but its really not. And its so much fun! I use it all the time. I've also been taking Yuen Method classes which is another form of quantum energy work. So, those are some of the other things I like to do.

What are you motivations for creating?

Honestly? I really just don't know how to stop. I mean, I'm pretty sure that I'm addicted. Like, sometimes part of me will be sort of ho hum like 'ohhhhh hmmmmm(with a big sigh) wouldn't it just be nicer and easier to not paint? I wouldn't have to worry about it any more and I could just have a normal job and come home and not worry about all that painting stuff?' And another part will chime in 'Yeah what she said, all we do is work, work, work, and for what? Theres not much pay, why should I do it? Maybe I should just go to the ITT Tech and become a computer fixer upper or something' And I'll get all worked up about it, and decide not to be an artist any more. And sometimes I'll even feel really good about it like 'phew, what a relief, don't have to try and figure that one out any more.' And then suddenly, the next thing I know I'm right back in there, painting again, So, truthfully I really don't know what my motivations are. I could(and have) come up with all sorts of theories about it, but the simple truth of it is that I just don't know. I'm just alive and that's what I do.

How do you know when a piece you're working on is done?

Well, I'm still trying to figure that one out. Because allot of times I miss the done button and just keep on trucking. Which can suck because I'll have just been driving along enjoying the scenery and then suddenly realize that my exit was two states back. So allot of my paintings have been painted over because I just went way to far. I think that knowing when I'm done is the real art. Sometimes I find it helpful to ask someone(usually my boyfriend) and he will say 'yeah that looks good, looks done.' And most of the time I would say he's probably right, but I've only followed his advice once. (p.s. The one that I listened to him on is usually the one everybody LOVEs, and I won an award on deviantart with it...... it pisses me off)

What do you find stimulating right now? How does this influence your creative process?

Crocheting!!!! Ya!!!! Its so great I LOVE i! Its just so darn satisfying. I've been making stuffed crochet foods, like carrots, cookies, and a hamburger with the works. And I'm just starting to make some of my own creatures. Most of those types of articles are worked in spirals, which is really tuning me into the cycles and spirals of my art, and everything else two. I've even been dreaming in spiral. Like last night in my sleep, part of my brain(I think it was my brain), was giving me this documentary type commentary into the inner workings of my life, while I was crocheting a spiral the entire night. I don't remember anything it said, so who knows, maybe I was just re-hashing old simpson's re-runs. All in all, the inspiration of crochet has increased my level of creative flow and taken me to a new level of sustainability with it. So when I get geared up and go in to paint, I carry that sense of flow with me. And the flow tends to carry me right past the inner critic to new vistas and realms of possibility.

Tell us a little about your work style: do you do a lot of projects at once? One at a time?

I usually have so many paintings that I'm in the middle of, that I very frequently forget about some of them for a year or two. And then one day I might be trying to clear out some closet space and happen upon them, and I will think "wow, I painted this?!" Which can all really turn out to be rather exciting. Sort of like living in some magickal universe where you might suddenly meet up with a unicorn or a goblin in the woods. Currently, in my work space, I am going for my own personal record of paintings to floor space ratio.

Please share some of your artistic goals for 2008.

Honestly? I was just going to make some up right now and say that I already had them. But, since I just told you that in advance, I'm still going to make some up right now, with the freedom of knowing that these are not almighty set in stone, and are still subject to change. One is to create a crochet family of alien super beings and their space craft.(I needed to get that out of the way first). The most important goal to me right now seems to be, getting out of my own way and let myself be creative in ways I never even thought of dreaming yet. And that could be applicable into every area of my life. Also, to allow myself to show my art to others without reserve. I've been in kind of a hermit recluse pattern with my art for awhile, and its time to let that go.(also, at the moment I'm about to be devoured by a sea of paintings, so those need to go too).

What would you like your fellow EBSQ artists and our collectors to know about you and/or your work?

Hmmmmm......that my art tells a story. It's my story, and also a version of human kinds story, because we are all connected. It's the story that comes from the part that doesn't speak in words and so sometimes it gets looked over and missed. Most of the time I couldn't tell you what I'm painting because it comes from a place in me that doesn't think in words. So please feel free to experience my art without any thoughts. And yes........as a matter a fact, I did crochet that hamburger.