Featured artist:Ninnie!!!

Ninnie's Interview!
1) What type of art do you make? If you use many styles instead of just one...please explain why.

Wow I do about anything that catches my eye. I paint, play with polymer clay, do ATC's . I also of course make the inchies. I would love to do collage work, but I can never make it come out as I envision it.

2) What or who inspires you to create?

Nature, my children and my grand children inspire me. Not to mention Violette and all the great girls on her message board. Before finding Violette I was scared to try a lot of the things I wanted to try. Then I decided just to jump right in because those girls taught me nothing was wrong or right. All that matters is if I like it.

3) I have noticed your inchies and charms. They are beautiful! Is there a reason that explains why you like working on small things?

I do not have the patience to do anything that takes a long time to do. I tried painting with oils, hated the waiting for them to dry. Tried knitting nope takes to long to do. If I am unable to do something in a day or two, then I lose interest in it.

4) Do you plan on making anymore? If someone wanted to find the where could they go?
I am always making something if anybody is interested in any of it they can get in touch with me through my blog http://www.ninniesplace.blogspot.com/.

5)You are very generous with your talent. Would you say that came from somewhere? If so, where?

More than likely my paternal grandmother. She was always making and giving gifts to friends and family. My father also liked to share his craft. His just happened to be grilling/barbecuing.

6) Out of all of your works, which would you say is your favorite?
My favoite piece of art that I have done is titled "Mr. Lantz's hands".Everytime I look at it, I see love. His for my daughter, hers for him and mine for her. I did this picture for her as a Christmas Present in 2006.

7) I have noticed alot of children on your blog. Would you say the children in your life inspire you? If so, how?
Yes, I love to see things through their eyes. Something as simple and ugly as a box of trash waiting for pick up by the trash truck, can become a beautiful picture in the eyes of a 6 year old. My granddaughter Banna taught me this, when I let her use my camera one day.

Last but not least...the above photo is Ninnie's family! I know how much her family means to her. THANK YOU Ninnie for sharing your family with us! *HUGS*

The artist of the month is...VIOLETTE!

Meet Violette! She is a wonderfully inspiring artist that I have found on the internet. Although I have to admit...I have found many. I chose to post about her this time.I hope that you are inspired by her as much as I am. :)



1.) What or who motivated you to begin making art?
Well art making was a natural thing for me to do........when i was in elementary school i loved to draw and my classmates saw that there was something special about me. I was painfully shy so being artistic and being recognized for it was a boost to my low self-esteem.

2.) What type of art do you do you create? If more then one type..which type do you find to be the most enjoyable?
I like to think of myself as a mixed media artist/illustrator/cartoonist/doodler/noodler. I like doodling the best of all but then that's always the beginning of larger more complex pieces of art for me. I create illustrations, mixed media pieces, cartoons, caricatures, fiber pieces, paintings, collages etc.

3.) At what age did you find art to be your calling?
I would say that when i was in grade 5 and began drawing Twiggy (a skinny model popular at the time) i knew i was onto something. I felt so much at Peace when i drew.





4.)Out of the greats.....Picasso, Pollock, Frida etc. who would you say is your favorite and most inspiring?
Well i really like Picasso and Frida as well as Chagall, Monet, Degas and a host of other artists. I can never pick just one.

5.)Please pick one of your pieces and describe it's meaning to the best of your ability.
Well in once piece which is a papier mache womb - i recreated my mom's womb. There is a small doll inside with wings that are disintegrating. There are feathers on the inside of the womb. On the outside there is a toy gun pointing inside the womb at the little baby doll which is me. It's the most powerful piece i've ever made. My Mom tried to kill herself while she was pregnant with me. The bullet was in the wrong chamber. Anyways i created this piece as a theraputic creation. I was in therapy at the time and needed to come to terms with some things from my childhood. Creating the piece was incredibly cathartic. It's titled "I used to know how to Fly and then i forgot."

6.) I have seen your use of bright colors. I find that outstanding! What would you say is the reason behind the use of bright colors?
Well i was born in Casablanca Morocco to Spanish parents. You can imagine that i am attracted to anything colourful and exotic as a result of my roots. If you check out images of Spain and Morocco you will be delighted by the saturated colours, glitter and pattern. I believe that is where my joy and love of colour originates. And thanks for the compliment Angela!

7.) What is your favorite technique to use?
Well i think i like to draw with my Micron pens and then colour the image in with Twinkling H20's. I'm a bit of a freak when it comes to using my H20's as you well know.

8.) You are an outstanding spirit. I have to ask...do you find being a glitter sister has helped? If so...in what way?
Oh you are so sweet.......an outstanding spirit. ....i like that! Well i think that being a glittersister and finding my tribe of people on the net has helped me bigtime. Often times when i feel like my flesh and blood family and friends don't understand me i know that my glittersisters do! They have been a great source of joy, support and inspiration to me! They are always there with a supportive word, a story or they help remind me of how special i am when i forget myself. You've heard the saying "Friends are Angels who lift you up when you forget you have wings".......or something like that. Anyways that's what i feel about the glitter sisters.

9.) I have noticed that you often use peace signs in your work. Please choose if you can 10 things that you think people can do to make the world more peaceful.

Well I believe that Peace begins with ourselves.




1.) We need to take time to be peaceful and to meditate (even walk in meditation).




2.) Pray for peace.




3.) Smile at someone who seems down.




4.) Help the homeless.




5.) Do something instead of saying how bad things are.




6.) Go on a Peace March.




7.) Write to your government and ask them to find peaceful solutions to war ravaged countries.




8.) Put up peace stickers and give them out to passerbys.




9.) Visualize Peace in the World.




10.) Beam peace to whomever you meet and see if it changes their energy.




There are many things you can do to make a difference.

10.) Last but not least how long did it take you to become known as an artist?

Well i'm not sure......i've been creating art since i was little and selling art in my 20's. I'm 53 years old and i just feel like i'm becoming known now......it's all relative though really. I just feel really blessed to be able to do what i love doing. I am not great at doing anything else actually......tee hee........but seriously though........being an artist has been a true blessing in my life.


I have decided that I should post this interview now. My computer is not doing that well...so I suppose I should post while I can. :) There for...Violette's interview will be shown for the rest of this month as well as December and until I can get my computer to work a little better.

I wanted to share with you a video that Violette made. It really speaks to me and I can relate to it alot. :) THANKS VIOLETTE! Here is the video....enjoy!

CLICK HERE>>>>>>VIOLETTE'S VIDEO!

I hope that you all liked the interview! :)

Taking a break.

I'm taking a small break. I will interview other artist's when I return.
*HUGS*
Angela Taylor

Interview with August's artist Tony Pandolfini!

Tony is a local artist here in Savannah, GA. I chose him as August's artist because of the wonderful inspiration that he has given to me and other artist's here in Savannah. 1.) What type of art do you make?


I mainly create abstract paintings but also make clay works, etc. from time to time.





2.) How long have you been making art?


50years





3.) What motivated you to make art?


My third grade teacher, who made quite an impression on me.





4.) What is your favorite technique and medium?


I love abstract art because there are sooo many techniques that you can use. I do not have a favorite technique. My favorite medium is Acrylic because it drys so quickly.





5.) Do you find that your works show your inner self or are they made without emotions?


All of my works are made with emotions. They each have their own emotion in them. Some have more then others though.





6.) Is there a certain type of art that makes it easier for you to express yourself?


Abstract art helps me to express myself because it has no boundaries.





7.) If you could choose one artist from the greats who would you choose as your favorite?


Pablo Picasso because of his free style, wit and sense of humor.





8.) Describe one piece that you are most proud of.


Abstract nude using red,black and blue.





9.) Do you listen to music while making art?


Yes


If so, what is your favorite style of music and why?


I listen to Classical music while painting. I like the flow of energy that runs out of the music and onto my canvas.





10.) Which places have you shown your work?


Downtown Savannah and Tybee Island, GA





11.) Have you ever won an award that has to do with art?


Many awards! First,Second and Third ribbon's won from all over.





To see more of Tony's wonderful pieces please come and visit the Irene Sullivan Gallery


In person it is located at


18-C Tybrisa StreetTybee Island, GA 31328 or call either (912)- 786-8786 (912)-604-2702

Interview with July's artist Martha Marshall

Martha's Blog: http://artistsjournal.blogspot.com/

1)What type of art do you find to suit you best? Why?

I love abstract art, mainly because it’s a window into the artist’s imagination. It’s visual poetry. An artist takes the language of painting or sculpture and arranges it in a different way from what we’ve seen before. Sometimes I haven’t a clue at first what the artist is trying to say. But if the work is good, it will engage me and keep me there long enough to try to solve the puzzle. If it’s really good, I’ll come back to it again and again.

2)When did you begin to make art and what do you think if anything brought it on?

I think almost every kid is an artist, so I was no exception. But the biggest influence for me was my mother, who was a painter. She taught school nine months of the year, but during the summer, and every other minute she could spare, she was painting. I thought that was the normal way to be. I’ll never forget a tempera painting I did in the second grade, of some children sledding in the winter, that she thought was spectacular. That really made me think I could be an artist like her.

3)What is your favorite medium to use?

My favorite has to be acrylics, because I’m an impatient person and I like their fast drying qualities. They have their downside too, such as the fact that they dry too fast! With acrylics, I can build up layers and cover my mistakes so easily. And now, working with a lot of texture, I would just go crazy if I had to wait for oils to dry!

4) What technique do you use to get the texture in which you like best?

I like to take something like a heavy gel, or modeling paste, or gesso with sand mixed into it, and literally spread it on, as if applying peanut butter to bread. Then I let that harden, and put color over that. You could mix any number of things into gesso to build up a texture – even ground up shells, sawdust, bits of paper, or broken china.

But if your texture has a chance of getting too heavy, there’s a great new product now from Golden, called “Light Molding Paste.” It is very lightweight and still can be used to build up a lot of texture and thickness without making the painting too heavy. You can mix paint colors into it, or leave it white, and when it dries, it’s absorbent. You can then apply wet color to it and it will spread like watercolor.

I don’t really have a favorite texture. I like a variety of textures. So by the time I’ve applied a lot of different textures and layers of paint in between, I sometimes have difficulty back-tracking and figuring out just how I got there. Which I think is sometimes a metaphor for the way I live. I like to take unfamiliar roads and see where they lead.

5)How long have you been painting?

For all of my adult life, I’ve really tried to keep my art going. Even when I had kids and an outside job, I still painted, attended classes, and entered shows as much as possible.

6)Out of the greats which artist would you say inspires you the most?Why?

It’s so hard to pick one artist. I love Mark Rothko for his wonderful expanses of shimmering color, and for his spiritual approach to painting. I love Joan Miro and Paul Klee for their lighthearted imagery.

7)Do you have an art studio?

Yes, my studio is in my home. In fact, I’m in the process of moving it right into my living room.

8)Are you a full-time artist?

I became a full-time studio artist about seven years ago. And part of that decision was to hire myself as my own marketing consultant and do all the marketing things for myself that I’d been doing for others. We will see if it works out.


9)Do you prefer to work in large areas or smaller areas?

Definitely in large areas. There is no feeling like it. My studio at home isn’t anything like a loft or a warehouse space, where there is plenty of room to do large works. But I compensate for it by throwing drop cloths around everywhere. I have relatively high ceilings, so that’s a big help.

10)Do you listen to music while you work? If so, what type of music?

Oh yes, for sure! The music I listen to depends on my mood. It can vary from one extreme to the other. I love classical, jazz, rock, alternative, and everything in between. I have to say that country music is the only thing that doesn’t inspire me much.

11)Do you think that being an artist today is different then being an artist in Picasso's and Pollock's time? If you think that there is a difference...in which way do you think there is a difference?

The difference now is our ability to interact with other artists, get our inspiration, and reach the audience in unprecedented ways. The internet has changed everything for the art world.

To see Martha's work please visit: http://artistsjournal.blogspot.com/

Interview with Philip Edson

Click on the pictures to go and visit Philip's blog!

1.) What type of art do you choose to do and why?I work entirely in abstract as this is the type of work I most enjoying looking at and having on the walls of my own home.

Why? Abstract work facilitates input form the viewer and I enjoy that. Quite often I see something new in an abstract work that I hadn't seen before. I also like painting in a way that says something about me and the way Ilook and feel about things.

2.) Do you have a studio to work in? If so, how large is the space? Do you find it easier to work in a large area or a smaller area?Yes, the whole ground floor of our house is taken up by the studio. It is about 80 square meters in total (the size of some apartments here in Spain). I need a large place to store paintings as well as work on large scale canvases. A large space is essential for me!

3.) What is your favorite medium to work with? Why?I like working with acrylic and oil best. Both have their advantages though I would probably work in oil all the time if it dried faster. I like strong, bold colours so these are the type of paints that work best for me. I am not the type of person who would get on with water colours or pastels! I'm much more 'in your face' painter!

4.) Whose work would you say gives you the most inspiration choosing from the greats? Why?Difficult question Angela. There are so many other artists whose work I admire and I have often got inspiration from complete unkowns. If I have to single some out some from the greats though I would have to mention Antonio Tapies, Mark Rothko and Jackson Pollock. I find them an inspiration because they gave themselves the freedom to work exactly how they wanted to and the results are very much my personal taste in art. If I had the money, I would love to own a piece by Antonio Tapies although I wish he sometimes painted in more lively colours!

5.) Are you a full time artist or part time?Hmm. You want me to be honest? Well, I work full time with lots of rest periods if that makes sense! In the summer, the hard work of maintaining my sun tan becomes a higher and more important priority!

6.) Did you know at a young age that being an artist was what you wanted to do or did you find that out later on in life?Yes, I became interested in modern art when I was about 10 or 11 and would copy the work of Picassso and Paul Klee all the time. From that time (in my head at least) I have always been famous! Pisces are always dreamers!

7.) Do you often listen to music while making your art? If so, what type of music inspires you?No, not much. I often used to play 5 CDs in sequence but didn't even realize when the music had stopped. When I am painting I go into my own little world where I am oblivious to everything. So now, I just paint in silence. I do love music though and people like David Sylvian, Morrissey, R.E.M. and many others too numerous to mention really inspire me. I have been collecting music since 1964 and have a very large collection. Music is also another passion of mine and I do wish that I could sing!

8.) Would you say that you have more fans of your work online or offline?Off line I would say. To be honest I am a little disappointed with Blogland in that it hasn't generated more cross fertilisation. I do value all the contacts I have made though!

9.) How many show's have you done?I have had 3 solo shows since I moved to Spain in 1999. I only like to exhibit every two or three years as I am not that prolific. In the UK, where I lived previously, I participated in a number of joint exhibitions but it is only the solo ones that count for me.

10.) How long did it take for you to get well known in your community?I wouldn't say I am well known in Alicante but do get recognized sometimes. Having a solo show is a good way of getting your face about and those that do remember me invariably do so for my heavily textured paintings above all else. My last exhibition was advertised around Alicante and it was odd coming across posters of myself! My 15 minutes of fame I guess.and last but NOT least

11.) Do you know the meaning behind your work before or after you make it? Both perhaps?Sometimes before and sometimes after. Sometimes I plan a work very carefully and sometimes they take on a life of their own. As for the meaning - well they are all just to dream to really.

Please visit Philip's Blog to see more of his works!

Interview with Tara Day.

Tara Day is the artist that I have chosen to interview for the month of May.
Tara is a wonderful artist and a good friend. Here is my interview with her. I hope that you all enjoy I will place some of her works in between some questions. If you have any more questions please contact her at her store which is www.bailizzy.etsy.com If you convo her, she will reply. :)

Please go see her wonderful works at www.balizzy.etsy.com I am sure that if you like handmade creations you will love her store!


1)What do you create?
I like to create anything with yarn and a needle, I'll try anything once. I have recently fell in love with making bags.

2)When did you start making your art/craft, and what led you to it?
I started in December, and it made nice christmas presents. I saw lots of items in books and said, "Oh, I want that!." So now I look in books and hope I can make what I see.

3)What are you favorite materials to work with?
Anything yarn.

4)If you could dream up a perfect future for yourself as an artist/crafter, what would it be?
My perfect future would be having my own store, and being able to knit all day and meet great people who like to do the same. I would sell enough so my husband wouldn't have to worry about working, and we could travel anywhere we wanted. When I was tired of traveling, I would start knitting again! That sounds like a great circle of life!

5)What do you like making most?
I like making bags. I like making sweaters and baby items, but they never seem to turn out right!

6)R you a full-time artist or part-time?
Part time, unfortunately

7) If you are not a full-time artist, would you like to be someday? Yes!

8) Is there any other type of art that you would get into? If so what type?
I did a lot of black and white photography in high school, I would love to get into that again.