Wow, I’ve been all up-in-the-air this week! Preparing for my second ever market and having a friend visit has wreaked slight havoc with my normal routine – hence the unusual placement of this week’s Artisan Feature and Giveaway. However, I’m a believer in better-late-than-never, so please welcome the lovely Deanna to Epheriell Designs.

Deanna is an artist who creates beautiful images of birds, balloons, girls and much more. This week you could win one of her prints… lucky!

Where do you live?

I live in the beautiful Hunter Valley, NSW – Australia

Where do you do your work?

I work at home in my upstairs studio/art room overlooking the backyard, but I’m looking forward to moving into our new house that’s under construction at the moment. It has a studio that opens up onto the alfresco where I’m sure I’ll spend a lot of time painting!

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

The little farm in the country where I grew up. It’s over a 10 hour drive away from where I live now, but I love nothing more than making the trip and driving into those gates. I have many fond memories from my childhood, and I think a lot of the inspiration for my paintings comes from what I observed at home as a child. My parents farmed organic vegetables, and my mum did a lot of floristry work so we  had many beautiful gardens over the years. We were always surrounded by nature, especially birds.

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

I currently work 30 hours a week at my ‘day job’ doing admin work, and the rest of the time I work around the clock painting, printing, writing, blogging and just creating in general. I’m constantly trying to balance all elements of my life without a lot of success at the moment! I work around the clock!

My dream is to open a handmade focused homewares/gallery type shop, that supports local talent and promotes handmade. I’d love my own little studio at the back where I can paint, and hold art classes.

I live with my husband and our sweet puppy, Buddy. As often as we can we make the trip up to Queensland which is ‘home’ to both of us.I have a very adventurous spirit, I like to explore new places and try new things. I love nature and like to observe and appreciate the little things in life.

What did you want to be ‘when you grew up’?

I think I always wanted to be an artist deep down, but I was always discouraged from following that path throughout my school years.  I convinced myself instead that I wanted to be a graphic designer, and I worked hard to get into college. But after 6 months of studying graphic design, I realized it was actually fine art that I loved and I couldn’t ignore that anymore. I’m still trying to find my way, but I’m following my heart – doing what I love, and I know if I keep doing that then it will eventually fall into place!

How did you first get into your craft/art?

I’ve always been creative, I don’t remember a specific time when I started being creative. It’s something that has just always been a part of me. I did my first ‘real’ painting when I was 17 and sold it at an exhibition months later.  I didn’t continue painting much after school as I had my heart set on being a graphic designer. I only picked up my brush again a couple of years ago as an outlet from my day job. It was my way of dealing with the frustration that builds up as a creative person feeling trapped behind the grey office walls day after day!

What do you make?

I paint large acrylic paintings, usually inspired by nature or something I’ve seen/experienced. I love colour, and mixing/choosing colours is one of the most exciting parts of the process for me. I’ve also recently begun making prints of my work, card sets and tiny glass tile magnets made from reproductions of my originals.

What are you most proud of making?

I’ve always avoided painting people/faces because it’s something I know I struggle with. Earlier in the year I was approached by a lady wanting a portrait of her little girl. Initially I thought there was no way I could do it, but I eventually decided to have a go and took a week off work to paint this little girl that I’d never met. I painted off of photos, and I struggled with it for well over a week! There were tears, and times when I just wanted to rip the canvas up! It was one of the most challenging things I’ve ever attempted, but I eventually finished it and I’m so glad I did. The feedback I got was just amazing, and made it all worthwhile!

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

What I like most is the convenience. Let’s be honest -  packing things up to transport safely to markets, putting up a marquee, unpacking the car, setting up tables, displaying everything (quite an ordeal with several rather large paintings), keeping tiny hands off of your work all day, braving the elements, packing it all up again, unpacking it again at home…  is a lot of work!

When you sell online it’s harder to make that connection with the buyer. People also like to be able to see and touch before they buy! I find in difficult to list paintings accurately online – they always look so much more appealing up close in person. You can see the detail, the texture and it’s easier to imagine a painting on your wall when you’re standing in front of it!

I love…

Receiving a heartfelt customer testimony. A happy customer is the best payment you can receive.

It drives me crazy when…

People show complete ignorance/lack of respect for me when I introduce myself as an artist. From the rude little smirks, to the hurtful questions and comments like “when are you getting a ‘real job’?” or “not interested in a ‘career’?”, or “oh, that wouldn’t pay the bills would it?” *SLAP*

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

I create art with the aim to make you warm inside, to make you smile.. and it makes me so happy to be able to bring about that feeling in another person.

Find Deanna Online

Shop: www.deannamaree.etsy.com

Website: www.deannamaree.com

Blog: www.deannamaree.com

Twitter: www.twitter.com/deannamaree

Facebook Page:  http://www.facebook.com/deanna.pamenter#!/pages/DeannaMaree/97215598528

This week Deanna is generously offering one of her matted prints to a lucky winner! Have a look here to see what you could choose from if you won! This giveaway is open worldwide!

To Enter:

1. Visit Deanna Maree and come back here leaving a comment about your favourite piece from the page.

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 Sunday, the 14th of November, at 12pm Australian EST.

The winner will be chosen via Random.org

Please remember to leave me a way of contacting you!

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The winners of last week’s giveaway are Katherine and Tara – again! I couldn’t believe it, but I can’t argue with Mr Random.org!

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