We would like to introduce our artist of the month, Jacqueline Collen-Tarrolly.

Many see Jacqueline's work here at ADI, but what they may not know is that she is a wife, mother, owner and breeder of Friesian horses, Gypsy Cobs and Fell ponies, author of the novella Beneath Lies Beauty, fan and seeker of all things vintage, grief counselor and beauty consultant . . . and still she finds time to create the fae, mermaids and other characters of fantasy that touch your heart and warm your spirit.

Thank you for taking time from your very busy schedule to chat with us Jaqueline.



Tell us about where you live, your likes, dislikes. Can you ever imagine living anywhere else and if so where?

I live in Burbank,CA. I really like it. It has the feel of a small town but its right in the middle of one of the largest cities in the world, Los Angeles. I can imagine living many many places..Venice,Paris( again),Prague, and my personal heart-home,Scotland...to name a few.



Where do you draw your inspiration from; how do you choose the subjects of your work?

I don’t. They choose me. I get an image in my head and it wont leave me alone till I paint it.



Do you have a favorite artist?

Far too many to list!!!



When did you first recognize your love of art?

You know, I don’t know that I HAVE a love of art. I’m very different from a lot of other artists. I just..started drawing, painting and whathaveyou, from the second I was born. My dad says I came out of the womb waving my tiny hands around like I was painting something. I’ve just always done it. Does that translate to a love of art or just something I am destined to do? Who knows? I certainly don’t find myself heading off to museums or galleries all the time, and don’t have a lot of art on my wall. I enjoy art the same way anyone does, but I cant say that I have a passion for it as itself. I just NEED to do it–but not all the time, only when an image calls to me to paint it.. Does that make sense?



When you aren’t painting, what do you do for fun and relaxation; your hobbies.

Well, so far I have managed to turn just about anything I have a fondness for into a way to make a living, There’s the horses, the vintage store ( which allows me to indulge myself in shopping until my feet hurt), writing, etc...I do like to garden, and I love to read..so far I haven’t done anything–money-wise–with those so I guess those could be called hobbies.



Tell us a little about your family.

I’m married. I have two children.



Who has been your greatest support in pursuing your artistic career?

I’m not sure. I’ve had a lot of support. Probably my husband on a personal level, but really without the support of my fans I’d never have been able to do this, so I would have to say my fans!.



If you had not chosen art as a profession, what would you be doing instead?

That changes on any given day.



Do you have a favorite medium when working?

Acrylic paint!



Of all of your artwork, do you have a personal favorite?

No.



How long does it normally take you to complete a piece from start to finish?

Anywhere from 12 - 30 total work hours. But that can cover several weeks or just days.



Share some of your favorite things: Music, Foods, Movies, Books?

Chocolate, Indian food, coffee, roses, lavender, Neil Gaiman, Jacqueline Carey, Lord of the Rings, Dances With Wolves, BraveHeart,



Which artists, past or present, most inspire you, and why?

Eyvind Earle. His use of color is just exquisite, and his unusual way of seeing the most ordinary things..like trees...he was awesome. Thats just one. There are tons more.



Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet and talk with over dinner?

I literally cant answer this. There are just too many people.

Is there a particular charity or cause that you participate in or work with?

Animal charities tend to get the most support from me. Other than that I am a sucker for homeless people asking for a dollar for food...



Lastly, would you like to leave a personal note to your fans and/or aspiring artists?

Thank you to all of you! I could not be doing this without all of you! You humble me.