Ok, so I saw this and I wanted to do it too, and as I read through
![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
‘s answers, I realized how much alike we are.
Oh, and my packing is done, CJ is at Nana’s and my hair is trimmed.
Escapism. When I’m sewing a gown, or doing illumination or calligraphy, I’m not Trish the Admin. I’m the 16th century seamstress, or scribe. When I wear the gown or give someone the scroll, I can talk about it and not be Mommy, or Hey, you sales-girl.
I’m generally inspired by period artwork and especially when someone makes something and I see it in person. That’s why I love the Noble Grove or whatever it’s called at Bristol.
2) Were you formally trained in art or self taught? Do you think it has helped you or hindered you?
I had art classes since I was little, up through college. It helped my illumination, but I only had home economics and one sewing class when I was 8 (until I worked at Haberman’s and took the Victorian corset class, years after I started making Elizabethans and was having trouble with the simplicity corset).
I think I’m more creative and I don’t tend to think that I HAVE to sew something in a specific way, that I’m more flexible. But at the same time, I’d like to know more about some of the professional ways of doing things.
3) Do you have a ritual, quirk or superstition that influences you and the way you create?
I try to do research first. Lots of online research and in my books. Sometimes that’s as far as it gets. Sometimes that’s all I need.
4) What mediums do you work in the most? Do you have a particular brand that you love working with? Why do you use them?
Sewing – Cotton velveteen or cotton velvet, Linen, wool, silk dupioni and noil.
Illumination – Paper and paint, um, I mostly use Bristol board and gouache, though I started in a notebook and acryllics.
Calligraphy – Same paper as the Illumination, and usually Schafer calligraphy pens, or a speedball dip.
5) As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? And now?
Mommy, an electrical engineer, a metallurgical engineer, graphic designer.
Now…many days I just don’t want to be.
6) If there was one style of art that you could take up, what would it be?
Glass beadmaking. I took a class once and it was really fun.
7) Do you think the Internet, technology, media, etcetera are helping or destroying the art world?
Helping. It makes it so much easier to research my stuff. And I can get more ideas from people who did something similar and went a different direction.
How do you deal with creator’s block?
Scribal – I sew – I read – I do research – back to scribal.
9) How do you prepare for art shows where your work will be shown?
Like the latest, when I finished my dress in a sewing frenzy right before bristol, then realized I should have brought the bigger farthingale? I go into a sewing frenzy and bring street clothes just in case.
10) At what point did you realize that creating was going to be a large part of your life?
I think I was 2 and I was gnawing on a crayon.
11) What was your worst experience with art?
My 2nd hour art class in college. He taught us that art is not a career, it is the death of your soul if you try to live off of it.
12) What was you best experience with art?
When someone used my instructions for my version of the long sleeve bruegel gown online, and I saw her at an SCA event and she recognized me and asked to get a picture with me.
13) How would you define your style?
Medieval.
14) What does your workspace look like? (Pictures or a description work for this one)
Just like my Papa’s garage. I was the only one allowed in because he knew that I wouldn’t horse around and kill myself in there (not even my Nana). Piles of 1/2 finished projects everywhere, and yes, I do have that.
15) Aside from art what do you do with your time? Is there anything else that drives you or that you’re passionate about?
Teething. CJ takes 99.9% of my “free” time. Sometimes I like to think that makes me a good mom, sometimes it makes me suicidal. Sometimes it’s both.
