Summer Artist Feature: Marisa from Creative Thursday!

You'll be sure to love this pretty lady and all of her adorable paintings! She's so inspiring and is full of new ideas every time I read her blog. Full of adventure, life, and discovery...Marisa!

1. What is your favorite kind of art to create?

Oh, so hard to decide. The longer I create, or should say, trust my own creativity the more I want to try so many different kinds of mediums. I'd say that my heart always returns back to painting...but I will also say that right now as I write this, I can't wait to explore more with sewing...big plans, always big plans!

2. What most inspires you?

Feeling happy and grounded. Because feeling this way is when I'm the most open to inspiration, the inspiration that is around me every day which can include a little of everything, from nature to dirty dishes :)

3. Who are your favorite artists (or art blogs)?

I'm usually hesitant to make lists of favorites, because there are always so many and I don't want to leave anyone out. So for this list, just a couple of "favorites" ~ artists who are just as inspiring in person as they are on their blogs.

Swirly Girlhttp://swirlygirl.typepad.com/swirly_girl/

Maya Madehttp://mayamade.blogspot.com/

4. What's some of the best advice you've ever been given?
"Just do what's in front of you" I think sometimes in life we think we have to everything all figured out, but the truth is we can simply take one step at a time.

5. What MUST be in your studio/work space?
A little wooden art block carved and painted with flowers that I bought in a charming little husband and wife owned art store just down from the Duomo in Florence Italy

6. Favorite drink: Red wine

7. Top 5 creative music:

Coldplay, Imogen Heap aka Frou Frou, Soundtracks, many, many, many especially "Shopgirl", Simon & Garfunkel, Nina Simone

8. What is a typical day like for you?

When do you make time to be creative?My typical day is that it is never typical or predictable. This is exciting and sometimes overwhelming. And overwhelming is when the business I am running begins to take over the creativity that I want, actually need to express. I find I get overwhelmed when I'm not taking enough time for me, enough time to create. I mention this, because my focus these "typical" days is to do everything I can to keep creativity a top priority.

9. Why do you create?

Because I love it, and I can't help but do it.

10. What advice do you have for artists who are just getting started?

Be yourself both personally and creatively and find a way to share that genuinely online.

11. What made you decide to do podcasts?

I've always been a big believer in following your dreams and it took me so many tries to get here, that I knew if I made it I would do whatever I could to tell people, that they "can do it too!"

12. Who inspires your characters?

You know I've never thought of who inspires them. To be honest they are probably little representations of me looking back at me when I paint them.

13. What's your newest art adventure?

My e-course. "In the Fish Bowl. Life as an Artist Online" which has inspired My video blogging experiment for 30 days...just 21 more to go ;)

14. What's your favorite thing about what you do?

Being creative.

15. How can someone order your artwork?

They can find most of my original paintings at my websitehttp://www.creativethursday.com/ And prints along with other original creations from ceramics to softies at my Etsy shop http://www.creativethursday.etsy.com/
Thank you Molly!!