Sacred Muse Artist Interview Lila Mattison

Lila won second place in the Sacred Muse Hosted Halloween Contest.

Lila Mattison

Artist Interview  With Lila Mattison

I Find that being an artist is a unique experience for each of us and I would like to know how you experience being an artist. 

Why are you an artist, and why did you decide to become an artist? 

Ever since I was a young girl, I have had my own camera. At that time, I took photos of my family & friends. As I got older, I took interest in adding scenery, sunrises, sunsets, nature(including wildlife) and also unusual things. 

My family used to ask me why almost all the people in my paintings are nude. 

What are some specific artist traits that you have in your paintings and why? 

I tend to lean towards taking photos of the different seasons of beauty & color. I believe this is due to the fact that I'm older now and appreciate the beauty surrounding us. 

What famous artists have influenced you/muses/mentors do you have and why? 

None really. The camera & and what it produces, if properly used, has always fascinated me. 

What inspires you to create art? What do you do to keep motivated when your inspiration runs low?

 I don't need any motivation. I take photos almost every day of someone or something. I have many photos from many different cameras over the years -- all marked, labeled & and; organized in one room that I call my photo library. It used to be our daughter's & and; grandchildren's bedroom many years ago. 

How do you handle the business side of your art? 

I've never had a business involving my photos.

Do you have a personal website/blog?

 Yes. 

Click Here to View her Portfolio

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

 Eighty years old, and God willing, still taking photos. 

What advice do you give to other artists?

 If there is something you really enjoy doing, by all means, pursue it.

What is your favorite thing to paint?

 I'm sure, by now, you must realize that photography is a big part of my life. 

Why do you love art?

 I enjoy photography because certain photos are memories that can't be re-lived. I also enjoy drawing once in awhile, doing some digital art and mixed media. 

Sacred Muse Artist Interview Barbara McDevitt

Barbara McDevitt

"Irish Castle"

Artist Interview

Find that being an artist is a unique experience for each of us and I would like to know how you experience being an artist.

 My experience as an artist is both satisfying and frustrating.  When I am painting it is like taking a mini-vacation and I go off to another world full of peace and tranquility.  When I am out with my camera I see wonderful and beautiful things that might be missed by others or even myself if I'm not really looking.  The frustration comes when I view the photos I have recently taken and find that I did not capture the mood or vision that I thought I saw and in painting, well it could be a color or a reflection that alludes me, or a detail I can not decide if it enhances the painting or makes it too busy.  And then there is always that question of when to stop and call a painting completed.  I have many paintings currently stored in the attic that simply need to be completed.  I take my vision to a certain spot and then just can not decide how to finish or put in that last bit of detail that I think it needs.

Why are you an artist, and why did you decide to become an artist? 

I have always enjoyed art.  Always soaking in colors and atmosphere.  I try to be an artist because it gives me great joy to create something beautiful. 

"Forrest Pathway"

My family used to ask me why almost all the people in my paintings are nude.

What are some specific artist traits that you have in your paintings and why?

 I don't think I have any artist traits in my work.  I think I am still trying to find my style. 

What famous artists have influenced you/muses/mentors do you have and why? 

 The great seascape artists of the past have always inspired me. 

"French Countryside"

What inspires you to create art? What do you do to keep motivated when your inspiration runs low?

 The play of colors in a given light and the magnificent beauty of nature inspire me.  When inspiration runs low I take the time to review old works of mine with a new eye and also use that time to re-organize my work space and tools. 

How do you handle the business side of your art?

 For the  business side of my art I am very undisciplined and always yell out to friends that I need a manager.  Someone to push me when I think I can not continue or to take better care in tracking costs and expense. 

Do you have a personal website/blog? 

My personal website is www.rosecottagegallery.com which I have had now for over 10 years.  The domain was purchased as a gift to me from my daughter.  There you will find a detailed biography and a history of my attempts at being and artist.  I try to update the NEWS page there each month to keep my fans informed of what I am continuing to do in the art world.  The site has had a following mostly from carousel enthusiasts and those that enjoyed my Irish themed works on ancestral slate.   My logo which is a small painting done in acrylic on canvas board includes both the carousel and the Irish influence.  I did the painting years ago and it hangs framed now in my entry way.

"Rainbow Cottage"

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

 I tried to make a living as an artist and enjoyed those half dozen years but find that I am now back working a full time job.  Ten years from now, or actually sooner, I expect to be retired and hope that my endeavors now as an artist will supplement that retirement.  When I no longer have to work for someone else I see myself once again painting on a daily basis while I continue to advance my technique both at the easel and with the camera. 

"Red Door Cottage"

What advice do you give to other artists?

 Never get discouraged.  Art is very personal and you never know what someone else might love about your work.  Don't be afraid.  Follow your heart.

"Study In Blue"


What is your favorite thing to paint?

 I still love seascapes and anything that has to do with moving waters.  I also very much enjoy painting carousel ponies and fussing with all the detail involved with them. 

"Hills Of Ireland"


Why do you love art?

 Art can change our environment and our outlook on life and living in a beautiful way.  In producing art we enhance someone else's surroundings.

Click To View Barbra's Portfolio 

Sacred Muse Featured Artist Erika Pochybova-Johnson

Erika Pochybova-Johnson

Erika won the Psychedelic Contest hosted by the Sacred Muse.

143 Pieces of art were submitted to the contest and 104 votes were tallied all together.

Her art is intricate, beautiful and amazing.

I hope you enjoy her art as much as I have.

This is the Winning Piece from the contest.

"Undulating"

Erika was born in former Czechoslovakia.

She immigrated to Texas in late 1996 and became a U.S. citizen in 2006. Erika's work utilizes an intricate painting technique and metaphoric imagery.

Erika has developed a very unique style that blends contemporary aesthetics with European folk art.

"Harmony"

Pochybova Johnson’s story and her artwork were featured in the Slovakian national public

ation, “New Time Sunday” and in the Creative Quarterly #13 and Creative Quarterly #16 national publications. Recently, Erika received the Silver and Merit Award in a New York City based national competition, the 2nd place Award in the “Texas National” competition juried by a nationally recognized artist Mel Chin, the 2nd place Award in a Houston based national competition “Texas Art 2009” juried by Shelly Langdale, Associate Curator of Prints and Drawings in Philadelphia Museum of Art, and a First place Award in a 2008 New Arts Perspective Competition. This year, Erikas was a selected finalist for the 'Hunting Art prize' in Houston, won 3rd place in International Landscape Competition, and was selected for a competition 'System Failure' in Alexandria, VA, curated by Sarah Tanguy; an independent curator, arts writer & critic, and a curator for the Art in Embassies Program in Washington, DC. 

"Kytica"

In the winter this year, Erika's work will be featured in the Artist Portfolio Magazine. Recently, Erika became an official winner for The Pride of Our Heritage: Mural Design Contest for Bufallo, NY and is a selected artist for a juried artist magazine, 'Studio Visit' (the Open Studios Press) curated by Beth Venn, Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art and Senior Curator of American Art at the Newark Museum. 
So far, Erika has participated in group shows in Chicago, Dallas, Austin, Houston, New York, Beverly Hills, Minneapolis, Sacramento, Alexandria, Nacogdoches, and Lubbock. 

"On the Bright Side"

"Reach Out"

"Serenity"

Erikas Portfolio

Click Here

Sacred Muse Artist Interview Lavender lemon

Sacred Muse Visionary Art Artist Interview

Lavender Lemon Etsy Artist

I found LavenderLemon as I was browsing the ETSY forums looking for new talent and interesting blogs and I found her blog and work and hope you enjoy !

Please tell us about yourself and what initially internally inspired you to become a crafter/artist?

When i was young i was very inspired by magical creatures and the unknown. I was interested in the stars and the mysterious mummies of egypt. When i started to get older i got interested in Dragonball Z the japanese animated cartoon and thats when i really started to draw everyday and practice on my drawing skills. I would say that i was always interested In anything to do with crafting and art i was always trying to make something or try something new. My dad and my grandma are also painters too so that was very inspiring.

What projects are you working on at the moment that really excites you and why?
I am working on a digital collage in photoshop right now , i am also in the rough stages of researching and doing drafts for a childrens book. I just bought a canvas as well so i can do a real media collage. Collage is new to me so that is why it excites me ,and about the book that I am in the stages of creating its also very new to me and i have all these ideas that i can't wait to get on the paper.


Who or what is your creative muse?
I would say the human body is amazing. Music. In terms of artists that i have been inspired by it would have to be Bosch, Francis Bacon and fashion.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years with your creative ventures?
I want to continue collecting vintage pieces of sale and for myself :) . I want to get my second year in art school done. I want to grow as an artist and learn new techniques. 
I would love to be more perfect with my printmaking abilities.

How do you breakthrough creative blocks?

 I usually just look for inspiration in nature. Nature can be so simple,but yet so complicated and it really gets my mind churning. I start thinking of life ,and what is still undiscovered and i start to think of what could be out there ,and how we even got here. Its just mind blowing! Also I listen to music and surf the net for things that i enjoy.

What is your favorite theme that you create in often? DO you have creative patterns that you favor over others? 

Probably microbiology,and bright colours. I usually do the strange rather than the normal. When i start to paint something like flowers and fruit I feel too confined and it shows in my work. I like to work loosely and not think of my mistakes. I am not a perfectionist.

How do you deal with the business side of your art? 

I haven't started selling my art yet. As of now i just sell my vintage clothing on etsy. I would really love to have someone that would teach me the in's and out's of selling your art online. I feel like i dont want to just jump into it without learning a bit more. I 've tried learning from the etsy forums,but no one has really talked about it :(.

What medium you do usually work with? 

I do alot of sketching so alot of the time i use pens . Sakura brand being my favourite. But if i was in a studio and had all my own materials i would be doing printmaking. I also love to work with oil. When i was first learning how to paint with oils i actually despised it ,but i learned that it was because i hated what still life i was painting.

What message to you project with your art/crafts?
Life. Humour and the strange.
What advice would you give other artists and crafters? To keep practicing and striving to learn new techniques. Learn from other artists and research other artists of our past. Many great artists of our time studied other artists even when they were well regarded in the art world. I also would say to take criticism from all angles and from all people. Everyone sees things differently.

Do you work at certain hours of the day or night? Do certain times inspire you more or less?

Sometimes early in the morning when i first wake up and iam in a daze from my dreams and just still tired i get alot of wierd thoughts that inspire me,but iam more of a night person when i can create.

Do you have a blog/website that you can share with our readers?

yes :) . I have my etsy vintage site which doesnt have very many items on there at the moment because i recently moved,but here it is http://lavenderlemon.etsy.com and my blog http://lavenderlemonvintage.blogspot.com 

LavenderLemons Etsy Shop

Sacred Muse Featured Artist Sharon Sieben

Sharon Siben won the Sacred Muse Dreamy Art Contest.

There were 72 Artists that filed entries and 163 pieces  of entered art.

So many wonderful pieces of art that were submitted but Sharons art stuck out at me, her work is all rather soft and dreamy even with the use of bright colors. Her concepts are very interesting and hold your eyes attention for a great amount of time. I hope you enjoy her work as much as I have.

Sharon Sieben

Artist Statement;

Although I did like to draw and paint when I was much younger, I never particularly wanted to be an artist until I became concerned with what to do after retirement (there is no such thing as retirement!).

So I bought canvas, paint, charcoal, paper, et cetera (it's almost as much fun to shop for art supplies as it is to paint) and the rest is history. It seems that if I am not painting, I am thinking about what I will paint next.

I believe that I always wanted to do this and I also believe "there is a time and place for everything under the sun". The time for me to paint is NOW and I find myself loving every minute of it!

Buds and Blooms

Dia De Los Mueritos 

Night Blooming Cactus

 Ocotillo

By The Sea

Sidewalk Cafe

All That jazz

Sharon Sieben's Portfolio

Sacred Muse Artist Interview Anna Duyunova

Anna Duyunova 

Anna's Art Portfolio  

Anna won 2nd place in the Visionary Art Contest that Sacred Muse hosted on FAA. I have found Anna's art brilliant,uplifting,beautiful and refreshing, I hope you will enjoy it too.

"Art is my passion and my escape from hard life moments. I am not so sure how it came to me, I played with crayons and colors in age two, after played with images and pictures which I painted. They used to be my best toys, and later I became more serious: Art School, Art Studios, Art and Theatre University, and I am still learning...I like to draw and paint nudes as well, showing the beauty of the human body. My favourite artists are impressionists and post impressionists, the best for me is Michael Vrubel. 
I was not able to create anything for few years due some life circumstances, so I do not have any problems with ideas and inspirations. I guess, I accumulated them, and now ready to release them. It is not easy to handle money making and making Art, but I try my best to manage both sides. My kids are grown up, so it helps somehow. I have websites via e-galleries; they listed in my profile page. I do not like to give advices, just be yourself and try to express what you are really meant. Well, I do not know where and what I will be in ten years. Life is an adventure, and we are just hope for the best. "
Anna Duyunova 

Annas work is soft yet very penetrating right through the soul.

Fleeting, spantaneous visions,containing the poetic aspects of reality.

Her works hang in private galleries and collections in Kazakhstan, Russia, Latvia, Germany, Canada, USA

.

Prints of these works are available on her portfolio, please check it out.

Visit Anna's Portfolio