Tell us a bit about yourself (name, location, affiliations, personal stuff).
My name is Jeannie Lynn Paske. I'm 31 years old and currently live in Portland, Oregon. I am working on a picture book right now entitled "In Search Of A View".
Most of the prints on my Etsy site are from that book. I just recently traded my full-time job of almost ten years with health benefits for days filled with paint, ink, strange creatures and daily thoughts of how exactly I am going to pay for food, rent and my dog's mounting vet bills. Save for a few short-lived anxiety attacks now and then, following my dreams has proven itself to be a worthwhile decision. I have a few art shows up around town and other than drawing and painting, I enjoy creating stop-motion animation films.
What is the first thing you can remember making
by hand? How and why did you make it?
I remember writing and illustrating stories with my siblings at a very young age. My dad had a great imagination and would tell us all sorts of crazy tales that sparked an overactive imagination from early on. I come from a family of creative minds, so as kids we were all quite content to sit around with a few sheets of paper and some pencils for hours at a time ( my sister has some work up under Paskepaintings on Etsy).
During the days, my mom encouraged us to be outside, so I also remember building a whole lot of forts. Forts in the snow, in the woods and in the field next door to my house. There were a lot of amazing structures that went up in the backyard sandbox
as well.
What inspires you? Where do your ideas come
from?
The sky is of particular interest to me. I love a good sunset, star-gazing or cloud watching. I also love a good story. Especially the ones that really make you think.
Music is a big inspiration. I was a record store manager at said 40 hour a week job, so I am fortunate enough to have a pretty good collection. I also live with an incredible musician who has played a pretty big role in motivating me to pursue my art full time. My ideas come from a bunch of random stuff. Anything from wood paneling to light dancing on water. I see creatures and strange shapes in everything. Static in the dark. Shadows on a warm windy day.
Just looking at a tree can give me all sorts of great ideas. There is a particular type of pine out here in the northwest that is really inspiring. I always see these large sloping beasts or tall skinny monsters slowly making their way through the streets and yards of my neighborhood. I guess nature plays a big role in my work. I often feel that I cannot relate to most of what takes place on this chaotic planet of ours. Many times I am greatly disappointed in the way humans
behave. I think this place that I have created is a way for me to escape. Time stands still. Everything is quiet and peaceful. I can finally go to sleep and dream.
What are your favorite materials?
Watercolor, charcoal, pastels and ink.
What is your favorite color?
All of them mixed together.
What are your most and least two favorite films?
Well, I tend to watch a lot of cartoons rather than movies, but "My Dinner With Andre" and "The City Of Lost Children" have always been at the top
of my list along with "Harvey", oops sorry, I guess that is three.. I dislike films that are all in your face action packed things blowing up some cheesy romance scene with cars speeding by as guns fire at digital technology bleeding all over the place and yet lack any real substance or plot.
What are you reading right now?
Just finished Haruki Murakami's "Hard boiled Wonderland And The End Of the World." Just started Italo Calvino's "If On A Winter's Night a Traveler."
Any tips on selling handmade stuff?
Be honest and kind to your customers.
Apart from creating things, what do you do?
I like to go for long walks and skateboard with my oversized goofy Alaskan Malamute. I read, write, eat lots of cereal and enjoy a good cup of coffee or tea.
I also work part-time at a pet supply store and consider myself to be a bit of a hermit.
How can Etsy be improved? Any feature requests?
I would like it if I could view more than fifteen items at a time on one page. Often times I post an item and it disappears to the tenth or twentieth page in about an hour.
Other than that, I think Etsy is great. Thank you so much for helping me get my work out to others. |
