September 2014 Featured Fellow Artist
I'm a California lady living near the beautiful coast, though I was born in Michigan. I am blessed to be sharing life with my soul mate husband, who is a writer, and three very remarkable rescued cats. I enjoy being in nature and love animals. I've been creating in one form or another most of my life. I can get totally lost in my work.
I love the silence of the creative state, so peaceful. I dislike doing the same piece of art twice, and so I am always trying to develop new skills, and as a result, my artistic style and direction change frequently.
What is the first thing you can remember making by hand? How and why did you make it?
While I can't remember the first thing I made, I began painting fairly early on and did that for some time. Then I began to feel that my art needed to be more three-dimensional and so the dolls began to develop.
It is fascinating to watch a little spirit doll take form! They really seem to have a life of their own.
I create because I enjoy the process and because there seem to be many works of art waiting to be born. I create art for the soul. I'm not trying to make any particular statement with my work. The art just develops on its own and I am only the one who assembles it.
What inspires you? Where do your ideas come from?
I tend to look at the world through an artist's eye and so I see shapes and colors everywhere that often give me ideas. Fabrics will sometime inspire me with their colors and patterns. I might read a book that will trigger an idea. Nature provides a great source of inspiration. I might wake up in the morning with an idea. Or sometimes inspiration just flows into my mind as if from nowhere.
What are your favorite materials?
Exotic fabrics and yarn, wood, stones, fibers.
Can you share some of your process in creating your dolls?
An idea will come to me, and I'll do a quick sketch to get it down. I'll look at my fabrics and yarns until something jumps out at me. Then I just follow my intuition and let the work develop at its own pace. I've never been able to just decide to do a particular piece of artwork in a certain way, which is why I don't do commission work.
Instead, I "listen" to the doll, and she will tell me what she wants.
I never know what any of my pieces will look like until they are finished, which is a great source of surprise and delight.
All of my creations are my own original designs and one of a kind. I take much care in the workmanship to ensure that each piece reflects its own special beauty. My dolls have been exhibited in art shows across the country and have won awards. It is my wish that those who see my work will feel the positive energy in each piece and be uplifted and inspired by it.
Recently, I have begun painting again, and have opened a second Etsy shop - SylverWoode Art Prints - where I offer both fine art prints and children's art prints.
Apart from creating things, what do you do?
My husband and I have a technical writing/consulting business that keeps us quite busy. This can sometimes make it challenging to find the time for my creative work. I love to read and enjoy a wide range of subjects. When not involved in art, work, or running the household, I love spending quiet time with my husband and our three furry kids.