Please check through here before sending me a message, you might find the answer you want.

What camera do you use to take photographs of your art with?

I currently use a Canon 80D and 60D. I first used a Canon EOS Rebel T1i I bought with some of the winning from the HP You on You contest. Being able to purchase a dslr was a life changer for me.

What digital drawing tablet do you use?

I first used a Wacom Bamboo 4x6" tablet for a long while. After my pen mysteriously disappeared, my husband bought me a Large Wacom Inutos 5 Touch. When we moved recently I found the missing pen hidden, hmmmm!!

What type of computer do you use?

I currently work on a 27" iMac using Mas OS High Sierra Version 10.13.6 with a 3.4 GHz Intel Core i7 Processor, 32 GB 1600 MHz DDR3 Memory, and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680MX 2048 MB Graphics.  I rarely use my husband's Macbook Pro, only when I'm somewhere else or need the convenience of mobility. I use my iPadPro a lot with my apple pencil, which I L-O-V-E!

I work mainly on the iMac using Mac OS X Version 10.6.8 with a 3.06 GHz Intel Core Duo Processor and 6 GB of Memory (subject to updates, sorry), but I also use my dv6 Artist's Edition Notebook that I won in the HP You on You contest.

What programs do you use on your iPad?

Procreate is so versatile, it’s my go to. I like SketchesPro and Paper too. I use Adobe Draw for sketching quick vectors for fabric design and sometimes Photoshop Sketch.

What programs do you use to edit with?

I mainly use Final Cut Pro for my videos, and Photoshop CC to edit my art. Adobe Illustrator for fabric design. I have used others in the past though: iMovie, Final Cut Express, Windows Movie Maker, and Avid. I've also been using Photoshop since CS2 was first released.

What photo editing program do you recommend?

Any that you can get your hands on. GIMP is a free program that's a nice starter, Adobe Elements, and Corel Painter are great to start with and for intermediate users. I use Adobe Photoshop CC for a lot of my photo editing and digital work.

Does anyone help make your videos?

I used to do it all completely by myself, though now my husband is starting to have a bigger hand in the process by being my new cameraman. He watches the kids while I work, and now helps me out with canvas building. So I would have to say that Jonathan is really helping out a lot at this point in time behind the scenes. In the end though, I do 95% of it (ugg -,-) ...I really would love a full time assistant. =]

What's your process in making a video & how long does it take?

It takes anywhere from a couple of days to several months, the artwork making plays a huge role mainly. I've never kept track of how many hours I spend in the technical area, but I'll spend entire days on it. Your answer would be lots of hours. Hours of many. Here's a quick sum up of making one video on average:

1. I plan and write out what a video will be, decide upon the artwork, the theme of the video to match the artwork, the story overall, and will draw out shots sometimes.

2. I usually set up shots and have Jonathan sit in for me so I can get what I want (since I'm a perfectionist freak sometimes) When Jonathan isn't around I use my microphone to represent my head so that I can focus a shot lol.

3. I then make the artwork over a period of time and record it as I go, sometimes getting close-ups myself and having shots recorded of me making it in real time and other B-roll.

4. Let's not forget the business of setting up to make art, clean up my brushes, and putting it away so my kids don't mess with it. -,- The camera & tripod gets taken out and put back too. Have to upload footage when the camera memory fills up then empty the camera, charge often.

5. Review what I will talk about, make any changes and then set up for recording.

6. I do my main talking tidbit last after my artwork is completely done and will mix it with narrative shots I took while I made the artwork during editing.

7. Then it's time to upload and import clips into Final Cut Pro.

8. I usually put all of my recorded artwork clips together and make the time lapse first and export it as a single clip so it's ready for use.

9. Time to watch all the clips and lay out the important parts onto the timeline to make a very rough cut.

10. Start editing, and editing some more. Shorten my video so it's not 15 minutes long.

11. More editing, and refinement, small special effects, transitions, or animations sometimes.

12. It's around this time I will step away from editing a little and will digitize my artwork by photographing or scanning my finished piece.

13. Format the artwork for print, for web, and for video in one go.

14. Back to editing, record extreme last minute pick up shots, lots of tweaking.

15. I always color correct at the end, I usually do a test color correction at the beginning of editing really quick with one clip to see if the lighting & overall video looks okay.

16. Decide on music and add it, work on audio levels. (I really need some good headphones for this someday! I suck at audio)

17. Have Jonathan watch it after I leave the room since I'm always way to embarrassed to watch my video with anyone. Ever.

18. After feedback I sometimes leave it, tweak or or overhaul the damn thing.

19. Export and compress, then upload.

20. Feel relief for less than 24 hours before I have to work on another one.

Where did you learn to make videos?

I’m pretty much self-taught. I did a lot of research in the library and on my own on how to edit, and there was a lot of trial and error. I'm no expert that's for sure! I started learning how to edit on my own in 2008. I got my first real taste of classes while at the YouTube Creator Institute and learned a lot of film making basics there.

Have you taken art classes?

Yes, I've taken many classes in public school, and also been lucky enough to attend private lessons. Though, I studied a lot on my time even as a kid, just as I still study, read, look, and make art now. I enjoy checking out other artists’ lessons online too. If given the chance I like to attend lectures and any other classes if possible. I’ve taught art classes before too!

What brand of canvases do you buy?

I like to build my own canvases from scratch. I buy the straightest wood possible, with the least amount of defects, and use a table saw to cut an angle into the wood. From there the wood is cut to the desired length at 45° angles, and assembled into a frame. I stretch cotton-duck canvas on with staples and gesso it 3 times, sanding between each coat. I’ve tried out pre-gessoed canvas, it saves lots of time and energy, but I enjoy the feel of canvases I gesso myself. I want to paint on linen eventually.

What brand of paint do you use?

I use Winsor and Newton acrylics and Golden Open Acrylics (recommended to me by Annie Stegg) mainly but have used Liquitex, Daler-Rowney System 3, I hope to try others in the future. I avoid student paints and only use artist quality as the quality of the pigment and light fastness is superior. I have used Blickrylic, which is a student grade paint, but mainly for craft projects and things other than fine art. You can read this article I wrote comparing artist and student quality paints.

What colored pencils do you use?

I enjoy Prismacolor brand pencils, Derwent and Faber-Castell are great as well.

What graphite pencils do you use?

Reeves, General-Kimberly as of now.

What paper do you like to draw on?

It depends on the medium for one, and the quality I want to make. I like Strathmore Drawing Paper (the brown pads), and Canson Bristol Vellum. Moleskine sketchbooks are fun to draw in too.

Will you draw this celebrity for me?

I’m sorry, but no. I personally like to deviate away from making all of my art about celebrities. I want to try and make original artworks with my original references and bring my own emotions into my work. I’d rather be inspired by a celebrity versus trying to copy a photograph of them that was originally someone else’s concept. There are many fantastic artists that render and draw celebrities that can be found, so I urge you to look and support them for what they do. That’s not to say that I don’t enjoy making fan art here and there though ;)

Do you draw manga/anime?

I do draw it at random nowadays, I've never showcased it online before though really.

I started drawing manga and anime primarily as a kid. I even drew lots of my own manga comics, collaborated with friends on drawing manga, and made up my own characters. I've been reading manga since I was 11, watching anime since around the same time too. I've got a fairly large manga and anime collections from over the years and lots of manga style art books. A lot of this leads to the next question...

Is manga/anime real art?

I was totally surprised when asked this more than once. Then again I've had art teachers that discouraged anime style art in class and even say that it's just kid stuff and not 'fine art.'

YES, plainly put, it is art. It's just a different style, all the elements and designs of art apply. It doesn't matter that the human depiction is simply more abstract. Manga and anime are a massive massive industry. A lot of techniques and know-how's are taken in order to create it.

Do you take art requests?

It depends on how busy I am, but if there’s something you’d really love to see me do it doesn’t hurt to send me a suggestion. =)

Do you do art trades?

Again, it depends on how busy I am for the big art trades, though I have made many art trades in the past. I take serious offers only as well. I do however frequently make artist trading cards, so hit me up on those, I love to trade them! ATC’s are original 2.5x3.5” cards that are only meant to be traded and not sold. (Sometimes termed as ACEO’s in various places online)

Will you donate your art for my cause/non-profit organization?

I do offer my art at 50% off for non-profit organizations that plan to auction my work and prints to raise money for their cause. =) Also, provided you have the proper paper work and information regarding your company and its cause. As much as I wish I could, I can’t give away all of my art as it’s my living and how I support my family.

How can I better myself as an artist?

Practice! :P   You can never have too much, just get out there and create. If you have a passion for art then hold onto it always. I always like to keep a sketchbook on hand, I find it very helpful. Turn that passion into a dedication to keep going forward. Make your very best artwork, enjoy it, then be critical of it, then pledge to make one even better and try to do so.

Put yourself out of your comfort zone a little. As in, if you never draw from life, try drawing an apple. If you want to be more abstract, try to simplify what your drawing into to shapes and distorting it.  Observe other art and other artists, try to figure out what they did that you like or hate so much about their art and why. What do artworks that you deem successful in your mind have as qualities? Once you start to discover these types of things and looks differently with your eye it can change your art. Have fun with it, push yourself until you're annoyed with it, then decide to love it again. Try a different medium, it's a great way to get a different perspective on making art. (Painting vs. drawing vs. sculpting vs. sewing the same picture of mountain will yield very different processes and give different looks and feels.)

Practice some more.

How can I make reproductions of my art?

Reproducing one's art is an art in itself. I'm going to write an article on the various ways to make high quality copies of your art and how to make prints and giclees since I've been asked this question a lot, and I'll hope that you find the answers you're looking for in it.   ^_^ I'll update this answer once I've written it.

When did you start sewing?

I start sewing when I was about 8. I did little cross-stitches for throw pillows. My mom mainly taught me, and I learned a little bit from my grandma (whom also first showed me a bit of crochet). I sewed other random things at times growing up, but didn't get back into sewing until I got my first sewing machine for Christmas from my mom when I was 23.

Do you design fabric?

Yes, I work for Riley Blake Designs/ Penny Rose Fabrics. My first line will be released in February 2017!

How do you design fabric?

I sketch up lots of random little things in my sketchbook and put together images with a general theme. I then redraw or scan up images using Photoshop and my Wacom tablet and create the final artwork as a vector in Adobe Illustrator using Pantone colors.I make sure the pattern is a repeat ready for printing on fabric and submit it.

How did you become a YouTube partner?

I became a partner shortly after being apart of the YouTube Creator Institute. I didn’t become partner the first time I applied, but the second time around.

How can I get more views/subscribers on YouTube?

The YouTube playbook has every answer you'll need in regards to being successful on YouTube. I can't answer it better myself.

What camcorder to do use?

I use my Canon 80D and GoPro. I used to use my Canon 60D and Sony HDR-SR1. I used a Panasonic HVX200 for a while when I could, and a Sony EX1. I sometimes use my iMac webcam for super quick shots during contests too. I use my iPhone for quick shots too.

The first camera I started using was a digital picture camera that was only meant to record video for a couple minutes at a time. I put a large SD card in it to record myself making art.

Don't I need a good expensive camera to make videos?

No, content matters more than the quality of the video.

Start off with what you have, can find, or can borrow. Ask to borrow a camera if you don't have one, I borrowed my Dad's Song HDR-SR1 (though I'm still using it like crazy and haven't returned it... ^^; I don't think Dad minds though!) Do your research and save up if you feel you're at a point where you're wanting more quality.

How can I edit my videos?

By default the Windows OS comes with Windows Movie Maker and the Apple OS comes with iMovie. They're simple, but can do your basics which is all you really need to make a video If you're editing so much and want to do more like effects then you should consider looking into a video editing program fit for you.

What does that symbol I always see mean?

It’s a representation of myself. I first designing that symbol as a teenager, I wanted a visual design that would represent me as a person. I spent a lot of time thinking and coming up with ideas before I finally landed on the final result and then had it tattooed on my back when I was 16. It’s a very personal image to me, and I love it a lot. Now, I draw it on the back of all of my original art alongside my signature. I sometimes even mark my possessions with it as well. Later, when I decided to make Transient Art, I naturally found myself using the symbol as a part of my logo.

Why do you love crows and ravens so much? I see them in your art a lot.

I grew up with both crows and ravens in Colorado. Specifically American Crows and Common Ravens I really adore them a lot and think they’re beautiful. They’re almost spiritual animals to me. I also love lop-eared rabbits just as much too.

What’s the difference between a crow and a raven?

There are many differences between an American Crow and Common Raven. They’re as different as a tiger and lion are. Crows are smaller, more sociable, have wedge shaped feathers, and make more of a caw sound, their life span is much shorter than that of a raven. A raven is technically a crow, since crow is an umbrella term. There are many types of crows and ravens around the world. Ravens are the largest of the corvids. They tend to soar like hawks, live in more rural areas, have thicker and curvier beaks, and croak, their feathers can have a purplish sheen to them as well. Crows and ravens don’t actually get along that well!

Do you have any children?

Yes, I have 2 sons and 1 daughter. Jude and Jacob who are typical little boys. =) Then there's Lyla , who's my sweet sweet blonde haired, blue eyed baby girl. Jude is the blonde one, and Jacob the one with big eyes.