"Art is the only way to run away without leaving home." -Twyla Tharp

Back when we were planning our wedding, I wanted to get Guy something special to have with him on our wedding day that he could wear again and remember it. He is the sentimental type even though he sometimes tries to pretend he's not. I decided to get him some cufflinks and found some I really loved and knew he would love too. Carolina made those and when I started doing the Etsy artisans I knew I wanted her to participate.

1. What's your story?
I'm from Spain. I was born in Madrid and spent most of my childhood in the Canary Islands. Lived on and off in Europe, Far East Asia (where my parents are from) and the United States. I was a geeky kid, more interested in science experiments or a brand new box of colored pencils than playing with dolls.

I've always enjoyed experiments and observing other people's reactions. That's how I see my art, as a catalyst for emotion and a participant's experience.

2. When, how and why did you decide to make what you make (and sell it)?
My fate was sealed at age 5, when I won a children's national painting contest in Madrid. On that day, I announced that I wanted to be an artist, forever killing my parent's dream of their child becoming a doctor or a lawyer (for a while, I even wanted to be a catholic nun).

Becoming a painter didn't surprise my parents, coming from a family with an artistic background. Creating has always being part of my life and I can't think of another way to live. I have a Fine arts degree in Painting, studied Fashion Design and Graphic & Web design. Besides painting I enjoy sculpting and to create jewelry.

3. What inspires you?
Everything. Vintage and modern, pop culture, everyday life, the world of fashion, architecture and interior design, history, science and technology, just to name a few. It could be a trip to a museum or a scene I witnessed earlier at the supermarket, a vintage dress or browsing through the pages of Wired magazine. Scary but true, inspiration strikes anytime and anywhere.

My heritage has influenced my style; I admire the minimalist aesthetic and colors of Japanese and Chinese cultures, and European/Western art.

4. Other than Etsy, where else on the web can we find you?
I have a second shop on Artfire: www.bighelmethead.artfire.com
My website: www.carolinaseth.com
Blog (which I need to update more often): www.bighelmethead.blogspot.com
Facebook: facebook.com/pages/Big-Helmet-Head/315560911696
I can also be followed on Twitter: twitter.com/#!/bighelmethead

5: What is your creative process?
I don't have a method. I'm not the most organized person, but whenever I have an idea, I quickly write/sketch it down so as not to forget. I have several sketch books, but I don't carry them with me all the time, so I'll make notes on any blank paper that is handy and keep it for later. I like to draw with pencil or ink what I envision with all kinds of descriptions. My daughter enjoys browsing through my notes as if they were in-congruent comic books or a mad person's visual diary.

6: Who are your favorite artists?
All the classic master painters, specially the surrealists: Dali, Miro, Magritte.
Architect Antoni Gaudi, his work is both technical and organic, scientifically beautiful, he's been truly a great source of inspiration to me. I admire pop artist Takashi Murakami, his creations are so much fun and remind us to not take life too seriously.

7: If you could move anywhere, where would it be and why?
I'm a city person and grew up and living in big cities all my life. Yet, at this stage of my life, married with a child, I found that the ideal place to live is where I am today, Northern Virginia, in the D.C. metro area. It's culturally diverse, with the intellectual and social life that the city offers, but also close to nature and able to enjoy the luxury of having my own yard and a bright studio (no more "bohemian", dark artist's loft for me).
When I get older, if I'm lucky enough, I'd like to move to someplace warm near the ocean, perhaps Southern Europe or somewhere in the Americas.

8: What are 5 of your quirks?
I can't create with a "public", it makes me nervous to have someone staring while I'm working. Whenever I see those artists painting portraits on the streets surrounded by people, I always wonder "how can they do it?".

I don't like to touch raw meat. Even though I know I can wash my hands afterwards.

I like to watch The Twilight Zone.

I collect Japanese Kewpie dolls.

Can't think of quirk #5, but I'm sure it'll manifest sometime soon

Want to get some awesome art from Carolina? --> http://www.etsy.com/shop/bighelmethead You can get 15% OFF everything on Big Helmet Head --> (both Etsy and Artfire shops, excluding custom orders). Just mention the code falling4art. The code is good until November 1st, 2011.