ARTIST OF THE MONTH
Lelainia Lloyd
June 2008
Q. Everyone is always asking, so we may as well put the question to rest - the name, "Lelainia," is so unusual. Where did it come from and what does it mean?
A. Well the short answer is "hippy parents." The longer version of the story is that it's a song by Donovan Leech, who is known best for songs like "Mellow Yellow" and "Hurdy Gurdy Man." Its origins are Welsh, and rumour has it that the song was about a prostitute he was in love with. The lyrics are both sad and hauntingly beautiful - you should listen to it sometime. Oh, and while we're at it, let's clear up the pronunciation, which for some strange reason, always tends to go horribly wrong. It's prononunced "le LANE ya." People seem to want to confuse it with Leilani, Lorraine, Elaine, Lilly, Lannie, and Lenny. (*rolls eyes*) Despite all that, I love my name - it's distinctive and unique. People tend to remember me because of it.
Q. How did you come up with the name, "Tattered Edge" for your business?
A. I love coming up with names. It's one of those strange things that amuses me. When I was trying to decide on a name for my website, I thought about descriptors that implied old, worn and dear, and "Tattered Edge" popped into my head. Some of the things I adore - books, quilts, and papers, become worn in the course of being well-loved and eventually develop tattered edges. I also liked the fact that you can type "tattered edge" with one hand, making it quick and easy to search.
Q. You were one of the first artists in Canada to begin exploring mixed media art. When and how did you first discover this art form? What draws you to it?
A. Seven years ago, I had a series of accidents that badly injured both my kness as well as my Achilles tendon. It left me with a long recovery time where I had to stay off my feet. Of course, being a "do-er," I quickly became bored and knew I had to find something to keep me amused. I started surfing the 'net, looking for something creative to spark my interest and came across altered books. I got involved with a couple online groups, doing round robins, and it just sort of took off from there.
Eventually, Jan Bode Smiley came across some of the work I had posted online and contacted me about doing art for a mixed media, fabric based book she was writing. At the time, my beloved Gramps was dying, and I knew it would be good to have something positive to focus on. After he passed away, the work really became a lifeline for me. The hours I spent making art for the book allowed me quiet time and space to grieve.
I have always been creative in one form or another - and for me, the act of creating is as essential to my life as breathing. I love mixed media because there really are no rules - no right or wrong way to work with mediums and materials. I enjoy the freedom of that and the constant opportunity to grow and discover.
Q. How do you share your artistic knowledge with your fellow Canadians?
A. I've been teaching mixed media and altered art workshops both privately and publicly for several years now. It's been exciting because not only am I working with everyday folks, but I have also had several opportunities to teach workshops to elementary and high school teachers. I remember when I was a kid being so excited to finally get to be in Mr. Hanna's class in grade 6. He was the art teacher who did all kinds of cool projects, and I couldn't wait to have those experiences. To this day, I love Mr. Hanna for it! It pains me how chronically underfunded and undervalued the arts programs are in schools. It's not enough to feed kids' minds with the nuts and bolts of the 3 R's - we must also help them discover how to feed their spirits. I think promoting the arts is how we do that. Sharing my passion for mixed media and altered art with teachers thrills me because I know they are going to take that knowledge back to the classroom, to inspire their kids.
I have had the good fortune to teach in classrooms in my school district as a guest artist on several occasions and I can tell you, while it's noisy, chaotic and messy, it's also a ton of fun. The kids are such enthusiastic and fearless learners - they take what I show them and run with it! It's deeply satisfying to experience that.
Teaching has presented me with some wonderful opportunities. I was lucky enough to teach a private class at a working dairy farm and got to milk cows, feed the calves and drive a huge tractor. I was also invited to do a segment about Artist Trading Cards on a local morning show at the end of January. I can honestly say that I love my job - it's always interesting, and it's never the same thing twice!
Q. Much of your art compliments your Canadian roots. Dark, earthy colors. Antique buttons. Sewing techniques. Vintage imagery. How would you describe your artistic style?
A. This is hard for me to answer. I am always trying to put my finger on what my style is, or if I even have a style. My friend, Penn, says I definitely do, but I struggle to see it myself. Buttons are the hallmark of my work, and I do like to celebrate my Canadian heritage through my art whenever possible. I think I lean heavily towards folk art when I quilt, but I can't really say how I would classify my mixed media art. I tend to work primarily in the folk art colour pallet, which is a carry-over from quilting, I suppose. Most folks tell me they can identify a piece is mine by the overall balance and the use of colour, which they say makes it distinctively mine.
Q. You finally have a nice, big studio all to yourself. Describe your new creative space.
A. Well, I painted the walls vintage aqua. I wanted a space where I would walk in and just feel relaxed and happy, and that colour really does it for me. I found the exact shade I wanted on a piece of scrapbooking paper, and so I took the sheet to the paint store - and they matched it digitally for me. I am sure when I was painting the room people who didn't know it was going to be my studio were probably wondering what on earth I was thinking! The accent colours are white, black, and vintage cranberry red.
One of my favourite things in my studio is the magnet boards and strips I have on the walls. I use clip magnets to display art. I like that I can move things around or change them out from time to time without putting holes in the walls or in the actual art like you would if you used nails or push pins. The strips are great for displaying postcards and small canvasses. I really love walking into my studio and seeing all the things my friends created for me. It makes me feel like they are right here, hanging out with me.
In the last few months, I have been working really hard to have everything neatly organized. This has meant finding ways of sorting and storing things in a way that is both functional and pretty. I just finished a big redo on the closet in my studio. (You can see pictures of it on my blog.) My brilliant friend, Lance, designed, built, and installed shelves for me. The reasoning behind all this organizing is that I want to spend my time making art, not wasting time looking for my materials. I think I am about 90% organized now, and I plan to finish up in the next month so I can relax and enjoy my studio time over the summer. My studio is truly my sanctuary. I spend alot of time in here, so that's really important.
Q. Buddah is a personal muse for you. Inspire us by expanding on what the Buddha represents for you and how it relates to your artwork.
A. Well, truth be told, I don't consider myself a religious person, but a spiritual one. My ideas about how to function in the world are very personal and simple. Basically, what it boils down to is to strive to be the best person I can be every day - to be kind and compassionate to others and do everything in my power to make a positive contribution to the world, in the way that is mine alone to do.
I am a great admirer of the Dalai Lama and an avid fan of mountaineering. As a result, I became interested in Tibetan culture and Buddhism. I see the Buddha as serene and wise and as a symbol of tapping into that which is great and powerful within us. I have several Buddhas in my studio, and I find them comforting. While I can't say that I am a Buddhist, I do feel an affinity to many of the ideas and philosophies of Buddhist teachings. For me, art is a very meditative practice. I can put on music, sit down and start working, and somehow I lose all sense of time. I think when I work like this, I am truly tapping into something greater than myself. It's at those times that the art makes itself - it has nothing whatsoever to do with me.
very nice questions,deb and lovely lelainia answers!
donovan's greatest hits album was one i played ragged when i was growing up...sooo loved "wear your love like heaven","sunshine superman" and of course "lalena"!
your art has always had a distinct yummy "tattered edge" flavor..i have been a fan of yours since i first spotted you the day you joined collage cats....a looonnng time ago!
so happy to know you better!
Posted by:denise lombardozzi | June 02, 2008 at 02:25 PM
enjoyed getting to know you better...you are an excellent teacher, relaxed, encouraging...
Posted by:bettyann | June 02, 2008 at 02:44 PM
That was fun to read, Lelainia!
Posted by:Maija Lepore | June 02, 2008 at 03:07 PM
What a wonderful interview and I loved seeing your artwork!!!
Posted by:Karenann Young | June 06, 2008 at 10:02 AM
Great interview. Deb, you always seem to ask about just the things I was wondering. (Mark of a super interviewer!) Lelainia, I enjoyed getting to know you better this way. I was intrigued and amused by your comment that Tattered Edge (a way cool name, btw) could be typed with one hand. Only you! LOL. Of course I had to try it! Love the artwork selected for this post.
Posted by:Sallyt | June 08, 2008 at 10:29 AM