From the July/Aug 2007 issue of MetaCreative Magazine - An interview with Gothic Fantasy Artist Myka Jelina. (Interview by: Mystikka Jade)
Myka Jelina is a modern gothic fantasy artist who's paintings of edgy, unique fairies are sold in stores such as Hot Topic. Myka also has her own line of fragrances, jewelry and more.
If you had to label your art, what would you call it?
Modern Gothic Fantasy
Tell us a little bit about Myka Jelina the person. Are you shy or outgoing?
First off, I truly have a hard time talking about myself. If there is something in which I feel needs expressed. I tend use art to express myself. You might better understand more about me the person through my art.
What other interests do you have besides art?
I enjoy singing and playing music. I have been singing since I was three. I have been in several bands over the years and am currently working on an album with my business partner. I also adore animals of all kinds and if I wasn't involved so deeply in art and music I would have loved to work in a zoo.
What are your earliest memories of creating art?
Well...at age three I was struck by a car on a big-wheel. Obviously, I could have been killed, but because I was so young my bones were still soft and only my ankle was broken. Other than that just a view bumps and bruises. My mom painted characters on my cast (picture attached) to make me feel better, and it did, which inspired me soon after to began drawing my own characters that can make others feel better too.
Could you tell me more about your art?
My art is my attempt at sharing with others, in a fixed form, an ever changing world of harmony and beauty that is often-times lost and even forgotten in the hustle of our modern world. I would like my work to help people stop and appreciate the unbelievable world that is waiting to reveal itself.
How do you stay inspired to create new work?
My own creative impulse inspires me. I am an artist. It is not something I choose to do. Inspiration keeps coming until it overflows into the rest of the world. I do not stop and question it. People often say my art inspires them, and that also is an inspiration.
Please describe one of your art techniques, a tip or trick you'd like to share.
I don't know if this is a tip or trick, but the first panels I painted on I made. I used a plywood or masonite panel, cut it to size and made gesso from latex paint and plaster of paris. I then gessoed a piece of muslin to the board wrapping it around the corners. After that dried I applied two to three layers of gesso, sanding between each layer. It made a very solid, smooth surface. I prefer acrylic paints but I also like the extended drying time of oils, it seemed like making panels and using an extending medium added to my paints allowed for a longer amount of blending time.
Many artists aspire to reach your level of success. Can you give our artists some suggestions about how to achieve their artistic goals? Also ,do you have any marketing advice for artists?
I can try. Set aside different times for each activity. Some people really can do everything and thrive but if your artistic drive starts to suffer take a break, read a book or consider finding someone to help with the non-artistic aspects of your work. Magic lives in the non distracted imagination. Take that magic and use it to create personal "style". There are so many people in the world that almost no matter what you are doing, if your heart is in the right place, you will find that there is a group of people who have been waiting to fall in love with what you have created, you just hadn't shown them yet...and never give up.
What's your latest news?
There's always something new going on. A few weeks ago two new shirts went into Hot Topic. A new bottle of perfume, "Twilight Moon", was just released this week in Hot Topic as well. Two new air fresheners and two rubber embossed keychains were just added to the line and are going into Target and Hot Topic. I also have 5 new paintings in the works as well as a new set of tattoo flash to be released over the next few weeks.
Where can our readers find your art?
You can find my work at the free online gallery on my website (address link below). I also sale my work on e-bay as well as a few online stores (link below). You can also find many Myka Jelina brand products at Hot Topic, Hastings, Target, and lots of mom and pop shops worldwide. Feel free to join the Myka Jelina Art mailing list to be updated on new originals and new product releases.
Myka Jelina
links:
Ebay ID: Myka_Jelina
Cafe Press Store: (cloths, postage stamps, postcard, stickers, mouse-pads and much more)
Zazzle Store: (throw pillow, tile boxes and coaster, cloths, wall clocks, stationary, and much more)
