The Interview As Art

Sandra Zubčić

1. What was your first work of art and how old were you?

Well, I've to think! Since my childhood, I loved to keep my hands busy, doing something creative. Drawing, knitting … things like that. My first serious work, which I was really proud of, was my colleague’s portrait, drawn on our art class, shown on a school exhibition. I was 13 or 14. It was a drawing with drawing charcoal on paper.

2. What did you do for fun when you were a teenager?

Oooooh, a lot of “wonderful” stuff. The most innocent thing was collecting ants in glass pots filled with soil, to “study” how they are building there tunnels. Looking back to that, my parents had a really big understanding for my “hobbies”

3. What and when was your first job?

It was a job as an accounting officer, some 20 years ago. Still, I’m in the same branch, working in an office. Numbers, tables, reports … a boring accounting job. It had to be spiced with a little bit of creative expression.

4. Has your work gone up in price compared to when you first started?

Yes it has. Not much, but there is a slight difference.

5. Where do you get your ideas?

A lot of things can give me the needed “click”. A movie, something I’ve read … a conversation … curiosity to try something new. I think Pinterest is a strong inspiration source.

6. Who do you think is the best business artist in the world?

Donna Kato, for instance. An artist who developed a significant business in the world of polymer clay.

7. Do you ever think about politics?

No, never. Simple because, thinking about politics won’t give me anything. Maybe just some bad headache.

8. What is your favorite color?

Definitive purple. Although, I love to look at, to use or wear something turquoise. You can see me more often in dark colors than light one. I avoid very strong colors. I don’t know. It’s maybe a mistake. But, I simple don’t like to be in spotlight, that’s the reason. 

9. Do you do all your own work, or do you have people working for you?

Everything I do, I do it myself. For now, I don’t have a problem with finishing everything on time. Having in mind what kind of products I produce and what techniques I use, I don’t have the need to shift something. My younger daughter seems to have an interest in art. So, who knows … in some near future, she could maybe help me.

10. Do you have an interest in films or video?

Tie

After last year’s experience, yes. I’ve created jewelry, mostly in chainmail technique, for a British medieval movie with colorful and rich costumes. It was an honor to see my work in a project like that. Yes, I would like to do something like that again in the future. It was an interesting and new experience.

11. What kind of toys do you have?

My pliers. And in near future, a lot of metal smith tools. 

12. What do you do when you're not working?

Gardening. Can’t wait for spring to come when a new gardening season begins, and I love it. Or, treasure hunting on the nearest flee market. 

13. What time do you go to bed and what time do you get up (most of the
time.)

Mostly I’m getting up at 6. Some hour or two more on weekends. Although I’m trying, I never go to bed before 23 or 24. 

14. How much time do you spend on the computer?

Too much! I can’t remember how many times I said: you have to change it. But, probably it’s a normal phase in everyone’s live. Starting with a lot of new, fabulous sites but after some time, it’s not possible anymore to follow everything. At the end of a day, when I look at how much time I spent working on the computer I’m a little bit concerned.

15. Do you watch TV, (if so, what are your favorites?)

Yes. Even when I’m working on a new piece of jewelry, my TV has to be turned on. Thrillers, crime movies, SF. But, also, good historical documentaries.

16. What do you eat?

Almost everything. I can’t resist Haribo candies, ice-cream and pasta with every kind of sauces.

17. Do you believe in flying saucers?

Let’s put it this way: I don’t believe in aliens like those from “Star wars” or “Alien”. But, I do believe in live somewhere in the deep of the universe. I can’t believe that live exist only on our planet. Think, this would be some kind of selfish. 

18. Do you believe in magic?

O, yes, I do. 

La Dolce Vita

The Interview As Art



Marian Hertzog





Blue Heron
on the Nanticoke River



1.  What was your first work of art and how old were you?

My first work of art was painting a ceramic Christmas ball. My mom taught ceramic classes in our basement. She had four balls with scenes on them. I came up with painting one with blue paint that resembled a staining effect. I was probably 8 or 10 years old. My mom and aunt loved it and made several like the one I did. Made me feel pretty special! The first drawing I did that I felt good about was when I was in my early twenties with some colored pencils.

2. What did you do for fun when you were a teenager?

I can't tell you what I did for fun as a teenager... we were bad.

3. What and when was your first job?

My first job was as a sales clerk in a ladies clothing store when I turned 16.

4. Where do you get your ideas?

 I get my ideas from surrounding myself with my stuff and letting my muse travel. I also get inspired by looking at others work.

5. What is your favorite color?

 My favorite color is teal or blue green like Crayola crayon.



6. What kind of toys do you have?

 My art tools are my toys. The biggest toy we have is our camper. We love to camp in the woods or by the water. My Havanese babies are my alive toys.

7. What time do you go to bed and what time do you get up (most of the time)?

My perfect sleep hours would be from 11pm to 7am. But I work as an accountant three days a week so I have to get up at 6 to start my day so I am tired earlier.

8. How much time do you spend on the computer?

I spend way too much time on the computer but I love looking at all the wonderful creations and ideas on Pinterest and in Blogland.

9. Do you believe in flying saucers?

I believe that we never know what else is out there beyond our current means of weights and measures. Remember that at one time the greatest minds in the world were sure that it was flat.

10. Do you believe in magic?

I believe that we only see part of what exists so that things can appear like magic.



The Leaf Princess



Thoughts on TADA365 - 2011 and future

A whole year of TADA365 passed. We were so overwhelmed in 2010 with Ring-a-Day challenge that we just wanted to continue with the same emotions of pushing some of our dormant parts of creativity in an environment without negative pressure from anyone and tons of positive vibes and inspiration from online community of people with same inclinations, problems and visions. Thus the name True Addicts of Daily Art. Thanks to our dear Mary Lu Wason for creating the group and pushing it forward, giving us guidance and organising our minds with necessary deadlines for themed shows.
Our first intention was to drive ourselves mad by posting every day something about our creative ventures in jewelry making. Through the year it has been proven to us that it wasn't important.
Main goal is to keep the creative energy flowing between us and within us, thus making it glow through all our work and communication. We have shown to love our differences, enjoy in them and grow through them. My vision for this group is to keep that bond we have between artists and keep growing in that spirit. Support is of critical importance for every human being to grow in healthy spirit, so is for an artist. I thank each and every member for being understanding, compassionate and kind.

I asked our members two questions :
1. What does joining TADA365 mean to you now when you look over your shoulder and remind yourself of the year 2011?
2. Do you have any expectations, ideas or visions for TADA365 in the future?

Lets take a glance into some of their thoughts.

Evelyn Markasky:

Well, looking over my shoulder has been a very interesting experience! I found my journal from January 2011 with the writing and sketches I did for TADA. My observations that I made at the beginning of 2011 were almost exactly the same things I said to myself 2 weeks ago beginning 2012. (Including losing 10 pounds and not always being on the computer!) Seems like I ended up doing what I usually do... start off strong and excited and then get worn down and lost. Of course, all was not lost. I may not have completely seen through the original ideas from 2011, but by the end I had completed a lot of work and evolved in a way a had actually hoped I would.  I may not have ended up posting something everyday, but I don't think that was necessary. I wanted to do that to keep going in my studio and working and staying inspired, but now that is no longer a problem. What TADA had evolved into for me, was a group of close friends (that I still can't believe we really don't know each other face-to-face!) where we could think out loud and get feedback and advice and inspiration. I think the most exiting part was figuring out having online exhibitions (thank you Mary Lu!) I haven't been on Flickr as much as I used to, but I think part of the inspiration from TADA was to work more, surf less, and that has definitely happened.

I think TADA can evolve into a really cool online thing, more than just flickr, (which we've already seen happen.) It's something we started because we love what we do and it's still going and it is being allowed to evolve. We don't have to keep doing something we don't need to be doing anymore, we are always assessing what our needs are and the needs of the group. It also allows everyone to work at what ever level they are on. In addition to the online exhibits, I think it would be very cool to do some physical exhibits where we send our pieces to different parts of the world and create shows.  Members who are able to can try to get together a local show and we can all have a piece in it...


Maria Apostolou:

After completing Ring-a-Day, I joined TADA365 because I wanted to continue being  part of a supportive online community  and stay in touch with my friends. Also, expanding on previous ideas and creating collections, which was the main goal of our group, seemed like the next logical step to take. As I look back, I'm so grateful for deciding to join TADA. The making process can be so lonely and there's nothing more important that having a safe place to exchange ideas, share feedback and support one another.

The goals of TADA365 for 2012 reflect exactly what I would like this group to be in the future. I would say that they even surpass my own expectations!


Jill Palumbo:

I've thoroughly enjoyed TADA365. I was so encouraged by this group of creative and caring people. I learned so much from the others involved; how ideas are generated, how different artists tackle the challenges involved in creating jewelry, and that each of us faces setbacks and lulls. Being in this group really motivated me to keep working, to keep creating. Even though I broke my kneecap and was too busy to plan any shows, I had a few surprise shows, last-minute invitations, before and after the holidays. I sold many of my TADA creations! I was prepared with products and display pieces, and I have TADA365 for the successful shows.

 

About TADA 365 in the future? I would love to try this again. A weekly project sounds tempting to suggest, but I know I would not produce as much. I would not have learned so much on the planning details of producing artwork for a show if this had been a "product-a-week" type of group.

-----------

Click on the link bellow the photo and you will be taken to our latest online show on TADA site.



Impatiently Waiting for Spring
by
Ponsawan Sila



Making a Fig Box Jewel from polymerclay

I will make something close to this old box i've made in 2008 from a picture www.flickr.com/photos/m2matiz/2544031235/in/set-721576039...

beautiful pics here!!!!

This project is the "fruit" of a challenge with a Frenchwoman artist of Polymer Clay,

Delphine de la Fille du Consul...

With her I share the taste of the "trompe l'œil" and the "faux", inspired by the nature this Parisian is also gastronome, and there also I join her...

Thus the end of 2011, further to an article on one of its exhibitions of the end of year we exchanged some words on " figs in polymer clay", and as I am crazy about fresh figs texture, taste, the seeds which crack between teeth I dashed.

Regards fruits and fleshy vegetables, as wife of Cook I always considered these as having two aspects: inside and the outside. Outside which we remove or not, outside that we cut to see / eat the inside... The box is a permanent obsession for me and thus having hesitated on the project fig ring which deprived me almost of the vision of the inside (unless removing the ring... Contemporary rings have this idea/concept...) I returned towards my passion of boxes and their construction.

I chose one i've made in 2008, whose hinge is almost invisible, which is interesting for a fruit cut in halves...

3 days working on and this is the result...

Did you know that fig doesn't undergo the gravity on the tree... i mean "not like an apple"

The link between tree and fruit is special, so i did it... but of course i didn't change the usual pendant of the purse...

I am a girl from 70ies, My childhood was marked by movies " as "La Belle et la Bête" of Jean Cocteau, "Peau d'Ane" of Jacques Demy, but also all the Cape and sword Movies where the women wore dresses covered with precious stones which made them sparkle... 

I love these vague pictures of sparkling women in great and poetic dresses... It is the global feeling that I looked for as finish of the jewel with some glitter sealed in the material beside Swarovski crystals .

I hope you enjoyed the story. Happy New year with TADA!!!

TADA's First Online Exhibit!!

The Show is Open!!!

Letters of Adornment :

An Online Exhibition of Artful Adornments

from the Flickr TADA365 Art Jewelry Group

Using the English language to communicate, an international group of jewelry artists share their work each day. They upload pictures in their Flickr group, TADA365, of their inspirations, works in progress, celebrations and also frustrations.  They support each other with comments, challenge each other when one learns a new technique, teach each other with works in progress and inspire each other with their completed pieces.

Here, within the same parameters of A through Z, they share their work with you.  Each artist has been given one or more letters of the English alphabet. The interpretation of the letter and what it stands for is their individual vision.

The Interview as Art - Thomasin Durgin - aka MetalRiot - aka Tomi

1. What was your first work of art and how old were you?

I imagine it was something made out of play-doh but I can't remember. I started sketching a lot in second grade and in third grade I made this wood burning of my grandmother's siamese in shop class. My mom treasures it and I think it looks like a hot pepper.


2. What did you do for fun when you were a teenager?
Mainly inappropriate things, and I was very involved in art.


3. What and when was your first job?

My first job was babysitting when I was 13, I got my work permit at 15 and got a job at a local Dry Cleaner.


4. What was your first work that really pleased you as an artist?

I sketched all the time as a kid, I lived on a college campus with my mom and when I was in in 5th grade she showed one of the art professors my sketchbook. He thought I had talent and gave me a few instructional books. I was so proud of my sketchbook after that, I carried it everwhere - I wish I knew what happened to it.

Ring A Week #6

5. Who was the first artist to influence you?

Picasso


6. Who were your favorite movie stars growing up?

The "brat pack" - Emilio Estevez, Anthony Michael Hall, Rob Lowe, Andrew McCarthy, Demi Moore, Judd Nelson, Molly Ringwald, and Ally Sheedy. Yes, really. I loved Matt Dillon, too.

7. What were your favorite TV shows growing up?

Super Friends, Rocky and Bullwinkle, Mighty Mouse, Tom and Jerry, the Cosby Show, anything on MTV (we didn't have cable so I watched with friends), Saturday Night Live


8. Has your work gone up in price compared to when you first started?

Yes, if for no other reason that the cost of living has gone up in the last 20 years.

9. Where do you get your ideas?

I keep sketchbooks all over the house and jot things down, I have far more ideas that I can execute in one lifetime.

Rings A Week

10. Who do you think is the best business artist in the world?

Thomas Kinkade. He's America's most collected living artist and that scares the hell out of me.

11. Do you think that there are any art movements now?

Absolutely. Guerilla art is still quite strong, extreme performance art is alive and well, and what folks are doing with CAD design and 3d printing these days is just amazing and incredibly innovative.


12. Do you think kids should get grants to decorate subways?

Yes, I'm a big proponent of public art.

13. Have you or anyone you know been involved in street art?

Yes, several of my friends work that way, as did some of my instructors in graduate school. I'm very drawn to Dadaism and the concept of "happenings". Lat month I met a recent MFA graduate student who walked up and down the steps of the Memphis College of Art to the distance of the top of Mt. Everest in a 24 hour period. Wow.

Ring A Day #209

14. Do you ever think about politics?

Yes, much of my work is political in nature.

15. What is your favorite color?

That depends entirely on my mood, I love them all.

16. Do you do all your own work, or do you have people working for you?

I make my work myself.

17. Do you have an interest in films or video?

I like to watch films, and I make fun little videos from time to time. I made a few vids as rigs for Ring a Day last year and I've been working with some teens doing stop-motion video this summer.


18. What kind of toys do you have?

silly putty, yo-yo's, and this great block set from the Guggenheim:


19. Do you have any habits you’d like to kick?

Carbs and cussing.

20. What do you do when you’re not working?

Juggle, play guitar, avoid cleaning the house, internet, reading, and a little tv.


21. Do you play any games?

I like playing cards and dominoes and I hope to get back to playing tennis this year.


22. How old were you when you got your driver’s license and is there a story attached to it?

I was 19. I took driver's ed in high school and my mom said if I got my license I'd have to pay for the increase in her car insurance myself. She went on to say that if I ever used her car I would have to have it home by 11pm, and my curfew at the time was 1am. Needless to say I didn't go for that deal. Basically I was a hellion and she figured I'd be a worse hellion behind the wheel. She may have been right but I still hold a small grudge over all of it.

"Crown of Thorns Celice Ring"

23. What time do you go to bed and what time do you get up (most of the time.)

I have a very inconsistent sleep schedule, I often get into what I call "vampire mode" and find myself falling asleep around 4-5am and getting up at between 11am and noon.


24. How much time do you spend on the computer?

Far, far too much.

25. Do you watch TV, (if so, what are your favorites?)

Only late at night and I don't have cable so it's generally Two and a Half Men (sorry), Family Guy (sorry), King of the Hill, and The Office.


26. What do you eat?

I'm a vegetarian who loves carbs and cheese.



27. Do you believe in flying saucers?

In an Ed Wood sort of way.

28. Do you believe in magic?

Sure.

Pearl Ring plus Carnelian Pendant

29. Do you think Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone?

No, I'm not sure he acted at all.


30. Do you look in the mirror when you get up?

Good grief, no.

31. Do you think the world can be saved?

Saved from what? War? No. Poverty? No. Violent Crime? No. This is depressing.

32. Do you think there should be censorship?

Hell to the Mother Fucking no.

WEBSITE
FLICKER
THE RING BLOG

Jewels of Nature

I think those textures and colors would be great inspiration for any material... metal, polymer, textile... beautiful enameling... click on the image to see some details....hope you get inspired by those, because I certainly am. Have a beautiful day!