Friday, August 6, 2010

Member Interview

1973














Hi there! Please tell us a bit about yourself.
Hello! My name is Colette and I live in Mount Shasta, California. Raw Art Letterpress is my main Etsy shop. 
 
abandon de creance (forgive the debt)

'Raw Art' is basically defined as art made by the unschooled artist, that would be me. I took a printmaking class but because I'm not a very precise person and I don't follow directions well. I hated it, never turned in an assignment and failed the class. I did have an idea of what I wanted my prints to look like so I began experimenting. Eventually I found my way to what I call the 'raw art letterpress process.' 

rubber stamp version of silent













My prints are made entirely by hand - I cut the plates from cardboard, I cut out every letter and shape and I press each print with my own two hands. The final product has a lot of quirks, I like to think of them as perfectly imperfect. The style isn't for everyone, but it works well for me ... especially the part where I make it up as I go along!

Most of my prints have words and most of them are my own 'sayings' but I also make prints of other people's quotes and a lot of custom prints. I get so many requests for faith-based and recovery quotes that I just opened a second shop called Pure Heart Letterpress that is dedicated to inspirational work.

How did you learn about Etsy Project Embrace?
I learned about EPE through treasury making. I liked the sport old treasury system - it is through the enthusiastic comments of so many EPE members that I discovered the team.

l'amore (love that moves the sun and other stars)













Around the same time I made a print for my friend whose wife has had cancer for many years. They have a wonderful relationship and the first thing that came to mind for them was Dante's "Love that moves the sun and other stars." After that I wrote to Kristin at LoveArtWorks and joined up. 

What is your favorite item in your shop at the moment? 

my first wordprint from 1998
The print that is most significant to me is "Silent-Listen." It was the first wordprint I made back in 1998 from hand cut rubber stamps. The words have the same letters in a different arrangement. I have found that one of the most difficult things to do is to just be present with another person, to listen and say nothing at all. This Quaker quote says it a bit more eloquently: "to listen a soul into disclosure and discovery is the greatest service one human being can do for another."

What is your favorite possession, and why do you cherish it? 
I would be sad to lose the first necklace my sister at Lulu Bug Jewelry made from my 'Speak Love' print.

What do you collect? 
It seems I've started a sea glass collection - I have a few pieces from Latvia via Rita from her alatvian store and Peggy at TheBeadAeire just sent me a wonderful gift - two pieces of sea glass made into a necklace.

Do you have a blog?
Yes ~ http://rawartletterpress.blogspot.com 

Where would you like to be and what do you hope to be doing ten years from now?
I'd like to be making prints and living in a beautiful place ... sort of like I do now!

my live-work dome in winter
inside the dome
Anything you'd like to add?
I have really enjoyed getting to know other Etsy sellers and that has mainly come about through treasury making especially with EPE members. I know so many people from all over the world, and the majority of them I have met through EPE. When I became an Etsy seller about a year ago, I had no idea that I would find such a wonderful community. Seeing people's art or their selection of vintage pieces reveals a lot about who we are and offers an opportunity to really get to know people - something I didn't think was possible to do on the internet!

the view from the dome
Etsy and EPE specifically have been great blessings to me - it is really uplifting to get a note from a team member or to be able to create a treasury with pieces made from such wonderful people. I look forward to getting to know more EPE members. thanks for all your love and support, I certainly have received much more than I have offered.

turkish quote 'peace at home, peace in the world'

17 comments:

  1. Yay, Colette! How wonderful to see you here! I love your work and the love and spirit out of which it comes! Thanks, Mollie, for another fine interview. SO nice to learn more aboout that cute red haired girl!

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  2. So nice to know you Colette! You are such a great artist, loved your work!

    I really love the interviews as they make me feel much closer to you all!! Thank you Mollie for your hard work!

    And a lovely weekend for you all!

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  3. Great interview, and so nice to learn more about the fabulous Colette and her work! (love the photo too!!!) Thank you so much, Mollie!

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  4. Great interview ladies! What a fab place to live and work. So nice to learn a little about you.

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  5. another great interview! hope you are where ever you want to be in the future...

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  6. Wonderful interview. Love Colette and Sue!
    "Must be present to win" is my favorite piece of hers.
    xo

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  7. Great interview - thanks Colette & Mollie!
    & Mount Shasta too - how wonderful to have that amazing view!!!! Was there about 12 years ago & really loved it - remember walking around in deep snow in the middle of summer with hot springs bubbling away - seemed bonkers, but so very beautiful too...
    Sam x

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  8. Wow, Colette!! I love your home dome!! And your prints are wonderful, too!
    Thanx again, Mollie, for helping us to know each other better...

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  9. Wonderful interview! Nice to know you Collete!
    XOXO
    Uyen

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  10. What a lovely and insightful interview - I thoroughly enjoyed getting to 'know' you a bit better, Colette! Your home is amazing.. and of course you know I love your work!

    Thanks, Mollie, for another great interview. You're the EPE Barbara Walters (and I mean that in a good way ; D )

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  11. hello - thanks for all your sweet comments! it has been really amazing getting to know everyone - what a team! xox colette

    ps that's me in 2009 :)

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  12. AWESOME!! You Rock Colette and it was so great to read more about the woman behind the Printmaking curtain!! Your Art is a true Inspiration to me and your sense of humor and incredible personality shine through here in the interview!!
    Right on Mollie....Excellent as always!!
    xoxo

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  13. Hi Colette! Thanks for sharing your story. It was very interesting and I love your art! :)

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  14. It's so much fun to read about the interviewee's and from their own words--thank you Mollie and Colette!

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  15. This made for such a good read, thanks for sharing! Your home looks beautiful, amazing!!!

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  16. AWEsome interview! Love all the process descriptions, the photos of home and view, and simply learning about a teammie I don't really know at all! Thanks for sharing!

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  17. Your "perfectly imperfect" prints are so fresh and joyful! They have some spirit or soul ; )) And your live-work dome in winter looks so cozy and inviting ; ))
    Wish you a lot of good luck and succes in Etsy and EPE

    Maria
    SingingScarves

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