www.SmellyRhino.Etsy.com
Tell us a Little about yourself?
Well, I’m an artist, singer and general do-gooder. I’m originally from the Northwest, but after 10 years, my webbed feet and my granola personality have been indoctrinated by the heat into the hospitable southern culture, enjoying the warm Georgia nights and the air conditioning most days! I live in the burbs with my partner and two dogs, an obvious inspiration! We met playing in a band together (he is such a great guitarist!) We like to play our guitars and sing, cook great healthy food, read and watch Sci-Fi! We are city people, though, and are eager to move in town.
How Did you get Started Doing What you Do? 
I majored in French and Fine Art, but was always crazy about fashion! My Mom, who was in school at the same time as I, majored in Fashion Design, so we could work together, and we started an apparel business upon graduating. It really was the best time in our lives (until now). In 99, I moved to Atlanta and transitioned to interior design, working for a furniture company. An easy transition, and I was happy because I was making people happy with my work! All that time spent in people’s home was creating a longing to paint murals. I was hearing the bells tolling…”Rebecca, you went to school for fine art, for goodness’ sake, time’s a wastin’! I did some plaster work with a friend in a couple of people’s houses, got hooked, and decided to go back to school to study plasters and decorative finishes. Then, the mack daddy of training…Trompe L’oeil and Mural painting from Michel Nadai, who was named the Premier Craftsman of France! Having been trained by a Master, I feel, gave me an added boost to my abilities. He is a great teacher and that is an understatement. I have had my business for 3 years now, Auzias.com, but the Etsy thing and online selling only began about a year and a half ago. I love working for clients doing whatever they want, but I love even more painting what I like, really showing my personality in my work, and that is what I sell online.
How Did you Pick Your Shop Name?
Smelly Rhino Studio? he he. I know, it’s silly. It was a cocktail napkin idea. You know, sitting around at the airport with a friend, waiting for a flight, over a couple of whiskey & 7’s.
What makes your items special/unique?
I don’t really know what makes me unique, but I am Uber silly! I have always been a little different, as my friends keep reminding me! But, as a working artist, making a living only as a painter, it is really hard to separate yourself from others to create something truly unique and marketable. As in music, it seems like it’s all been done before, just re-patterning the notes or adding a subtle key or timing change here and there. Of course I really want to be different, but I don’t know how much I really achieve that. I brainstorm on a sketch pad, letting my imagination inspire me. I always sketch a rough composition on paper before hitting the canvas. I think this is the most important step, to let the ideas out of your head, plus I don’t want to erase a lot! There are times though, when I go to the canvas immediately with paint because I just want the brush to flow…these are usually abstracts and collage pieces, and occasionally, brilliance appears, although repeating it is hard! He he.
I want my work to make me happy and even laugh, so in addition to painting very serious traditional trompe l’oeil for
clients, I tend to paint a lot of lowbrow, cartoons, robots and flowers! Strange mix, maybe, but hey, it works! I do have a twinge of Monk in me, though, and with art, it is hard to define what’s done and what isn’t. Tough when you’re a perfectionist, because some things never get listed. I fight with this every day, leaving a painting for a long time before going back to it. I am learning to resign (with peace and contentment), which most times, makes the painting better. Overworking is bad, mmkay? DaVinci said, “Art is never finished, only abandoned.” He must have had issues, too! LOL
I collect art, too, but sometimes I have to say no to buying some of my favorite works, because I don’t want to be too ‘inspired’ by them. I want my works to reflect me, to come from my own head and heart as much as possible, and I hope it shows. That being said, Norman Rockwell was my greatest inspiration as a child. If I could be one tenth as good as he, I would be content!
Is there anything else we should know?
Yes! I am so grateful for the North Georgia Etsy Team! Everyone here is so wonderful and they have really encouraged and supported me and made me feel a part of a family, which is huge since mine is 3000 miles away! Being involved in a local team has been a wonderful experience for me, because we can meet up in person, plan events together, and create lasting friendships! I hope I am doing my part to support everyone else as I have felt supported!
Also, read The Artist’s Way! I encourage everyone to get a copy and begin their own spiritual art journey!
CONTEST INFO:
SmellyRhino.Etsy.com will be giving away a Signed “Hang On Sweet Beagle Flying Ace In Training” Print. Readers must comment on their favorite item in her shop, and of those people who participate, a winner will randomly selected. Leave your comment before midnight on Saturday, August 15, 2009 & the winner will be announced on Sunday, August 16th.
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