Last week I had the pleasure of interviewing fairy artist Carri Travis by e-mail. Although I initially planned to write her feature in a more article-like way, I couldn't help but publish her responses in their entirety. Travis's writings consistently reveal a sense of humor and a love of life, so I felt that only including bits and pieces wouldn't do her justice.

As can be expected, Travis's art, even the more serious pieces, conveys a deep respect for life. Take the The Poppy Fairy, for example, as she dances and smiles, wings flared amid flowers; the piece just brims with vibrance. Most of her art simply bursts with color and would please everybody from children to adults. Even for those not particularly into fantasy, Travis's art draws on universal themes of nature and a desire to explore the world; in fact, I recently purchased Travis' Beltane as a mother's day gift in honor of the family's Celtic heritage.

Beltane. © Carri Travis.

Travis currently sells her art through her Etsy shop, starting at $5 for ACEO prints. You can view her other pieces or contact her on her homepage.

1. What made you get into drawing/painting fairies?

   I've always been a Disney nut, but when I was about 7 years old, a friend of my mom's introduced me to Wendy Pini (and Richard!) and her world of ElfQuest. I was smitten. I tried to emulate her art, and I still feel that even though today I've found my own voice, her artwork is the launching pad that got me excited about creating my own beings.

   I also became very interested in Goddess based art through my art history classes in college, then through Celtic Highland Games, and started showing my work at those venues. From there, with Celtic myth and history being as rich as it is, it seemed like a natural progression.

2. What do you do for inspiration?

   So many things inspire me to create. My love of reading and researching, commiserating with my fairy artist friends, customers have made suggestions to me, music, other artists,
   and of course my family. Sometimes I sleep and get woken up by a thought that has popped into my head. I just loooove it when inspiration hits me about 3 am...grumble...

   
   The Poppy Fairy. © Carri Travis.

3. What is your favorite kind of fairy?

   The kind that doesn't hide my keys or make my computer and printer go on the fritz the week of a show! LOL As far as the fairies I've created... a "favorite"... I think each one as I'm creating it becomes my new favorite. I like to think I have created something new and different, something that people will like to see.

4. How long have you been drawing/painting?

   I've been drawing since I can remember. I've always had a passion for color, and only started getting serious about painting since 2003. I worked with acrylics in high school,
   and first dabbled in oils in college. I've been working with Fluid Acrylics for about 6 years.

5. Do you have any upcoming events?

   I do! I am participating in a juried all woman arts event called Venus Envy on May 2.
   They have shows in 4 cities in the U.S.,including St. Louis, Memphis, Baton Rouge, and my home town,the Quad Cities. This year the theme is "Who's your Goddess?" and I had 2 works juried in again, "The Morrigan" and "Blodeuwedd". I'll also be a vendor here, selling prints of my work.

   My second show will be in Janesville, Wisconsin May 16-17 at the Janesville Renaissance Faire. This is such a great faire; the faire organizers are a dream to work with, the other vendors are so friendly, and the patrons are just wonderful. I'll be demonstrating there as well as selling my work.

   
   Erato. © Carri Travis.

   I just confirmed myself, and my friend, Deanna Davoli, as artists at the World of Fairies Festival in Elgin, Illinois, in August. I've wanted to go for years, but one thing or another always came up. So I'm excited to not only be there as an artist, but sharing my space with my awesome fairy artist friend Deanna, who makes her home in Tampa (her site is http://www.ambient-arts.com). I'll also be local again in August for the Quad City FunCon, a local comic book convention. It is run by a local comic book shop called Have Fun Collectibles, and I'll be there alongside friends who are artists in the comic book industry. I also just confirmed the Cedar Rapids Celtic Fest (HAGGIS) on September 26, and this will be my fourth year there. Last year they canceled because of the intense damaging flooding that nearly wiped Cedar Rapids (Iowa) out, but they look to be going strong this year. I love that show, it's truly my favorite one to do.

   I have other shows I plan to do this summer and fall, but for now, those are my confirmed shows.

   
   Snow Fairy. © Carri Travis.

6. Do you have a favorite fairy tale?

   Sleeping Beauty by DISNEY! It was the first movie I ever remember seeing, and I just LOVED it. Otherwise, I find myself drawn to pretty much every remake or retelling of Cinderella or Beauty and the Beast.

7. Anything else you'd like to mention or include?

   Oh my goodness... I don't want to be long winded! I love attending festivals and shows, where I can connect with the people who love my art. I live for being a social butterfly, and enjoy sharing the story behind what I have created with patrons at the events I attend.

Visit Carri Travis's sites:
http://carritravis.etsy.com
http://www.daydreamerart.com
http://www.myspace.com/carritravis

The Rosebush Fairy. © Carri Travis.