Let me start today’s Jan-Ai Scholarship Drive post by apologizing both to the blog readers and the artists who agreed to participate in this week’s event. Blog problems earlier in the week followed by a Wednesday storm-related power outage have conspired to derail the plans I had for this week. Things seem to be in order now and so we are soldiering on. And thankfully the parts of this week I have been most excited about continue today: the interviews!

[As a reminder to those who may not know what the Jan-Ai Scholarship drive is all about, I refer you to this week’s opening post.]

You may remember the work of artist Rachael Direnna from her Friday Favorites feature back in April. Her sculptures are so unique and resonate so strongly with the part of me that enjoys nature, loves trees, etc. that I immediately asked her at that time if I might conduct a future interview with her. She graciously agreed.

Based on a statement in her answer to the first question, I am including some photographs that Rachael Direnna has taken as well as images of her creations. Although she has many photos on her Flickr site, I chose ones that either through her own manipulation or through happy accidents are very striking to me.

With no further ado, I give you Rachael Direnna:

Continue reading Jan-Ai Day Three: An Interview with Rachael Direnna →

(Words and Pictures)

The Jan-Ai Scholarship Fund Drive week continues with an interview with recently featured Etsy Week artist Jennifer Gordon. In email conversations with Ms. Gordon I discovered that she was even more of a kindred spirit than her creations indicated and I promise you that you are going to enjoy this interview.

If you have not read yesterday’s post detailing what this week, and the Jan-Ai Scholarship Fund Drive is, please step away for a moment and read this.

And now, on with the interview:

Continue reading Jan-Ai Day Two: An Interview with Jennifer Gordon →