1.   Tell me a little bit about where you were brought up and the area you now reside at.

 

I was born in the Metro-Detroit area of Michigan and spent the first 30 years of my life there.  While I was a product of suburbia, I spent as much time as possible in the Northern Michigan area near Lake Huron, camping, fishing, and generally enjoying every tangible & intangible aspect of Michigan's stunning landscape. 

 

I moved here to Las Vegas at 30 to marry the love of a thousand lifetimes and while I'm a wilderness-chick at heart, I do have a certain affection for Sin City's garishly lit urban atmosphere.

 

 

2.   What are the basic steps to becoming such a wonderful Artist?

 

I don't know how to explain any step method to becoming a "wonderful" artist, per se.  I just know that for me, it is something that I can't live without.  Even if the end result is crap, I've gotta get it out! 

 

3.   If you were stranded on a desert Island, what things would you want to have with you?

 

Rubber bands, paper clips, chewing gum, and MacGuyver.

 

4.   When did you develop the first piece of art that you were truly proud of?

 

In 3rd grade art class, our teacher showed us how to draw a realistic apple with just red, green, and yellow crayons.  The end result was pretty mind-blowing for an 8 year old.  I wish I still had that old drawing.  I bet I'd still be proud of it.  :)

 

5.   What are your biggest inspirations? 

 

My husband inspires me in all things.  He is probably responsible for most of my growth as an artist and as a person. 

 

Which are your favorite Artists? 

 

Tough question.  Alberto Vargas, George Petty, Edward Reed (check him out), Vincent Van Gogh, David Pallidini, Linda Bergkvist, and anyone who paints "women of size" and makes them look like the beautiful women they are  (i.e. Les Toil & Duane Bryers)

 

6.   Do you listen to music when you paint? 

 

Almost all of the time.   

 

What kind? 

 

Do you have a year for me to list them all?  Seriously I listen to Rock & Classic Rock (Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Thin Lizzy, Rush, Yes, ELP, Moody Blues, etc.), Jazz (Brubeck, Coltrane, Monk, etc.), Standards (Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Sinatra, Steve Lawrence, etc.), Old Metal (Metallica, Anthrax, Megadeth etc.), New Rock stuff (System of a Down, Thrice, etc.), Punk (Sex Pistols, Ramones etc.), Show tunes, Opera, Classical, Neo-Classical, Baroque, 70's & 80's cheesy music, Disco, Oldies, Folk (Dylan, Nick Drake, etc.), New Agey stuff, Renaissance,  and um... My husband - he's a GOD on the piano and sings like you wouldn't believe.  :)

 

7.   How many hours a week do you devote to Art?

 

Not nearly enough.  I probably paint only a few hours a week now if even that much.  For the last few years I can't seem to paint without being pretty seriously moved or inspired and with my busy schedule (house, husband, kids, job, etc.) I don't get to paint hardly at all.

 

 

 

8.   What are some do's and don'ts that you can give to the up and coming young Artists out there?

 

Take classes. Go to college if you can.  My biggest regret so far is that I've never had any formal art training.  While some people never seem to need it, I think it is an essential tool for most people - especially when it comes to anatomy and figure illustration.  I am the absolute WORST at anatomy.  What takes me 3 days to draw takes a schooled artist 10 minutes.  It is a handicap that frustrates me more than you can imagine.

 

 

 

9.   How do you see Art changing for the future?

 

Unfortunately 3d programs have already changed art drastically and made it something that looks almost sterile and stamped.  Cookie cutter backgrounds and figures have taken the life out of a great deal of digital art.  There are some exceptions to the rule as some of the 3d renderers out there are absolutely spectacular but for the most part, 3d computer generated art nauseates me.  My apologies to anyone I have offended with the above.

 

Also the internet has made everyone's art accessible and easy to reproduce.  Paint Shop Pro tubes are all the rage and there are people out there by the thousands who swipe up other people's work, put it into a tube (virtual image sprayer) and then call their finished product "their" art even though they didn't paint a damned thing.  Grrrrrr

 

The computer has opened and will continue to open many incredible doors for artistic expression but for each door opened it seems there is a price to pay.

 

 

10.  What challenges do you have yet to fulfill in your life?

 

Far too many to list them all, however, the three that stand out are: Going to college, working as a freelance photographer and also writing & illustrating my own children's books. 

 

11.  How would you describe you style of Art?

 

I'm not quite sure.  Bold, finite, and colorful.

 

12.  What studies and other interests help you in the subjects of your work?

 

My photography and the photography of others assists me more than anything.

 

13.  How does one get to be so multi talented.... Artist, Musician, Poet?  Did your parents pass on some of their wonderful attributes to you?

 

Neither my mother nor my father are musicians.  My father dabbled in stained glass, creating beautiful works and my mother writes very cool rhyming poetry.  I also believe that she has incredible potential as a painter but she has never tapped into it.

 

As far as all of my so called talents, they are as much a curse to me as a blessing.  I do far too many things so I never really excel at any one thing.  I can paint, play guitar, sing, play piano, and write poetry at a passable level but not to any level of excellence.  I feel sort of like a Jack of all trades but master of none. 

 

14.  Tell me the story and anything you can about what I consider to be your best work.... your self portrait.

 

Wow.  I don't consider that to be my best work but I'll tell you what I can.  As I mentioned earlier, my husband is my greatest inspiration.  Every self-portrait I have done has been for him and I do believe that I've improved with each one.  I don't know if there will be a next time, however if there is, I hope the trend will continue.

   

 

16.  Do you feel as if you'll be creating a legacy or leaving a legacy behind for other Artists and Art lovers to cherish?

 

I'm not sure.  I certainly hope that I do but that would depend entirely on how much my work is appreciated by others.

 

17.  Where would you direct anyone if they wanted to buy some of your works?

 

My website is probably the best place - http://www.moonspheres.com.  While I am not currently taking commissions, my prints are available and fairly inexpensive.

 

18.  The way you look seems to speak of a 'clean cut' Gothic look, is that intentional? (it's very effective, if I may be so bold in saying).

 

Wow – thanks, Dale!  Well, I've been told I look Gothic many, many times but to be honest, that isn't my intention.  I've had people ask me if I'm trying to look like Bettie Page or Xena but quite frankly, I wear my hair & makeup the way I do simply because I think it best suits me. 

 

I completed an education in cosmetology when I was 19 with the intention of eventually doing either hair or makeup for movies and theater. While I never accomplished that goal (I developed severe allergies to many of the chemicals found in salon hair care products), I still have a fascination with makeup and hair and all things girly.  

 

 

 

20.  What's in the future for you?  What are you currently 'working' on?

 

I've been toying with the idea of creating a complete Tarot deck but as of yet haven't gotten that off the ground.  The idea really intrigues me but it has been put on the back burner for awhile along with my children's books.

 

I think at the moment I'm the most captivated with the idea of painting BBW (big beautiful women) pinups.  It has taken me several years to come to the realization that beauty is not a size but rather an attitude that shines through the myopic glass of societal convention and shatters it entirely.  People like Les Toil, Duane Breyers, and Karen Marie Portaleo have greatly inspired me toward this direction.