Tag: raleigh

It’s the First Friday in July, and that means one big happy thing here at Teeny Tiny Pieces … a First Friday Artist Interview!

This month I’ve chosen to feature fine artist, graphic artist, queen of collage (… and the woman who inspired First Friday Artist Interviews!), Elizabeth St. Hilaire Nelson. Elizabeth is a Fine Art Collage Artist who creates ‘paper paintings’ from torn bits of hand-made, hand-painted, and found papers.

You can see her collection of work here.

She has been inspiring me since I first laid eyes on her amazing collages sometime in 2011. We chatted a bit on Facebook as I registered for her June 2012 collage workshop in Asheville, NC.  Then, at some point, there was that moment … when I absolutely knew I was supposed to be at that workshop.  I had no idea how significantly those three days would change my life.

During the workshop, I clung to every word she spoke!  Elizabeth’s story is amazing, just like her artwork.

In-case you missed the introductory post on Wednesday … here’s a video to get you started!

CLICK HERE to see the creation of this amazing Peacock collage …

Jane: Many of the friends who read my blog are creative spirits, each on their own unique journey.  What tools should they pack for the journey, and what can you tell them about the adventure?

Elizabeth: A smile. A positive attitude; success in art is about building relationships, with collectors, with gallery directors, with other artists.
Remember that criticism by galleries and juries is always a subjective, and has nothing to do with you personally.
Perseverance, if at first you don’t succeed, try try again. (my father ALWAYS told me this, my entire childhood)
Practice, practice practice … a good work ethic.

Jane: You’re an incredibly active woman, and your enthusiasm for life stirs excitement in others.  Is there something you’d like to do but haven’t yet found the time or the courage?

Elizabeth: I am incredibly active, I find that my level of activity gives me energy for more things! I do not want to let any opportunity pass me by.
There are LOTS of things that I want do do that I have not done yet… community theatre, I want to be on the stage again as I was in high school, I really enjoyed that experience. To earn a masters degree in Art History, purely for personal growth. Those are my top two.
Others include competing in more Olympic distance triathlons and improving my time; Travel to Italy, China, and other places I have not yet visited. To take more workshops and learn from other artists. To inspire high school students to attend art school and pursue art careers.  I’d like to present to more high school art classes. To inspire women in athleticism, I’d love to figure out a way to inspire women to get up and get active and to get out and do that first 5K or triathlon. Let’s get MOVING!

Jane: What do you fear?

Elizabeth: My biggest fear is not being able to do everything I want to do in life, running out of time too soon.

Jane: You have a lovely studio behind your house … a sweet creative space.  How did your backyard studio come to be?

Elizabeth: My studio was built on a 10×12 slab from a previously existing shed in my back yard. That slab served as a patio, a shade structure base, and a planter area before it was a studio. Several years ago my brother Alan (nine years my junior) flew down from Massachusetts to team up with me, and build that studio. Alan and I bought all the supplies from Home Depot, rented the truck, and went to work. Alan was the brains behind the operation and I was the helping hand. I learned how to cut tile, to operate a pneumatic nail gun, and to fill nail holes and install windows. In ten days, we had the whole studio finished other than drywall texture and paint. I was left to grout the tile, but it was down. I got to spend MUCH quality time with my “little” brother that summer, and I think that was the best part of building my studio. My studio was featured in Cloth Paper Scissors STUDIOS magazine too!

Jane: A book about you!  If someone wrote a book about you what would the title be?  Tell us a little about the book.

Elizabeth: If someone wrote a book about me it might be titled Perseverance Pays Off.
I have overcome many obstacles in my life and managed to keep plugging along and moving forward. I don’t give up and I work hard to get to where I want to be. My father was an alcoholic my entire childhood, my mother suffered from mental illness. My sister was addicted to drugs and alcohol, as was my youngest brother. I have a middle brother with Down Syndrome. I am the oldest, and was expected to be the most responsible, of five children from a middle class family in New England. I was the first in  my family to go to college, I attended Syracuse University and was told by my parents in the 8th grade that the were not going to pay for my education. I put myself through school with work study (16-20 hours per week in school) and two full time summer jobs (7am-3pm and 3pm -11pm). While at SU I spent a semester abroad in 1988 and lost 35 fellow students and three roommates in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland. This experience changed my life and my person forever. I graduated college without the computer skills needed to obtain a job in my field of advertising, it took me three years to learn on my own and get a job related to my field of study. I had three full open knee surgeries in my early 20s, but I can still swim, bike, and run! I have battled infertility, a fractured back, and a weight gain of 65 pounds in both back-to-back pregnancies! I don’t give up, I just keep moving, painting, persevering, “just keep swimming”.

Jane: Sometimes people think that when artists are successful they are somehow gifted with a life of luxury (i.e. a life the rest of us can’t expect to have).  Sometimes it’s good to be reminded that we’re all just people.  Is there something you can share to remind readers that a creative life is available to anyone who wants it?

Elizabeth: I think the above question also answers that I have not been gifted with the luxury of life. I have worked so hard to get where I am, never giving up and I’m always looking forward to the next goal, the next golden ring. My father always told me that I could do and have anything I wanted, if I just worked for it. He had a high school education, battled alcohol addiction, but managed to support his family of seven and inspire us all to greater things.

Jane: What hobbies/activities keep your life balanced?

Elizabeth: One hobby I have that I enjoy is playing the violin with the community symphony. I have played the violin since the third grade. I am no great violinist, oh no! But I enjoy the camaraderie and the opportunity to meet new people. The artist lifestyle can be very solitary, working from home only heightens that. I enjoy meeting new people and taking on the challenge of playing and performing live music.

Jane: You’ve been creating most of your life, since well-before the internet opened our world to infinite possibilities.  How has the evolution of the internet impacted your work as an artist, and the way you create?

Elizabeth: The internet has totally brought my work to a HUGE audience. I am constantly working FaceBook, Twitter, Blog, Web, Pinterest to keep my work “out there” and in front of new people. I have cast my net far and wide and have sold DVDs or enjoyed compliments from Greece, Australia, SIngapore, the UK, Canada, Italy and further. The reach of the internet is far beyond what we could ever imagine.

Jane: I think that most creative people want to do the work they love, as well as make a difference in the world.  How do you wish to make difference in the world?

Elizabeth: I want to make a difference in this world by inspiring high school students to pursue a career in art and know that it’s a viable career that they can support themselves in without a doubt! Commercial art has many facets as does fine art, I work in both arenas. I am a graphic artist during the day and a fine artist at night and on the weekends! I would say that both of my careers are evenly split these days.

Jane: I am super excited to post this interview with you because you’ve inspired me in so many ways. We learn so much from one-another.  Who inspires you?

Elizabeth: I am inspired by athletic women in their 40s! Whenever I do a triathlon I always find someone whose speed and physique stands out to me and I ask her, “How long have you been this active? How do you train? What made you want to race?” I love hearing inspiring stories from cancer survivors, former addicts or just former couch potatoes who have decided to make a change. As a child I was completely sedentary and had no competitive spirit. This changed for me when I turned 40 and I have not looked back. I love the training and competing of triathlon. In the past four years I have completed at least 5 sprint and two Olympic triathlons, several 5Ks and a half marathon.

With a full heart, and so much gratitude ~ I thank you, Elizabeth, for sharing with my readers a glimpse into your world. It takes courage, strength, and self-love to share, create, and be the inspiring woman that you are.

To my readers ~ I thank you for being here.  For showing up and supporting my work, and the work of others who share space on this blog.  You are always, always welcome to come by, stay as long as you like, and explore my offerings to you.

Feel free to leave your thoughts, reflections, and questions in the comment section below. Elizabeth and I will be honored to hear from you, and to respond to your words.

Here are the resources you’ll be wanting ~ including a second video, that I haven’t yet shared … please don’t miss it ~

There’s so much to learn about Elizabeth, her story, and her amazing artwork! Here are a few options:

• Contact Elizabeth
• Follow her Work
• Buy her Book or DVD
• Elizabeth’s Upcoming Collage Workshops are listed on the right sidebar HERE.
• Lots of photos  ~

Here is the second video I promised.  It’s another powerful one … so please take a moment to watch.
CLICK HERE to watch Elizabeth’s PBS Interview

and once again, CLICK HERE to see the creation of this amazing Peacock collage …

With a heart full of gratitude, fresh inspiration, and peace ~

Love,

Click here to leave a comment ~

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