1) Linda can you tell us a little bit about your family and where you live?
WE live in Northern Maryland in the woods - we call it fairieland : ) and have 3 kitties - 2 old ferill boys and one new stray named Mr. KITTY! Its my husband and 2 teenage daughters.
2) Linda I know that you are American Indian as I am and I was wandering how
the culture has effected your life and upbringing? Do you practice any
American Indian Cultures?
UP until recently it was almost denied by my mother who is 100% Cherokee and my Dad who was a Mutt and still had a little Native Blood to round him out. Both of my parents families growing up were very poor and they were ashamed of there heritage they felt it was some kind of curse. They even changed their last names too. That’s where I come along - all full of piss and vinegar as my Nanny would say! (Nanny my very favorite relative! who was 100% Native Cherokee - she did over the years tell me some stories but still, not enough...she would still mark Caucasian on Dr's paperwork and it would infuriate me) Since her passing my heritage has become somewhat of an obsession to find out more about the Peroh family
.
3.) As being the Rainbow Artist can you tell me what it is that made you
start painting in rainbows art? Can you give us a little history about that?
Believe it or not - in my parents house when I was 10 I painted a 1 foot wide rainbow in enamel all the way around the room ceiling too well 37 years later its still there - they just paint the room white around it... and yes I had kelly green shag carpet for "Grass" and a pot of gold made out of plush toys.. So even as a Kiddie it was always there...
4.) Linda did you go to school for art?
NO!!! That was a bit of a disaster... in my senior yr of school I was offered a scholarship to a very prestigious ART school my parents being a bit sheltering and thinking they were doing the right thing turned it down. Although now - I guess it all worked out ; )
If so where and/or what formal
training if any did you get along the way that has helped in your art career?
I did attend a trade school for Commercial art - the Baltimore Art Institute
5) Linda do you have a special place that you prefer to paint that gives you
a more comfortable atmosphere for your work?
As long as the house is empty - FREE of people I can paint pretty much anywhere - most of the time in the loft in the upstairs.. (We live in a log house and its cozy up there)
6) Can you tell us the artists that have inspired your work?
OH man - sooo many, gosh the list is endless first and foremost - James Drake Iams - he was my Towson high school art teacher - he helped me fall in love with watercolors. If I see a piece of art that takes me somewhere else - then that is inspiration enough for me
7) What made you choose Fairy Art?
In my mind I am a fairy so I see no need to paint fruit in a basket!
8) Why do you only paint in Water Color? Have you ever tried anything else
and why is Water Color your choice of media?
Hamm yes - I have painted in Oils and also acrylics - but watercolors for me is like magic... I love that transparent nature of the medium. (I will say this I can NOT manipulate clay at all.. I can only make hotdogs and snakes)
9) Please tell us what is you most memorable feature on your art or your
life. If it was art can you tell us what it is that makes it so special that
you remember it the most?
My most memorable event was when Munro Enterprises (The Dragonsite) transformed my girlies into 3 -D statues. It was like magic... and what makes it so special besides just seeing it transformed 3 - D. My Father was dying and in the hospital and Munro - overnighted the first samples of Native Spirit and Balance - to me so I could show my Dad before he passed - that was very cool. He was really proud! Here he was, my Dad, unable to talk and he made a sign for every nurse / doctor who came in what the statues were all about - and made them read it...
10) Linda can you tell us what it is that you want to accomplish with your
art career?
To get the fairies out of my head and put them on paper for people to see... that’s really it.. Sure a book is in the works and that’s cool but I would be painting fairies either way.. So the real gift is that people did take a moment to look - for that I am so humbled.
11) Can you tell the readers what advise you can give to a person in the art
world that will help them succeed?
Be persistent - don’t take NO as the final answer.... just keep showing people.... get it out there... no one will sell your ART better than YOU can.
12) Can you give us your view on licensing your art that may help others on
their way?
Licensing is an awesome way to get a bigger audience to see it, and better yet use it in a functional capacity besides art on a wall .. However it is quite TIME CONSUMING...
13) Linda I know that you have been blessed with traveling out of the
county. Was that with your art career? Can you tell us where it is that was
you most memorable travel?
I have been traveling a bit - but most of my work travel has been in the US (TO DATE - but that will be changing in 2009). My favorite place that I have visited outside the US is Switzerland - faerie were everywhere!
14) In doing shows can you tell us what it is that you need to know to make
doing a show work for you at a festival or event? What event was your most
memorable so far?
You need a good attitude! Seriously shows are hard grueling work. Loss of packing boxes, inventory and setting up a pretty booth for people to feel comfortable in.
most of my retail shows, I do alone - so when the weekend is over I am dog-tired.
However I have been fortunate, this past few years I have had the pleasure of doing few trade shows with some colleagues and it has made it a bit easier.
15) Where do you come up with the thoughts of your work?
It can be as easy as seeing a pose or someone on the street - but most of it I just see in my mind and need to get it out.
16) Linda I ask all interview people this question as it is important to me
and our team. Can you give us your opinion on the Earth and it's welfare and
animal care please. Do you have any Animals yourself?
WELL IT IS MOST IMPORTANT! Yes we do have pets (one that was a stray) and living in the woods is a necessity for us to be one on one with nature. We try to be earth conscious and always have - however we still as a household consume too much - so that we try to work on daily... if we all make it in the forefront of our day - it can only help.
17) Linda as an upbeat person can you tell us what it is that makes you so, so happy and how to keep a positive outlook on life.
Oh now that is funny - I am all over the place - but the main thing - I don’t like negative mo-jo but I am bi-polar so you never know what you might get from me.
I don’t tolerate complaining - if you can fix it do so - if not let it go.
18) If you had just one wish Linda what would it be?
OK now that is the hardest question for me...
A. if it were a personal mind thing - I would like to be calm and not manic...
B. if it were a monetary thing - I want a replacement CJ5 Jeep that runs well
C. If I could make a wish that would affect the world ...I would like everyone to get along without fighting - that would probably be the one I would choose - I can’t stand to watch the news!
Let me know if you need anything else -
thanks so much for this awesome opportunity... oxoxoox,
Linda
Thanks Linda you are a wonderful person to interview and our readers will love your style for Christmas, so cheery with your rainbow colors.
Best wishes for 2009 from the PAJD team,
Cindy, Bub, David and Dana
Peaceful Art Jewelry/Design LLC &
They Whisper Art
