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INTERVIEW
Our Interviews are conducted on a relationship with the people we interview.
So stop back in and feel the Awesome Energy of Magic of our more personal interviews with people you will never forget... "Interviews that Entergize You" only here at Peaceful Art Jewelry/Design LLC and the Star Gazing Studio Gallery
Thanks Cindy and Dana (Mystic)
The Present Monthly Feature Interview will be posted here. The Archive Interviews on the following pages by month and year.
Upcoming Interview with Marcele LorAnge of the Eterna Series of Art from Canada. Then we are delighted to announce APRIL with LIQUID, with her digital liquid art with a steam punk flare you have never seen... MAY Special Interview with Peaceful Art Jewelry's CINDY and her They Whisper Art. JUNE Interview with JM Leotti and her Fantasy Art. Special JULY Interview with Surealism & Gothic Artist Pam Hill of Dzaet Art.
the Painter of Myth and Majick
Jessica, please tell us a little bit about your family. Your full name? Do you have a husband and for how long? Children? Animals? Where you live? (City and/or state) Where you grew up?
My full name is Jessica Ann Galbreth-Masiker. I have been married to my husband Josh for 9 years now and we have two children, Julia Rose age 6 and Joseph Michael age 4. We live with our two cats in Waterville, Ohio, the area where I grew up.
How old where you when you first started painting? When did you discover that you had talent to become an artist? In your growing up years did you have someone who influenced you? Did your parents encourage you to follow your dream?
I was just little when I started drawing fantasy subjects. My parents loved that I enjoyed it so much and were very supportive. I think the first time I realized I had some talent was in high school when one of my paintings done in art class won an award and was hung in the school art show. My high school art teacher, Nancy Davis really influenced me to keep going with my art. It was great because I recently heard from her. She sent me congratulations e-mail after our local newspaper had done an article on me and my artwork.
VINTAGE ROSE
In your biography on your web site you state that you took three years of fine art from the Toledo Museum of Art, however you express that you are really more self-taught. Can you explain some of the ways your art reflects this?
Well, I did attend quite a few art classes, and I suppose they helped me with my technique and so forth, but it wasn’t until I really started doing my own thing that my style developed. In college art classes, it can get a little boring (lots of drawing still life scenes, boxes and wooden mannequin dolls). Once I went off on my own and dove head first into the fantasy realm, that was when I felt I was really learning the most and teaching myself those techniques that lend themselves to fantasy art.
What is your favorite medium for the art you are now doing?
My new medium is to work with Prismacolor pencils on toned fine art paper, and then at the end, I go in and pull up highlights and darken low lights with thin washes of oil.
Your faeries are awe inspiring . . . they bring so many wonderful expressions of fairy life? What has influenced your newest faeries, “vampires”?
My vampire series was fun to do. It’s a very dark and sensual theme, and that was fun to explore. Of course it came about due to many fan requests. I think we’ve all been bitten by the vampire bug lately thanks to the Twilight series.
Ancient One
Do you have a favorite series? If so why?
My current favorite is my Celtic Myth & Magick series. I think the reason is that each goddess portrait is rooted in the mythology behind that deity. I did quite a bit of studying to hopefully get them right.
Your new Oracle Deck is stunning? How long did it take from beginning to end? What inspired its creation?
Thank you! Well, luckily I got to use lots of my existing paintings because each really had the right mood and symbols already in place. But once Llewellyn and I sat down and organized the line up, we realized I was missing a few key cards. So, about 6 of the images I painted specifically with the deck in mind. Barbara Moore and I worked very closely in making the art and the meanings behind each piece come to life for the deck.
Do animals play a fantasy role in your art? Please tell us how animals play a part in your art and our earth? What animal is your favorite pet and why?
Absolutely. I’ve been an animal lover since I was little. My mom would rescue hurt and orphaned wild animals and raise them until they were ready for release. We always had pets of many kinds. Often, I put animals into my paintings. My favorite animal to paint is the beautiful wolf.
Winter Woods
Do you find inspiration in the places you have lived and if so please explain?
I live in a beautiful part of Northern Ohio near the Great Lakes. We have beautiful forests near by, and the Maumee River also provides much inspiration.
Do you use real models for your faeries? Are there any faeries inspired by your children? Will you tell us which ones and how they inspired you?
I often look at photographs to help get my poses correct, but I let each goddess or faerie develop her own features. My finished paintings rarely look like the model that I used aside from the pose. I don’t often use my children for models since I don’t really paint child-like faeries.
Are your children young artists? Do you think they will follow in your footsteps? Do they like faeries too?
I can say that my daughter is definitely following in my footsteps. She draws for hours on end, just like I used to. She also loves faeries, and has enjoyed the faerie events I’ve taken her to in the past. I truly hope she does follow in my footsteps, but will encourage whatever path she wants to take.
With all of your family working together do you have any wisdom to pass on about finding your own personal time to devote to your craft? What are some of the advantages of having a family owned business that depends on your artistic ability?
I am lucky enough to have my children go to my mother-in-law’s house during the work week days so that Josh and I can get lots of work done. Still with appointments, school events and everything else that comes with parenthood, we are pulled in many directions and strive to find that delicate balance. I feel very lucky that I can work from home and support my family with my craft. It is a lot of pressure at times, but that just spurs me on.
Enchanted Garden
You are well diversified in products and retail, what are the advantages to selling through your own site? Do you see any disadvantages? Do you like having others sell your art on their products? What are the advantages of doing this?
I love being able to sell my own products retail on my web site. I feel in complete control this way, and can offer the products that I truly love best and feel present my art in a classy way. Other than the time it takes to manage incoming orders, I see no disadvantages. I also love licensing to other manufacturers. As an artist, it’s amazing to see your art translated in so many ways. The advantages to this is a great amount of exposure, which equals lots of customers seeing a product in a store or catalog, then looking me up and finding my own retail site.
If you could change any one thing in your life what would it be? Why / or why not would you change it?
Honestly, at this point I am just where I want to be and wouldn’t change a thing. I feel very blessed and take nothing for granted.
Do you have a dream that you have not fulfilled yet?
Yes! My dream when my children are older is to open a gallery and shop where I can present my art and all my products. Sort of an enchanted haven. I’ve been collecting displays for it for years, so that by the time I’m ready, I’ll be stocked up and ready to go!
If you could paint anywhere in the world where would that be? Why?
I would have to say Scotland. It’s where my ancestors lived, and I would love to be so close to where some of my favorite Celtic myths originated.
Would you share one thing that you wish was covered in an interview and no one has ever asked you?
Hmmm, that is a tough one! Well, I always like to thank those who enjoy and collect my art. What makes me feel most complete in this life is to create beautiful things, and without others to enjoy them, I couldn’t keep creating. I want those fans out there to know how much I truly appreciate their interest in my work.
Secret Door
What advice do you have for upcoming artists?
I recently wrote a manual just for budding artists, where I lay out all the steps that I have found need to be taken to become a professional artist. I would say to never give up on your dreams. The Universe stands ready to give you what you desire most.
If you could speak for the faeries what would you tell the world that would be important about our environment and how we should “Go Green”?
I thought a lot about this while painting my Green Faerie painting (a nature faerie cradling the Earth in her hands). I would say that we should remember that we are caretakers of our Earth, and we need to treat her with reverence, respect and love. She is all we have.
Being the feature artist for February means celebrating Valentines Day. Do you have a favorite holiday? Which one and Why?
Hands down, it’s Halloween. I just love the costumes, the dark and spooky tone and the beautiful, refreshing autumn air.
Do you have a favorite motivational quote? Would you share it with us?
Follow Your Dreams…it may sound cliché but it is such a simple and wonderful piece of advice.
Advise to Artists from Jessica
FREE GRAPHICS
Help yourself to Jessica's page of free desktop graphics.
Jessica, I truly admire your talent and your lovely faeries. Preparing the questions for this interview has been delightful. Here at PAJD we strive to make our interviews unique as possible. We want your dedicated followers to learn fun intimate (not too) facts about you. I am very excited about this interview and if I can be of any assistance whatsoever feel free to contact me. Cindy will be also writing what she will need for you to submit for this interview. Thank you in advance for allowing us to feature you and your talent.
Dana M. Burns, Mystic
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