In the mind of an artist

I love to write, sing, dance, and act and have a great appreciation for art. These are my passions in life, and when I feel a blog coming on I write it out as fast possible. Before the idea dissipates in the air, like moonbeams on a still star encrusted night. When I feel a block and want to write so badly but the ideas just don’t appear, I look at art. The emotions of the artist, the medium, and the subject they chose all speak to me. I’m empathic so I feel these things very strongly. And they open up the block and the words start flowing. So today I’d like to introduce you to an amazing artist friend of mine named Amanda Deshane of Deshay Designs. So I decided to interview her to give you a glimpse into the mind of an artist.

*All images courteousy of Amanda Deshane and found at www.colourfulmindsart.com*
Q- When did you discover you had a talent for art?

A- I discovered I had a talent for art when I was 13. Although I had been working with mediums like clay, paper mâché, crayons, and felts since I was really young, at 5 years old.

Q- Did you ever study professionally, or is this God given talent?

A- I’m mostly self taught, creating art has always seemed effortless and natural to me. For me, it’s like breathing or knowing a second language.

Q- What are your strengths and weaknesses in life? And how do you apply these to your art?

A- My strengths are perseverance and the ability to have a greater empathy for others. I’m intuitive, so I understand people, situations, and animals. Sometimes on levels that other people don’t. That being said, my weakness is caring sometimes too much. As this can open up a world of hurt for me. I apply these attributes to my art, by portraying my empathy towards my subjects. By telling people’s stories and relationships between them and animals in my work.

Q- What other talents do you have?

A- I would say I’m multi-talented. I weave baskets, paint in acrylic, water colours, work with ink, and use pointillism techniques. I also use clay, paper machee, and wood carving. One of my greatest accomplishments was building a paper mâché town for my son! I’m also working on writing and illustrating a children’s book.

Q- Excellent! Can you explain what pointillism technique is? I had never heard of it until I seen your work.

A- Pointillism is a technique where an artist uses dots to form a picture. Hatching is when an artists uses lines to form a picture. I use both these techniques, each piece takes 30-150 hours to complete. It’s a labor of love, that’s for sure!

Q- What brings you joy in your life? And how is that portrayed in your art work?

A- Joyful things in my life are my son, family, and friends. I’m a single Mom and I’m raising him to believe he can accomplish anything he puts his mind to! I think it’s important to lead by example as I follow my dreams. I love my family and friends for who they truly are, with no judgements. I show that daily with laughter, love, and support.

Q- What’s your favourite medium to work with out of ink, acrylics, oil, water colours, charcoal or pastels?

A- My favourite medium to work with is ink. It’s not forgiving if I make a mistake, but it’s amazing when a piece is complete.

Q- What are your likes and dislikes to forms of art, music, and books?

A- I love art history, although Van Gough’s story of being famous for chopping his ear off to give to a prostitute was scary, when I was younger! It made me fear that all artists eventually go insane. As I matured, I realized I’m as sane as it gets. I love Celtic music, and my favourite band’s Creed, and so many more! Anything but rap, I love books too. I have my own library in my house with autobiographies, spiritual, religious, history, self help/development, and action. I have to read, to escape my over thinking mind since I have ADHD. Science has proven ADHD minds are highly intelligent. As their brains operate faster than the average brain.

Q- What inspires and influences you as an artist?

A- I’m inspired by my relationship with my son. He is my world and very creative himself. As long as an idea has a higher meaning or purpose that inspires me! My influences are art, music, literature, and spirituality.

Q- What motivates you to create your art?

A- I’m motivated by wanting to make a difference with my art. And hopefully make a living at it at the same time! I’m currently working on a women warrior series done in ink. It’ll be a showcasing of 15 women warriors and throughout history and modern day. I believe that throughout history women have forgotten their own power. Our stories are important, thus the project idea.

Q- Is there any other passions in your life besides your art?

A- My passions in life are my son, morals, values, art, spiritual beliefs, and loving others.

So there you have it folks my honest, deep thinking, amazing, artistically talented friend Amanda. She specializes in custom portraits of people, animals, and tattoo designs. And also has a line of gift cards and prints available.

You can contact her on Facebook https://m.facebook.com/DeshayDesignArt, http://deshaydesignart.weebly.com/ and a graywool@live.com

She accepts Paypal, e-transfer as methods of payment.

Thank you for stopping by to see who inspires me, smooches. ?