July Member Interview: Patti O'Day

Patti O'Day

Website: One Foot Up

1. What inspires you to create?
I love fabrics, color and textures. This craft allows me to design a pattern, and use my skills to combine two or more contrasting or coordinating fabrics from a flat piece to a 3-dimensional, functional object. Then, I get to embellish it with stuff that I've collected from thrift stores, flea markets and other sources.

2. When did you decide to pursue art or did art pursue you?
It started out as a monetary necessity when my son was young. Then after working in "real" jobs, I knew I would need to supplement our savings in retirement, so I came back to it. It helps to make me happy!

3. If you weren't an artist, what would you be?
Probably in the fashion field.

4. What other jobs have you had which have aided you on your artistic path?
Department store sales, advertising agency (learned a lot about computer graphics)

5. At the art supply store, which section do you gravitate to first?
Beads

6. What new technique or art form would you like to learn? Do you have plans to do so?
Painting. I have been dabbling in it, but it's kind of an extra thing which people are not always willing to pay for.

7. If you could do anything, and knew you could not fail, what would you choose to do?
Dance!