Betsy's work is so bright and colourful, it looks like it popped out of a children's book! It reminds me of the work of Eric Carle (an early influence of mine), and it's the kind of work that makes you smile immediately.
Betsy Thompson, urchinmama
www.flickr.com/photos/urchinmama/, betsythompsonstudio.etsy.com
Portland, Maine
Q: Describe your work in 10 words or less.
A: Colorful, organic, nature, story-telling, ocean, family, home, quirky, droll, expressionistic.
Q: What do you like to work with (magazines, photographs, vintage)? Be specific!
A: I like to work with a wide range of paper--everything from origami paper, handmade and other art paper, vintage textbooks, language dictionaries, and atlases--to recycled brown shopping bags. New ideas for collages are often inspired by the old books that I find at yard sales and thrift shops.
Q: How long have you been creating collages and what made you start?
A: I started creating mixed media collages about 18 months ago. In the past, I have done a lot with printmaking, drawing and painting and though I love all of these mediums, I was still searching. As a mixed media artist, the act of creating new work sustains me. I have never felt as passionate about an art form as I do about creating collages.
Q: Are you solely an artist, or do you work in another profession?
A: I used to be a teacher and now do some educational consulting with a few individual families and some educational programs as well as homeschooling my own two children. Most of my "work" time is devoted to the studio and creating collages.
Q: Do you have any formal art training?
A: No.
A: I start with a birch plywood panel or canvas and begin by painting with acrylic paint, usually two layers of colour. From there, I cut and lay out papers working from a sketch or just an idea. I mess around with the paper for hours, days, or weeks. Everything is adhered to the canvas or panel with Mod Podge.
Q: Describe your favourite piece ever created.
A: My favorite piece is usually one I am currently working on, and I am often working on between 2-7 pieces at any one time. My favorite pieces are works that inspire me to try new techniques, and explore new themes.
Q: What other artists do you admire?
A: There are definitely too many to name but I'll try to list a few. In no particular order: Paul Klee, Alice & Martin Provensen, Charley Harper, Brian Wildsmith, Kveta Tacovska, Lisbeth Zwerger, Amedeo Modigliani, Pablo Picasso, Wassily Kandinksky, Eric Carle, Ed Emberley, Henri Matisse, Sara Midda, Alberto Giacometti, Henry Moore, William Steig, and Alexander Calder. Another huge source of inspiration is Flickr where I have found countless artists who I admire.
Thanks Betsy!
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