Artist Interview & Giveaway - Art Print from Sparrow Moon
Tell me a little bit about yourself! My name is Laura. I was born and raised in Northern Michigan and later moved to Kentucky, where my partner and I now live and work in a cozy little house with three cats and a dog. I have found that I am halfway between being a “city girl” and a “country girl.” I have liked living in the city but am now looking forward to a move back out to the country in rural Kentucky. I have always been the quiet one in the family. I enjoy reading and other quiet activities like crocheting. I am in the middle of another good Amy Tan novel called The Bonesetters Daughter. My husband Josh and I are avid tennis amateurs and try to play at least twice a week. I am really looking forward to some relaxing time this summer full of camping and hiking adventures. I recently started a blog that talks about my daily life as an artist as well as the wonderful world of art and craft: sparrowmoon.blogspot.com/
How did you get into illustrating? I read a lot of children’s books when I was young (still do) and those illustrations are what made me want to become an artist. My dad gave me a book when I was 6 years old called The Children's Treasury: Best Loved Stories and Poems from Around the World. Here is a link that shows its cover: www.paperbackswap.com/Childrens-Treasury-Best-First-Glance-Books/book/15... It was full of so many wonderful images and stories, I still keep it and look through it. Has drawing and painting always been a passion for you? Where do you think you passion for art comes from? I have always loved to draw. My parents and grandparents encouraged me and praised my simple drawings. I remember hanging out with my grandma in her office and my sister and I got to draw with highlighters and permanent markers on her memo pads, and Grandma would put the drawings on her fridge. When I started college I decided to go with a more practical career like nursing or Information Technology but after finding I was unhappy with my choice, I ended up telling myself to be brave and take the Art degree. I am very glad I did. Why did you want to join Etsy? I had heard of Etsy through a friend in college, he showed me around the site and I soon became addicted to scrolling through the beautiful photos and I thought it was amazing that all of the items were hand-made. I have come to know how valuable hand-made items are. After living in a small town in Kentucky where Wal-Mart was the only place within an hour and a half drive where you could pick up a little sundress or a cute top, only to have it wearing out after a couple washes, I made myself a couple of sundresses of my own, and they have outlasted the others by a long shot. I decided I wanted to be a part of this hand-made movement and started a shop selling my drawings and prints, outside of the formal art gallery scene and into a more accessible, casual venue.
What is your favorite part about the handmade community? It’s not stuffy! I can’t believe how helpful and encouraging the community is. As a newcomer to Etsy, I did a lot of reading on the forums and was surprised at how open people were about giving advice and tips, as well as helping promote new shops. I think I was preparing myself for the competitive atmosphere of art school and gallery exhibitions, where some artists and craftspeople were very guarded with their techniques and materials. Attitudes could often tip toward the snobby end. I worked in a gallery on my campus for a few years and got to know how inaccessible and hands-off some of the fine art world can be. Random Question: If you could invite anyone and eat anything at your dream dinner party, who would it be and what would you eat? I don’t get to spend enough time with my sister, Holly. She is completing her PhD right now at a school only an hour and a half away, but it seems like more. My dream dinner party would be an evening picnic outdoors! We would make veggie burgers over a fire and I would buy those special Mason jar hanging lanterns I’ve been seeing on Etsy to decorate! I would invite my sister over and we would play music and games and just relax.
Thank you so much Laura! :-)
Enter to Win an 8x10 print of your choice from Sparrow Moon:
1. Follow Sparrow Moon's Blog
2. Follow my blog, One Sheepish Girl
3. Like Sparrow Moon's Facebook page
4. Go to Sparrow Moon's Etsy shop and tell me which print is your favorite!
5. Tweet about this giveaway
Copy & paste - "Enter to win a print of your choice from Sparrow Moon via @sheepishknit http://bit.ly/j1rwNR"
*Leave a separate comment for each entry, otherwise it will not be counted. Also make sure there is a way I can contact you.*
This giveaway ends on June 12.