Artist-to-Artist

Good Morning and Welcome to Artist-to-Artist.

This morning we have with us Hafapea from Bradenton, Florida, United States

Aloramyst: In your opinion what is art?

Hafapea: In my opinion, art is any form of expression that allows one to manifest what they think, feel or see within into some form of tangible reality.  Some art I love, and some I can’t even appreciate (of my own and of other people’s) but, to me, the best thing about art is its subjectivityJ.

Aloramyst: Who or what first introduced you to creating art?

Hafapea: I can’t remember anyone or anything that introduced me to creating art, but the first person to ever encourage me was a teacher that I had in the tenth grade of high school- Mrs. Ariadne Grabnor.  I loved herJ.

Aloramyst: Why did you choose to create in this choice of medium?

Hafapea: I have and do create in mediums other than digital, but nowhere near as prolifically.  I love creating digital art because of the fluidity with which I can manipulate the images and the ease with which I can “undo” any changes that I make.  Ctrl+Z is far superior to a pencil eraser! *lol*

Aloramyst: What software programs have you experimented with? And which is your favorite?

Hafapea: The first graphics art program that I ever used is MSPaint.  The first computer I ever used it on was a 486 – yep, I’m old *lol* since then, I’ve discovered and fallen in love with Paint Shop Pro.  I’ve used versions 7 through X2, but 9 is the one I like best.  I haven’t really used anything else other than Apophysis long enough to learn it.  I’ve tried Daz, Poser and Maya and found that 3D art just isn’t my thing.  Based on the artwork that I’ve seen, I’d like to learn how to use Terragen, though, and hope to start on that soon.  I’m also thinking of giving Photoshop a go if for no other reason than I own it. *lol* Apophysis is another program that I already love, though.  I’m a die-hard fan of all things magickal and mystical and, to me, there is nothing more “Zen” than creating arbitrary works of light and then manipulating them into my personal style of artwork (in PSP, of course J) .

Aloramyst: What inspires and motivates you to create?

Hafapea: Life, love, peace, harmony, and joy.  Unlike many artists, I can only create when I’m feeling good and I do my best work when I’m feeling connected to spirit – channeling my muse, so to speakJ.  Other than that, other artists - I strive to be as good as those that I loveJ.

Aloramyst: Who is your favourite artist? What is it about their work that you love?

Hafapea: Oh dang, now that’s a long list! *lol*  I have more favorites than I could possibly name here, but the one thing that they all have in common is that they create positive, fantasy pieces of work.  What I love about each and every one of them is the way that they completely suit my mood at the time that they are appealing to me.  Right now Jody Bergsma is whose work I’ve been the most drawn towards – specifically her totemic nature pieces.  I’m feeling a bit magically meditative right now.

Aloramyst: Have you set any goals for yourself as an artist? If so, what are you working towards achieving?

Hafapea: Hmm…no, not really.  I’m not the goal setting type.  I do, however, work at honing my skills and learning new ways to digitally express myself almost daily.  In addition to just playing on my own, I’m almost always enrolled in at least one art class and am a member of the design teams for a few online leisure groups as well.

Aloramyst: Do you create art in other mediums? 

Hafapea: Yes, art and crafts.  I like to draw in pencil, colored and graphite, paint with oils, cut and glue paper (create collages and scrapbook pages), weave beads, design patterns for and sew cross-stitch, fold origami, and much more.

Aloramyst: Is your artwork for sale? Where can people see or purchase your artwork?

Hafapea: Yes, I’ve just started selling my work on the internet.  I have two shops, one is on Zazzle at

http//www.zazzle.com/hafapea* and the other is on DeviantArt at http//www.hafapea.deviantart.com/store/

Aloramyst: What are your recommendations and/or advice to other artists? 

Hafapea: Create – just create and create and create.  You will know no greater joy – regardless of what other people thinkJ.

Aloramyst: Is there anything about being an artist that you would like to know more about? 

Hafapea: Nope, just the impossible: I would love to know how my favorite artists do what they doJ.  With some of them, their techniques are based more in skill and knowledge and are, therefore, something that I can actually learn, but with others, all I can do is admire them with awe.

Aloramyst: Which promotional tools have been the most effective for you?

Hafapea: I don’t know.  I’m not even sure that I use promotional tools yet.  I literally just started my shops a month ago and am still feeling my way through the learning process.  Marketing and business are not something that I’ve ever enjoyed learning about or doing *snore* so it’s going to be a long process! *lol*  I have a Web site that my shops are linked to: http/www./designsby.hafapea.com, I use links in my email signature, and I’ve joined about a dozen blogs that I never post to, but that I’ve linked to my shops – I’m not much of a blogger either *lol*  Other than that, I join Zazzle fan clubs.  I have ordered some business cards to start leaving about my town, but I’m still waiting on them.  I’m probably going to end up having to take a class in e-marketing and use my site to fulfill the assignment requirements in order to really get things set up right, though.

Thank you Hafapea for being with us here and sharing your talent with all us. The marketing aspect, I agree, can be a very long process and I will snore with you! lol Wishing you much success in the future.