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Q1 Could you tell us your career as an artist? Where did you study? What was your major or specialization?
I studied art at the San Francisco Art Institute. I majored in interdisciplinary art-which means I was able to tailor my art studies to include a multitude of interests. I studied painting, printmaking, ceramics, and photography. Most of my emphasis was in printmaking and painting- the two disciplines I primarily use today. My art career is really in its infancy. Right out of college, I worked in a quirky gallery in San Francisco, which is torture for an artist who wants to make art, not sell it. Then I had two children and during their early years I made the decision to devote my energy to raising them. During their toddler years I did manage to create some art - because I really can't live without it. But only in the past three few years since my son and daughter have both been in school full time have I rekindled my career in earnest. And I am happily now a full time artist and illustrator. And, of course, also a 24/7 mom. |
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Q2 How did you get involved in art? Do you have mentors? If so, who are they?
From a very young age I knew I would be an artist. When I was a child, a few of my mother's artist friends predicted I would join their ranks. I'm not sure if this was due to my aptitude for drawing or if they were just psychic. My mom tells stories about my painting and drawing on the walls of our childhood home. My parents bought a beautiful, dilapidated Victorian, and before they fixed it up, its walls were my floor-to-ceiling childhood easel. Art has always been a part of my life. I really couldn't imagine any other calling. I certainly can't type to save my life. (My husband actually typed all of this for me. Thank you, Jack). Amy Ruppel, a fellow Portland artist, has been a wonderful mentor. She invited me to be a guest artist for one of her monthly online sales. The exposure generated through her website helped jump-start my career. |
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Q6 What does your average day entail? Could you explain?
My day begins with the mad dash to get my kids ready and off to school. When the house is quiet, I complete office work such as answering e-mails, fulfilling print orders, updating my online shops, or researching new markets and developing new products for my etsy shop. After my busy work is done I get to have fun making monoprints, gessoing boards, or waxing works. Then before I know it, it's time to pick up the kids, and start my second job-parenting, and wifedom. I cart the kids around and whip up a lovely meal. After the kids are off to bed, I may try to finish some more work, or I may spend some time with my husband.
Q7 Who is your favorite artist?
I love the illustrator, Brian Cronin's, work. His use of color is inspiring as well as his ability to tell a story through an image. also adore Charley Harper's work. He is able to distill nature into very simple and lovely paintings. |
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Q8 Could you describe your designing process?
I use ink and watercolor pencil, and gouache to make monotypes. then mount the monotypes on wood and layer then with pastels and wax. I never really work on one piece from start to finish. First, I workon the monoprints for several pieces. Then I gesso the boards and mount the art on the boards for several pieces, and finally I wax some pieces. I like to batch process my work. My favorite part of the design process is beginning a piece. I love to see how a piece takes shape and I'm always excited about where the piece will take me and how one piece leads to another in a series.
Q9 What is your future vison?
I like to live in the present. That being said I can see in the near future working on more large scale works. And I also have some ideas for sculptural pieces using wax. Beyond that, we will just have to see where the wind blows me, hopefully not to far from my present course. |
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Hadley lives her dream working as an illustrator and artist in her hometown, Portland, OR. Her work is a blend of traditional painting and modern design that is soft yet vibrant. She draws inspiration from nature, Asian patterns and motifs, Victorian die cuts, and geometric designs. She uses a plethora of media in her work, which include colored pencil, watercolor pencil, ink, archival digital media, pastels and encaustic wax. Hadley exhibits her work nationally, and right in your own home on this very screen!
Hadley's Philosophy: Less is more. (Except in the case of art supplies - where too much is never enough.) |
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Q3 I see Asian fusion sort of design were your inspiration, could you explain?
For as long as I can remember, I have been influenced by Asian motifs. The first book I purchased for my mother at age 8 was a large Asian pattern book, called "The Grammar of Chinese Ornaments", by Owen Jones. I have spent countless hours poring over the gorgeous pages of that book. Somehow the book managed to make it into my library :) My love affair with asian design is still going strong. I rcently took a trip to Japan where I had the opportunity to see incredible woodblock prints. As a printmaker, the craftsmanship and beauty inherent in Japanese printmaking has had a profound influence in my work. And I guess I should mention the fact that my life is Asian fusion! My husband's family is Thai, and my children are half-Asian, half-Caucasian. I have always been drawn to Asian culture. I have studied Karate and I currently practice Chi-Gong exercises and meditation. I guess in my life and in my work I prefer to mix it up! |
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Q4 Could you tell us how do you like your work space? What does it look like?
In my house I have a small room that is flooded with light where I make my prints. My husband built two large work tables which are always covered in projects, and the walls are lined with shelves of art materials and paintings. I have a second workspace in a friend's basement a few houses away where I wax my work. Currently I am converting a space in my basement to accommodate my waxing and provide good ventilation. My small art room is usually chaos. I seem to flourish in an eclectic environment.
Q5 What projects you are currently working on?
I am working on a very large 20 panel piece. The panels will hang together to create one grand piece. This is a new way of working for me. Typically I work small, so I am excited by the challenges of this project. I am also working on quite a few commissioned pieces, and upcoming shows. |
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