Interview with the artist - Nora from Borealis Art

Today I'm very happy to introduce you to a lady with many talents. I met her on deviantArt and have since then looked forward to each of her new pieces.

Say hello to Nora from Borealis Art and Axis Photography 1 ... and to one of my favorite paintings of hers "Bewitching".

 

Tell us a little about who you are and where you come from?

I'm from everywhere!  I grew up all over the world.  I was exposed to so many cultures, beliefs and countries growing up that I never really felt like I belonged in a certain place.  I was born in the US, but have since decided to settle (finally!) in Canada.

 

What's your craft/art and how did you get to do it in the first place?

First and foremost, I'm a watercolour artist and utilize pointillism for effect.  I've been drawing and painting since I could hold a pencil and have the photos to prove it!  LOL  There's never been a day in my life that I didn't want to be an artist.  As a child, I had other things I considered -- but they were to be "along side" my art.

 

I think this is one of the most asked questions – where does your inspiration come from?

Our primary home address when I was growing up was Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.  I was heavily inspired by the colourful geometric shapes and patterns in Middle Eastern art and the henna patterns of the Bedouin people and East Indians.

 

Tell us a fun thing about yourself.

I'm a mother of three brilliant, beautiful children (two boys and one girl) and I'm obsessed with my three chihuahuas (one boy and two girls)!

 

Do you do other crafts, if yes, what?

I'm also a photographer, jewellery designer and make custom dolls. 

The photography kind of went along with being raised internationally.  Every country we visited or lived in was a whole new chance to whip out a camera and start taking photos.  When I was very young, my father purchased a top of the line Canon and as I got older, I was allowed to photograph alongside my parents.  The first time I was given free reign to photograph whatever I wanted was on a safari in Kenya.  My first photograph was a wee bit morbid, but still interesting to this day.  Our safari "bus" passed by an elephant skull and I hung my head out the window and snapped a photo.  I still have the photo.

 

The jewellery was originally an idea to help deal with my OCD.  I thought that the repetitive nature of stringing seed beads would help -- and while it did, I was really excited by the jewellery I created and kept going with it.  I'm actually looking into trying a new style, soutache!

 

 

The dolls began because for years in the US I made very simple "teddy bears" to donate to the local hospital for when children come in.  I decided to make one just for fun here in Canada and my husband asked me, "Why don't you do something more involved?"  From there, I created my own pattern and started making dolls depicting faeries, gypsies, witches, pixies, fauns, etc.

 

Which one of your pieces is your absolute favorite? Which one was the hardest to make and why?

You know, this is a hard question because my absolute favourites change often.  With each new piece, I learn something new and get better at reaching a goal I have set for myself.  Currently my favourite piece was also my most challenging piece, "October".  I put thirty-two hours of pointillism into the piece and then it still took another four+ hours to paint it.  I am extremely fond of that piece.  Of course, I'm also extremely fond of another recent piece, "I Remember".

 

Is there someone whom you admire and who inspires you?

I find myself inspired on a daily basis by so many artists it's tough to name them all!  I do happen to be completely in love with the Pre-Raphaelite work of John William Waterhouse.

 

If you had free choice of just one supply you can use for your craft/art, what would you be dreaming of, no matter how expensive?

 

I REALLY want a Cintiq tablet.  I'd like to give digital art a shot -- but I have a regular tablet and I can't connect what I am doing on the tablet with what is happening on the screen.  My brain just can't seem to make the connection.  On a Cintiq tablet, you draw on the tablet and you can see what you are drawing on the tablet.  It's just like drawing on digital paper!  I think it would be extremely cool to have every colour imaginable available to me with just the tap of a pen.  Being able to erase without fearing damaging the paper...  Never having to drive an hour and a half for paint or a new watercolour block!  It would be like having a never-ending supply of artist tools!

Do you sell online, if yes, where can we find you?

I have my own website where you can purchase prints and original paintings here:  http://www.norablansett.com
I have a zazzle store where you can purchase my art on various items located here:  http://www.zazzle.com/BorealisArt

Is there anything you feel you need or want to tell the world outside now?

Get out there and create! ❤