How long have you been creating?

My mom was big into crafting in the late 80s - early 90s...you know the "chicken and duck" country look? I helped her letter wood plaques and paint her wood figures and stuff for craft shows. But, I never thought of it as anything I wanted to pursue. During my second pregnancy and bedrest in 2004, I found the world of primitive folk art on the web, and fell head over heels for it. I started making primitive dolls and critters and pillows - all that sort of thing- in 2006. I sold mostly on Ebay. I took a break from all of that in the summer of 2007 due to burn-out and depression. Once I felt up to creating again, I wanted to do something different than I'd done before. I remembered that I was pretty good at drawing when I was little. So, I decided to pick it up again. That was in February 2008, and my first mixed media folk art paintings were done in March 2008.

What, besides your art, brings you creative fulfillment?

I love to decorate with old, beat up, cottage-y things, and I also play piano, sing and write songs.

What are your motivations for creating?

I am moved by quiet moments, by music, God, my ethnic heritage, watching my kids, childhood memories and mostly by a desire to encourage other people through my art.

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

When an involuntary smile moves across my face, I know I'm done. I know then that the piece is "speaking".

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

I still can't get over the fact that I'm drawing and painting! That's stimulus enough! One of my favorite things to do is to draw a shape somewhere on the page, and let'er rip. I absolutely love being "taken" by the process itself. I am always astonished at what ends up on the page. Once I add paint and other mediums, I'm just beside myself. This method of expression is such a gift, and I hold it with great humility.

What brought you to EBSQ?

I saw the logo on blogs and Ebay pages of artists whose work I admire. I checked out the site and decided to give it a try. Still working my way around, and hope to be more involved in the community events in the coming year.

Please share some of your artistic goals for 2008.

I'm supposed to have goals??? Oh, brother! Well, I think my main goal is to create daily, whether it's sketching or making a little sculpture. I'd also like to find my place in the art world that will allow me to make some consistent $$$ doing what I love. Lastly, I'd like to find some brick and mortar selling venues for my art. Ok, so I do have some goals!

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

I don't care much about being another artist. I think that's a waste of everyone's time. I've told my voice students that lots of people can sing well, but not all of those pretty voices can communicate. That's the key. I want my simple folk art to speak to people, even if it's just one word. If my art can help brighten a day or twist a frown into a smile or give people a little glimpse of God, then it's all worth it.