Where do you do your work?
I work in a home studio. It is actually the dining room made over to suit my flights of fancy. I have a large painted armoire in my workroom. It is from Italy and is actually a multi media cabinet. The outside of it is painted with an Italian plaza scene complete with stone stairway, topiary trees, a dirt footpath, and a fountain!!
It occurred to me one day that it is my own Narnia wardrobe; like in the Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe. When the doors are opened to look inside it is all painted black for the media machines. I like to pretend that the black interior is the passage to the ordinary reality but that I am living on the full colour, magical side of life, just like the kids in Narnia. |
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Do you work from life, or from photographs or from imagination?
Anywhere inspiration comes from is OK with me. I recently painted right on a photograph for a cartoon strip that I made up and share with one of my kids. He's 31 but the game goes on!
Imagination is the most fun to work from. Who can critique a work that has sprung from your own mind? Who knows what it's like to work inside-out of my head? ha ha. |
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What moves you most in life, either to inspire or upset you?
I love biblical interpretation. To take a bible story and set it in today's comprehension, today's circumstances, today's society, is wonderful. For instance, I've been toying with the idea of a nativity scene that could take place in the back seat of a broken down car. (You know, having to drive to your hometown for a govt. issued call up, finding out that all the hotels are booked, the baby's on the way and the best you can do is pull over and pray for a miracle?!)
It's upsets me that people have no imagination! |
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Where do you feel art is going?
Where is art going? Ooooo that's too political for me.
I just like to hang out in the workroom and make things. If people respond that's great. If they don't; oh well.
What is the role of the artist in society?
Oh, the artist is the interpreter for sure. We are the see-ers. We prompt people to look. Look at life, consider what they see. We say; "look at this cupboard. It isn't just a cupboard. It's the way to Narnia!"
What is the place of your work in society?
My work inspires people to look inside, outside, and at what they think and believe. My work makes people ask questions even if that question is only. "what is it?" It is the most curious thing to stand at a distance and watch people's response to my work. It freaks some out, makes some laugh, others will study it, others will light up. It's fun to watch their faces and detect what is going on in their heads. |
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What technique do you use?
I'm a multi media girl, hands down. A favorite technique is enthusiastic cut and paste. If I can cut it up, I'll paste it down somewhere. I also love to manipulate fabric. I think of a sewing needle as a slow pencil.
Which is more important to you, the subject of your painting, or the way it is executed?
Being in the making of a creation is very exciting. That's the best part of the experience BUT it is important to me to work as skillfully as I am able. Experimenting with new media is interesting too. It is the wayI find out whether I can communicate or interpret in a different way. |
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