Member Spotlight - Beth Pollock

How did you find Paper Traders?
I hate to admit it but I discovered Paper Traders totally by accident one of those many days of just blog hopping.

How long have you been a member? 
I have been a member for 2 years.

Where do you live?
I live in rural New England in a small town called Harrisville in New Hampshire (USA).

How have your surroundings affected your art?
I live in the woods in an old converted barn that is 100+ years old. I am surrounded by peacefulness and calm and tons of wildlife. It is as if the 21st century doesn't even exist and I love it. This environment has contributed to my art in my photography... I can just run out the door and there are a myriad of wildflowers to take pictures of (well, only in the summer, of course - otherwise there is usually just lots of the white stuff! LOL). It has contributed to my nature writing since where I live is so rich with nothing but nature! In general, my studio looks out into the woods from two different sides - just serenity everywhere one looks. Of course you have to be one that loves this kind of setting - in the wild, removed from the modern hustle-and-bustle and, of course, I am one of those people.

Please share a little about your own art experience.
My art experience began early on in grade school where I became interested in drawing. In college, I took studio art classes in design, photography, calligraphy, drafting, pottery, and color theory. Then came the "real world" and work which was in no way related to art. After getting married, I became interested in fiber arts and took many, many quilting classes and amassed an enormous fabric collection, LOL!! Time meandered on, divorce occured, and I fell away from art completely for quite a few years. When I remarried, my new hubby took an interest in making me happy and art began reappearing; and in 2009 when I became permanently unemployed due to illness, I discoverd art on the internet and have not looked back since! I have taken mixed media classes with Suzi Blu, Christy Tomlinson, Monica Zuniga, Tam at Willowing, Effy at Wild Precious Studio, and so many more. I recently discovered handmade cards and am now on four different and wonderful design teams and having a blast. To sum things up, I would say both my art training and art are quite eclectic. There is no right or wrong way to approach art and the learning of... just have fun doing it and the rest will take care of itself.

Do you have a blog or photo site?
My blog is http://elisabetpollock.blogspot.com/ and is called Mossberry Cottage.

What are some of your favorite techniques or genres?
My favorite genres are mixed media collage, mixed media acrylic painting and of course making handmade cards.

What inspires you?
That is a difficult one to answer but if hard pressed for something I would have to say color inspires me. I get excited when I see beautiful color combinations and the rest grows from there.

Who are some famous artists whose work you admire and what especially appeals to you about this?
Not having studied art formally I don't know a lot of "famous" artists names but of course one is Georgia O'Keeffe with her amazing talent at taking a few shapes and colors and turning them into something beautiful. Two present-day artists whom I love and have taken many classes with and learned most of what I know are Moni Zuniga of Hands and Heart, and Tam of Willowing. These two ladies work and teaching styles have just spoken to me and made everything make sense... if you know what I mean?!

Describe your work area... Do you have your own studio or craft room?
I have turned the extra bedroom in our house into my studio - it is only 9'x10' but after redoing it over and over again this past summer and I finally got a layout that works. Perhaps what added to its functionality is that I realized some things about how I need to work - everything must be in sight otherwise I simply forget I have it and it never gets used. In order to accomplish this without making it look chaotic I lined all my walls with the plastic bins you can get at places like Walmart and they all sit on top of wooden crates as the base. The crates are my bookcases and this brings the plastic bins up to window sill level. It works fabulously, was inexpensive and looks pretty wonderful as well. I have a whole page on my blog of my studio remake that everyone is welcome to browse.

What tips or tricks have you found to help carve out a niche for your supplies and art?
Figure out what is important to you in organizing things - do you like coordinated furniture to store things out of sight? are you the comfortable messy type? or are you in the middle where you need to see your stuff but you also must have some semblance of order? Understanding how you work will help you immensely in setting up your studio space.

Please share a little about your family and pets.
My family consists of my DH who puts up with my art supply spending habit and spending most of my time in my studio! He critiques my work upon request and even makes suggestions! My pet is Raphael my loving adorable brown tiger kitty. I have a basket on my studio work desk where he can be close to me but still allowing me to work on my art... I call him my little Lancelot - he is just the sweetest kitty on the planet!

If you'd like, please share a little about your childhood, where you grew up, and when your creativity began.
I was born in Georgia and grew up in Chicago and New York City. I am an only child and have been on my own since I was unusually young... long story - bad choice on parents shall we say.

Do you have any other hobbies or interests?
Ahhh, now you have hit on a nerve... my problem is I am interested in everything. I get bored easily and am constantly trying new things. Currently I am working on trying to settle down into just a couple of mediums but there is just so much out there to learn today I find it quite difficult to sit still. I mean who said one has to be a specialist and focus on just one medium in order to accomplish some level of competence? :D