Crusty wants to know “how do you package your art for mailing/shipping?”

This one is easy. I keep a supply of 2 gallon freezer bags, peel & stick clearbags, and 8 1/2 x 11 precut cardboard mat in stock. Most of my paintings are small, and they go into the freezer bag. I keep and store the airbags from my art supply shipments, so I have plenty to pad my packages with. I really just make sure that my paintings are protected from water damage, pad them so they don’t shift in the box (or ship panels flat with extra cardboard on top & bottom). I haven’t had one painting damaged in transit.

YellowRose asked me to “tell me what is your favorite food, as in Chicago specialty foods!”

There’s one thing that I love when I go back up “home”. Pizza. Of course! When I was a kid, Rosati’s had a deep-dish to die for. Now, there’s a new place called Maciano’s that has fabulous pizza. I highly recommend everything on their menu! (um, when you’re not watching what you eat, that is.)

LilyBleu wants me to “Tell your readers what your average weekday and weekend day includes, chronologically”

Heh. You would think that I just wing it every day. Well, we normally have a routine, but a few weeks ago we were getting a little wonky during the week so I got busy and created a masterpiece. This, my friends, is an example of a truly structured day. (Yes, in case you’re wondering, we are a military family.) We keep pretty close to it, too. Weekends are up for grabs, when Daddy’s home we just do whatever floats our boats!

As you can see, I should be working. Um. Just a little intermission, that’s all this is. I swear. :rolleyes:

Colleen had a few questions: “when did you know you were an artist? who has influenced you most? If you weren’t already living this life, what do you think you might be doing?”

Mama always said I was an artist, ya know? I don’t really know how to answer that one. One on hand you have the definition of it from a professional standpoint, on the other is a personal perception of who you are. I offer services to people as an artist, yes. I’ve done that since high school. So from that perspective, since high school. On the personal side, being an artist is an earned reward based on a certain level of self-esteem and/or success from my work. From that perspective, I think I’ve felt comfortable in my skin for a few years now, keeping in mind that I have plenty of room to learn and grow. Who has influenced me most? God, the Holy Spirit, my husband, the people whose pets I’ve painted, numerous friends who have stood by my side when I felt like a failure. If I weren’t already living this life, I would have had to not meet my husband, not had our children. If that were the case, I’d be in a high rise in New York in a huge advertising firm doing ad layout and graphic design. I’d be in a suit, live in a flat, and be on a creative burn-out and very lonely. I’m glad I live this life, and not that one.

Nicole had a couple of questions for me, too: “what would you love to do if there were more hours in a day and you had the time? Or what is something you wish you could do well but you just can’t seem to master?”

If there were more hours in a day, I’d love to finish what I start every morning. It seems I get going on a project only to end the day with “to be continued…” stamped on nearly everything. I’d love to wake up, start a painting, and finish it by bedtime. I’d love to fit in a blog design, a workout, my children, and a nice swim, too. There’s just not enough time to do it all. Something I wish I could do well…hmm. I’d love to be a better mom. Problem is, I don’t think there’s such a thing as mastering motherhood. Once you think you have your kid all figured out, they’re packing up and moving out. I’d also love to play piano better. I like playing, and I’d love to be able to read sheet music, but I play by ear.

Colleen also wants to know, “What’s the best advice you would give to a young person trying to become an artist?”

The best advice I can give is actually a line stolen from Star Wars. “Do, or do not. There is no try.” I totally, wholeheartedly believe that if everyone did what they know they’re good at, every single person would excel, and every single person would be content. To me, you don’t try to become an artist. You either are, or you aren’t an artist. It’s either in your blood, or it isn’t. I don’t think that true raw talent or passion for it is learned. There are professions where tasks are learned, sure. The people who excel? They are people who are meant to be doing that task. From being a line cook to a car salesman. Whatever the “job”, there is a person who is meant for it. All I can say is dig down deep, and know what you’re meant to do. Do it, and success will follow.