::SEVEN QUESTIONS AND SEVEN ANSWERS::
1. What inspired you to pursue art, and how did you get started on your creative journey?
I’ve always been interested in making art and probably my first memory was in kindergarten. I had a teacher who would play the guitar and sing folk songs as part of his class (that was back when you could still take naps, do arts and crafts, and play instead of reading and writing). I remember one time he told a story about a fictional character called Aiken Drum, and proposed an art contest to see who could draw the most creative version of him. I had so much fun creating that drawing for that drawing contest, and I won.
2. Can you share your favorite medium or technique and why it resonates with you?
Right now I enjoy acrylic paint paired with watercolor, and that’s mostly because of the ease of use for me. My space to work in is a 5 x 8 area that I share with our music equipment so there’s not much room for too big of a mess.
3. Where do you draw inspiration for your work ?
I draw inspiration for my paintings different ways, the main is being in relationship with God, and just spending time with Him through prayer and reading. I also get inspiration through my family and places we’ve traveled together. One painting that I’ve done is actually a mash up of a black and white photo that my husband took in Custer National Park and then I blended it with some retro stripes from a belt that I own. Let me be honest though, that’s one type of inspiration but the other side of the inspiration coin is just being funny (but like the type of funny that is an embarrassment to witness). Let me tell a story to explain: One time one of my kids came to me first thing in the morning and told me some really random attempt at a joke and I was really confused because it made zero sense at all and then she said “well I was thinking about it all morning and it was really funny, but now that I say it out loud, I can’t really explain it.” So I have a feeling a lot of my art is like that.
4. What themes or messages do you hope to convey through your work?
Well, currently, I feel a little random in my works. And I know that you should have a plan and things should be cohesive and things should be a certain way… But I feel like at least right now I am just doing whatever I feel like doing. Maybe call it practicing. I’m working on some projects that I had left half finished from three years ago! Overall though, I feel like there’s going to be some pieces that are very deep and very spiritual, but then I also have some pieces that are just sort of kitchy and tacky, but I’m actually OK with that. The real challenge is, can you tell which is which?
5. Can you describe a project or piece that holds special meaning for you?
Yes! I took a long break from doing anything in the arts (music and painting) as I was raising small children, and I would just kind of live that creativity through them by facilitating them to have their own painting time, and things like that. But in 2015, things changed. My mom called and said that she had passed out that day, but to not worry because she went to the clinic and everything‘s fine. Well, she wasn’t fine. Turns out she had cancer and within a month and a half she was gone. It all happened really fast and I’d never experienced death like that and I didn’t know what to do. I painted for the first time in 9 years, and that sort of started me off in re-evaluting life and how art might be a catalyst to heal.
6. How do you stay motivated and inspired to create, especially during challenging times?
That’s very tricky! I feel like I’m learning how important it is to be a finisher and do. the. thing. Honestly, lots of times I am not self motivated for me, so that is truly hard. Also, I get bored working on one painting, so I tend to bounce to four different ones which helps me to keep at it. The down side is you are not seeing COMPLETION. So yes, skip to next question, please.
7. Any final words?
No.
Aoi 