Sunday, July 6, 2008

Weekly Featured Artist 7/6-7/12


Q: Tell us a little about yourself…
My name is Marisa Hopkins and I'm an at home mom who loves to dabble in illustration with the dream of becoming a children's book writer and illustrator. I have a deeply rooted love for colored pencils, which goes back to my childhood packs upon packs of crayolas. While my colored pencils are all grown up, my illustrations remain young and fun, and are filled with bold and bright colors. I'm an Aquarius who loves Italian food (especially pastas slathered in cream sauces), British films and novels, and long walks on the beach.

Q: How long have you been doing this?
I have wanted to be a professional illustrator since my mom used to tuck me in bed at night with my favorite children's books. As for selling my work, I began doing that about six years ago, but took a break while I finished college, got married and had two children. I opened my shop on Etsy in mid-January of this year, and I have been having a great time selling ever since.

Q: Who/What inspires you?
The person who inspires me the most is my friend and fantastic watercolor artist, Brian Nishimoto. I had the pleasure of discovering his artwork at a local show several years ago. When he invited me to join him as his painting companion, I was over the moon. We painted together for a year and I learned so much from him. We no longer live in the same state, but we keep in touch through emails and continue to critique and inspire each other. I don't think I would have had the courage to open up Elegant Snobbery if it wasn't for him.

Q: What's your favorite piece?
Every piece I work on is my new favorite. When my current illustration is done, I'll put it in my portfolio and begin my next favorite.

Q: If you could meet anyone living or dead, who would it be & why?
If I could meet anyone, living or dead, I'd choose Jane Austen. I am a huge Austen fan and a lover of Regency England in general, so meeting her would fulfill several dreams of mine (providing that I travel back in time to meet her, rather than have her pop round my apartment). I wouldn't feel the need to ask her anything or pick her brain... I'd just love to spend an afternoon chatting over tea and finger sandwiches.

Q: If Luke Skywalker and Harry Potter dueled, who would win? Why?
I love stories featuring witches, wizards, and magic. Not a big fan of science fiction or outer space. Naturally, I'll be rooting for young Harry. However, the protection that Harry's mother gave him when she died was supposed to protect him from Lord Voldemort, not Luke Skywalker. With the force on Luke's side, it might be inevitable that he would win. I'd still root for Harry though. I thought Luke had a wimpy personality.


Elegant Snobbery's Shop
Elegant Snobbery's Blog

3 comments:

Unknown said...

:) Thanks for the feature, Wink!!

Unknown said...

great feature- love Elegants shop- so many cute illustrations.

Anonymous said...

Great reading and illustrations! I see Bayard’s have got themselves a guest illustrator for one of their stories in the September edition of Storybox - award winning illustrator Helen Oxenbury, who also provided illustrations for Alice in Wonderland - StoryBoxBooks

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