Interview With An Artist

Affordable Art Series: Ariel Korobacz

Interviewer: Alyice Edrich

Ariel Korobacz has been creating art for as long as she can remember. In fact, she can never remember thinking of being anything else, but an artist. Over the years she has discovered that art sometimes comes in stages, but when it's abundant, it's important to "be brave and follow the adventure!"

How did you get started as an artist?

I have a little collection of drawings my mum saved for me that I did as a 4 year old. When she asked who I was drawing, I replied "The many Beings!"

Featured in these drawings are elephants, flowers and long armed flying elementals amidst rainbows... I look at them and wonder who that younger Ariel was in touch with!

What does art mean to you?

TRANSFORMATION.

Transformation of the simple ingredients: paper, ink, pencil.

Transformation of mind and heart through exploration of content and form.

And hopefully, transformation for the viewer: creating a window through which they can view the world a little differently... to dream into and maybe spark their imagination and inspiration.

Has there ever been a time when making or buying art changed your life?

Not so much a piece of art as an experience of art making.

Around 11 I found a mentor who was, for me, a fantastic being who brightened the world around her through her art. Private lessons with her introduced me to the sanctum of the studio. It was there I first became aware of the deep peace you can experience through art creation.

What inspires your artwork?

I have different streams of inspiration. With the Prosepine works I wanted to explore the joyful and mysterious world of feminine imagination. So many images of and for girls are negative in someway or another. I simply wanted to explore this realm with a sense of joy and mystery. It is my hope that these drawings are liked by young and old alike, even as the body ages we all have that young, bright eyed girl inside.

What medium do you normally create in and why?

At the moment it all about paper and ink; somewhat unforgivable and hard to correct but the effect is luminous.

Why did you start offering original works of art for under $40 a piece?

I like the idea that not everything handmade has to be expensive. Why does it have to be? Somehow there is a mentality it has to have been made by a mechanical process to be of value and it drives me nuts!

I love that inspiration comes from my hand to yours!

What have been the personal rewards for offering original art for under $40?

I am quite new to this format, but with the sales I have had I am most touched to think of my drawings gazing out onto the activities of a new home!

In your opinion, what is the key element for creating original art that you can then sell for $40 or less?

They can't be too big!

If you could share one tip with artists who'd like to make affordable pieces for the average person, what would it be?

Don't rush them. Remember that with each piece you are constantly improving your skills and experience as an artist.