mixed media

I am always amazed, when I view visual art, at how beautiful art truly is. It has been in recent years that my love affair with abstract art has grown. I suppose, if I liken it to my own art form (music), it is easier for me to understand. For, to me, music is like breathing and it is a continual flow of art. Ms. Haymart's art is nothing short of stimulating, and for me, as a musician, very inspiring. I imagine that many artists desire to go pick up their paintbrush and find the canvas when viewing art that moves them. I crave the feel of the keys beneath my fingers and the exhilarating sense that only the exhaling of music provides.

Thank you, Ms. Haymart, for this inspiration, today!

When did you first decide that you wanted to be an artist?
Creating art for me started when I was a child, because I would watch my mom create anything and everything. My favorite thing to do was to copy art from the front of greeting cards as soon as I could get my sticky little hands on them. This was my first realization that I could really draw. In addition to getting my fine art degree, I taught high school art after college which led me to painting murals for a short while, until I finally settled into my true passion; creating abstract paintings with texture. I really haven’t looked back ever since.

What was your first art creation?
My first art creation was….I honestly can’t remember. I have memories of coloring and drawing from an early age, but I don’t remember what I made. That is pretty indicative of my creative process now. I am more interested in creation than the end product most of the time, because that is what is most enjoyable for me.

What was your first memorable art piece?
My most memorable piece of art is the second abstract painting I ever made. I was creating it in my basement studio nicknamed “the dungeon.” I was completely overwhelmed by being a wife, homemaker, mural painter, and mother to a 3 year old and a 9 month old. I felt like there was no way I was ever going to overcome all of these obstacles (cute as they were).

When I was finished with the painting, I realized that the design that emerged from the paint was a very vague image of myself trying to read a book with many activities, voices and things floating all around me. I even created a new word for the title of the painting. It was called Obstaconcentration. I never sold it. It is still in my living room, because it was the first painting I made that gave me goose-bumps. I never want to forget that amazing feeling. It is when I realized that when I give myself over to creation, the paint and process will lead the way. This is why I can never stop creating. I am addicted to that feeling and the experience that comes with it.

Please describe "A Day in the Life of Heather Haymart, Artist Extraordinaire."
Right now, I have been dropping off my 7th grader at school most days and heading to studio. I love it, because it is peaceful and I have time to myself to be with my paintings. This is the closest to a dedicated schedule that I have ever been. It usually requires coffee and music or a good podcast to listen to.

What do you do with your art?
I sell my work in a multitude of ways; online, in galleries, and at art fairs. I currently own my own gallery called Wood Icing. My mom is my partner. She is the creator of Wood Icing (the texture product) so that is the name of our gallery. We naturally came together to have this business because I use Wood Icing in my paintings for texture. I was the first artist to ever try this product and now artists all over the country are using it. Crazy thought, huh? Anyway, our gallery has a unique business model that enables very talented local artists to exhibit/sell their work, and we have a studio/classroom where we offer a variety of classes and this is also where my studio is located. Running a gallery is hard work, but I love it. I am learning so much and I get to work with super artists every day, and my mom, whom I adore. It keeps me inspired and social; something easy to let go of when you are hiding away in a studio all by yourself all of the time. Besides, there is really nothing cooler than being able to finish a painting and hang it on the wall in a gallery all in the same day!

"I choose to work as an abstract artist because I love the idea of deciphering what a person is saying when they use color and texture as a language. It is such a great feeling when someone can “read” what I am expressing in my painting based on intuition and instinct." - Heather Haymart

What are your plans in the future?
Sell my paintings so I can keep making more paintings!

In Ms. Haymart's own words, from her website, "I choose to work as an abstract artist because I love the idea of deciphering what a person is saying when they use color and texture as a language. It is such a great feeling when someone can “read” what I am expressing in my painting based on intuition and instinct."
Connecting with Heather Haymart.
Artist Website :	www.heatherhaymart.com
Etsy :	etsy.com/shop/heatherhaymart
Blog :	heatherhaymart.blogspot.com
Gallery :	chesterfield.woodicing.com
FB Page :	facebook.com/heatherhaymartfineartfanpage
FB Page :	facebook.com/Wood.Icing
Twitter :	twitter.com/heatherhaymart

Are you an artist who would like to be featured? Contact me!

Until next time.
hugs,
Deborah
P.S. Have you hugged 5 times today?

Deborah E

Deborah E is a smooth and sultry summer night on Bourbon Street… Classy with a dash of sass… Proof that the jazz greats have not been sacrificed to processed pop. ladyD.info. For more information, including other blogs, visit her main site at deborah.info.

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I love the name of Ms. Fowler's web site, 'Blissful Pumpkin." I couldn't resist using it in the title of her interview. But more than that, her artwork is to love! Who can resist the color and playfulness of her Angel painting, or the detail and depth in her portraits. And, this from such a busy wife and Mum! Where does she find the time? Gaze with me, at her art and the person behind the art, as she tells us a bit about herself here.

When did you first decide that you wanted to be an artist?
I cannot remember any time in my life when I didn’t draw. So I guess it would be safe to say that I’ve been drawing all of my life. Drawing has always been something that I loved to do, but I never saw that it would lead to a career. It wasn’t until I became a full-time mother, and particularly in the last 3 years, that I’ve taken my artwork seriously and have been confident enough to call myself a "portrait artist."

What was your first art creation?
I guess, like all kids, my first creation would have been a drawing for Mum or Dad. I’ve always drawn or doodled faces of some kind or another. I have a fascination with eyes. As they say "the eyes are the windows to the soul."

As a child I remember spending hours coloring in with one of my aunts and remember having drawing contests with my cousin, where our mothers would alternate who would win. My Mum would also copy cartoon characters for my brother and me. Another of my aunts was a great artist and I used to love watching her draw.

What was your first memorable art piece?
A couple of years ago I decided to attempt what I’d always dreamed of being able to do: Draw a realistic portrait. I drew my art teacher as I wanted him to critique my work and I thought to myself, "Who's face would he know better than his own?" He told me that I should do commissions. So from that day on I’ve been able to call myself a portrait artist.

Please describe "A Day in the Life of Kylie Fowler, Artist Extraordinaire."
Being a full-time Mum, my artwork is slotted in around my family and other household duties, so every day is generally different. Next year my youngest starts school, so things will be completely different from what they are now. One thing that is constant is that every day of the week starts with a coffee, to kick-start my day. My weekdays start around 6.30am, with the morning rush of breakfast, getting kids ready for school, etc, after which I leave home to drop the kids off at school and Kinder (pre-school, which is twice a week). My days consist of all or some of the following: drawing on the blackboard for my son’s class, once a week, for "the letter of the week," grocery shopping, household duties (eek!), blogging, artwork (if I’m lucky), working on my Etsy stores, preparing meals, etc, and whatever else pops up. On Thursdays I attend TAFE (Tertiary studies), where I study "Diploma of Visual Arts." I usually do one subject a year, to fit in around the family. This year I’m studying Printmaking.

I’m not very organized, so I don’t have a regular routine and I find with a young one still at home, any plans I do have can change so easily.

In the evenings, after the "afternoon rush" (homework, dinner, bathing the kids, and clean-up) you will most likely find me drawing in front of the television (spending time with my hubby) or iPad, catching up on my favorite blogs.

What do you do with your art?
I work on commissioned realistic portraits and caricatures as they arise. I have two Etsy stores, one where I sell art prints of my whimsical and Christian artwork and the other where I sell my digitally created collage sheets. Most of my original artwork has either been sold, given away or is displayed all around my studio. If my daughter had her way, all of my originals would be covering her bedroom walls.

Who can resist the color and playfulness of her Angel painting, or the detail and depth in her portraits.

What are your plans in the future?
At the moment I have a few commission portraits to start, as well as completing works in my "printmaking" class. I am preparing for an art course, Life Book, that I will be guest teaching in next year, organized by the wonderful Tamara Laporte over at willowing.ning.com.

I have a few online courses that I have enrolled in that I need to do work for also.

Next year (2012) my youngest child starts school, so the year ahead is a mystery for me at the moment. I plan to keep studying at TAFE, probably more often, as well as spending more time creating work for my Etsy stores. I plan to promote the portraiture aspect of my business as well as some online teaching.

My dream is to work as a full time artist and be able to financially contribute to my family.

In Ms. Fowler's own words, from her blog, "First and foremost I am a mother of 3 beautiful children, the most wonderful job in the world. I am also a portrait artist who loves to draw and paint in a variety of mediums and try my hand at a variety of styles. I also enjoy sewing and producing mixed media artwork, so hopefully in the future I will produce more mixed media works of art. I am a person who loves to create."
Connecting with Kylie Fowler.
Etsy :	etsy.com/shop/Smiliepumpkin
Etsy :	etsy.com/shop/BlissfullyDigital
Blog :	blissfulpumpkin.blogspot.com
FB Page :	facebook.com/BlissfulPumpkin
Twitter :	twitter.com/BlissfulPumpkin
Flickr :	flickr.com/photos/kyliefowler/
Ning :	willowing.ning.com