I believe that there is a tiny thread of artistic inspiration that comes from some funny little place deep inside of me. I might be minding my own business when, all of a sudden, some little inspiration buzzes around, reminding me it is there. I have said many times that I think we all carry tons of little bits of inspiration inside of us. Our imagination, sending us ideas and characters, as inspiration. The thing about these little bits of inspiration is that something must ignite the spark of inspiration, so you can actually catch one of them in the butterfly net of your mind. For me, once I have caught that little inspiring bug, then it takes something more for me to unravel it, through the inspiration wave. A bit of music might take a tinge of inspiration, and unlock that secret door to some other place inside, that leads to this whole snowball effect, inspiration running through you. Until finally it reaches your fingertips, and you can begin the next step of bringing it to life

I have been creating art since I was a very young child. In a recent scavenger hunt through all our old attic treasures at my parents’ house, I found some old drawings I did at 5 that won prizes in fairs. Drawings that were long forgotten, but well protected. It warmed my heart to find them. At 11 years old I started painting on walls in our house (murals and such). At 13 I had taken the painting to furniture and large scale canvas. That was really the unleashing of me exploring my creative world ... As I got older and went off to college, I explored my art love even more. My degree from the University of Arizona is not in art. However, those times in college held so much creative growth for me. From the ages of 18 to 21 I showed my artwork in a gallery in downtown Tucson. This led me to meet some fascinating artists, and have marvelous experiences. That was an entire art education in itself. Those times hold some of my fondest memories of my finding my way through art. Every memory of my life comes with late nights of painting and creating. Sculpting with high and low fire clay, and making jewelry ... I found creating such a huge way to release emotions (and still do). Art has been the most necessary thing in my life to date. And I have made huge life decisions, with art being the main priority.

Oh my, how can one choose?? I love it all! I cannot say that I prefer one over the other. It changes from day to day, and mood to mood ... I do honestly flutter from one medium to the next, depending on how I feel on different days. They all bring a different sense of satisfaction. Some days it is all about dolls, other days it is all about glue and paper and painting.

A carnival of paint splatters and 50 projects goin' on at once. I have two workbenches and a table in the center of my studio. They are all occupied by different projects right now. However these projects even trickle out of my studio and into my room, down the hall and onto the dining table ... Three words can sum it up, "Lovely Art" Chaos

I have been lucky in the last couple of years, in that, I have been asked to participate in different publications prior to submitting my work. However, through the years, I have done my fair share of submitting work in different venues. And the fact is that, if you keep with it, and submit, eventually something magical will happen. To be honest, I have to go with my dad's advice. "What is the worst thing that can happen? You've got nothing to lose." I say, submit, and if the good news gets to you, that you are in, it is a huge bonus. Other than that, you lose nothing. Actually, the one you can lose is the chance to be published and share your work with others..."

Secrets, secrets I tell ya! All joking aside, on the immediate project front, I am throwing a blog party for my 200th blog post. I want to do something visually fun for the event. I can share this with you because the event will have passed by the time you read this. I am attempting to make some items out of vintage dictionary pages, such as, teacups and saucers, a teapot, a 4-tier cake and some party hats. I also intend to embellish these items with papers and fabrics. We shall see if it turns out! After that, I have doll heads waiting for bodies, witches waiting for dresses, carnival men waiting for shoes ... and about 8 different canvases waiting for some final touches. Oh, and we can't forget, the elves are waiting for their hats...

I play the piano, and compose little tunes whenever I am not in the clay or paints. I also love to watch dreamy movies and treasure hunt (looove treasure hunting). And always, in my spare time, I have to have a little tea party. Even if it is just for one. I make sure to let myself use my fanciest fun tea sets, and I also make sure to refuel my soul during those moments. Refueling is the most crucial thing, so when lovely spare moments come up, I make sure to follow my heart on a refueling adventure... Be sure to check out Vanessa’s article in this month’s issue of Art Doll Quarterly, and see more of her artwork on her Web site (http://www.vanessavalencia.com/) and blog, A Fanciful Twist {Through the Secret Keyhole} (www.afancifultwist.typepad.com).