book signing tomorrow at Borders in Brunswick:
1) What brought you to the state of Maine?
I grew up in rural New Jersey (yes, there really is such a thing -- lol) and my husband grew up in Connecticut. We met in Boston, teaching at the same elementary school. After we married we decided to try life off-the-beaten path -- in 1999 the doors to Maine flew open so to speak, and we ran through -- we have never looked back!
We love our quiet, laid-back life in the Maine woods with our two young children. I must say we always marvel at the fact that Maine is all we dreamed it would be and more -- it really is a magical, fantastical place! We are home!
2) When did you first open your etsy shop?
Oh boy -- you've got me there -- I have to go back and look at the date. Off the top of my head, I would say it was a few years ago, shortly after Etsy started. Please correct me if I am wrong. The shelves of my shop have been bare for the past few months. I am working on my second book, and with two little ones running around the house, that is about all I can handle. I have plans for stocking my Etsy with prints of my latest work as soon as I can.
3) What inspired you to become an artist?
My background is in music. I am a formally-trained flutist and taught elementary school music for 10 years before becoming a full-time mom and self-taught artist. The seeds for my creative life were planted in my childhood. I was fortunate enough to live near New York City, so was able to take full advantage of the cultural life. I tend to have a propensity towards modern art. The MOMA is one of my favorite places.
Oh boy -- you've got me there -- I have to go back and look at the date. Off the top of my head, I would say it was a few years ago, shortly after Etsy started. Please correct me if I am wrong. The shelves of my shop have been bare for the past few months. I am working on my second book, and with two little ones running around the house, that is about all I can handle. I have plans for stocking my Etsy with prints of my latest work as soon as I can.
3) What inspired you to become an artist?
My background is in music. I am a formally-trained flutist and taught elementary school music for 10 years before becoming a full-time mom and self-taught artist. The seeds for my creative life were planted in my childhood. I was fortunate enough to live near New York City, so was able to take full advantage of the cultural life. I tend to have a propensity towards modern art. The MOMA is one of my favorite places.
I actually started making collage in college but didn't really start to delve into the visual arts until 1996 after a serious car accident (which I amazingly survived and came out of in one piece).
I began to experiment with charcoals -- sketching ordinary objects that I found around my friend's house -- she took good care of me until I could function again on my own.I suffered multiple miscarriages before my son was born in 2003 and found healing and solace in creating abstract paintings. I joined the atc-making Ebay craze in 2005, and from there dug my heals into making mixed-media and altered art. I had discovered my True North! I am now also very much into photography and creating digital art.
4) What is your favorite thing to do in Maine?
I don't know if I have any one favorite thing,
I don't know if I have any one favorite thing,
so I will give you a list of some of my favorite things:
*Walking through my woods with a camera in hand is enough to make the perfect day for me.
*eating lobstah and steamahs!
*watching snow.
*filling the woodstove and feeling it's warmth -- like no other kind of heat.
*beautiful landscapes
*beautiful people
*Goodwill
*Walking through my woods with a camera in hand is enough to make the perfect day for me.
*eating lobstah and steamahs!
*watching snow.
*filling the woodstove and feeling it's warmth -- like no other kind of heat.
*beautiful landscapes
*beautiful people
*Goodwill
5) Who are some of your favorite Maine etsy artists?
I know Joselyn Walsh of Blue Moose Emporium and Jessica Moreau-Berry of Junque Revival -- two extremely talented artists! I had the privilege of featuring them in my book.
6) What advice would you give to a Maine artist just starting out?
Don't be afraid to put yourself out there. The Internet is a powerful tool. Without it, I would not be the artist I am today, nor would I have been able to write my book.
Visit blogs, start a blog, join on-line groups. Have a professional looking website. Try Facebook. Attend art retreats. Networking can be lots of fun and bring you unexpected friendships that can last a lifetime. No longer do you have to search your immediate geographic area for artsy people like yourself. You can find your wonderful niche online. I have had the privilege of meeting many of my close online artist friends in person -- it is always such a gift.
7) Tell us about your upcoming promotions both offline and online.
I have a book signing for Exhibition 36 this coming Saturday, January 3 from 1-4 at Borders Books in Brunswick. There may be a local TV appearance in the works -- we shall see -- stay tuned.
I just had a book giveaway on my blog at
www.ilkasattic.blogspot.com (sorry that has passed). Stop by sometime and say hi.I know Joselyn Walsh of Blue Moose Emporium and Jessica Moreau-Berry of Junque Revival -- two extremely talented artists! I had the privilege of featuring them in my book.
6) What advice would you give to a Maine artist just starting out?
Don't be afraid to put yourself out there. The Internet is a powerful tool. Without it, I would not be the artist I am today, nor would I have been able to write my book.
Visit blogs, start a blog, join on-line groups. Have a professional looking website. Try Facebook. Attend art retreats. Networking can be lots of fun and bring you unexpected friendships that can last a lifetime. No longer do you have to search your immediate geographic area for artsy people like yourself. You can find your wonderful niche online. I have had the privilege of meeting many of my close online artist friends in person -- it is always such a gift.
7) Tell us about your upcoming promotions both offline and online.
I have a book signing for Exhibition 36 this coming Saturday, January 3 from 1-4 at Borders Books in Brunswick. There may be a local TV appearance in the works -- we shall see -- stay tuned.
I just had a book giveaway on my blog at
