Sunday, June 4, 2017

Featured Member Interview: Ilona Isaacs

CMMAG Vice President Ilona Isaacs shared the following in her interview:



What inspires you to create? 
I'm like a two-year-old .. I want to 'do it myself'. And, I LOVE beautiful things. Beauty in nature transports me.



When did you decide to pursue art or did art pursue you?
I have always been a maker and artist by looking at the world through that lens but when I joined CMMAG, I crossed over into pursuing art on a more regular basis. It is such a creatively affirming community. I have gained confidence and knowledge and friends.

When did you begin to call yourself an artist?  
Only recently.

If you weren't an artist, what would you be? 
What I am intrinsically - an appreciator of art and beauty in the world. 

What other jobs have you had which have aided you on your artistic path? 
Many jobs: antique dealer, scrapbooker, student, teacher, parent, gardener, traveler. The two most helpful were: 
1. TechShop Education Coordinator when as a member of this maker community, I could see every day that ideas & vision are only the seed. Persistence and hard work are what is required to bring an idea/vision to fruition. 
2. Girl Scout Leader where I began to see how process is as important or more important than the product for my girls.




At the art supply store, which section do you gravitate to first? 
Paper. Sale items.

What new technique or art form would you like to learn?  Do you have plans to do so? 
The three things I want to learn remain the same from a few years ago: drawing, lettering, watercolor. I have taken some lessons and plan to do more but my goal is to achieve a mastery of these three skills that will allow me to create the visions in my head. That will involve stepping up my practice time.





If you could do anything, and knew you could not fail, what would you choose to do?
Tackle my studio. Right now it defeats me and is holding me back from being more productive as an artist.