The following are selected queries from children. Their questions and comments have usually burst from an intrinsically curious and ingenuous nature. Interactions with them about the creative arts usually take me back to childhood memories.
ON ART
Q: Did you always like to paint and draw?
A: Yes, I did. I had a best friend in grade school who I always thought was better at it than me so I practiced all the time. I loved doing it even without thinking about trying to be better than her.
A: Yes, I did. I had a best friend in grade school who I always thought was better at it than me so I practiced all the time. I loved doing it even without thinking about trying to be better than her.
Q: Do you like painting or drawing more?
A: It depends on the mood I'm in. Sometimes, I just feel like drawing or sketching more than painting. But there are many times that I love doing both.
A: It depends on the mood I'm in. Sometimes, I just feel like drawing or sketching more than painting. But there are many times that I love doing both.
Q: Do you get paid for your art?
A: Most of the time I do but I've given a few away as gifts.
A: Most of the time I do but I've given a few away as gifts.
Q: Can we visit your studio?
A: I have a few students who come to my place for lessons but we might be able to arrange a time when some of you as a group can come for a lesson.
A: I have a few students who come to my place for lessons but we might be able to arrange a time when some of you as a group can come for a lesson.
Q: What's your favourite music? Do you listen to music when you do art?
A: I like most genres or types of music and depending on the type of art and the mood I'm in, I listen to music or the radio, or audiobook or talks.
A: I like most genres or types of music and depending on the type of art and the mood I'm in, I listen to music or the radio, or audiobook or talks.
Q: Who's your favorite artist?
A: I don't have just one favorite artist. There are many artists whose art I love. And, it seems that I still find more different artists whose work I like and learn from. Some artists have lived long ago and there are some who are my friends who are amazing and I've worked with a few of them.
A: I don't have just one favorite artist. There are many artists whose art I love. And, it seems that I still find more different artists whose work I like and learn from. Some artists have lived long ago and there are some who are my friends who are amazing and I've worked with a few of them.
Q: What's your favorite color?
A: I don't have a favorite one but it seems like I like a lot of things that are colored blue. I love the colors green and purple very much.
A: I don't have a favorite one but it seems like I like a lot of things that are colored blue. I love the colors green and purple very much.
ON JEWELRY
Q: Do you have lots of beads?
A: Well, not as much as a store and not as much as other jewelry artists, but I love beads and have lots of different kinds. I started collecting beads and gems and stones since I was very young - before I started school.
A: Well, not as much as a store and not as much as other jewelry artists, but I love beads and have lots of different kinds. I started collecting beads and gems and stones since I was very young - before I started school.
Q: Where do you buy your beads? Can we buy some?
A: When I teach people how to make jewelry, they pay for the lessons which includes the materials, like the beads. Sometimes I sell them as well as the stones and gems but because I mainly make jewelry to sell, I don't sell them unless I have a lot. Since I've been collecting all kinds of beads most of my life or since I can remember, I have a huge collection and now I buy them from all over the world- not just in Canada but the States, China and Japan.
A: When I teach people how to make jewelry, they pay for the lessons which includes the materials, like the beads. Sometimes I sell them as well as the stones and gems but because I mainly make jewelry to sell, I don't sell them unless I have a lot. Since I've been collecting all kinds of beads most of my life or since I can remember, I have a huge collection and now I buy them from all over the world- not just in Canada but the States, China and Japan.
Q: Is it difficult making jewelry? Do you think it will be hard for me to learn?
A: I don't think so but some pieces require more time than others. I've been making jewelry since before I started kindergarten so it's not hard for me now. I started with very simple necklaces and bracelets. Some of the first things that I made were out of polished stones. My parents bought me a rock polisher and I made a lot of jewelry and art from them.
A: I don't think so but some pieces require more time than others. I've been making jewelry since before I started kindergarten so it's not hard for me now. I started with very simple necklaces and bracelets. Some of the first things that I made were out of polished stones. My parents bought me a rock polisher and I made a lot of jewelry and art from them.
Q: How much is the Hello Kitty necklace?
A: I sell each little girl necklace for $40.00 (cdn). Whether it's a Hello Kitty or My Little Pony or the diamond or heart, each one is the same price. The only time the price is different is when it's custom made or someone asks for a special kind or I make one with more expensive beads. The adult necklaces usually cost more.
A: I sell each little girl necklace for $40.00 (cdn). Whether it's a Hello Kitty or My Little Pony or the diamond or heart, each one is the same price. The only time the price is different is when it's custom made or someone asks for a special kind or I make one with more expensive beads. The adult necklaces usually cost more.
ON FASHION ACCESSORIES
Q: Which do you like to do more - knitting or crocheting?
A: I don't really have a favorite. Usually it depends on what I want to make. The pattern that I choose will help me decide whether it's better done by knitting or crocheting.
A: I don't really have a favorite. Usually it depends on what I want to make. The pattern that I choose will help me decide whether it's better done by knitting or crocheting.
Q: Can you make anything else with yarn? (besides hats and scarves)
A: I've made a few clothes and a few decorations, like the kokeshi dolls.
A: I've made a few clothes and a few decorations, like the kokeshi dolls.
Q: When did you learn to knit?
A: I learned as a little girl from my mother, grandmother, and aunt. I also had a couple of friends who knitted and crocheted and we'd make things for each other and others.
A: I learned as a little girl from my mother, grandmother, and aunt. I also had a couple of friends who knitted and crocheted and we'd make things for each other and others.
Q: Do you make your own clothes?
A: Sometimes. I used to make a lot of my own clothes but I haven't for a long time. But I still do fashion design - I draw or sketch a lot of styles. I've made clothes from the designs and patterns I've made.
A: Sometimes. I used to make a lot of my own clothes but I haven't for a long time. But I still do fashion design - I draw or sketch a lot of styles. I've made clothes from the designs and patterns I've made.
Q: Do you sell clothes too?
A: Sometimes but I like to make things as gifts and make a few clothes for myself. I've sewn custom clothing for others, like figure skating outfits, Hallowe'en costumes, prom dresses, and other special occasions. But I haven't done that for a long time.
A: Sometimes but I like to make things as gifts and make a few clothes for myself. I've sewn custom clothing for others, like figure skating outfits, Hallowe'en costumes, prom dresses, and other special occasions. But I haven't done that for a long time.
Q: What else can you sew?
A: I've made all kinds of bags and sewn things for home decorating. I used to make bags to make money to buy more materials to make clothes and more bags. When I was going to school, I'd take the bags with me and sell them to other students. I usually sold them all before I went home.
A: I've made all kinds of bags and sewn things for home decorating. I used to make bags to make money to buy more materials to make clothes and more bags. When I was going to school, I'd take the bags with me and sell them to other students. I usually sold them all before I went home.
...to be continued
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