Monday's mini-interview with Dee Larson-Sullivan

What inspires you? I am inspired visually by interesting design and architecture , vivid colours against a light background; the beauty of nature; well designed textiles and wonderful papers that are patiently waiting to be re-used and turned into art. I think it is a mix of the smell of incense and the sound of happy or harmonious (usually acoustic) music that inspires me to wake up and make something. I also tend to be inspired by thoughts of God , family and nature. Beyond those, I guess a sweet cup of chai or cinammon mocha will inspire when nothing else will do.

How do you turn your inspiration into art?

I am not sure how inspiration morphs into art. I guess the visual stimulation mixed with sweet scent and sounds get my creative engine started and the concepts of life experience naturally flood canvas, clay or paper in an interesting and sometimes lovely way. Often times inspiration will take some time to build and then overflow into a piece of art. With me it never seems that anything is quick or instant in its effect. Inspiration mixes with all that is going on in my life until it becomes an interesting recipe cooking in my heart and mind and later in the art 'oven' of my kitchen/studio. (which is really our kitchen table or office desk...not glamorous but it works for me)

How do you balance art and family life?

~Haha! Balance is not something I have attained yet. In our home it usually goes something like a teeter totter. If it is summer I work on art around 11pm-1am (if I am not sleeping or exhausted). In the fall and onwards while the older children are in school I take 2 or 3 days a week during our baby, Bella's, afternoon naps, and that is my creative playtime. Don (my love) is really great at taking me out on dates or exploration ploys, at least once a week , to keep the inspiration coming, and I probably spend 2 hours on the computer in the morning blogging or reading other artist's ideas on life, which also helps in the inspiration department. I guess that could be construed as balance, with four children and all that life entails, balance for us is fitting in what we love whenever we can.

Thank you Dee so much for this short but sweet glimpse into your life and art!

When I was in art-school I was warned that having children and making art were an either/or. It is absolutely wonderous to see how many of us decided to juggle both, even if at times it seems impossible and overwhelming... What I was thinking about when looking at Dee's artwork is how really her life, children, wonderings, and all, do make their way into her art that beams with playfulness , and a spirit of joy and exploration.

You can take a better look of Dee's artwork and blog here and here.