February 2005 - Dawn Hs.
"Folded Iris Heart"

dawnhs@orientalstampart.com
Stevens Point, WI

(Design by Lisa Vollrath)

How long have you been stamping?
Since I was a little whipper snapper in the early 80's, when clear embossing powder and rainbow ink pads were all the rage. I can remember my first three stamps were of a Keeshond dog that we used to have, a calico cat and a paint palette.

What is your favorite technique?
Actually, I love this hobby because you can choose between so many different techniques and the only limit is your imagination. I really love watercolor. I like to use Twinkling H2O's, watercolor pencils, and Adirondack re-inkers.

Favorite stamp company?
I could never limit myself to just one company. I love so many from all different companies. The type of stamps I'm drawn to is Oriental, nature; animals, owls, loons, eagles, collage, lighthouses or whatever strikes my fancy.

Favorite Asian stamps?
Our OSA Vendors are the BEST! My favorites are images of koi, geisha, dragons, photo art vintage style, scenery, etc.

Favorite stamping accessory?
Adirondack inks, since the colors are so rich and Twinkling H20's.

Favorite colors?
I really love all colors. I really love a rich red and all the Adirondack colors.

Your favorite embellishment to finish a card?
Fibers, mica, staples, how to choose? With all the neat things available today it is so hard to choose, it really depends on what the card "needs" to finish it. One thing I like to use is Pearl-Ex mixed in a spray bottle with distilled water and Gum Arabic, misted onto a finished card gives it an all over shimmer.

What is the one tool you couldn't live without? (i.e. X-acto knife, heat gun, glue stick, sponge)
Oh boy! I just bought a new Fiskars 12" cutter with the metal guides for straighter cuts and I'd be lost without it.

Any helpful tips for the group?
We are always most critical of own own creations. When a project gets frustrating, just leave it for a while and take a second look at it later. Sometimes I've just looked at it too long and think it's not good enough, but when I see it later, I think better of it.

As a member of OSA, why do you like stamping in the Oriental theme?
To me there is just a soothing serenity about Oriental art. I've always admired this culture, so different from ours.

Is there any one place or city you'd like to visit to find rubberstamps, supplies, or Asian art elements?
It is a dream of mine to someday get to Hong Kong, just to enjoy their beautiful country and meet their people, not to mention pick up lots of little goodies to use for cardmaking and art.

What other stamping lists or local clubs do you belong to? Do you stamp with a buddy?
Where I live we have a group of about 10 ladies called Stamping Friendzy's and we meet twice a month. I moderate an online group for advanced stampers (quite a few OSA members of course!), called Advanced Rubber Stamping Art, to join go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/advancedrubberstampingart/. Some fabulous art we swap! I created the group mostly because the groups I was joining were only doing real basic stamping, which is just great, don't get me wrong, but I love the challenge and learning/sharing with the advanced stampers. Other groups on the internet that I belong to are: Iris Folding & Iris Folding Works, Lighthouse Keepers Stamping Retreat, Painting with Radiance, and SU! Rubber Art Scans.

What favorite Stamping magazines would you recommend?
Legacy, Cloth Paper Scissors, Expression, Somerset Studio (Loved their "Return to Asia" special issue), the Somerset Gallery issues, Stampers Sampler (and their Catch-Up issues), Take 10, Rubber Stamper, Paper Crafts, Paper Creations, and Studio C Series books. Really any magazine stamp related, with the exception of RubberStampMadness, just not my taste and I feel they have too many ads.

Any other hobbies, talents or craft interests?
I do quilting, which is a great bonding time with my Sister Dori. We just joined the Thimbleberries Club for this year at a quilt store that is 40 minutes from where we live, which is great because then we get to spend the whole day together. One of my Dad's favorite sayings was that he was "a jack of all trades and master of none". I think that describes me quite a bit, since I like to dabble with sewing, scrapbooking, jewelry, altered books with my DH, painting, and anything creative I can get my hands on. I love to build puzzles and play games with friends and family, especially Scrabble with my Mother-in-Law. We get mega competitive. She loves when I stamp while playing the game. She "thinks" it gives her a little bit of an advantage if I'm distracted, but that's what she thinks. That's when I make my sneaky moves for the win! I love getting her riled up.

What inspires you to be creative? i.e. do you listen to music while you stamp, or watch TV, keep an art journal?
Usually I will leave either the TV or stereo on in the other room or sometimes I prefer quiet time. Now that Mom is home after her heart attack, I always have the baby monitor on, just in case she needs me. At night, when she sleeps, it's very calming just to hear her breathing or snoring a little.

Any art background ?
Art has always been a part of my life since I was little. In high school, I was enrolled in the independent art classes each semester, where we picked 3-4 projects of our choice to complete and we were graded on the finished pieces. I remember my art teacher was so much fun. Once, she stuck bottle caps on the bottom of her shoes and went tap dancing around the classroom! Since then, I do art on my own. To me, a person can take instructional classes and workshops to learn new techniques and art forms, but true art comes from the individual. A person's art is much more exciting when they do what they want and don't conform to others' ideals.

Have you used any unusual item in your stamping that wasn't necessarily meant for stamping? (i.e. found item or household item )
My husband likes to tease me (since I save what he thinks is weird, like bottle caps and acetate from boxes) that I'd save an old piece of cat poo, if it could be used in stamping! He is kidding of course, that's sick-o and I'd never go that far! Seriously, some boxes have those clear windows that can be used to stamp on. I use the glass from an 8"x10" picture frame to cut things out with my Exacto knife-cuts very smooth, but you have to be very careful and cut away from yourself.

My stamping desk was made and used by my Father, to use when he had his gunsmith shop down here in the basement. The whole stamp room had to be constructed around this huge desk. He even left file folders in the drawer for my cardstock, how did he know? I put to good use many things he used. Some of my prized items are an old dial stamp made in 1935 and his gunsmith rubber stamp from 30 years ago.

Any favorite books on stamping or art techniques that you would recommend? Any on Asian arts & crafts?
I really love the special issue "Return to Asia" by Stampington, very inspirational to me. I also find the Design Originals books are great and easy to follow.

Any favorite websites you would recommend for inspiration?
No particular website, but lately I like to search for Oriental art. At the medical clinic I take my Mom to, they have Oriental art prints on the entire 2nd floor, so a few weeks ago while I was waiting I wrote down all the artists names. The art on this page is by Toshi Yoshida, who also has an owl print that was my favorite.

Here are the rest of the astists names, if you would like to Google them. Asano, Shiro Kasanatsu, Elizabeth Keith, Lilian Miller, Koitsu Ishiwata, Hasui Kawase, Ichiryusai (Ando) Hrioshige, Hosai (1848-1920), Hishikawa Sadanobu, Utagawa Kunimasu, Ichieisai Yoshitsuya, Ichiyosai Yoshitaki, Nishikawa Sukenobu, Oh Sea Young, Fumio Fujita, Kiyoshi Ikezumi, Ay-O (Born 1931), Sado Watanabe, Tanaka Ryohei and S. Mijamoto.

Do you have a day job when you're not stamping? No

Tell us about your family and where you live.
I am from Stevens Point, Wisconsin, USA and have lived here all my life. I've been married to Randy since October 28, 2000. My DH and I renovated the basement ourselves in my childhood home with my Mom. We truly love helping each other and spending time together. We have a total of 3 kitties. The eldest is a girl gray tiger named Tigger, who stays by my Mom, and another girl named Mattie and a NAUGHTY NAUGHTY NAUGHTY 1 yr old boy named Merlin a.k.a. "Merly". Mattie is a gray tiger and Merly is a tan/orangish tiger, both have white paws, belly, chin and nose.

My Mom, Barbara, is 69 and my dear Dad died of cancer from asbestos when I was 11. I have older siblings: a brother, Alan, a sister, Dori, and a brother Norm. I have 4 nephews, 2 nieces and 1 great-nephew. I've been an Auntie since I was 3.

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