Paula Chung - Zepher Cove, NV

1. How do you describe yourself? I'm a young person in an older body. I feel there is so much to learn, especially in the art world, and so little time. I am basically an obsessive person, concentrating on a few things too much, or accumulating items, as silks, dyes and paints. I take things way too seriously, but enjoy the sense of relief when I can step away. I admire those that live life easily or well. I tend to make things harder and make living a more difficult process.

2. What is your creative process? I study nature, it's form, color, line. I photograph subjects that I find interesting or have a message, then work directly on that photograph to create my designs.

3. What's your style? I do abstract and pictorial appliqued pieces.

4. How long have you been a quilt maker/fiber artist? I have been using the present process for about 5 years, but have been an art quilter for about 8 years. I had started traditional quilting in the 1970s, but lost interest in it shortly after that.

5. Do you listen to music when you make art? what kind? I listen to classical music or jazz.

6. What do you do when you are blocked creatively? When I'm blocked, I go back to nature and study. Sometimes, I take a detour, studying new artists or learning new techniques, then try to use that knowledge and skill to another project.

7. Do you teach? No.

8. Are there artistic endeavors that you have yet to do? Always. One goal I have is to meld my study of painting with my fiber art. The painting experience does inform my art, especially in the use of color, but I'd like to see the two be incorporated somehow.

9. How do you balance your family life and art? Since we have no children, balancing my family life is easier than for most artists. My husband and I are retired, pursuing our passions. I do tend to be obsessive and work very long hours and that does create some tension. My husband has grown to understand that part of my personality. But I tend to lose track of time, or try to squeeze in too much in too little time, and I'm learning to monitor that better.

10. What is the best part about what you do? The best part of creating art is the planning--that big moment when you have an inspiration. Then the process of making that inspiration into something tangible. As humans, we are always trying to escape. When we're creating, we get lost in the moment, where nothing else exists. The creating is what all artists live for, to be in that timeless euphoria.

visit Paula's website in the right column