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Current mood:  bitchy Category: Art and Photography
Featured Artist
:::::dzaet:::::
(interview / feature by MC7C. do not copy and paste. direct link to this blog and give us the credit we deserve. or else...we’ll take away your birthday!)
Who is dzaet?
dzaet is an award winning, internationally recognized artist, working out of her Chesapeake studio, with works appearing across the United States and Europe. She has been selected to participate in several juried shows, including the International Art Kudos competition, and has recently has been featured in 3 international magazines. dzaet has work available at Art Whino gallery in Alexandria, Virginia, just outside of Washington D.C., and also on her website www.dzaet.com.
dzaet’s emergence on the art scene was heralded by the successful launch of her gothic creations, Yazbelles Bochos, www.Yazbelle.com, with her fine art hot on their heals. Her work features a unique blend of emotive, neo-surreal and symbolic styles.  How long have you been creating?
Since birth, I was creating ways to get picked up out of that crib…. As soon as I could hold a writing devise, I created on the walls… bad start..
How would you describe your work?
Neo-classical, emotive, surreal, symbolic acrylic and oils on canvas. Now that’s a mouthful.
What are you motivations for creating?
All of us have a small voice within that is almost constantly communicating with us. My small voice started yelling, and to keep from losing my mind, I began painting those emotional "conversations" on canvas. The voice quieted again. I found peace.
What do you find visually stimulating right now? Any local artists that we need to keep an eye on?
Hmmm, 6’4", black hair, blue eyes…. Okay, seriously, I don’t paint from visual stimulation. My paintings are born within. As for local artists, my vote would go for Christine and Ben Harris. Art in Sight
(We’ve featured Christine in a previous blog and her artwork! - k@t)
What other artists or movements inform your work/aesthetics/ sensibilities?
Frida Kahlo. Period. Enough said. Although, Salvador Dali is beginning to interest me.
Do you think that the notion of an artist’s "style" is fabricated to boost sales and marketability? Are artists then forced to limit their body of work to specific content or media in an effort to facilitate easy recognization?
Unfortunately yes. I, however, have chosen to go along the lonelier path. It is tempting to "conform" to the more sellable styles, however, "To thine own self be true". As far as limiting your work to a specific content, unfortunately this is one of the most tragic things I have seen happen in the art community. Artists find something that the masses like, and seem to get stuck in the rut of producing what is selling. In other words, they paint the same picture 100 different ways. I find that boring, limiting, and sad.
What were your favorite cartoons as a kid??
Remember Natasha from the Rocky and Bullwinkle show? I loved her edgy look. I must have already been turning "goth". Okay, I also watched the Flintstones on a fairly regular basis. *Blushing*
What do you imagine is the role of your work in the lives of those who see it? What evidence do you see of your work achieving the goals you have for it?
The role of my work? To please the eye, but more importantly, to open up the imagination, the heart, the memories, the emotions of the viewer. I have received many messages from people who have related to my paintings on an emotional level. I have had people break down in tears. That, folks, is a healing experience, and one that I am so privileged to be a part of.
If there were no financial limits whatsoever for you, what constraints would you most like to overstep? Are there other mediums you would explore?
I would immediately hire an art rep. This marketing stuff bites. And oh, how nice it would be to buy the best brushes, use them on one painting, and throw them in the trash… I would love to explore a lot more mediums. Money is not necessarily the issue. It is more time that I need. And space. Well, okay, money WOULD get me a larger studio.
Did you grow up in Virginia?
For the most part I grew up between here and Chicago. My dad was in the Navy and retired here.
Do you do gallery shows?
Yes I do, and yes I will. Just ask…..
(dzaet was one of the artists in MC7C’s Joan of Art in September 2007- k@t)
Please finish the following statements...
"You know you’ve made it when..."
You will never "make it". Art is an evolving progression, both in maturity, style, and ability.
"It’ll be time to pack up the gear for good when..."
The largest magnifying glass in the world still wont let you see your painting. I wonder if you can paint by telescope?
"I’ll never forget the first time I..."
Sold a painting. I cried, and I still miss that painting…
Let’s have some fun with word association. Give me your immediate feelings on the following:
Military Ships…..are huge gray monstrosities that I in no way find interesting. They take away loved ones.
Constant Road Construction….irritates most people. However, these are the same people that constantly bit*h about the bad roads. ???
Virginia Beach Oceanfront….has become too commercial, has lousy parking, too many people, and you cant cuss!! However, on the rarest of days, it is also lovely to sit where the old boardwalk used to exist and people watch….
Blogs…..are a necessary part of good mental health. And also a lovely way to inform your stalker of your each and every mood…. Haha.
The Norva….. would make one heck of an art studio…. With some skylites added. Talk about atmosphere…
The Boathouse….must be a senior citizen by now, hey? Age is a beautiful thing, after all, look at the alternative.
Ghent….. appeals to everything in me.
Festivals….. are fattening.
The Block….draws me in.
Granby Street….has had a facelift. Who was that plastic surgeon???
What’s the most played song on your iPod in the past week?
A Stranger by A Perfect Circle
What was the first/last album you bought on the day it was released?
Tool , 10,000 Days…. And I love it!!
And finally...What came first, the art or the misery?
The misery. My unfortunate childhood has created dzaet. Just goes to show you, it is darkest before the dawn.
The business side of being an artist: how do you market/promote yourself, and does it work? How do you cope?
Marketing…aaarrrrgggghhhh!!!! I utilize every aspect of the computer. It is time consuming, and takes time away from the easel, however, if you want your work to be seen and seen by thousands of people, I can think of no better way to do it. Thank heaven for technology. It has certainly worked for me. 3 shows and a gallery have come out of myspace, in the past 3 months. Yay!! Coping with marketing is something that I haven’t figured out yet. It kills your creativity, takes entirely too much time, and for the most part, is embarrassing. When you figure it out, will you let me know?
What local musicians should we keep an eye on?
All of them. Each musician of every genre, both good and bad, have something to offer if you will just take a moment and listen. The worse voice can offer up the best lyric, and the worse beat can make you sit down and behave… haha!
What local artists should we check out?
Christine and Ben Harris. There is also a show held on Saturdays at Tanners Creek Garden Center, corner of Granby and Lavalette. Go check it out!!!
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