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This week we welcome card-maker and artist Kara LaFrance, from Vive LaFrance Design!

Where do you live?

Costal North Carolina

Where do you do your work?

My home studio.

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

I love to travel. So anywhere new is exciting… Paris, Rome, Amsertdam, Australia. But lately we travel around the Carolinas. There are so many new places surrounding me. My husband, Paul and I love Charleston, SC. The art galleries, the restaruants, wandering or taking a tour and learning so much history. We love trying new things in new places!

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

I received my BA in Graphic Design from Rochester Institute of Technology and worked on Newbury Street in Boston at a small design firm that worked for non-profits and socially responsible businesses. It was an amazing job and I never thought that I would do something else. My body had other plans and a growing illness took over. A rare pituitary disease sucked the life right out of me but what choice did I have but to persevere. What I knew as my life changed, but the desire to create doesn’t go anywhere and it waits for you. These days I keep my hand in design with freelance work and create whatever inspires me – cards or paintings or both. I’m sure the 2 intertwine but they are different and have a different process. Either way, creating things make me joyful from the inside.

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

I always wanted to be a doctor. People always find that funny since art is so far from medicine but I have been painting since I was seven so it never felt like a huge jump to me. I just tell people I decided to be a patient instead of a doctor.

How did you first get into your craft/art?

I have been painting since I was 7. My art teacher at school called my parents to tell them she thought I had real talent. After that, I started going to private lessons. I think I’ve always made cards. I would make them for my mom and leave them under her pillow. She still has many of them. My shop is just a continuation of things that have always been a part of my life.

What do you make?

Currently I paint in oils and design cards.

What are you most proud of making?

My painting, “Dreaming Tree”

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

I love having a place to show my pieces. I don’t like the constant need for promoting. It takes away time from creating and I haven’t yet found a balance.

I Love…

Pilates!

What’s your favourite word?

I don’t know. I usually have one but not sure about right now.

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

Tenacity and perseverance with a dose of humor just about sums me up.

Find Kara Online!

Shop: Vive LaFrance Design
Website:
www.vivelafrancedesign.etsy.com
Facebook Page:
http://www.facebook.com/vivelafrancedesign


Kara is giving away a set of 8 notecards this week! It will include: 2 “Dreaming Tree”; 2 “Untitled Tree 1”  ; 2 “Posted” 2 “Yellow Tulips”. And she’s happy to ship anywhere in the world – so get commenting 😀

To Enter:

1. Visit Vive LaFrance 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 Friday, the 4th of June, at midday 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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The winner of last week’s giveaway is Lubica K (please get in touch!!) – congrats!

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