I was honoured to be interviewed by Jacqi. She asked the following questions:
“Your first question:” how does being a creative person and pursuing your
creativity affect other aspects of your life:
That is a very difficult question. I love the idea that I am creative and yet I feel that I am not really.
I can only imitate what I see and try my utmost to convey it on canvas with paints, brushes, palette knife and even my fingers.
I always think of art (or being creative, then) as a process of passion and pain. I sometimes go into a ‘painting frenzy’… my poor husband hardly sees me and I paint for days and nights, hardly eating and getting very little sleep. Then it all stops and the world is back again – until the next ‘frenzy’.
Recently, I started giving art courses for people in my county. That takes a tremendous amount of my time and I am often frustrated because sometimes I have to ignore my own needs to paint.
But… the absolute joy of seeing how people who have never painted before and never believed they could, do the most beautiful paintings is incredible. It gives me so much pleasure to know that in some small way, I contributed to helping others find wonderful worlds inside themselves through painting.
And then this wonderful community at Redbubble – I cannot describe how hard it is to discipline myself from spending ALL my time here. There are so many beautiful images and the inspiration to paint is endless.
My life is totally overwhelmed by art and trying to help the animals I love. Fortunately, my family understands and although I feel terribly guilty about neglecting them sometimes, they know that I love them them beyond all description. Only my dog makes sure that he is not ignored when I am busy. :-)
“Your second question: ” Tell us about one person or moment that has made your time on redbubble particularly special or meaningful:
Rebecca Milne called me one morning to tell me about Redbubble. It’s hard being an artist and its harder still trying to make a living from art.
Rebecca (coolart) is an amazing person. We met on the Foundmyself forum and I absolutely adored the painting she did of her cat.
Rebecca said that she had dreamed about me and that I was trying to reach out. There are many many special people on Redbubble but Rebecca will always have a very special place in my heart.
“Your third question:” Show and tell us about five works on redbubble that
have moved or inspired you:
Only five! LOL. I could mention five hundred!
But I will try hard although the choices are really difficult. I already mentioned Rebecca and her cat so I will try to find only five.
Saleire
Saleire’s work is stunning – all of it. But this image is so special. It’s probably one of the least complicated of all her work, yet it stays with me as one of the most gorgeous and poignant.
Tony
Tony has the ability to do wonders with photography. Especially photo’s of Ireland – it is as if feels all the different moods and times that made this land. And I love his quick wit.
Arie is incredible.
Simply put: this painting is everything that I cannot do and would like to and I absolutely love it.
Cheri
simply makes me want to run to my easel and paint her photo’s. She has the most wonderful way of depicting animals and I become obsessed with wanting to paint when I see her photo’s.
Macky
This photo from Macky made me cry with longing for my country of birth. Macky, being the special guy that he is, named it for me. I love Macky’s photography because it is as if he sees through my eyes everything I love about South Africa.
Only five… that was very hard as there are still hundreds to go.
Jacqi, you are also on the list but you know I love your work anyway.
I would like to thank everyone at Redbubble for welcoming me and for the overwhelming kindness you have all shown.
Avril
“Thank you Avril and please, everyone reading, do have a look at Avril’s portfolio of wonderful painting” here
Arie van der W...
I feel very honoured Avril…..and you are a great artist yourself! What a wonderful interview! Thanks Avril!!
Avril Brand replied
Arie, you have so many beautiful works and you are such an accomplished artist! Ek voel ge-eerd om om in die teenwoordigheid van so ‘n talentvolle kunstenaar te wees!
saleire
Aw my dear dear Avril…...what a sweet and wonderful person you truly are. How very kind of you to add me you list….I am so honoured and so flabberghasted that an artist of your quality and genius would like one of mine…...I am stunned. I love your work dearly and think we are proud to have you in Ireland :o) But most of all…..you are a lovely lady with a heart of gold. Thank you Avril xxxx
Avril Brand replied
Oh gosh, Saleire. I cannot tell you how much I love your writing and your art. Thank you so much for for kindness and beautiful words. I wish I could be the person you describe and will always strive to live up to your expectations.
A90Six
Avril, you’ve made me blush! Thank you so much for the mention. As for the quick wit, it’s a lie. I keep a copy of Roget’s Witaurus be my side at all times – it makes me seem far more amusing thatn I really am.
Thanks also for linking to my shot of The Devil’s Chair, and anytime you feel you might want to paint it, you are welcome to get a small boat, a long ladder, a bucket of whitewash and a 6” brush. It would save the seagulls so much time and energy in their attempt to whitewash it in small doses.
:) Tony.
Avril Brand replied
Tony… ROFL. You, blush! It must be fake tan!
I run out of words trying to describe your work, as you well know. And thank you for always making me laugh!
Cheri McEachin
Oh my, thank you so much…congrats on a wonderful interview ….I am so honored you mentioned me
Avril Brand replied
Cheri, I spend so much time staring at your photographs and not knowing how to tell you just how much I love them. The love you have for animals is so obvious in the way you depict them. The passion shines through and to me that, in itself, is a precious message.
barnsis
“I love the idea that I am creative and yet I feel that I am not really.” I know you are serious but I have to take issue with this statment. I spend several hours every day on RB so I see a lot. I like a wide variety of art so i look at a lot of different types of art. I especially like paintings. With all that said i have to tell you that you are the most creative artist I have found, the color, detail and quality of your work is the best I have seen here and other places as well. I or maybe I should say we here at RB appreciate that you share your collection with us.
Avril Brand replied
Barnsis, thank you for seeing more in me than I think there is. I love your work too and you have a wonderful talent to take photographs that are absolutely stunning.
Pauline Dunleavy
Well Avril,
What an interview, well done. You are in inspiration to us all at the Kilrush Art Group. Thank you for sharing your gift and knowledge together with introducing me to Red bubble.
Pauline
Avril Brand replied
Pauline, I am so happy to be a member of the Kilrush Art Group and to be in the company of the very special talented people of Kilrush. Your work is beautiful, Pauline and I wish you lots of success and happiness here at Redbubble.
Agnes McGuinness
Hi, Avril. Thanks, I enjoyed your lovely interview, and love your beautiful art:)
Avril Brand replied
Agnes, thank you so much. Your photographs are so beautiful. You capture special moments that most of us would not notice. Thank you too, for your message about De Burgo Castle… I will contact you soon and it will be very exciting to paint one of your photo’s.
Agnes McGuinness
Thanks, Avril. Look forward to the result:)
Avril Brand replied
Almost there, Agnes! :-)
Macky
I’m truely honoured Avril, proud to be your friend!!
Avril Brand replied
Macky, and I am proud to be your friend! Groete en drukkies! xxx