Molly Childers : Creative Careers : Deanne Fitzpatrick Interview : Page 2

Creating a Fun, Fabulous Career in the Arts

Hooked: An Interview with Deanne Fitzpatrick

By Molly Anderson-Childers

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Q: The colors in your work are so rich and vibrant. Do you work with a palette of yarn, a color wheel, or other tools to help create the color scheme for each piece? Are there any special materials you work with? What are the supplies needed to create a basic piece?

A: Color for me is completely intuitive. The more you use your intuition with it the better you get at using it. I keep a palette of colors available to me.

Q: When you’re in the studio, what aspects of your environment are most important to you? (Lighting, music, time of day…?)

A: The morning light. Right after my walk, I faithfully go to the studio and sit to work.

Q: Do you listen to music while you work? What type of music makes you feel inspired, creative, juicy, and ready to work?

A: It is not an important part of my work.

Q: Any advice for our readers who want to begin working in this media? How have you created such a successful career for yourself — is there a “secret” to what you do?

A: I work really hard, and have a very strong focus. Focus is everything, it makes all the difference for artists. I think working on staying focused and being committed is good advice for any discipline.

Q: Do you ever feel stuck, blah, or just plain bored with it all? How do you pull yourself out of the doldrums and return to a place of inspiration, productive creative work, and juicy ideas?

A: I go to art galleries, take a break, read a mystery novel. I never force myself to work when I don’t feel like it. I sometimes make a really large simple mat of squares or circles in a modern way to step back from ideas. I really love this type of project, as I can use my color sense and hands but not get bogged down by ideas.

Q: Do you handle all aspects of this business yourself? If not, who composes your team? (Agents, managers, accountants, etc.) Did you start out doing it all alone?

A: I started out alone. I have four part-time studio assistants, and someone who does the books now.

Q: Who are the writers and artists that feed your creative fire and inspire you to create such beautiful works of art?

A: There are too many to name. I really liked John O’Donohue’s book, “Beauty”. It got me rethinking some things. I look at lots of art books but rarely read them — I am motivated by the images. I like many different artists. Famous or not, they just need to be edgy and interesting.

Q: Many artists find that it’s a challenge to balance their personal lives and careers — has this been tough for you? What is your best way to handle such stressors?

A: I walk four or five miles a day. It is good emotionally and physically.

Q: What’s your favorite guilty pleasure?

A: Novels, sweets, and nonsense, and the occasional magazine.

Q: How do you spoil yourself?

A: I buy art, and new tops to wear with my Levis…

Q: What helps you stay fresh and juicy and full of fabulous ideas?

A: I read a lot of non fiction, I listen to people, and I keep my eyes wide open all the time just like Johnny Cash told me to do.

Q: Is there a spiritual or healing dimension to this work for you? It seems as though it would be a very calming and meditative experience to create these beautiful hooked rugs.

A: All art is a bit of a prayer. It keeps me close to God. I am inspired by the beauty around me.

Q: Some Native American weavers purposely weave a flaw into their designs in order to acknowledge that they are human, fallible, and imperfect themselves. To create a perfect piece is to offend the Creator. Can you speak to that philosophy? Do you strive for perfection or humanity? Are there flaws and mistakes in your work, as well? Do you find that these flaws make a work more personal or meaningful?

A: We are all flawed. Everything is flawed. I don’t believe in perfection, just beauty. I believe in beauty.

Q: During different phases of your career, you’ve faced different challenges and experienced many types of success. What is your definition of success now, as opposed to ten years ago?

A: My definition of success has not changed. Are the ten people around me happy? Am I happy? Can I do what I want to do with my days? Can I follow ideas around another bend freely? This is success.

Q: What are some of the challenges you faced as a young woman, just starting her art career? How do they differ from the challenges you face as an established artist today? What has been the most rewarding aspect of creating this beautiful and fascinating body of work?

A: As a young artist, recognition is a big challenge, and it continues for mature artists. I think there is so much visual stimulation for people these days it is now harder to get people to pay attention to visual art. Pretty things on paper are everywhere…why should anyone take notice?

Q: What is your greatest source of inspiration?

A: The world around me, nature, and the people who inhabit it. I love land, especially fields. I find that a bunch of scrub and brush is a beautiful thing. It changes all day long with the light. I love the smell of fresh air on a person. It makes me want to hold them. •

To learn more about this fabulous artist, subscribe to her newsletter, or see and purchase Deanne Fitzpatrick’s work online, please visit her website at www.hookingrugs.com. Read more of Deanne's articles and book excerpts on the Creativity Portal.

© 2008 Molly J. Anderson-Childers

Creativity Portal hopes you enjoyed this feature, which is copyright © Molly Anderson-Childers and not available for reprint on your Web site, blog, or publication. Please respect the creator's copyright by not duplicating this material elsewhere.

About the Author | More by Molly Anderson-Childers
Molly J. Anderson-Childers is a wildly creative soul living in Durango, CO. She is a writer, artist, and creative arts instructor. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Fort Lewis College with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, and successfully completed their Elementary Teacher Education Program. Her work has appeared in various publications, including The Durango Telegraph, Southwest Colorado Arts Perspective, Images, Voice Be Heard, The Four Corners Business Journal and On the Wings of Poetry. To contact Ms. Childers, please email her at: stealingplums@yahoo.com or send a snail mail to P.O. Box 4281, Durango, CO 81302-4281.

01/08/08