In the Studio with DZFANTASY - Fiber Fantasy Sculptures

Art is such a subjective experience. One of the things I've always found interesting, not only as an artist, but also as someone who enjoys and collects art, is getting to know the artist and their philosophies and experiences behind their art. So I thought I'd interview some fellow artists for a new series here on the blog… "In the Studio". It’s a way to share with the readers new artwork, meet the artists, and take a peek inside their studios and the ideas behind their work. Hope you enjoy it! :)

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Our first interview is with Donna, a Fiber Artist, and her studio/shop is DZFANTASY

Please introduce yourself and give us a little background on your art…
I've been designing and creating my one-of-a-kind fantasy sculptures for about 12+ years. I'd have to say I always loved things magical, fantasy, and things unseen...even as a little girl (which is a long, long time ago!). When I first started creating my fabric creations, they were more along the lines of cloth dolls with just hand drawn faces...no needle-sculpting. They were much larger than my designs today. My largest doll back then was about 30" tall. I also designed all their clothes. As the years evolved, and I found I wanted to exhibit in better art shows, my styles changed until they are what you see today. Tiny fairies, mermaids, sea nymphs on magical fish, leaf fairies, fairy face pins and more. My larges sculpture today is 15" tall (wall style), and the smallest is 6" tall (3.5" if sitting). I have always designed all of my own patterns, create my own accents, and get to be a hair stylist as well.

What did you want to be when you grew up?
If I remember right, way back then I thought it would be fun to be an archaeologist..exploring ancient tombs, especially in Eygpt!

What inspires you to create? Your artistic influences? And how do you stay motivated?
I'm inspired by seeing things in nature, birds, flowers, trees, also colors and textures in fabrics or yarns. The real inspiration comes from within, and it is just something I "need to do". Creating is as important to me as breathing. It might sound crazy, but it is true! When you truly LOVE what you do, there isn't any need to stay motivated...it just happens! It is with me all the time.

What is your creative process from start to finish?
The first step is the "spark from within" giving me the idea of what I want to create. Sometimes I've had so many ideas whirling through my mind, I can't get to sleep. It may also be a piece of beautiful fabric that I see, or a wonderful yarn, a big leaf, or a beautiful flower. I then find the perfect fabric, yarn and accents for the piece, and then create the figure itself. It is when I'm doing the face on a figure that they start to come alive and it's almost as if they are telling me what they want to be. Each one has its own personality.

Describe a typical day at your studio…
I don't think any day is the same for me....other than my "workspaces" are usually a total mess!! I get so engrossed in creating, that things can get really messy, until I have my current figure finished. Then I clean up a bit and start on something else. I love being able to stop working on something and then pick up again later. I might have several figures started at one time, and work a little bit on one, and then switch to another. You will find me working at things at all times throughout the day or night.

On the business side… how do you let the world know about your art?
I've been doing art shows for the past 10 years, and that is my favorite mode for letting people know about my work. It is fun to talk with people on a one-on-one basis. It can give people a better idea of just how much work goes into each creation. There is nothing like being able to see the art in person versus photos on the internet. I also have my own web page, my DZFANTASY shop on Etsy, DZFANTASY blog , and my newly created Face Book Fan Page. I have monthly "giveaways" on my DZFANTASY blog, which makes people aware of my work, and have had sales through that venue.

How do you balance being an artist with the rest of life?
At this point in my life, I don't really have to worry about balancing it that much, because I'm retired and my time is my own!! While at times my husband gets a little jealous of time spent on my art, he is really pretty good about it. Even when we go on vacation, and I haul all my stuffing, bodies, paints, etc. along. I like to work in the car while traveling!!

What else are you passionate about besides art? Any hobbies?
I love photography, especially taking closeups of flowers and other things in nature. It makes one stop and realize how many truly unique a beautiful things there are in this world.

Where do you like to go to discover new art?
I love to go to art shows, and see things in person. Second, best would be seeing it on the web, as there is such a huge variety and it is an easy way to see things that you wouldn't get to see.

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Thanks for sharing your work and allowing us to take a peek inside your studio.

You can see more of Donna's artwork at:
Etsy: DZFantasy shop
Blog: DZFantasy blog
Website: Young at Heart- http://dzfairies.com
Donna's Facebook Fan Page