Featured Etsy Seller: EyePopArt

Who are you? Where are your roots? I am a native Oregonian, my roots are right here in my little house in Portland where I live with my husband and two kids. I am actually quite "rooted" to this house because I have put countless hours into turning my home into a psychedelic wonderland with all kinds of intensely colored, intricate murals all over the walls and ceilings of every room, which also glow in the dark...it is hard to ever leave!

What were you like in High School? I was a total hippie among throngs of mean suburban jocks. It was hard. I was also really into working on the school newspaper, I wanted to be a journalist or writer of some sort. I read all the time, took all the advanced English classes, competed in essay contests and stuff. One of my friends was "the artist" so I never even thought about being an artist until after high school. I was also an assistant director for our drama department. I smoked cigarettes in the girls' bathroom, skipped PE classes whenever possible, and never had a boyfriend. My parents kicked me out of the house my junior year so I ended up moving in with friends and spent my senior year in a rural town out in the sticks, then was able to graduate a semester early so I could get out of Dodge. I ended up moving to the mountains of Montana for the summer with a bunch of cool people including the man who I have now been with for 16 years, and we've been married for 11 years!

What would you consider your muse? Well, I started collecting psychedelic coffee cups from the 1960s and 70s back when I was in high school. I would have to say that the stylized floral patterns and groovy designs from the 60s are a great inspiration to me, I just love them! I have hundreds of my awesome coffee cups and you will get to see the creative way I decorated my kitchen with them some time in the future on HGTV's new show, "Look What I Did!"

What is your favorite medium, and why? I love painting with acrylics, it is just so satisfying to paint, and I love using bright colors and also the iridescent colors like silver, gold, and copper.

Tell me about your artwork, what kind of style are you? My style is very psychedelic. I mostly make mandalas and I use vinyl records as the canvas. With records you know exactly where the center of the circle is (because of the spindle hole) so it's easy for me to just start in the center and work my way out until I have created a completely balanced design. I also do larger canvas paintings and murals where it's more of a free-flowing madness, plus I have a cartoony style that you can see for example in the murals in my son's room.

Who do you think your top market is? I've found that it's the "green consumers" who most appreciate what I do - people who have a respect for the environment, recycling and creative reuse of obsolete items.

Who is your most favorite and least favorite celebrity? Favorite: Bob Dylan. Least favorite: Paris Hilton.

Do you listen to music while you create? If so, which, and who is your favorite? I actually listen pretty much exclusively to classical music. I also love rock and punk rock music but in the last few years I have become totally addicted to classical. We have a great classical station here in Portland which is commercial free. I find that classical music really helps me to be more relaxed and productive.

Other than creating art - what is your favorite hobby? I learned how to play chess a couple of years ago and since then I have become obssessed with it. My husband and I play at least one game a day. I am the two-time winner of the house chess championship.

What do you believe is essential for an etsy seller? Perseverance and a positive attitude are very important! Having a good variety of products, listing new items often, using good quality photos...and of course marketing your shop as much as you possibly can.



Thanks for taking the time to fill this survey out, I'm glad I got to know you and I wish you all the best in the future!

Peace & Hot Sweaty Monkey Love,
Abbie