Peppermint Creek Collective: teacher

Mandy Tucker, Photographer

PCC: Tell us a little about yourself.
LFL: I have taught high school visual arts for 20 years, specifically Photography and Advanced Placement Art History. I earned my BFA in Photography, worked in various realms (portrait/retouching/commercial/fine art gallery) of the photo industry, before deciding to back to school to earn my teaching credential.

PCC: What do you create?
LFL: I create photo-based art. I love to experiment with mixed media. I also enjoy ceramics, learning to quilt, jewelry making, and drawing.

PCC: What made you want to become an artist?
LFL: I think I was born an artist. It just takes a lifetime to evolve into who we are meant to be.

PCC: Tell us about your process. What materials do you use?

Path to the Sunset

LFL: My process is ongoing… meaning I first try to be an observer of my environment as well as attentive to what is going on in the world. I try to continually learn. Many "things" interest and influence my creative process. I try to keep notes, and ongoing lists regarding idea seeds that I can go to when I have any opportunity. I also walk a lot--so I'm always looking, especially at trees and light (haha--sounds funny I know), but I am truly drawn to tree forms, textures, lines and leaves as well. I am also very conscious of light. Most often when I have captured an image that I am excited about, I immediately edit in PhotoShop which often leads in many different directions including montages and mandalas… I use my iPhone, canon 6D, go pro, film camera---whatever gets my idea realized.

PCC: What Advice would you give to someone who wanted to make a living as an artist?

Tree Writhing in Waves

LFL: In terms of making a living as an artist I think one has to be practical along with being wildly creative---and an extremely hard and smart worker. I guide my students to get an art education first---master the craft, which usually means lifelong education. Practical skills are also necessary in order to pay the bills: record keeping, business knowledge, customer service, marketing, tech skills and social media. I don't think I am far enough into my etsy business to guide as an authority. I have the luxury of an art teaching job to pay my bills, while I wade through the waters of etsy. I can see it has great potential, but like most things it takes education in your area of expertise, perseverance---strong work ethic, and eagerness to learn from people who are successful---and it's dynamic, constantly changing, so to be successful one must keep up the pace and not be fearful to dive in.

Endless View from Cape Perpetua II

PCC: Tell us what you’re passionate about outside of your art?
LFL: I am super passionate about my abolitionist efforts---anti-human trafficking. I attempt to support International Justice Mission. It's hard for me to comprehend the injustices occurring in 2015 with an estimated 22 million humans enslaved! (Mandy donates 100% of all digital download proceeds to IJM.)
I also rescued two pups in June which has left me completely exhausted… along with being married (27 years) to a woodshop teacher (and high school sweetheart) with two beautiful daughters, a nurse and the younger one a senior in college to be a special education teacher.
Lastly, I have a little trailer that I love travel and camp comfortably!

Links:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/Lookinforlight
www.lookinforlight.com
https://www.pinterest.com/lookinforlight/
http://instagram.com/lookinforlight63/

Other work from Lookin for Light that we love:

Journey Down a Country Road

The Bachelor and Three Graces

I learned from a Shadow of a Tree

Hope and Light

Tree Mandala

All images are the sole property of Mandy and Lookin for Light and may not be copied or used without her permission.

Olga, Designer at The Pinqueen

Cozy Oversized Neckwarmer

PCC: Tell us about yourself.
TPQ: My name is Olga. I am 31 years old and i come from Athens, Greece. I have a day job, as a preschool teacher for kids with special needs. At the same time, I run my brand
"The Pinqueen".

PCC: What do you Create?
TPQ: The Pinqueen is the brand name for the ready to wear accessories / clothing line I create. My ideas pinned on fabrics! Whether you like purses or scarfs, geometric lines or curves, simple stripes or explosions of color... You can find it all here.

PCC: What made you want to become a designer?
TPQ: I always watched as a game people's styling, from lines to textiles. I believe that what we wear (clothing or accessories) brings along a small piece from ourselves.
At some point, i just realized how much I wanted to create something special with my own hands, to begin with an idea and realize it through every step I take.

Floral Headscarf

PCC: What is your process?
TPQ: Texture is where my inspiration begins. So fabrics play the main role during the creation process. At the same time, the whole project shapes in my mind. I prefer to create ready to wear lines through specific concepts. I believe that a small product line gives people a clear image of my creations and at the same time gives me room for free thinking and organizing the whole process.

PCC: What Advice would you give to someone who wanted to make a living as an artist?
TPQ: I believe that selling online is a very tricky area and I am learning many interesting things I didn't imagine existed, from photographing a product to promoting it. If I could give any advice, it would be to always listen to more than one opinion, because another person's view may give you another perspective of your work.

PCC: Where do you show your work?

Black Plaid and White Infinity Scarf

TPQ: I really enjoy showing my work in markets that take place from time to time in art showrooms in Athens. When somebody touches and finally wears a piece from my collections, it feels like I give a piece of imagination in somebody else's hands!

PCC: What are you passionate about outside your designs?

TPQ: My day job is the other half of myself, and i love working with children!
Three words come to my mind when someone asks me what makes me happy. Music, good taste and moments! Music is all around me and I think it defines every moment of my life. Good taste is what I am looking for everywhere from a small Greek tavern with simple clear tastes to a fine, delicate perfume/parfum. Of course, moments with your beloved ones or just people who at some point of your life gave you something simple and beautiful!

PCC: Anything else we should know?
TPQ: If you want to learn more for The Pinqueen, feel free to send me an email here: thepinqueen@gmail.com or stay tuned to my previous social media for more The Pinqueen news and creations.

Find ThePinqueen online:
www.facebook.com/thepinqueen
www.etsy.com/shop/thepinqueenshop
thepinqueen.tumblr.com/
www.pinterest.com/pinqueenfinds/
instagram.com/thepinqueen

Other cool designs from The Pinqueen