I live in the country predominantly to have peace to work as an artist. I sort of fell into homesteading. Was just wondering if I'm the only one??

-- Gayle in KY (gayleannesmith@yahoo.com), April 10, 2002

Answers

Me and the wife carve and do one of a kind figures, both realistic and abstract. The wife does fiber, really loves the design of things but don't like the actual making of the fiber things. What is your medium.

-- David in North Al (bluewaterfarm@mindspring.com), April 10, 2002.

I mostly paint, but also enjoy many different crafts. Lately I've been making pressed flower pictures and windows. I also do some decoupage and make papier mache dolls, among tons of other things.

-- Gayle in KY (gayleannesmith@yahoo.com), April 10, 2002.

Started homestead in 1997, then became English / Speech teacher at small rural high school. A need for an art teacher came up, and my years of crafts and homemade art projects were enough experience that I passed the state teacher exam in Art. I am now the 8th grade and high school art teacher, have a studio in my home, and LOVE to watercolor.

-- Rose (open_rose@hotmail.com), April 10, 2002.

Gayle--

your story is much like mine. I'm a writer. I write fantasy and surreal stuff--also mainstream, and science fiction. And I freelance. The quiet is very good for my work. I wasn't writing when I lived in the city so I don't know if I would have been as productive there--but I suspect not.

-- Cat (catcrazy@somewhere.com), April 10, 2002.

My husband and I are artists. We both sculpt, although I am not in his league by a long shot. (He is incredible! A prehistoric crocodile he did recently for a museum in Cairo would knock your socks off - it's so realistic!) Our work is primarily used in natural history exhibits, (dioramas portraying wildlife - plant and animal - in natural settings. Some of our work is in the Smithsonian, The Chicago Field Museum, etc), but we also do fine art when we have the time (mostly in bronze or aluminum - which we cast ourselves).

In addition, I write - although so far my published work consists of a couple of articles and one natural history field guide that I did for the natural history museum in Grand Rapids, MI. I have written 4 screenplays, but haven't tried to find a publisher yet. I'm still polishing.

I guess we weren't cut out to be anything other than "starving artists" though. We would like to do more of our own work (as opposed to the studio stuff we do for museums), but, like a lot of artists, we aren't really business minded. It's hard to get commissions when you aren't good at self-promotion. I'd settle for just making a decent living doing what we love!

-- Deborah Stephenson (wonkaandgypsy@hotmail.com), April 10, 2002.

How wonderful and encouraging your stories all are!!!

I am a writer and a homesteader, basically a newspaper reporter/photographer now going on 23 years, but I also write and freelance....all from my home office here on the homestead!

-- Suzy in Bama (slgt@yahoo.com), April 11, 2002.

Everyone has a mix. I pursue this lifestyle, write, research and consult. For me , this lifestyle is just a vehicle that I use to allow my more valued abilities to funtion unemcumbered by the rat race society that restricts creative free thinking through regimentation, jealousy and inherent self dissatisfaction.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), April 11, 2002.

I agree! Living cheaper and more self sufficiently gives me more time to write! Very important to me, and all artists, I would imagine, to have the freedom to keep doing their creative work.

-- Cat (catcrazy@somewhere.com), April 11, 2002.

So happy to say I'm a homesteader! Aren't we country folk mostly people who just wanna get away from the crowds, find some peace and quiet and fresh air, and make stuff, and do stuff? As in, plant stuff, build stuff, eat good stuff?

I write too. I've written several short stories, which I plan to publish as a book; and I've written a few articles for Countryside. I write to several pen pals, whom I entertain with stories of my daily life. When I am in a country setting, my writing is much more creative, and prolific. I'm a crafts person from way back. I'm learning how to spin, I make herbal remedies, I sew, garden, and cook. In the past, I've done leather work, tie dye, batik, wood inlay, beadwork, crochet, quilting, and cross stitch. I'm making my first attempt at orcharding. My trees are four years old this year and starting to bear fruit! It's so exciting. So many fun things to do! I am looking forward to making jams and salsa from our garden and orchard this fall.

-- Christine Baillie (towanda515@yahoo.com), April 13, 2002.

I am enjoying this thread-- finding out about you all!

I love to paint and am so inspired by nature. Although we do not live on our land yet, I am filled with inspiration and a rededication to my craft each time we make a trip south to our land. I am longing for the day when living there, those feelings will be an everyday love affair between nature and art! Kelly

-- Kelly longing to live in our woods (angelridgemom@prodigy.net), April 13, 2002.

WOW! I'm so impressed! Such talented folks. The croc(croc, wasn't it?) sounds incredible. Does any one have pics of their work? I'd love love love to cast sculpture, but no studio...I miss Art School for that reson, and of course being around other artists.

I'm an artist, but nothing like some of you....and I can totally relate to not being apt at self promotion.

-- Patty (SycamoreHollow@aol.com), April 15, 2002.

I work at home as a cross-stitch designer and try to get in the homestead/farm thing as time allows. Would like to have more time for the latter, but deadlines constantly loom. Not complaining, mind you - it pays the bills for now, and once they're history I can slow down some and enjoy my mountains more.

-- Jorja Hernandez (jorja@color-country.net), April 15, 2002.