 | | | ARTELLAGRAM 11-14-09:
"In the Studio"
An Interview with Artist Rita Shaler Nelson (This interview is continued from the November 14 2009 Artellagram...)
 Artella: Do you think artists today have an advantage over artists in previous generations?
Rita: I think the Internet has changed everything for artists, and for the better. It has given us a place to come together and meet each other. It is wonderful to have a place to find like-minded, kindred spirits, from all over the globe, and sometimes, even right around the corner.....
I met an artist through my Artella Shoppe. I had received an order for some of my handmade art papers and, when I read the customer's address, I found we were not only in the same city, but within a few blocks of each other! We have since gotten together for an art play date, and I'm certain we will be friends for years to come.
If it hadn't been for the Internet (and Artella) in all likelihood we'd have never crossed paths, and I'd have never known this delightful, fellow artist.
The Internet has also given artists a place to sell their creations without having to "pound the pavement" so to speak, and even provides a world-wide market for their work.
Artella: How can people find or make more time for actually making art?
Rita: Starting small is a great way to overcome the time-factor crunch, I think. The prevalence of "mini-art" like ATCs and now Inchies, make it possible to knock off a piece of art in very little time. All the supplies can be kept together in a small container– a shoe-box, for example. Then, any time of the day or night, the box can be opened and, while sitting at a work-surface for mere minutes, someone can create a complete piece.
I'd recommend keeping plenty of the blank work-surfaces on hand, right in the container, along with whatever other supplies you enjoy working with.
I've seen some beautiful composites of small works of art joined together that are very impressive, and can give time-challenged artists a real sense of accomplishment.
Artella: How can we encourage art and creativity in young children?
Rita: I think the question here is more how can we squelch creativity in young children, because children love to create and are so inherently creative. So, I would have lots and lots of papers, washable paints, crayons, markers, and glue on-hand, and then I'd just sit and have fun with the kids.
With young kids, especially, it should be all about the process and not so much concern about the finished piece. If the kids are allowed to do what they naturally feel led to create they will have a great time. There's no reason to frustrate them with trying to make a specific "thing."
Artella: If you were not limited by anything (i.e., time, money, supplies, location), what kind of art would you be creating right now? Is there some kind of technique or media that you've never done before that you've always wanted to try?
Rita: I am very drawn to mosaics. I love glass. I love the idea of using broken bits of china. I have dabbled in mosaics, but haven't devoted the time and energy into doing it enough to feel truly comfortable or proficient at it.
I find I am more of a "collector" of mosaic supplies, as I have containers of tiles and tesserae that I have yet to put to use!
I am amazed at some of the work I've seen done with this medium, and hope I can devote more time to learning about it in the future.
Artella: What advice would you give to artists who are frustrated because they have many ideas, but never seem to finish projects?
Rita: I'd say this depends on what your goal is. Personally, I'd rather allow myself the freedom to have several "unfinished" projects going at once than to stop creating altogether for fear of not "finishing."
I believe strongly that, unless we are committed to finishing something for a customer or have an obligation to a gallery, that sort of thing, we shouldn't put limits on ourselves, and make rules about what we can and can't do with our art– including setting things aside if we tire of them. I'd rather see people creating, and starting a hundred pieces that remain "in progress" than to never start any at all.
And then, who knows, if you allow yourself to do what you like, when you like, you may just find yourself finishing things!
See Rita's wonderful products in The Shoppes of Artella, here.
 Want more artist interviews from Artella? Take a look at our eBooks Artist Profiles Assembled and Artist Profiles Assembled, Vol 2, and look at the "Ask the Artist" column every single day in The Artella Daily Muse, our daily online creativity newspaper.
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