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This week we welcome artist Erin Nolan from Pejnolan. Erin creates beautiful, nature-inspired artworks.

Where do you live?

I live smack dab in the middle of northern Illinois in a rural college town. In the summer you can see lush green fields of corn and beans all the way to the horizon. In the autumn, those fields turn golden and crisp. The crops are harvested leaving a vast emptiness that is filled with snow which sparkles like diamonds as the sun falls upon it. The Spring is so welcome after the long dark winter and the cycle begins again.

Where do you do your work?

I live in an small, old farmhouse built in 1877. The mud basement has actual tree trunks for support beams and the ceiling is for people the height of 19th century America! There is one closet in the entire house.  So, I don’t have any room to work in my own home. My brother and his wife moved into a house 2 blocks away. They are kind enough to let me use a room in their basement.

What’s your favourite place in the world, and why?

Alone -  walking in the prairie or woods off in the country where it is so quiet I can hear my own heartbeat. That is my favorite place because it seems to calm me, returns me to a peaceful state, and nurtures my soul.

Tell us a little bit more about yourself! Your day job or business, family, hobbies:

During the day I am a graphic designer for a large format printer. By night I am a wife (of 19-1/2 years) and mother to a teenage son.  During the late evenings and weekends I am an artist and run PEJNOLAN Studios.

Our house is home to Crystal, our perpetually cranky and evil-minded cat; Grace, our loveable fluffy-floppsy-mopsy of a dog  and stray cat that called our house his home as well. He stays outside, but we take care of him along with the neighbors. We feed him and had him fixed. His name is many: Robert, Roberto, Robierto del feline, Bob, Bobby, Bobert… he answers to them all

I really enjoy taking my own reference photos for my prints and so my hobbies are hiking and digital photography.

What did you want to be “when you grew up”?

An artist, of course! Growing up in a small, farming town of 600, there wasn’t much support as far as the arts go. I was told that I was talented, but that there are no jobs available to artists. When I went to college, there was a poster in the life drawing  room which listed all the careers  related to art. I’m very thankful to my instructor for posting that information and opening my eyes to possibility that this dream of mine could become reality.

How did you first get into your craft/art?

I have tried everything from watercolors, acrylics, oils, graphite, pastels, metal-smithing, pottery – you name it I’ve tried it. I found that my work is so personal in nature, that it was difficult for me to sell a piece. It is really hard to make a living as an artist if you can’t sell the pieces! lol

My brother,  alfredstark.etsy.com, had taught himself woodblock printmaking to make kites. I watched him as he explained to me his process. His eyes lit up as he spoke. Then he said the magic words, “Printmaking is like creating multiple originals and so, if you keep the block, you can always make another.” I realized that if I made prints, I could retain a small bit for myself – the block. Now I could share my artwork without surrendering ownership. I’m a bit selfish that way.

What do you make?

I create nature inspired woodblock and linocut prints. These are based on personal experiences and thoughts I have had while studying the world around me.

What are you most proud of making?

Each piece I create I am learning more and trying to use that education into the next piece. So, artistically speaking, I would have to say I am most proud of my most recent piece. Right now, that is the print entitled, “Blue Heron.” But, what I am most proud to have made in my life is my family I’ve helped co-create with my husband and son.

What do you like the most/least about selling your wares online?

The best part is knowing that someone else will enjoy my work. One lady told me that she was hanging a print in her young daughter’s room. I thought, “how amazing is that?” In a small way I would affect this child. She might look at the “Robin’s Nest” print and wonder about birds or see it and think she may want to be an artist.

I love:

smooth pebble beaches, the warm sun shining on my face, walking barefoot, cardamom sweet bread, rosehip tea, holding hands with my husband, simplicity, self-reliance,  creativity,  trying new things, learning,

It drives me crazy when:

People are not authentic to their true self.

If you could sum up yourself or your work in one sentence, it would say:

The name of my blog: “I’m a good person just trying to get along.” That sums me up in a nutshell.

I’m just trying to do the best I can. Some days are better than others, but every day is a new beginning to try to be the best person I can be. I am human and I make more than my fair share of mistakes, but how is a person to grow unless they learn from those same mistakes? It’s the trying that counts. Eventually the small ways will lead to a greater path

Find Erin Online!

Shop: pejnolan.etsy.com

Blog: pejnolan.blogspot.com

Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/pejnolan

Erin is giving away this lovely cricket woodblock print today! And she’s willing to ship worldwide, yay!

To Enter:

1. Visit Pejnolan and come back here leaving a comment about your favourite piece from the store.

2. For additional entries, leave a comment saying that you: followed or subscribed to Epheriell Designs (or already do); have twittered about the givewaway; have shared the giveaway with friends on Facebook, or; you have written a blog post about it.

3. Entries close next Thursday night, the 20th of May, at 12pm Australian EST.

The winner will be chosen via Random.org

Remember to leave me a way of contacting you.. and Good Luck!

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