FEATURED ETSY SHOP - Artist, Painter, Illustrator, Gwen Duda at GwensArtDreamscape

Gwen Duda Fine Art Original Oil Painting-titled While I Lie Here...

I'm happy to weclome Gwen Duda, a fine artist and illustrator to be a featured artist here on DZFANTASY. Gwen creates her paintings using oils, acrylics, watercolor and more as her mediums.  Be sure to pay a visit to Gwen's Etsy shop....GWENS ART DREAMSCAPE!  You will find a wonderful variety in her subject matter.

But first....take some time to read Gwen's interview below.  I always find it fascinating to learn a bit about the artist behind the wonderful creations.

What led you to start creating your art?

I was just doing it without any outer motivation. It was totally inner driven. I have always been creating, as a young child as far back as I can remember.

How did you decide what medium you wanted to work with?

Oils are luscious, mysterious. Acrylics are fast and immediate. I like both. I would love to sculpt, work with glass, metal, clay. I would love to design clothing work with textiles. Papers are beautiful. I would need nine lifetimes to even feel slightly satiated creatively. For now I paint and to get proficient in that skill one does have to study in that area. Painting is the medium that allows me to convey emotions, to help the viewer experience their own life, their own responses, their own emotional terrain. I think that is why I stay focused on it.

What aspect of creating your art/craft do you find the most enjoyable?

Just that, the engagement of the viewer and how it interacts with their world view, their emotional terrain.

Gwen Duda Original Acrylic Painting titled- While the Cat is Away

If you had to choose a fruit OR a vegetable to describe your art, what would you choose and why?

*laughing* Hmmm, maybe grapes in that you can drink them juiced, ferment them to wine and they change your perception, eat them and be refreshed, or be more than sweetened having them as jam or jelly. My work is eclectic, yet has an similar emotive ability through all my work.

If you had to choose one other medium in which to display your "creativity", what would that be and why?

Music - I think it is even MORE communicative in that it needs no language to convey its message or to connect.

Gwen Duda Fine Art Original Oil Painting 16 in x 16 in Sunflower - Direct from Artist

What message, if any, do you want to convey with your art?

Each piece has it's own value, its own message to the viewer, and I let it be between them.

What advice do you hve for other artists/crafters?

I paint, I create because I have to. It's part of who I am, it's genetically imbued in my cells I guess you would say. Each has to determine for themselves why they do what they do and why they want to continue or not. Keep the flame alive and don't look to the outside for validation of your work. It's nice if you get it but it won't motivate you consistently. Good luck and good art to you!

Gwen, thanks so much for taking the time to share your thoughts and artistic creativity with all of us.  You not only express yourself well with a brush, but also with words.  Great thoughts and paintings!
 
To learn more about Gwen and her creations, be sure to visit her links below:
 

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GWEN'S WEBPAGE

FEATURED ETSY SHOP - BLUE BIRDS AND BLOSSOMS

Berries purple pink fuschia warm scarf hand knit

by

Romy

WELCOME, Romy and her Etsy shop BLUE BIRDS AND BLOSSOMS.  When you pay a visit to Romy's shop, you will find not only a wide variety of handknit scarves and neck warmers, but also her delightful, original fine art....STILL LIFE, ABSTRACT, LANDSCAPES and more! 

First, let's take a moment to learn a bit more about this talented artist by reading her interview below.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

Like many people I did a lot of arts and crafts when I was a child. I think my mom probably still has some of my childhood drawings from when I was about 5 years old.


In college, I studied earth sciences, never took any art classes, as I was planning to work in the science field. I guess you could say through a twist of fate I wound up working as a photographer. Science became the hobby and art became the career. From there I just kept expanding into different art mediums… photography, painting, fiber arts, etc.

How did you decide what medium you wanted to work with?

I think the mediums choose me. Seems like I'm drawn to them, the creative energy seems to flow through me to whatever medium - like an urge to express that energy.

What aspect of creating your art/craft do you find the most enjoyable?

The whole process… from being inspired and coming up with ideas for new pieces, to creating those pieces, and finally hearing from collectors how much they enjoy that artwork in their home makes the circle complete.

If you had to choose a fruit OR a vegetable, to describe your art/craft, what would you choose, and why?

Had to think about this one… I'd say a wild fruit tree. They grow as part of the local ecosystem and according to the local micro-climate conditions. Wild fruit trees aren't dependant on all the inputs of fertilizer and stuff that a cultivated fruit tree is, they adapt to whatever is available. Times when everything they need is in abundance they give sweet and tasty fruit that you can't find in any store.

If you had to choose one other medium in which to display your “creativity”, what would that be, and why?

Probably either clay, mosaics, or landscape design. (Guess I couldn't choose just one - laughing). I enjoy working with my hands and also enjoy working with the earth. When I see a bare patch of ground in the garden I imagine all the beautiful flowers and edibles that can grow in that space.

What message, if any, do you want to convey with your art/craft?

My personal belief is to try to contribute positively to the world in whatever I do. Through my art I try to convey the beauty and simplicity of the natural world… as our lives get more hectic, complicated, and technologically advanced I find myself longing for the simpler things in life. So through art, I try to give the viewer not only a positive place to escape to for a moment, but a space to explore their own personal connection with the natural world.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

Believe in your abilities… always keep learning, growing, and experimenting with your art or craft. As far as the business side goes… continue to educate yourself on running a business. Realize that it takes a lot of discipline and perseverance to be self employed, and it takes even greater perseverance to be self employed in the arts field.

GREAT, interview, Romy!  I love how you express yourself, not only in your creative talents, but in your words as well.
 
To learn more about this delightful artist, visit her links below.  Romy has also started "featuring" other artists (myself included), and you can read about them on her blog.

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WEBSITE

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FEATURED ETSY SHOP - NEEDFUL THINGS - by KRISHA

Welcome, Krisha and her Etsy shop "NEEDFUL THINGS"! Krisha's shop has a variety of items ranging from art dolls, jewelry, original photography, ACEO's and more. Most important is the fact that any item purchased from NEEDFUL THINGS....will result in a percentage going towards helping our four-legged friends who are in dire need of help. Be sure to visit Krisha's Animal Rescue Blog...I did and found it very informative and heart-warming! A lot of credit goes to anyone who helps out all the needy animals in this world!



What led you to start creating your art/craft?



I'm a journalist and write an animal-rescue blog, http://www.arkansasonline.com/rescue, for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. I wanted to find a way to contribute to a very special group of ladies at Out of the Woods Rescue. They go out into the rural parts of Arkansas where there is very little assistance for strays or abused animals. I didn't have a lot of time or money to give, so I decided to use my eclectic tastes and budding skills to relieve stress for me (playing with clay is a great way to blow off steam), and help out the rescue organization. The markup on the items in my shop is 25%, which is the percentage the animal rescue group gets. I just get the cost of the materials. My time is donated, but I don't know if I'd really call it a donation because it's such fun!



How did you decide what medium you wanted to work with?



I was drawn to the magazine Art Doll Quarterly about five years ago. I find doll-making symbolic, primitive, spiritual. Memories come flooding back from when I was a child playing with my dolls, working out their stories as I create my dolls today. Immediately, I was drawn to clay because it's earthy. It somehow fits. If you believe in the Bible, Adam was formed of clay. Why shouldn't we form our own creations out of the same stuff? It's a difficult medium for me though. Drawing is my best artistic asset, but I keep coming back to clay, hoping that one day I will learn to master it.



What aspect of creating your art/craft do you find the most enjoyable?



I love creating the stories behind the works. My dolls always have stories. With my photography, it's the hunt for that beautiful photo of the day. With my magnets, I look for the funky, iconic and graphic. With my jewelry, it's picking out the components that go together. I just know which chain works with which pendant; at least it's obvious to me very quickly. I don't know if others would agree with my compositions. With my journals, I love the whole process: choosing the fabric, the book size, the special embellishments - always Swarovski crystals. With my sketches and artist's cards, I like the hunt for just what I want to express. I would imitate art I love - am thinking of doing it - but I'm chicken. So my creations are entirely original.



If you had to choose a fruit OR a vegetable to describe your work, what would you choose and why?



What an interesting question. I suppose I would choose a carrot because I love carrots, and they are a great inspiration for sculpture. Also, they grow deep in the earth but have fluffy lettuce hair. I remember plucking them from the garden as a child, and I loved it.



If you had to choose one other medium in which to display your "creativity", what would that be and why?



Goodness, I already work with clay, photography, fabric, yarn, beads, crystals, silver, copper, micah powder... I guess glass. Yes, I'd love to learn how to create stained glass like Frank Lloyd Wright's designs.



What message, if any, do you want to convey with your art/craft?



I'd just like everyone to know that they are helping a cat or dog in need when they buy from me. I also want them to know everything I make is very personal and dear to me. I make everything with great care and improve with every piece I make.



What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?



My advice to other Etsians is to promote yourself, not just on Etsy but offline as well. Order some beautiful Moo mini cards - you won't want to give them away - but you can create a collage for your house or office. Believe in yourself, but don't be pushy. Most importantly, make what you love.

Krisha, thanks for a very delightful interview, and for sharing not only your thoughts and work with all of us, but your Animal Rescue site and information. Great job! Be sure to visit Krisha's links below.

ARKANSAS ON-LINE - RESCUE IN THE ROCK Animal Rescue Blog

ALTERS - An Etsy Blog