Hello friends. Today starts a new weekly series on my blog. Thursdays will be dedicated to featuring different artists that I have run across from all over the country. I am excited to share these new friends with you all. I knew when I wanted to start this that Charlene at RusticGoth would be my first feature. I came across RusticGoth on Etsy.com some time ago. I had many of her pieces on my Christmas Wish List this year, but as husbands go… husbands and hints, well enough said. I was able to purchase a calendar though myself, which I am LOVING to pieces. Thank you Charlene!!
The Big Chill by RusticGoth
So, lets get started shall we?
Tell us a bit about yourself.
Hi! I’m a mother of six and grandmother of nine.
I’ve been widowed for almost five years now.
I create art, because I ‘have to’. Partly because it’s
how I pay my bills but, mostly because it’s a big part of
who I am.
I had worked for the ‘other guy’, in a corporate environment most of my
life. In 2004, I just couldn’t handle the fast pace of corporate America
anymore and took early…early…retirement.
Unsure of what else to do with myself, I decided to see if some of my old
paintings would sell on eBay. I sold the first one I listed and was ‘hooked’.
Surrender Dorothy by RusticGoth
When did you start painting?
I started painting during my fourth pregnancy. I was having
problems and confined to bed. I was sooo bored that my dear
husband went out and bought me an acrylic paint set and I’ve
been painting ever since.
The Aviator by RusticGoth
When and why did you open your Etsy shop?
I opened my Etsy Shop in November of 2007.
My husband, two of my children and myself had been selling our paintings
on eBay since 2004 and were doing quite well. I lost my husband in 2006
and then eBay implemented some changes that impacted the art categories.
I found I didn’t care much for eBay anymore and began looking for something
‘different’.
My daughter and I both discovered Etsy, through EBSQ, and decided to open
separate shops. I couldn’t believe how much better it was. It didn’t take
long to close the eBay shop and devote our efforts to our own Etsy shops.
Where else do you sell your art?
I recently found Fine Art America and I love that site too! They offer
stretched canvas prints of my creations, greeting cards and fine art prints.
I also sell my art through Imagekind, Zazzle and Bonanza.
Look Into My Eyes by RusticGoth
What is your personal Favorite piece/pieces from our own creations?
This is a hard one to answer, I really do love each and every piece I create.
But if I have to have a favorite piece, it is actually a piece that hangs
in my living room. It’s an abstract oil painting of two very abstract dancers.
It’s a piece I painted in 2004, before my husband got sick. It is kind of a
‘tribute’ to the two of us. In our youth…we just Loved to Dance.
Harvest of Hearts by RusticGoth
There are beautiful hearts on many of your paintings. What was the inspiration behind this?
My husband and I were together for thirty five years and trying to adjust to
life without him has been very difficult. These pieces are indicative of how
I am adjusting and the inspiration is, the love I have for him, my children
and my grandchildren.
It’s also the affection I have for these characters and the collectors who
eventually come to own these paintings.
Calla Lillies by RusticGoth
Where can we find you on the World Wide Web?
I have a website…that really needs my attention…at CMZart.com.
I also have a RusticGoth.com website..and one day, when I don’t have anything
else to do, I will find a proper host for that site.
My Rustic Goth Facebook is,
www.facebook.com/RusticGoth
My Twitter…
twitter.com/#!/RusticGoth
My blog…
anotherpaintingblog.blogspot.com/
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After Twilight by RusticGoth
Thank you again Charlene. I am honored to feature you today!
My friends, please take some time to check out RusticGoth! You will have a new appreciation of art after viewing more of her work, I promise!
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I just noticed that Charlene has put her Etsy shop on “vacation” for a bit… be sure to keep checking back to when her shop is active again.. she is AMAZING!
In the meantime, check out her blog, facebook and twitter pages!
Kristin, Thank you so much for such a wonderful article on me and my art!
I do apologize that I put my shop on vacation at the same time the article was scheduled. Unfortunately, I was so stressed and burnt out from the hectic Holiday Season that I just ‘had’ to take a week off…to get completely caught up…and just to rest for a day or two.
I will have my Shop reopened on Wednesday 1/26.
You have such a wonderful blog…I just LOVE it!
Charlene
Thank you Charlene! Everyone needs time to recharge, so don’t be sorry. What I love about my readers is that they love to keep up with past postings. I have heard from Facebook friends that they simply LOVE your work!
Great interview! I’ve been a fan of Charlene’s work since coming upon her blog last year. The wonderful combination of her style, unique characters and the themes she chooses makes for some awesome art!