Tell us a little about you and what you do besides Etsy. My name is Marisa Hopkins, I’m originally from the Bay Area, California, but am currently living in West Texas. I have two daughters and I am a stay at home mom. My free time is limited, but when I do have a moment, I like to design new illustrations or blog about my life as a mom and an artist. When did art/illustration become part of your life? Colored pencil has been my passion since I was 12 and received my first set of professional colored pencils. I have always wanted to be an artist, and the colored pencils were so rich and vibrant in color. I just couldn’t get enough of them. What is the inspiration behind your work? I draw what makes me happy, and at the moment I have an insatiable sweet tooth. There are going to be a lot of cakes and cupcake illustrations in my portfolio, especially as the holidays hit and I really go dessert crazy. Other than that, I think color inspires me the most. I love color and putting beautiful colors next to each other. The brighter and more vibrant the color, the happier I am. It is like an addiction that I have to fill by drawing! Which technique do you use the most in your work? I burnish and blend my colored pencil illustrations for hours. I use solvents and colorless blender pencils and I think that people really love the look. I know that I do, and colors seem to pop the more I blend them into the paper. Which technique would you like to learn or that you already know but jus haven ́t had the opportunity to apply to your work? I have always had a love affair with the look of watercolors, but find that I’m just not that great at them. I’d love to spend a lot more time with them, so that I can add watercolors to my portfolio. Why do you think the piece you chose is so representative of your work? I believe my Olivia snob is representative of my work because she incorporates everything I love to include in an illustration. I
love rich and vibrant color, lovely and elegant faces, roses and pen and ink elements seen in the jeweled border along the bottom, and the butterflies behind the snob. Please tell us something we would be surprised to know about you. In addition to being an artist, I am also an aspiring author. I always have a story or two to jot down. Being a published author and illustrator has always been my goal, and hopefully once my daughters start school, I will have more time to make that dream come true.
CONTACT INFO
MARISA HOPKINS SHOP http://www.ElegantSnobbery.etsy.com
This page: Chocolate and Roses Opposite page: Olivia INTERVIEW WITH ELEGANT SNOBBERY 43