FEATURED ARTIST :: Yann Pendaries

I always enjoy perusing the work of this week's featured artist, Yann Pendaries.  Every photo is like walking into a snapshot of someone's dream.  There's always an air of beautiful and inviting mystery.  If you haven't already discovered his inspiring work, I hope you'll take a moment now. 

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

A random fun fact about yourself:
Once during a trip to Germany I was looking for my train in Koln train station, and I did not speak German (and still don't!) so I decided to ask my way in English to an employee of the station, but my English is about as good as my German, suddenly instead of saying: "I have a problem" I said to the stationmaster, "I'm a problem," the stationmaster directs me to a window behind which was a man in uniform and there I thought I would go to jail as mad, but the station master made me understand my nicely with gestures where I should go and how to get the right train.  I swear I felt very very ridiculous, I laughed all alone and I think people really took me for a fool.

The first 3 random words that pop into your mind:
walking, spring, bike

What's your favorite read of all time?
a book on the history of Paris, because I love my city, which is full of unusual stories

Any guilty pleasures?
chocolate! I have a very sweet tongue ;o)

If you could be any place in the world right now, where would it be?
Island is in a beautiful area that I do not know, but someday I hope to go in this country that looks magical

(Ok, now onto business)
How would you describe your work?
exciting

How long have you been at it?
I've been taking photos since my childhood – but I have been working in this field for about 8 years now.

So for you, is it an innate talent or practice makes perfect?
I think it is at first a natural talent but then practice does perfect is like a musical instrument, the more we work on it, the best you play.

Do you dabble in any other forms of art?
I tried music, I learned to play accordion for a while, but I have no ear for music and I broke the ears of my next-door neighbors so I prefer to listen to others ;o)

From where/how do you find inspiration?
On random walks or meetings. I don't look for it usually, I happen on it.

What was your most memorable creative experience?
When I went the first time to the home country of my mother, in Czech Republic where I discovered a magical culture and landscapes.

Any memorable low points that you've learned from?
Not having my camera and seeing a scene unfold before my eyes without being able to grasp and put a half second on a picture for life.

What is your formula for success?
passion

Was there a moment when you realized that you'd achieved success?
Success is a difficult thing to achieve, and one must be patient, very patient.

Any advice for those having a bad case of artist woes?
Sometimes when I'm feeling a little down, because I can not find the inspiration, I do not seek to provoke it, but simply let it come to me, eg from walking around the city, and often it lifts my spirits because I managed to make some good photos.

When not hard at work on your designs, what would we most likely find you doing?
Walking around the streets of paris, seeking inspiration... or just enjoying the moment!

In a parallel universe where you are not an amazing artist, what would you be?
A hot-air balloon, for everyone likes watching a balloon go in the sky, a balloon is a direct meeting with nature, it's light, the silence is reassuring when you see a balloon in the sky, all the men stop to watch, I'm sure if men were fighting and a balloon would pass over their heads they would stop and peace for a little while... unfortunately I have never been in a hot-air balloon .. yet!

What are some of your favorite etsy shops?
http://www.etsy.com/shop/malam 
http://www.etsy.com/shop/philippesarts
http://www.etsy.com/shop/TimothyAdamDesigns
http://www.etsy.com/shop/munieca
http://www.etsy.com/shop/cerriousdesign
http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheNebulousKingdom
and many more

What's at the top of your etsy wish list?
That everyone would find its place and can live of his art, sharing this passion with others.

And, as a fun tribute to my inner psychologist, what might this be?  
I see a source of creativity as an eye looking to add color in the blank white square which represents the universe around us.

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

Yann, your work is brilliant.  Thank you for letting us take a peek at the man behind the camera!  :)