Local folk painter Maggie Blanchett has always wanted to end up in her favorite city in the world. Now, here she is — making and showing her work. See these great paintings at the next Hollywood showcase on Thursday, September 2nd at the Cinespace! Read on to learn what she has to say about inspiration and her work. 

Tell us about yourself and how you first got started making art.
I'm a professional, full-time folk artist from the vicinity of Dallas, Texas, with a degree in communication design from Texas A&M Commerce (Formerly East Texas State), now living in Los Angeles, my favorite city in the world! I have always been an artist, there has never been a moment in my life where I wasn't making art of some kind, even sculpting my mashed potatoes at 18 months! I have always wanted this for my life and I have always worked towards being where I am at in art.

How would you describe your aesthetic?
Folky! Although I have drawn inspiration from many diverse sources, I have found my true love in the beauty and charm of folk art. I am capable of painting in any style that I want but I choose the beauty and aesthetics of folk trees, angels, nature, birds and motifs with which I feel a spiritual relationship.

From where do you draw inspiration for your work?
I draw inspiration from everything in life, being alive is wonderful and Tolstoy hit the nail on the head when he said "In spite of everything, life is beautiful". This beauty is always present in my heart and I am happy to share this wonderful gift through my paintings.

What do you love most about what you do? 
I'm in love with both the process and the finish product. Painting makes me feel alive. Although, it is wonderful that so many people worldwide consistently fall in love with my work and become collectors, my main satisfaction is how painting makes me feel. And of course, how inspiring it is to see it on the wall, having taken a life of its own and inspiring me to keep painting.

Do you engage in, or draw inspiration from, any other forms of art? 
I have a love for creating computer art but obviously my true love is folk art painting. As for inspiration, I am inspired by so many things in my life! Music, movies, photography, anything that I find beautiful and that touches my heart. It creates a chain of positive energy that I help replicate and propagate through my work. And living in this beautiful, living, breathing colorful city of Los Angeles keeps me constantly inspired.

From start to finish, explain your process; what does a typical art-making day look like for you?
Art has its own  way of being born. Sometimes I start with an idea, sometimes I start with a random composition and allow the colors to talk to me and let  me know where they want to go. I dive my mind into this pool of color and pull out a tree, or an angel, maybe a horse, anything that is magically created from the heart. Then I free that image from the background like a sculptor frees a sculpture from solid rock.

Medium of choice?
I love all painting mediums, but I mostly use acrylics and oils on canvas. I also use anything that might work for the particular painting I'm creating. This can vary greatly! Metal powders, plastic polymers, old keys, 3d detailing that I make by hand in clay, etc.

Are there any artists or art movements, past or present, that strongly inform and influence your work? 
I have been inspired by many, many artists in the past but none have been a greater influence in my work than Gustav Klimt. What an amazing creative mind he had! I will always think of him as my greatest influence and I love how so much of his ideas and techniques can be incorporated in folk art. 

Any previous exhibitions/collaborations that you are particularly proud of? 
I can tell you with confidence that my very first gallery showing in Hollywood back in 2007 will always be my favorite memory. I knew I could make it here, in my favorite city in the world, and that was my confirmation. I would never want to live anywhere else! 

Any accomplishments/goals you hope to achieve as an artist in the future?
I hope to continue on this beautiful path that has been opened for me as an artist and see what wonders lie ahead. Living from my art was my goal and I have reached this. Everything else is a bonus.

Why showcase at RAW? 
Why not? ;-) I feel it's a wonderful opportunity.

Favorite thing to do outside of your craft? 
I love creating art, so everything I do is related to my craft. 

Any current rising stars within the art arena that you would recommend we look out for?
I love the work of outsider artists Christian Mengele, also in Los Angeles, and Jeff Hughart, from New York. I keep track of their work and love everything they come up with. Very inspiring!