September Member Interview: Denise Saunders

1. What inspires you to create?

Life inspires me! Every day I see or do something that entices me to create. From looking at my pile of works in progress, the stacks of supplies I have on hand or the beauty of the sunset from my office window, the urge to be creative is always there.

2. When did you decide to pursue art or did art pursue you?

There was never a pursuit, it was always there. Creativity has always been a part of my family’s culture. I grew up with my mom sewing, my aunt painting, my Nanny crocheting & my Papa working in his woodshop, so having an artistic outlet seemed a normal part of life, not a special activity. At times it still baffles me that other people think I what I do is special. What! This is what I do for fun; it’s not really that special. I’m glad you like it!

 3. If you weren’t an artist, what would you be?

Ironically, it wasn’t until I joined CMMAG that I considered myself an “artist”. Van Gough is an artist, Monet is an artist. I’m just a person that likes to paint on stuff, string beads together in interesting patterns & glue pictures & mementos on cute paper. Fortunately, the ladies of the Guild have showed me that my painting, stringing & gluing indeed make me an Artist!

4. What other jobs have you had which have aided you on your artistic path?

Um…. None in the traditional sense. I have a business background and my work so far in this life has been business minded. What I do now in terms of program planning & having the ability to bring art in to my community center has given me the most artistic freedom so far.

5. At the art supply store, which section do you gravitate to first?
I gravitate to all things colorful! Sparkling beads and crystals, vibrant paints, luscious papers, I want it all.

6. What new technique or art form would you like to learn? Do you have plans to do so?

I consider myself to be a basic crafts style painter, I don’t do a lot with shading or using colors to help create the feel or scene of my work. I would like to become a more skillful painter, but I haven’t made any plans to work on it yet. I seem to always have several projects in process or projects waiting to be done that it’s hard for me to justify spending time or money to learn more until I catch up with what I got!

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

If I could do anything & not fail I would be a stay at home mom to a bushel of adopted kids.  Adopted kids because I know there are great kids out there in need of love & homes. Adopted kids because I am okay if I never give birth, I’ve seen it, not really interested. Stay home mom so that I could dedicate my time to them & still preserve time for myself with out having to figure work in to the mix. Definitely in that dedication of time my kids would learn about the greatness that is art & being artistic. I would always have a space for them to creative in & a place for them to share what they have made.

Those would be some very lucky kids, Denise! Thanks for doing the interview.