Interview with Tracie Lyn Huskamp author of Nature Inspired: Last day to enter to win her book and art

Tracie Lyn Huskamp author of 

Nature Inspired
Mixed-Media Techniques for Gathering, Sketching, Painting, Journaling, and Assemblage

was kind enough to talk part in a little Q & A.

Read on to get a little more insight into this talented artist. And be sure to leave your answer to the question by midnight tonight (CA time).

What is your favorite natural/nature thing? Enter to win a signed copy of her book and some original art.

1. What does your workspace/ design space look like?

2. Do you save your mistakes/ or designs you don't love right away -or ditch them?  

This depends... if the mistake is unsalvageable then is goes in the trash, but normally there are at least bits of the design that can be recycled, and reused.

3. What's on your "next to try" list?

I have several projects that I would like to dive into... the one that keeps surfacing is working in a much larger scale with multiple painted flora and fauna subjects incorporating landscape stenciling or abstract backgrounds highlighted with embellished stitching details.

4. Do you ever work with recycled materials?

Yes, I am a vintage junkie and adore old fabrics, papers, other what-nots.  I also collect all of my left-over snippets and bits from various art projects to make fusion fabrics, which is a technique my mother-in-law and I teach in workshops.

5. What music do you listen to when designing?

I love all sorts of music. Music is an incredible source of inspiration for me.  I can quickly find myself lost in a truly content almost dreamlike state when I am listening to powerful and beautiful melodies. 

7. How long does a design take you to create?

Length of time depends on the size of the artwork and complexity of the piece.  On the average, it can be anywhere from a day to several weeks.

8. How do you organize your supplies?
Bins!  I am all about bins, plastic, wire, even cloth.

9. What books/magazines do you read?

I adore the poetry of Mary Oliver and Ted Kooser.  I sit mesmerized when looking at my books on the Quilts of Gees Bend, the art of Wolf Kahn and Annemieke Mein.

I have fallen in love with the

Journals of an Edwardian Lady - Edith Holden,

The Painted Garden - Mary Woodin, and

In and Out of the Garden - Sara Midda. 

I dream of the landscapes painted by Lilias Trotter and stories told by Julie Zickefoose.  I am inspired from reading Selvedge, Victoria, and Somerset Life magazines

10. How would you describe your personal style?

Each of my works embraces fundamental feelings regarding my joy of life, my love of home, and my enormous adoration of nature.

11. How do you determine what a design is going to be made with?

I mostly consider myself a painter and collage artist.  So when I begin a new work, I normally determining how a completed piece can be achieved through the use of paint and paper.

12. Do you have a collection of anything?

As a mixed-media artist, I am all about collections that are used in my art. One of the collections that is most dear to me is my nature gatherings, tiny bird's nests, butterflies, a bee, colorful fall leaves, shells, starfish, even sea glass.

13. And the all important question (from Ravelry) what is your favorite swear word?

Well, I try not to swear but on occasion you might hear "OH CRAP!" come out of my mouth. =)

Thanks Tracie Lyn!

Comments

[Roberta]

Lovely interview...my favorite nature inspirations are trees and leaves...especially the big oak trees here in the south.

[bill small]

Favorite natural thing:

Niagara Falls (TG man hasn't messed with it too much)

I like the melted army man coaster. ..Looks like a roadside bomb aftermath. You should send one to George Bush to feel better.

[Jean]

Awesome interview! I hope to someday take a workshop led by Tracie Lyn (it WILL happen!!).

There are way too many of my favorite nature items to choose from, but I think for today, I'll pick the milk weed plant.

I love watching them change as the seasons change...they attract beautiful butterflies...and I love the soft floss that's inside the seed pods! So beautiful!!

[Wanda H]

I enjoyed the interview and would love to get the book. I'd say my favorite nature thing is flowers... followed closely by butterflies, dragonflies, and leaves.

[Lynda Taylor]

Great Interview.
My favorite nature things are leaves and flowers.
So beautiful and yet so easy to use in art and mixed media.

[Susan Zacher]

Wish I had a craft room that size!! I'm always tripping over something in my tiny basement room. Nature is a big inspiration for me too. I love anything to do with the sea, birds and I love to collect rocks and minerals and then use them my artwork. Susan Z

[Lynda]

Great interview! I love all things in nature especially sunflowers and gourds. Can't wait to make my own bowls from those gourds. Would love to win. Thanks. Lynda