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Today’s Artist Interview Is With Monika Agic From Urbandale, IA.

Whopple:  How long have you been an artist?
Monika: My whole life!  I just didn’t think of myself in those terms a very long time.  My family educated me but the art was not really considered a profession. I paint more intensively in the last 3 years, with this being the first year when I started actively marketing my artwork.

Whopple: Tell us about your first attempts to be creative.
Monika: The creativity is not something that we have to attempt.  It is inborn into our soul and it just needs to be expressed.  As a child I was imaginative, as a teenager skilled artist, and as an adult a powerful creator.  The creativity touches everything we do with making art being the ultimate creative outlet!

Whopple: Do you make a living with your art?
Monika: Not yet!  But I think I might!  One thing I definitely recognize is that I am talented.  Also, I’ve sold quite a bit of paintings so I know there is a hungry audience for the type of art that I create.  The only problem is the prices – they need to go up in order for me to make a living with it.  I am unsure how to increase the prices and still sell the artwork.  I can price it whatever I want, but the buyer ultimately decides if the price is worth it.

Whopple:  How many hours a day do you create?
Monika: This varies!  Sometimes it takes more effort to market and sell the artwork that it is to create it. There are days when I don’t create anything, and those when I paint deep into the night.  I always need more studio time for everything that I want to do!

Whopple: How did you pick your creative medium?
Monika: I always liked to paint starting with tempera, later switching to oil, and finally acrylics.  I find acrylics to be versatile, available in a large range of colors, finishes and mediums.  Acrylics are basically best medium for creating the modern/contemporary art paintings.  It also help that they are water-soluble and it is easy to clean my brushes!

Whopple: What are your inspirations?
Monika: I receive inspiration unexpectedly, and it can be something I’ve seen but it is usually a feeling and a mood that I want to convey.  The art speaks for itself, and my inner state of being definitely comes out through the artwork.  It is amazing how that works!

Whopple: How do you recharge when your creativity hits the wall?
Monika: Great question- most people don’t understand that creativity is not something that is equal every day.  During the bad times I just choose to keep the creations to myself and lovingly laugh at them in my living room.  When friends come we just tell them that these are not for sale – they are simply painting disasters!

Whopple: What was your first job?
Monika: My first job-job, you mean the one that actually pays?  I made deposit tickets at the Bank – the only creativity at this job was deciding if you bundle your checks with rubber-band or paperclip.

Whopple: What are your favorite snacks when you are creating?
Monika: I actually have a little problem with snacking… I like my snacks salty, sweet, sour, tangy…  One cool piece of art is actually titled after the chocolate I ate that day.  It is titled: “While eating Toblerone”.  Great question – ask me what snack I don’t like!

Whopple: What gives you hope in the world?
Monika: I feel that artists are people who have something to say.  We don’t know how to express it so we make art!  Just the act of creating, making something that is beautiful and meaningful is the reason for hope.  I envision a more loving world, one that is accepting of all people and violence is almost non-existent.

Whopple: What do you wish you could do?
Monika: I am currently helping start a art cooperative, and I am enjoying this process a lot.  Not only it is fun being surrounded with art, but I also feel that I am helping other artists who may not have the opportunities to get into commercial galleries.

Whopple: What are your artistic goals?
Monika: I want to make people happy with art. Art is there to please us and excite us, and ultimately make our life better.  I want people who own my art to always feel cool for having it in their home.

Whopple: What has been your most exciting moment as an artist?
Monika: I am thrilled when I sell my artwork.  It is very rewarding to know that people choose my artwork to decorate their homes, and that it is my imagination and artistic skill what made it special to them.

To See More Of Monika Agic’s Artwork Please Visit The Following:
http://www.artbymagic.com
http://artistsinauction.com/gallery.html
http://coopartistprofile.blogspot.com/

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