Friday Spotlight: Dudadaze

It is an honor for me to feature a such amazing artist today. I can say she is one of my favorite one and also a role model and a inspiration for all new artists as me.
It has been difficult to have a positive response of all artist I ask for an interview so when they say yes, it makes me feel happy and enthusiastic. I know that running a business by your own implicate a lot of effort and time, so giving me that opportunity is so nice and I have only to be grateful with them.

Today's spotlight: DUDADAZE.

Name: Diane Duda

Location: Pittsburgh, PA

websites: http://www.etsy.com/shop/DUDADAZE

http://www.fiddlesticksdallas.com/diane_duda_collection_for_demdaco_at_fiddlesticks.htm

http://dudadaze.blogspot.com/

http://www.funkykits.co.uk/catalog/index.php?cPath=47_69

http://www.facebook.com/#!/DudaDaze



1. Tell us about your crafts and how you came to make them.


I wish I could say that I'm one of those people who has been drawing since I was old enough to pick up a pencil, but that's not the case.
The truth is I did not realize I had any artistic talents until about five years ago. And even then I'm not sure if I had any natural abilities. It took many bad doodles before I was confident enough to share my "silly little works of art."

There were two things that I can say really inspired me to do this. The first was Mary Englebreit's Home Companion magazine. I loved seeing not only her work, but also the work of all of the artists she showcased in her magazine.

Not long after that I discovered the wonderful world of art blogs, and decided "I think I'll be an artist!." :)
So I began with simple colored pencil drawings and have now moved on to mostly acrylic paintings on canvas and wood with touches of collage.

2. What do you enjoy most about being an artist?

Oh everything, really. I guess mostly it would be seeing an idea come to life on the canvas. Sometimes it turns out just as I imagined. Sometimes not as good. Sometimes better.
I also like being my own boss and working in my jammies. :)

3. How did you get started selling and How long have you been crafting?

In March of 2006 I started my blog so that I could participate in Illustration Friday. I thought it would be a good way to improve by challenging myself to create an original piece for each week's word prompt. After getting some encouraging feedback, I decided to take the next step and try selling on ebay. It took a little while, but I started to build a small following and went ahead and opened my Etsy shop in November of 2006.

4. What does selling on Etsy mean to you?

I probably would have given this whole thing up long ago if it weren't for Etsy. I'm a very shy person so I don't think I'd be out doing shows and such to sell my art. Online is really the only way to go for me. It enabled me to build a whole business from the comfort of my little old house by allowing me to share my art with people from all over the world.

5. Which is your favorite color and which colors do you use most in your work?

Oh I could never pick a favorite. I love them all! Which does become problematic when decorating my home. It's so hard to commit to just one color scheme when they are all so wonderful. I guess I have been better at settling on a soft color palette in my artwork though... mostly soft

6. How do you promote your work?

I mainly promote my work through my blog. I also share everything I create on Facebook and Flickr, and, if I remember, on Twitter.

7. Can you share your #1 tip for success?

Stay true to your style while still trying new things. And also be everywhere. As I mentioned above, an online presence is so important when it comes to building your business. Creating unique, original work is important, but no less important is making people aware that it exists.

8. How do you balance your life between managing your creative business and your work as a mom?

My kids are older, 18, 17, and 14, but it doesn't seem to make it any easier. Finding the time to sit down and paint can be difficult. There is always the cleaning, and laundry and running around to do. Not to mention all of the printing and packaging and listing of items involved in running an online store all by yourself.
There is a lot of multitasking involved. For instance, I'm filling a large print order as I answer these questions.
It's usually not until after dinner that I can actually find time to sit down and create something new.
But even with all that's involved in being a mom and an Etsy artist, there is nothing that I'd rather be doing.