Tell All Tuesday ~ Featured Artist: Malinda Kopec

Hey guys, how is you artful week going so far?? Mine has been pretty slow, I *want* to do so much, yet life just doesn't seem to want to play ball...always is the case when I've a million and one ideas whirling around in my head & a frustratingly slow pace at which they are getting done! Ugh! One thing I have done though for my arty life is join pinterest, where I'll be pinning everything artified ~ I know not much but at least it's something lol you can find my boards here! And secondly I'm doing this interview with the lovely Malinda! (yes I am counting it :p) so that's 2 arty points to Jennibellie lol over to Malinda...

Tell us a little bit about yourself & what kind of artist you are.

I am a mixed media artist who leans toward acrylics. My interests are all over the place so one day I could be snapping photo's and doing digital work on them and the next I could be painting an abstract or creating a pair of earrings. I have always loved art and liked 'making do' - making something out of nothing ; ) I think mixed media allows for that passion in me. I also love to do semi realistic portraits, a lady with butterfly's for hair, that sort of thing. 

I have been married to a wonderful supportive man for 18 years now and we just moved to my homestate of Michigan from his homestate of New Jersey. He says "It snows EVERY DAY in Michigan" and I have to admit this year it just about has, lol! We have 2 cats and a dog that are our babies, no diapers for us, hehe!

What is the biggest challenge you personally face as an artist and how do you overcome it? 

The biggest challenge I face as an artist is the self confidence! Am I really an artist just because I throw paint around and like to glue papers and paint over them? I overcome this by telling myself "Of course you are an artist! You are just an undiscovered artist whose art no one has found yet" hehe! I am lucky to have a great support system and when I get that hopeless feeling my family and friends quickly alleviate that by encouraging me to go on and assuring me that I DO have a modicum of talent. ; )

What other issues to you overcome to accomplish your art?

I have had a lot of issue to overcome to become an artist. Losing a job where I was allowed to work from home due to physical issues was very hard on me. I lost a lot but it did open the door for me to explore my creative side. I have fibromyalgia (I do find that a LOT of artists suffer from this disorder) so often I am working on what I can from my bed, also, I get new art supplies and promptly forget where I put them! It is maddening but i have to keep my sense of humor about it or I'd just probably be crying all day long! But, the shortcomings of my health have forced me to face the fact that I can no longer work in the 'world' so I have created my own world and art has brought so much joy and satisfaction to my life that I wouldn't trade that now.

Do you think you have achieved a uniquely recognisable style as an artist, or do you find it a struggle to find your own style? 

Have I found my style NO!! I LOVE everything! I see what other people are doing and I have to try it on like a set of clothes! I want to create beauty in every way possible! I'm all over the place and I think that is a hinderence to me because people can't readily relate to me or recognize my work. Then there is the always comparing myself to other artists, ack! I'm still a baby in this world of art so I'm hoping that before I hit 60 I have found my own way. A way that will satisfy me every day. I think that's why I'll always love mixed media most, you get to play with more stuff, hehe! 

Tell us where can we find out more about you & your art? 

You can find art that I have put for sale at www.malindaj.com and also my blog features a lot of stuff I haven't yet listed - malindaj.com/blog. I've also just started using Fine Art America and am sooo impressed with their offerings! You can get a fine print framed and matted for less than what you would pay to have just the framing and matting done at a local framing store. They have lots of options as to how you can purchase art, on canvas, fine prints, greeting cards, etc. My work can be found here http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/malinda-kopec.html.

Thank you so much Jennibelllie for allowing me to share my thoughts and feelings with your readers, I've enjoyed my time here very much!

Thank you for sharing Malinda =) I'm sorry to hear about your health issues but it seems you have created something fabulous out of the fact you have fibromyalgia ~ I can think of many 'trial & tribulation make us who we really are' quotes here lol and I think you are right, there are many artists who have fibromyalgia, or other health issues or disabilities that mean they are confined to their bed (and I'm just thinking here about a great percentage of the ladies that have emailed me directly) but I think this has something to do with the beauty & wonder of what the internet has brought into our lives. Anyone, anywhere, can be an artist. And it has not only brought art in, but also comfort and connection to others, as well as the fact we can be learning new skills or just getting inspired whenever we want, or more importantly need, to. Excellent interview Malinda, would you like to be featured on Tell All Tuesday?? >>>>>>

Email me or click the link to find all the details here =)

Much love

Jennibellie