FEATURED ARTIST :: brownbunnybyiris

This week's featured artist is the lovely Iris of brownbunnybyiris. She's so much fun, free spirited, and such a warm presence that it's probably unlikely that you haven't at least heard of her already. And this spirit is definitely reflected in her wonderful creations (not to mention the creative titles for those creations!). And something that I just discovered is that Iris is also an amazing painter! I'm so thrilled that she took some time to answer my questions. Thank you, Iris! :)




......................... the interview .........................

A random fun fact about yourself:
I'm the one who laughs the loudest when watching a movie at the theatres.

The first 3 random words that pop into your mind:
Sunshine, boudoir, movies.

What's your favorite read of all time?
My favorite read of all time is The Teachings of Don Juan by Carlos Castaneda. It taught me a lot about life.

Any guilty pleasures?
I love to be lazy although I always feel a bit guilty.

If you could be any place in the world right now, where would it be?
I lived for 2 years in Santa Fe, NM. It's the most enchanting place on earth for me. That's where I would like to be right now!

(Ok, now onto business)
How would you describe your work?
There is chaos around me. I have to cut through it! A hat is born!
As a designer, artist and creator I'm always experimenting with form and material, hoping to inspire. My biggest passion is designing hats. I love to make a dressed up person complete like putting the dot on the I.

How long have you been at it?
I honestly can say for ever! My first doll was African American and I loved to make dresses for her. Later I graduated from a fashion design school in Vienna, which gave me the necessary technical know how and back ground.

So for you, is it an innate talent or practice makes perfect?
It's definitely both :-)

From where/how do you find inspiration?
The moment I open my eyes in the morning I get inspired. I start the day with Sufi Whirlings. They put me in the mood of a child. Everything will inspire me. It can be the change of the weather, the vegetables I buy at the Turkish market, the colors of the flowers or the song I'm listening to.

What was your most memorable creative experience?
My most memorable creative experience was when I went for 3 weeks in solitude in a little hut, working on a series of shields I painted for an exhibition.

What do you do when your inspiration and creativity is tapped?
If my creativity is tapped, I treat myself to something beautiful. I definitely dress myself up, use fragrances and make up, cook something very beautiful and share it with a close person. Normally this helps to get me back into creative mood!

Any memorable low points that you've learned from?
I remember once when I couldn't create for a whole year. I just had to accept it. It felt like a necessary rest.

What is your formula for success?
My formula for success is creating only for yourself without being influenced by the norms of the society. Just designing dreams!

Was there a moment when you realized that you'd achieved success?
There are many moments in my life where I realize that I have achieved success. It depends of course on the definition of success. Success for example for me can be when I get people interested in my work. Success can also be when I sell my creations. Both happened very often in my life.

Any advice for those having a bad case of artist woes?
I wouldn't take it too serious!

When not hard at work on your designs, what would we most likely find you doing?
Meeting people, go out into the world and listen to what other people have to say, see what other people create! Watch a movie!

In a parallel universe where you are not an amazing artist, what would you be?
I would be a singer or dancer!

Anything else you'd like to add that I didn't ask about?
I'm also a painter.
http://www.irisartist.com

What are some of your favorite etsy shops?
GEOmetricSTYLE.etsy.com
decoratethediva.etsy.com
Meetalls.etsy.com
maclancy.etsy.com

What's at the top of your etsy wish list?
Not to expand that fast:-) which is probably not realistic.

Any suggestions for my next featured artist?
What about ArtMind.etsy.com



And, as a fun tribute to my inner psychologist... "what might this be?"

For me that's the universe!








.......................... end interview .........................