Jane LaFazio - San Diego, CA

1.  What do you call yourself - art wise?  A mixed media artist. Then I elaborate, stating that I paint watercolor, work in collage and make art quilts.
2.  How do you jump start your creativity when you are in a slump?   Just walk in the door to my studio. There’s always an unfinished project to get my attention, or a book or magazine open to some technique I want to try.
3.  If money wasn't an issue, what would you do with your art?   Same as I do now, sell it, write about, enter it in juried exhibitions.
4.  Do you keep a sketchbook, journal, etc.?   Yes, I sketch and watercolor the details of my life.
5.  Where can people see your other work this year?  shows, books, magazines, etc
Big news is my brand new DVD “Art Journaling to Art ~Drawing, Watercolor, and More Techniques for the Mixed-Media Artist with Jane LaFazio” from Interweave. I’m also in Quilting Arts magazine this year. My quilt “Eucalyptus Zen” from Dinner at Eight’s Edges exhibition was juried into Quilt Visions 2010: No Boundaries this year, and now is in “San Diego Art Institute 51st Annual International Exhibition.”
 6.  Do you teach?  where?  I’m teaching a lot this summer! at CREATE in Southern California and Chicago;  a retreat Utah, Art Unraveled in Phoenix; Art & Soul in Portland; wet felting in Idyllwild, California…My teaching schedule is here and I’d love to see you in one of my workshops! Oh, and join me in Italy in 2012!
7.  Is there a particular artist who had influenced you in your art life? and why?  Danny Gregory 
8. Where or what show do you hope your work will be in someday?   Hmm. Good question. I’m not a setting goals type of person. I just work hard, doing what I love, and I usually say ‘yes’ to opportunities that will either, a)make me happy,  b) make me happy AND earn some money, c) make me happy AND advance my art career.   I guess shows aren’t on my radar (other than Dinner at Eight exhibitions!). I’d love to teach at Penland, or John C Campbell…
9.  Describe your studio workspace.  A dedicated space for my artwork in my home. Probably measures 10x12’ and is full of supplies, artwork, and artwork in progress, a tv. Definitely a working studio, rarely clean enough for company.
10.  What 3 tools could you not live without?   Needle, variegated perle cotton embroidery thread size 12, and scissors.
11.  What drives you to make the work that you do?   I don’t know. I just love to make things.
12.  How do you balance your life?   A loving, supportive husband helps a lot. I’m organized, I  prioritize. I try to include play in my life. I do yoga. There are times when I’m ridiculously busy and over committed, and I try to prepare in advance, and then just be in the moment, enjoy the experience for what it is, and most importantly, include some laughter in whatever I’m doing.

http://JaneVille.blogspot.com
http://www.JaneLaFazio.com
co-rep SAQA SoCaL/So Nev
http://saqasocal.blogspot.com/